THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread

[ABB2357]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 7:32pm

Some of you may be too young to remember this, but July 17, 2009 was the date of the first preview of The Old Globe's pre-Broadway (Broadway itself remains to be seen) production of THE FIRST WIVES CLUB starring Karen Ziemba, Barbara Walsh, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.

To commemorate the second anniversary of this groundbreaking American musical, I wanted to start a thread for interested parties to share memories and/or testimonials about what THE FIRST WIVES CLUB means to us.

I'll be posting mine, of course, but first I'd like to open the floor to anyone else who'd like to participate.
"Ready for Change / Jump for Joy" clip

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 7:34pm

Has it really been two years already? I guess it's true what they say about healing. The pain never goes away completely but it does get easier to manage.

[James885]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 7:38pm

I'm red-day for change!


Seriously though, I never saw the show live but watching The Old Globe's preview videos gave me the impression that it was one of those so-bad-it's-good type shows, like In My Life or Good Vibrations.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 7:40pm

Jennifer North WAS right all along!

[ABB2357]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 7:42pm

It was, James. It was... (sheds tear)

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 9:37pm

It was something else entirely. a beautiful two and a half hours.

[AvenueQResident]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 9:48pm

Still awaiting a cast recording.

[Kalimba]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 10:20pm

As if I already didn't have enough reasons to dislike Barbara Walsh as a performer and along comes this mess of a show and video accompaniment.
Updated On: 7/13/11 at 10:20 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 10:41pm

"Gonna be outrageous! Contagious!"

[chewy5000]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 10:43pm

It was red-day for broad-way

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 10:46pm

I remember the video blogs Sam Harris used to do while he was driving.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 10:54pm

I'm red-day for a revival.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 10:57pm

Gonna have a remembrance! Dismembermence!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 10:58pm

I sent an email to Jack Viertel asking for him to consider it for Encores next season.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 10:59pm

They couldn't Jump For Joy.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 11:03pm

Coming next year in 3D!

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 11:09pm

I want the revival to star Frank Wildhorn, Bono & Andrew Lloyd Webber.

[hyperbole_and_a_half]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 11:19pm

"I remember the video blogs Sam Harris used to do while he was driving."

Yes! I remember this too. I had to dig them up.

Sitzprobe & Opening night:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YJE-GrrRYM

Reaction to the first reviews:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghEVEX-cxB4

"WHO THAT IS? MY BABY DADDY!" was like my favorite thing for a good week or two.
Updated On: 7/12/11 at 11:19 PM

[ABB2357]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 11:28pm

Ladies, gentlemen, and (first) wives,

I give you Barbara Walsh's stirring Act 1 finale. A few highlights:

:40 - Watch her forlornly wipe that counter. This woman is truly in pain.

:45 - "Just keeps hold on..." Wha?

1:23 - Twirls necklace. I bet cheating hubby gave her that necklace! (At least in the backstory she's worked out in her head, no thanks to the script).

1:30 - Reaches out during lyric "I keep reaching out." Literal staging, thy name is Zambello.

1:38 - Clutches heart during "love."

1:44-1:45 - Keyboardist messes up. Listen carefully.

1:54 - I am obsessed with this production's use of chimes.

2:03 - Turns on phone, reaches friend's voicemail without even dialing.

2:27 - Picks up wedding ring. Could she really be ready to try again??

2:37 - Bad ass rock star pose.

2:43 - Vibrato getting intense.

2:50-2:52 - Slips ring on her finger, holds it close. She's willing but still bruised. Heartbreaking!

2:56 - Spreads her arms, ready to fly!

3:01-3:03 - "Annnndddd aaahhhhh wiiiiil..." Vibrato reaches a thrilling crescendo!

3:11 - Those pesky chimes again!

3:25 - Craziest vibrato yet as Zambello rips off the Act 1 finale of DREAMGIRLS.

3:32 - Could the rest of the cast look any less enthused to be back onstage?

3:36-3:38 - Particularly the black female ensemble member. Just look at that swagger!

3:45 - Barbara puts her hand on her heart "one more time" as history is made!
"My Heart Wants To Try One More Time"

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 11:58pm

time to play that shaky audio in the honor of First Wives.

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 7/13/11 at 12:03am

[chewy5000]

Posted: 7/13/11 at 12:22am

Keyboardist messes up. Listen carefully.

That sounded intentional to me.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 7/13/11 at 12:46am

I love Barbara Walsh, but... yikes.

[blaxx]

Posted: 7/13/11 at 1:15am

Not to forget Sam Harris' botox. His forehead could not jump for joy.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 7/13/11 at 4:21am

I'd rather watch Deliverance the musical!