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

[DaveyG]

Posted: 8/4/22 at 5:16pm

Pashacar said: "shocktheatre said: "Oops. Is this gonna be another high-profile misfire from Miss Hissy Fit ("My score is perfect as is, work the **** arount it"?"

What's the story here? Something from Suffs? Shame this sounds like such a misfire."

I believe shocktheatre was referring to Elton John, not Shaina Taub. 

Updated On: 8/4/22 at 05:16 PM

[Luminaire2]

Posted: 8/4/22 at 6:30pm

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.

[pethian]

Posted: 8/4/22 at 7:44pm

Any news about the composer's reaction now that he's seen it? We haven't heard of any Aida-style fireworks. Maybe he's happy with it.

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 8/5/22 at 12:17am

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.

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 8/5/22 at 12:25am

Leaval is incredible - her performance made The Prom - so I’m hoping this is a knock out for her but sounds like they need to step it up. 

[DiscoCrows]

Posted: 8/5/22 at 11:14am

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

[InTheKnowEvenIfYouDontBelieve]

Posted: 8/5/22 at 11:18am

Somehow the footage showcases the material worse than the demo that leaked out in 2019… and those were literally the worst musical theatre songs I’d ever heard.  I don’t understand how they made it worse with such lazy staging.  Again, there’s a reason this was written as a vehicle for Audra ad Miranda but she pulled out as soon as she heard the score.  This is more than DOA, like Pretty Women it’s a lazy skid mark on the underwear of musical theatre.  Wipe before you pull up your pants next time, Elton. 

Updated On: 8/5/22 at 11:18 AM

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 8/5/22 at 11:24am

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

[InTheKnowEvenIfYouDontBelieve]

Posted: 8/5/22 at 11:30am

YvanEhtNioj said: "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"

before the old money trust fund boomer white men who flood this board with their terribly out of date neo-liberal takes, I 20000% emphatically agree.  I’ve been thinking about making a video about it but I wanted to wait until it got to Broadway and the script was locked.  I ONE MILLION percent agree that the aspect of race relations can’t be ignored.  It reminds me of when they cast Josh Henry next to Jesse Muller in Carousel… if you’re going to do that, you better have a stronger director (preferably one of color) than Anne Shapiro and Hack O’Brien. 

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/5/22 at 11:36am

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

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 8/5/22 at 11:37am

The video makes it look like a mix of Ghost and Pretty Woman - not great.

Am I seeing a backdrop that includes the Eiffel Tower even though the Eiffel Tower is a huge set piece already on stage? Bizarre. 

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 8/5/22 at 11:38am

@ 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

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 8/5/22 at 11:56am

I am getting Mean Girls/ Pretty Woman vibes… I thought both of those shows were super fun, but I was hoping for something a little higher caliber for DWP. Regardless, I’m looking forward to seeing this in Chicago next weekend!

[InTheKnowEvenIfYouDontBelieve]

Posted: 8/5/22 at 11:57am

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

[Marlothom]

Posted: 8/5/22 at 12:10pm

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…."

There is actually a scene in Act 2, where photographers are taking photos of Miranda and Nigel in Paris, Andy moves aside and Miranda goes "stay".  Both times I've seen the show, it feels icky.  The first time, someone behind said "like a dog?".  

One issue they have "addressed?" or erased from the show is body shaming - all of the Size 2, size 6 stuff is gone - I believe in Dress Your Way Up, Nigel suggests Andy try this dress in an 8 or 10 (without a hint of humor), and the ensemble are all of different shapes and sizes.   Also, Emily's diet/eating disorder is shortened to just one line ("doing a celery broth diet".  If anything, I wish they would make a commentary, poke fun, discuss this very real thing in the fashion industry.  

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/5/22 at 12:17pm

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. 

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 8/5/22 at 12:23pm

Beth looks so wrong for this. Jean Smart where are you !?!

Updated On: 8/5/22 at 12:23 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/5/22 at 12:28pm

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

 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 8/5/22 at 12:34pm

I don't understand the hairstyle they went with for Miranda. It's just so boring and indistinctive. I'm not even looking at the clothes because I'm so baffled by her head.

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 8/5/22 at 12:51pm

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

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/5/22 at 12:53pm

Well they’re limited with what they can say since allegedly they can’t use the word “Prada” on any article of clothing. And it’s out of town — merch isn’t usually a massive moneymaker for Broadway and iTs possible that art could change after Chicago.

[Impeach2017]

Posted: 8/5/22 at 1:04pm

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

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/5/22 at 1:06pm

Completely. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/5/22 at 1:15pm

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.

[pethian]

Posted: 8/5/22 at 1:49pm

RippedMan said:
"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."

I've not seen it and am not clear based on what's been reported: is the casting color-blind or color -conscious?