Sondheim and Ives' HERE WE ARE at The Shed- Page 59
Sondheim and Ives' HERE WE ARE at The Shed
bear88
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/26/16
#1450Here We Are
Posted: 1/12/24 at 8:01pm
StylishCynic said: "bear88 said: "Given the surreal nature of the source material, it is perhaps a fool's errand to ask too many questions about plot and character developments inHere We Are, and some things seem left to the audience's imagination or are open to interpretation. I couldn't figure out a way to address these queries without spoiling the plot. So here goes (under spoiler tags):
Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content
-- What does Marianne remember to do?
-- What happens to the main characters at the end?
-- What happens to the main characters at the end?
."
My thoughts:
Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content
-- What does Marianne remember to do?
-- I'm fairly sure that at the end, I heard Marianne say that she "just didn't [tell anyone what it was she was supposed to do]". This could easily be misunderstood as "just did it." We need the published script to confirm.
--If she did indeed say that she "did it," then it's my understanding that whatever it was... when it happened, it wasn't shown. The sequences In The Room cut around the amount of time. It either happened in between scenes that we are shown, or it happened when they were freed and everyone's phone began working again.
-- What happens to the main characters at the end?
--I thought that the Revolution found them? In other words, we see that our protagonists escaped one pickle only to fall into another.
-- re: Character changes
--There's not too much to read into here. It's clear that the HWA protagonists are only loosely inspired by the Buñuel characters and this creative team impressed their own personalities onto the archetypes. An example is how the two lovers commit suicide in the closet in the film. Sondheim / Ives make an excellent joke of this and instead found more value to the show in preserving all of their characters.
--We also know from the @SondheimLetters instagram that in one iteration (maybe circa 2017) of the show, they removed the "Priest / Gardener" entirely because they found that "he was the unnecessary member of the group." This decision was evidently reversed.
-- I'm fairly sure that at the end, I heard Marianne say that she "just didn't [tell anyone what it was she was supposed to do]". This could easily be misunderstood as "just did it." We need the published script to confirm.
--If she did indeed say that she "did it," then it's my understanding that whatever it was... when it happened, it wasn't shown. The sequences In The Room cut around the amount of time. It either happened in between scenes that we are shown, or it happened when they were freed and everyone's phone began working again.
-- What happens to the main characters at the end?
--I thought that the Revolution found them? In other words, we see that our protagonists escaped one pickle only to fall into another.
-- re: Character changes
--There's not too much to read into here. It's clear that the HWA protagonists are only loosely inspired by the Buñuel characters and this creative team impressed their own personalities onto the archetypes. An example is how the two lovers commit suicide in the closet in the film. Sondheim / Ives make an excellent joke of this and instead found more value to the show in preserving all of their characters.
--We also know from the @SondheimLetters instagram that in one iteration (maybe circa 2017) of the show, they removed the "Priest / Gardener" entirely because they found that "he was the unnecessary member of the group." This decision was evidently reversed.
As one of your points isn’t much of a spoiler, I am interested in the fact that David Hyde Pierce’s character was originally cut from the show as ‘the unnecessary member of the group.’ (I ran across Sondheim’s 2017 letter in the SondheimLetters Instagram page, as you noted.) This raises the question of when the bishop was restored. Obviously, Sondheim had written a song for him - but it’s not terribly surprising that he and Ives would have decided to drop him (and his song) when they just had a first act. His abrupt arrival near the very end of the first act, while true to the film, feels even more random than the other events.
But David Hyde Pierce plays a small but pivotal role in the second act, and I am curious about whether the decision to restore the bishop was made long before Sondheim died, or after the last reading, or possibly after Sondheim’s death when David Ives and Joe Mantello were making revisions. My suspicion is that he was back in the show by the time of the 2021 reading, but it’s just one of the show’s many mysteries.
The bishop’s restoration does change the tone of the show in ways that worked for me. And David Hyde Pierce was wonderful, especially in his scenes with Rachel Bay Jones.
#1451Here We Are
Posted: 1/12/24 at 8:24pm
She returns to the stage, and is with the group when the lights go out.
Sorry, didn't see that this was answered already.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#1452Here We Are
Posted: 1/12/24 at 8:25pm
She physically leaves the space.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#1453Here We Are
Posted: 1/14/24 at 5:47pm
The first half of this show feels like the platonic ideal of a Sondheim show, and though a lot of the music recalls melodies from the last act of his career, it's buoyed up by the brilliant lyrics and incredibly witty adaptation of Bunuel's film. It was also just wonderful to be able to hear those wiggly latin rhythms that infected Sondheim's scores one last time, and really just to hear musical theatre songs that are, in every moment, alive with purpose, leading you with a sure hand. These songs are pure musical comedy, perfectly pointed and working with the phrasing to deliver their punch-lines, and do a great job of carrying the dark, daffy humor, as well as capturing the violent whimsy of the film.
The second half is by no means bad, and it's definitely a more entertaining adaptation than Ades's slouching, dirge-like opera but it doesn't fly like the first half does. It goes from being a one-of-a-kind musical to a good stage play, albeit one with a lot of very funny lines ("you just spilled about fifty thousand semolinas of pumpkin" and "not the shoe!" both got me good) and supported by a really amazing cast. Rachel Bay Jones consistently had me rolling, turning what could be a really tired bimbo character into the foundation of the show, and David Hyde Pierce connects beautifully with her. The second act of the show could've just been a two-hander for them and I would've been happy.
Also, Tracie Bennett in that maniacal short waitress bob? Iconic.
Anyways, when the bishop gave his little remark to the piano before closing its lid at the start of the second day in the room I got choked up. The music plays, and there he is, and then it stops. I'm really glad we got to have this, at least, and I can't wait to pore over the lyrics on the cast album.
#1454Here We Are
Posted: 1/18/24 at 11:49pm
Went back tonight for one last look after seeing it early on.
What an ungodly mess. Sondheim would have been embarrassed to have approved this. His "songs" all but disappear.
And it just drones on and on with no point. Not that it has to have a point. But on the other hand...maybe it does!!!
#1455Here We Are
Posted: 1/19/24 at 12:12am
It was pretty obvious there wouldn't be major changes to this piece, why punish yourself with a second viewing if you despised it so much?
#1456Here We Are
Posted: 1/19/24 at 12:27am
I'm not exactly sure, but I think there were some substantial changes. Didn't make it much better though.
And why was it obvious there wouldn't be any major changes? I mean, they might want to make it "better"? Artists can't help but tinker.
#1457Here We Are
Posted: 1/19/24 at 12:53am
I think Sondheim would have been absolutely delighted by this production.
inception
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/2/13
#1458Here We Are
Posted: 1/19/24 at 5:34am
No point?
A person could only be willfully blind to miss the point.
This was such a success in how it took very downbeat source material & turned it into a delightful comedy.
Not only the last musical by Stephen Sondheim, but perhaps the last musical that ever needs to be written or produced.
The final musical for all eternity.
The chapter on this part of human history has ended.
...
#1459Here We Are
Posted: 1/19/24 at 11:31am
I wouldn’t change a thing about the first act, it’s delirious joy from start to finish. It’s been a while since I’ve been so thoroughly absorbed by a musical.
”BECAUSE IT’S MY JOB!”
#1460Here We Are
Posted: 1/19/24 at 1:22pm
Skip23 said: "I'm not exactly sure, but I think there were some substantial changes. Didn't make it much better though.
And why was it obvious there wouldn't be any major changes? I mean, they might want to make it "better"? Artists can't help but tinker.
"
Well there was no opportunity to alter the score with the composer being gone. I believe the book was condensed a bit during previews, but I still don’t think there were major changes.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#1461Here We Are
Posted: 1/19/24 at 2:47pm
I just saw if for the second time because I adored it. I didn't notice any major changes...but truth be told, I'm often amazed at the details some you pick up on. My first viewing was back in October - so memory wanes.
I am can't wait to get the recording.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
jacobsnchz14
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/13/06
#1462Here We Are
Posted: 1/21/24 at 12:50pm
Looking forward to today’s final performance. Bittersweet.
Dom P
Featured Actor Joined: 7/22/23
#1463Here We Are
Posted: 1/21/24 at 2:15pm
jacobsnchz14 said: "Looking forward to today’s final performance. Bittersweet."
Perhaps,some 1st class adventerous regional companies will mount productions.
StylishCynic
Stand-by Joined: 7/5/16
#1464Here We Are
Posted: 1/21/24 at 2:57pm
Outside of a rumored London premiere, I can definitely see regional productions at Steppenwolf or The Goodman in Chicago (although the former more likely due to their in-the-round theater) and Berkeley Rep being staged in the very near future.
#1465Here We Are
Posted: 1/21/24 at 3:28pm
Will never forget that strange and wonderful feeling of seeing a brand new Sondheim score performed for the first...and last..time in NYC before my very eyes/ears. While it may not be one of his greatest scores, I think I didn't expect the overall production, book, actors, score etc. all to work together as well as it did. This was a joy to experience! Farewell!
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
theatergoer3
Leading Actor Joined: 4/13/13
#1466Here We Are
Posted: 1/21/24 at 4:07pm
A good run and I'm also looking forward to the recording, hopefully dropping soon.
I liked the score more than the book but the cast was great so I am glad I saw this.
Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content
A beautiful final song for Sondheim's career as well.
#1467Here We Are
Posted: 1/21/24 at 5:13pm
StylishCynic said: "Outside of a rumored London premiere, I can definitely see regional productions at Steppenwolf or The Goodman in Chicago (although the former more likely due to their in-the-round theater) and Berkeley Rep being staged in the very near future."
My bet would be on Signature (Virginia) getting to it first, but we'll find out in the next few years I'm sure!
#1468Here We Are
Posted: 1/21/24 at 5:28pm
Just a great show today. I saw this 5x and this performance was definitely my favorite of all of them. The cast seemed to just be having a lot of fun today and that translated right to the audience who seemed to be totally along for the ride. I’ll miss this weird & quirky show and will hopefully be able to see it again elsewhere, soon.
As I was leaving, I made eye contact with none other than the greatest voice to ever be on stage, Miss Betty Buckley, herself. Always a thrill. I think I heard Darren Criss was also there, today.
jacobsnchz14
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/13/06
#1469Here We Are
Posted: 1/21/24 at 8:27pm
If anyone else who was there this afternoon happened to get a video of the bows, please let me know! I regret not getting to capture it. I don’t know if I can sum up my experience and say what hasn’t already been said in this thread, so I’ll quote Marianne and the lovely company: “What a perfect day. Face it, are we not blessed?” I’ll remember this performance forever.
Fordham2015
Broadway Star Joined: 4/3/17
#1470Here We Are
Posted: 1/21/24 at 9:00pm
Show account posted the final bows: https://www.instagram.com/p/C2Yl5rbtxuk/
#1471Here We Are
Posted: 1/21/24 at 9:32pm
It was a lovely closing performance. It was my third time seeing the show, and I enjoy act two more each time I see it. The underscoring based on Sondheim’s existing music is wonderful. Tunick and Gemignani did such a fabulous job with it. I hope they captured most of it for the cast recording.
The cast was definitely emotional at curtain call, you could really sense their camaraderie.
Sondheim would’ve been so proud of this production.
StylishCynic
Stand-by Joined: 7/5/16
#1472Here We Are
Posted: 1/22/24 at 11:16am
The cast and creative team have started posting picture and video "dumps" on Instagram now that the production has wrapped.
The final song is titled "Going Nowhere, As Always, With Brisk Determination (Finale)", which likely means that this is the song title of the recurring Road Sequences.
rattleNwoolypenguin
Broadway Star Joined: 10/11/11
#1473Here We Are
Posted: 1/22/24 at 11:43am
I'm thankful for it. It's such a hard show to know how to feel about.
It did feel unfinished.
We'll never know what this show would've actually been had Sondheim gotten to work up to the last minute.
But it was fascinating. It dared to be strange in a time of safe choice after safe choice theatrically.
And we got a few more wonderful lyrics out of him.
berniesb!tch
Stand-by Joined: 5/23/21
#1474Here We Are
Posted: 1/22/24 at 11:59am
Was at the last show yesterday for my 6th time at the show. What a marvelous production and show. I just loved it. Cannot wait for that cast recording to hear Jin Ha and Steven Pasquale in all their glory.
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