Sondheim and Ives' HERE WE ARE at The Shed — Page 23

Looking at the audition list, my assumption is that David Hyde Pierce is playing Leo - who seems like the male lead to the extent there is one. He’s the right age for it, and the role also doesn’t call for a powerhouse singer.

I could easily be wrong, of course, and don’t pretend to have the slightest idea. Perhaps he’s Bishop. But David Hyde Pierce is the biggest ‘name’ in the show for non-Broadway people, and he did win a Tony Award.

Don’t you think Bobby Cannavale is a bigger name than David Hyde Pierce?

Fair points. I was not thinking of Cannavale for Leo because that character is listed as older than Cannavale plays or looks. But it’s a new musical, so the creatives can be even more flexible than usual. The requirements for the male characters often don’t include a lot of singing, though there are exceptions.

I have no idea whether there are leads or if this is more of an ensemble piece.

Updated On: 7/22/23 at 07:50 PM

macnyc said: "Regarding the set or lack thereof, I recall that Straight Line Crazy had a nice set consisting of Robert Moses' office and working space for staff. I don't remember if other setting were shown. Although it didn't feel bare bones, it definitely wasn't elaborate."

The conceptual, minimalist set for "Straight Line Crazy" at the Shed was essentially a recreation of the set from the original production at the Bridge Theatre in London, so I don't think it's an indication of any scenic limitations they may have at the Shed.

Regarding any scenic design limitations of The Shed, this is the set for Norma Jeane Baker of Troy, the first production to use the space (sorry for the fuzzy pic):

Updated On: 7/23/23 at 01:19 PM

Robbie2 said: "TaffyDavenport said: "Regarding any scenic design limitations of The Shed, this is the set for Norma Jeane Baker of Troy, the first production to use the space (sorry for the fuzzy pic):


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Bunuel's film -The Exterminating Angel was done as an opera at the Met - here's the interesting set.

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Robbie2 said: "Robbie2 said: "Robbie2 said: "TaffyDavenport said: "Regarding any scenic design limitations of The Shed, this is the set for Norma Jeane Baker of Troy, the first production to use the space (sorry for the fuzzy pic):


"

Bunuel's film -The Exterminating Angel was done as an opera at the Met - here's the interesting set.

"

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binau said: "Has anyone seen the films that this is based on? I haven’t, but looking briefly at the trailers it does feel like this is likely going to be an ensemble show…."


Both films are absolutely ensemble pieces. In fact, neither film even really has a central character.

Robbie2 said: "

Sondheim revealed that the musical would be about “trying to find a place to have dinner. The first act would be inspired by Buñuel's The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie and the second on his The Exterminating Angel - two movies set at surreal dinner parties. The first half, said Steve, deals with interruptions to dinner, the second is about “people who have dinner and can’t leave,” which “is my cheerful view of the world today.”

https://www.sondheimsociety.com/single-post/hereweare"



So looking forward to this --- September cannot get here soon enough!

Part of me wonders if it’s the book that is going to be make or break for this show, not Sondheim’s score. A mediocre score could still be a great show (e.g. Funny Thing). But a lousy book will sink it.

Updated On: 7/28/23 at 03:02 AM

Before, or at least around the same time, per articles written between 2014 and 2017. Sondheim commented that the comparison would make for a fascinating study, in part of the different ways opera and musical theater adapts the same material.

I have no idea how far Sondheim got with the part of the musical that adapts The Exterminating Angel, however - which would seem to be the second act based on his own description. Here We Are also doesn’t sound like a straightforward screen-to-stage adaptation, given that it apparently tries to merge two different films, however loosely.

I think if there were severe problems they would be cancelling the first preview and subsequent performances not a sporadic Monday night. I'm hoping more likely just some scheduling challenges that needed to be rethought.

Thanks for the insight. I wondered if it was just a scheduling thing.