THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical - News & Discussion Thread — Page 13

Emma_Pillsbury said: "A lot of the changes documented in this thread are merely cosmetic and superficial. Olive - excuse me, lightolive green napkins replacing white ones? It seem that the creative team are focusing on the wrong things to change. The color of napkins are the very least of this production's problems.

So, they substituted a fountain with a glass of water and then to a pitcher of water. Why does it even have to be water? Why not just have Andy toss the phone into a garbage receptacle and call it a day.

"


I mean, it’s freaking Broadway. Track out a big ol’ fountain and have her toss it in! Give us that moment, properly.

The best change in the Thursday, August 4 performance were Miranda’s brief verses at the tail end of the show.

The short coda had only been sung by Miranda but tonight was shared with Andy. They trade verses, then combine beautifully for WHO ARE YOU WEARING TONIGHT.

Emily’s last entrance is now by the footlights instead of mid-wing.

Before the evening began, the pre-show drop of 8 runway models had a newly inserted “Runway - Sept” above the lower right picture. For nerds like me, that’s as exciting as Miranda asking for her post-luncheon car to be ready at 6:15 instead of 3:15.

The scene change that follows THE BLUE SWEATER SONG has turned menacing - with the city backdrop now VERY RED. Overhead, the RUNWAY marquee glows red, off and on.

Ahead of THE BLUE SWEATER SONG, Miranda is impatient with EVERYONE. Beth Leavel is having much fun with her inquiry “Why is no one ready?” as she glares at the cast. Leavel has delivered this one simple line differently most every performance.

Some awesome b-roll has been released featuring "Dress Your Way Up" over a montage of bits spanning the entire show, in lieu of Sunday's opening night.

https://www.playbill.com/article/get-a-1st-look-at-chicago-world-premiere-of-the-devil-wears-prada-musical

It looks hella cheesy.


also something that has been (kinda) bothering me. Please don’t drag me for saying this, but a black woman being treated and spoken to by a white boss the way Maranda Speaks to Andy would not at all fly in 2022. I know it doesn’t/shouldn’t matter but just a thought I’ve had since the casting was announced.

Edit before someone comes for my neck: I get that it’s just a show and doesn’t have to be realistic. Just a thought. Still excited to see it

Updated On: 8/5/22 at 11:24 AM

I stand by my suggestion!


ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "what if they overhauled it as follows:

Music & Lyrics by Michael R. Jackson
Book by Michael R. Jackson perhaps with an assist from Aline Brosh McKenna (screenwriter) or Harvey Fierstein
Directed by Marianne Elliott

Starring Phillipa Soo (or Caitlin Kinnunen? or Julie Benko? or Rachel Zegler?) as Andie, the true starring role of the show. With Christine Baranski as Miranda, Ashley Park as Emily, and Alan Cumming as Nigel

Choreography by Sonya Tayeh or Christopher Gattelli
Costume Design by 3x Oscar winner Jenny Beavan
Set Design by Bunny Christie
Lighting Design by Natasha Katz
Music Direction/Arrangements by Stephen Oremus
Orchestrations by Michael Starobin for a 20-piece orchestra
Sound Design by Gareth Owen

Premiering Spring 2024 at the American Repertory Theatre, followed by a Fall 2024 opening at the Shubert Theatre.

"

Updated On: 8/5/22 at 11:36 AM

@ InTheKnowEvenIfYouDontBelieve

Exactly! It’s one of my favorite movies so I’m excited to see what happens with the show, but I’m pretty sure that will be mentioned in the reviews once they come out. I’m not saying Taylor doesn’t deserve the role. But the thought of a powerful white woman gaslighting and degrading a black woman on stage in 2022 feels weird. I wonder if that came up at all during the creative process.

Updated On: 8/5/22 at 11:38 AM

Particularly something about the way a White 60 Year Old Elite New York One-Percenter Woman insulting a young not-well-off POC girl for being “low class” and for not having the money to dress “correctly”seems f****** gross. It’s almost like a bunch of out of touch very rich writers/creators made this….

Updated On: 8/5/22 at 11:57 AM

InTheKnowEvenIfYouDontBelieve said: "Particularly something about the way a White 60 Year Old Elite New York One-Percenter Woman insulting a young not-well-off POC girl for being “low class” and for not having the money to dress “correctly”seems f****** gross. It’s almost like a bunch of out of touch very rich writers/creators made this…."

I agree, it's gross. Diversity is tricky in this show for several different reasons. It most likely won't fly in New York, I just don't know how to fix it since the cast is currently diverse, which seems to be the one great thing about it.

How surprising the merch is the most boring I've seen in years. Wow.

The merch is wonderful, very classy. Especially like the "That's All" tee. Wow!

It takes everything from the sleek and stylish movie and just trashes it.

I disagree. I think the Merch is actually pretty classy and chic. I like the "That's all" tee. I would wear that.

For the rest of it....

I mean, is there diversity in the fashion industry? I think it's great to see diversity on stage, but is this an actual representation of the industry? I'm pretty sure body shaming is STILL an issue, so to gloss over it seems... weird? And I agree the social dynamics aren't great.