Sondheim and Ives' HERE WE ARE at The Shed — Page 44

n2nbaby said: "Call me crazy, but I just don’t see this transferring but, hey, crazier things have happened.


It is worth seeing 100% if you’re a fan of this cast and/or Sondheim."

Agree. Doesn’t seem like something that would transfer. And this cast is absolutely stacked.

For those that have gone recently... what's the current running time? Still clocking in at 2:30?

In a weird way I actually think Here We Are has more commercial prospects than both Passion and Road Show. That’s not high praise, and it doesn’t NEED to transfer (maybe it’s better to quit while you’re ahead). But it’s hard not to be impressed at how much has gone into this production. Wasn’t an article saying someone put an $8 million enhancement? Maybe with these ticket prices and run they can recoup that but it does make me wonder if someone has bigger ambitions.

binau said: "In a weird way I actually think Here We Are has more commercial prospects than both Passion and Road Show. That’s not high praise, and it doesn’t NEED to transfer (maybe it’s better to quit while you’re ahead). But it’s hard not to be impressed at how much has gone into this production. Wasn’t an article saying someone put an $8 million enhancement? Maybe with these ticket prices and run they can recoup that but it does make me wonder if someone has bigger ambitions."

That sounds about right, but since The Shed is mostly a presenting house, I can't imagine they spent much to be begin with.

Completely unnecessary to transfer to Broadway, the only difference between off broadway and broadway is the number of seats truly and of course the Tony's... if anything I can see this extending and possible replacements eventually.



On a different note, Rachel Bay Jones, there were certain phrases, singing, timbre in her voice that were extremely similar to Bernadette Peters!!! To the point of you felt and heard Bernadette in the room. She was definitely a muse for Sondheim that's without a doubt!

How odd. I wonder why that would be.

Also meant to say that there's no new music at the end of act two. Did they add something and then remove it?

It’s a tough one. But I really think the lack of music in act two makes sense once the piano dies. Curious if Ives wrote that plot point in there as a way to explain it. But when the piano works again that symbolizes the return of the music and not having another song is the only thing in the show that I personally think doesn’t work and truly makes the piece feel unfinished.

ROAD SHOW is a much fuller score, and I do think it's very good. There are several Sondheim "standards" in it, but the boring book often weighs down the show.

Of his newer songs written in this century, "Brotherly Love" (Road Show), "God!" (Sondheim on Sondheim), and "She'll Be Back" (Cut from ITW movie) - I think HERE WE ARE is better. HWA is lighter Sondheim, you can feel he let his guard down, and was trying to have fun with this score. It's quite refreshing.

Updated On: 10/11/23 at 12:08 PM

Sutton Ross said: "People should be singing through the duration of a musical, that's kind of the point of their existence, imo.

"

No.

Depends on what you mean. Sung-through like Evita or Umbrellas of Cherbourg? No.

That's great that it worked for you, I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. It just didn't for me and that's perfectly okay.