THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical - News & Discussion Thread — Page 15

Beth is and will make a great Miranda. But this show just seems a giant miss. Was Paris such a big deal in the movie? I just remember it briefly at the end. And why are they under the Eiffel Tower but also you can see it in the distance? Did not one person question that? It’s weird that the whole second half takes place directly underneath it as well… Christine Jones does good work but something is amiss here. And that song sounds like C list Kinky Boots. 

Looking at my performances tomorrow, both shows are close to selling out.

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "SouthernCakes said: "Was Paris such a big deal in the movie?"

Paris gets talked about a lot leading up to it (especially re: the Emily role). I would say it's much of the 3rd act of the movie? But that structure has to be different in a stage musical. Andy getting chosen over Emily to go to Paris is certainly the type of thing that could be consequential enough for an act 1 finale. It's a significant moment for both Andy & Miranda (and Emily)."

I think a more interesting act break would have been when Andy can't get Miranda back from Miami due to the storm (does this even happen in the musical?).  You leave it as a cliffhanger.  During intermission everyone would be anticipating Miranda's wrath.

Also I've said from the start that Leavel has always been wrong for this.  You need a more high profile performer (to overcome the Streep factor).  And honestly someone with more sophistication and unique style. (ie. Vanessa Williams, Hannah Waddingham, Patti LuPone, etc.)

Beth has proven she can give a great performance. Me thinks the creatives are just flubbing the material. 
 

But this is inherent to the materiel. Miranda isn’t the type of character to “sing” to me. So how do you make that work in a musical. 

InTheKnowEvenIfYouDontBelieve said: "Tag said: "Also I've said from the start that Leavel has always been wrong for this. You need a more high profile performer (to overcome the Streep factor). And honestly someone with more sophistication and unique style. (ie. Vanessa Williams, Hannah Waddingham, Patti LuPone, etc.)”

Agree 100%. The problem is they asked a lot of “names” who all heard the material and said “lol nah.” They can’t get A+talent to sign onto a D- musical! Lol!"

 

Agree not feeling Beth or the girl playing Andy - feel the casting is wrong to begin with. Miranda needs to be a sophisticated yet ice cold-bitch on wheels with an over the top personality and unique style. That's not Beth sorry to say. My agent friend said the same thing and as is, this musical won't be coming to Broadway.

Robbie2 said: "InTheKnowEvenIfYouDontBelieve said: "Tag said: "Also I've said from the start that Leavel has always been wrong for this. You need a more high profile performer (to overcome the Streep factor). And honestly someone with more sophistication and unique style. (ie. Vanessa Williams, Hannah Waddingham, Patti LuPone, etc.)”

Agree 100%. The problem is they asked a lot of “names” who all heard the material and said “lol nah.” They can’t get A+talent to sign onto a D- musical! Lol!"



Agree not feeling Beth or the girl playing Andy - feel the casting is wrong to begin with. Miranda needs to be a sophisticated yet ice cold-bitch on wheels with an over the top personality and unique style. That's not Beth sorry to say. My agent friend said the same thing and as is, this musical won't be coming to Broadway."

You're basing your opinion on what? Pictures? Previous performances? She basically played an ice cold bitch in The Prom to perfection. Not sure where you're getting your opinion from...

As someone who has actually seen the show - there are ABSOLUTELY things that can (and should) be improved, and I think they will continue to work on it after this Chicago run, but the comments based on a few photos and a 50-second clip are wild. This will absolutely not be everyone’s cup of tea, but maybe actually see it first before tearing it to pieces 😉 

Thank God because the Devil does not wear TJ Maxx.



 

Bill Snibson said: "RippedMan said: "Robbie2 said: "InTheKnowEvenIfYouDontBelieve said: "Tag said: "Also I've said from the start that Leavel has always been wrong for this. You need a more high profile performer (to overcome the Streep factor). And honestly someone with more sophistication and unique style. (ie. Vanessa Williams, Hannah Waddingham, Patti LuPone, etc.)”

Agree 100%. The problem is they asked a lot of “names” who all heard the material and said “lol nah.” They can’t get A+talent to sign onto a D- musical! Lol!"



Agree not feeling Beth or the girl playing Andy - feel the casting is wrong to begin with. Miranda needs to be a sophisticated yet ice cold-bitch on wheels with an over the top personality and unique style. That's not Beth sorry to say. My agent friend said the same thing and as is, this musical won't be coming to Broadway."

You're basing your opinion on what? Pictures? Previous performances? She basically played an ice cold bitch in The Prom to perfection. Not sure where you're getting your opinion from..."

Not really sure I would agree that Dee Dee West is an ice cold bitch. She’s more of an over the top grande dame of musical theatre. Miranda needs to exude entitlement, power, and wealth. I think Beth Leavel is an incredible talent I’m just not sure this role and material are her wheelhouse."

 

Exactly - you said it! 

I believe it is wrong to judge an entire show by a minute promo clip, but criticism of the "look" of the show is fair game. I agree the costumes and sets (why TWO Eiffel Towers?)  look, um, poorly executed, but it is hard to judge performances or the show as a whole based on that clip alone. 

Tomorrow is "opening" night, so look for the reviews coming soon. Very curious if Chris Jones will do his usual "Hey, they are giving it there all and we should encourage new works" review he seems to go to for not so great out of town try-outs. 

There are entire recordings (both audio and video) of this production. It’s not great.
 

While I think this is a good choice of material to adapt, it’s not anywhere near ready. They should do another out-of-town or even a small tour before setting their sights on Broadway. 

I would not be shocked if the show DOES get stopped dead in it's tracks towards Broadway not because the material needs work but... well... because of Elton John.

This is the same man that when Lestat flopped, even though the cast recording was fully recorded and ready for release, he locked it up and threw away the key. He was so embarrassed by the response and his ego took such a hit that tried to have it wiped from existence and from peoples memories.

You can't work on fixing a new musical if the famous guy writing the music would rather let it die before it could go on to tarnish his name/reputation/ego then rework what needs to be reworked in the score to make it better.

I’m not convinced at this point that Sir Elton is willing to collaborate and admit his score might need fine tuning