Southern Comfort (Previews)

[Relevance81491]

Posted: 2/23/16 at 9:38am

I am verry curious about this one. Post your thoughts here

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/23/16 at 1:13pm

Just got an invite to tonight's performance. Looking forward to it!

[izzio2]

Posted: 2/23/16 at 9:51pm

I just saw it. I thought it was really beautifully done. It's really a character piece; there isn't much of a plot. Excellent performances by everyone and really great characters. I enjoyed the music a lot. I'm curious to see what other people think.

[izzio2]

Posted: 2/24/16 at 12:00am

I'll comment again and say that two hours later, this show is all I can think about. It's really growing on me in an unexpected way. I think it's really a gorgeous piece. I would love to hear thoughts from people in the transgender community, as I can only appreciate the pain the characters endure from a distance. 

I really wish the best for this show and I wouldn't doubt a Broadway run.

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/24/16 at 12:02am

Was there as well this evening. I will say that I tend to stay away from most LGBT shows. A lot have been about acceptance or confusion over orientation. I was told to see STRAIGHT but the play description has kept me away. 

 

With that said, this piece is about acceptance but I settled in realizing the location and the subject matter. For a first preview it seemed to go smoothly. Only a few noticeable flubs that were nothing major. The performances we're all good. Jeffrey Kuhn and Jeff McCarthy were very good. Annette O''Toole was pretty amazing. I was just floored by her performance. I also had no clue she had such a good singing voice. Going in I thought I had seen the documentary. When Robert mentions going to Southern Comfort it came back to me. Still a bit fuzzy but from what I remember, O'Toole and McCarthy do a great job of portraying the real life Robert and Lola.

 

Unfortunately the the music is fairly one note. They try to switch it up a bit with some interesting notes and arrangements sprinkled in but it is what holds the show back. (I am a big country/bluegrass fan and to their credit, they did a decent job of blending country/bluegrass with a musical theatre sound) The story is fine and the book is also fine, but could use a little tightening up. Had this been a play and not a musical I would have enjoyed it just as much. Maybe more. Thank goodness for a good cast. However, if they record it, I would buy it. I think the music would be fine to listen to. There are a few standout numbers, in my opinion (Bird, I'm Goin', Home and Spring).

 

The set is beautiful as is the lighting. A single set that works well and the band, who also play parts in the show, are visible behind a gorgeous "tree". The direction was fine except for a few bits with McCarthy. He has a big number in act two and it should have included a bit more movement around the stage. He looked like he didn't know what to do with his hands while standing there. He was in a bit of a rage and that did not come through in the direction.

 

The sound was fine and I am sure they will correct some of the instances where the band overpowers the actors. They actually seemed to do an adjistment in the middle of one song, which was impressive. (I am very interested in sound design.)

 

So I say see it if you have any interest in doing so. It doesn't really drag, although Act One could use some tightening up, and it is a good "story". Also, you will get to see O'Toole's wonderful performance.   As always, JMO.

Updated On: 2/24/16 at 12:02 AM

[izzio2]

Posted: 2/24/16 at 12:14am

I agree about the music being one note, though I found much of it to be lovely. And I know what you're talking about with that McCarthy scene--definitely felt awkward.

 

(I absolutely hated Straight btw)

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/24/16 at 12:40am

He kinda just stood there with his hands in the jacket pockets. It was a perfect time for this "character" to open up/let loose as he had some issues. Maybe not move around the entire stage but at least get closer to Jackson. And it ran through my mind that it would even open him up vocally.

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 2/24/16 at 10:51am

First of all, congrats to the Public for once again giving a home to an edgy musical!

As someone already said, this will haunt you long after you leave the theater. For a first preview it went amazingly well, and I'm sure that as they proceed some of the kinks will be worked out. I thought the score was quite good, but I can appreciate that the style of music may not resonate with others.

Annette O'Toole -  this is one of the most amazing performances I have EVER seen -  she disappears entirely into her character and has two stunning solos.

Looking forward to a repeat visit!

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 10:52pm

I went tonight. Rushed 10mins before and got a great seat for $20. 

First off, this is my favorite space in NYC. I just love the theater. I love all the columns and the detail and wondering what the space must have been before, etc. And I love seeing how the different designers interpret the space. 

The design for this is beautiful. It's a simple unit set, but it has some great detail. And the lighting is gorgeous. (Not to give anything away, but when the light hits the picture on the tree and it times perfectly with the last guitar pluck is just beautiful). 

However, I thought the show was kind of bad. The lyrics are pedestrian - they rhyme look and book a few times. And the songs are all the same kind of "love yourself" "your inner truth is the most important" kind of stuff that we'd all expect to hear. The melodies are non existent. The band are awesome, and the older woman has an insanely beautiful voice, but the actors all left a little something to be desired vocally. At the top of Act 2 is a big showy number for Carly, but she doesn't quite have the vocals to make it a show stopper, and same for McCarthy in his big Act 2 solo. He at least acted the crap out of it, but it didn't make the song memorable. 

The story is fine. There's no plot and it's pretty obvious to figure out what will happen. And the way it's handled is quite beautiful. There just isn't a ton of new ground covered - expect for the fact that their transgender. But it's the same stories of acceptance and whatnot. Which is heartbreaking to hear, but as a gay man, it gets a bit tedious after awhile. 

The directing wasn't the best either. The space I think could have been used better. 

Overall I'm glad I saw it, as it was a spur of the moment decision, and I had no clue what I was seeing. I cried, but I'm a softie. I don't think the characters ever really developed for me. I wanted to know more, like did McCarthy's character ever "transition," etc. 

O'toole, though, is giving a crazy good performance. I honestly wasn't sure if the actor was really transgender or not - hard to tell who in the cast really is or isn't, which is a positive for the actors. But she really nailed it in the part. And I think McCarthy is giving a great performance. Just wish they had more memorable things to say and do. 

[vegas2]

Posted: 2/26/16 at 12:05pm

Glad to hear some good reports.  Seeing it next week.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 2/26/16 at 5:13pm

Caught the original incarnation when it was being workshopped at CAP 21 in 2011. A powerful and poignant piece. Can't wait to see it again next month. So happy for the positive buzz coming out of initial previews. They deserve it.

[ARTc3]

Posted: 2/28/16 at 2:11pm

I am very excited about seeing this.

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 2/28/16 at 3:34pm

This show is just...bad. I'm sure people will praise it on the subject matter alone but if I were trans I would like a better representation than this crap. I think this would have been better served by being a straight play rather than a musical. Or is everyone is insistent on this being a musical then it should have been cast with people who could sing, not just those who are transgender.

 

Annette O'Toole disappears into the role but I wouldn't say she's the strongest singer. The rest of the cast is alright but they aren't given the strongest material to work with. The Storytellers have good voices and I wish all of the singing was left to them. The music is listenable but the lyrics are almost laughable in their childishness.

 

While FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE had a simple set that offered a great view from nearly any seat in the theatre, this does not. The set is entirely too bulky for the space with a giant "tree" and porch with a swing that is barely utilized. Because of these giant pieces (along with large permanent columns) there are several seats on the sides that are obstructed. THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM has a similar feel but that staging does sparsity well. 

 

This is one of the musicals I was most looking forward to this season and it's severely disappointing how bad it was. I don't think there is much hope for it because the entire creative team is so inexperienced and it shows. Definite pass here.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/28/16 at 10:34pm

Same feeling I got. I thought the performers were fine, they just weren't the voices to match the score. I'm all for casting authentically, but also, which performer is going to elevate the material? I don't think these are them, or the director.

 

[gstrus2]

Posted: 2/28/16 at 10:45pm

I saw this tonight and am stuck in the middle. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. I thought Annette O'Toole was great, but the score didn't blow me away. I am now interested in seeing the movie and seeing how the actors portrayed their movie counterparts. I do somewhat wish (especially after that large casting call) that more of the performers would be transgender themselves, but the actors in the show did a good job.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/29/16 at 2:26pm

I'd rather have good singers and actors than just transgender people on stage. Actors are suppose to act. They're suppose to play someone other than themselves. 

[haterobics]

Posted: 2/29/16 at 2:37pm

uncageg said: "It doesn't really drag..."

 

OMG, that is so transphobic.

 

I have front row seats for this, and got an e-mail I'm sitting in some nonconventional blahblah. Any insight from early attendees?

Updated On: 2/29/16 at 02:37 PM

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 2/29/16 at 2:47pm

haterobics said: "I have front row seats for this, and got an e-mail I'm sitting in some nonconventional blahblah. Any insight from early attendees?"

The front row seats are like metal outdoor chairs that I believe are all different yet evoke the image of the stereotypical "South." I'm pretty sure they're all cushioned though.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/29/16 at 2:57pm

yeah you'll be fine, and they're really accommodating anyway, so if you hate it just move. 

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/29/16 at 3:26pm

haterobics said: "uncageg said: "It doesn't really drag..."

 

 

 

OMG, that is so transphobic.

 

 

 

I have front row seats for this, and got an e-mail I'm sitting in some nonconventional blahblah. Any insight from early attendees?

 

Lol I swear that was not on purpose!

 

 

Updated On: 3/2/16 at 03:26 PM

[Taryn]

Posted: 3/5/16 at 12:58pm

Man, I would like to see this, but my tickets have been cancelled twice now due to actor illness.

[jv92]

Posted: 3/5/16 at 7:22pm

I was supposed to go this afternoon-- canceled, unfortunately. Hoping to reschedule. 

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 3/5/16 at 7:49pm

You should both count yourselves lucky. And I don't know how the actors being sick should affect the play, couldn't make them sound worse.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 3/5/16 at 9:14pm

Any idea which of the actors is ill? The show opens this week. Here's to a speedy recovery.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/5/16 at 9:35pm

Don't think they have understudies. Which seems odd.