THE FIRST WIVES CLUB Previews?

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/18/09 at 3:34am

Anyone attend the first preview of THE FIRST WIVES CLUB at The Old Globe in San Diego tonight?

I'm curious for a report on how the show is with all the contradictory buzz that's gone around recently.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/19/09 at 2:09am

bump

[madophelia]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 12:13am

Here you go, a couple of tweets.

One from someone who has already seen it twice: http://twitter.com/mjuk456

and from intermission tonight: http://twitter.com/Whitala

[colorandlight2]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 12:16am

Makes me worry for when The Times starts demanding reviews in 140 characters or less

[iamchanging9]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 11:30am

does anyone know if you don't own me is in the show?

Updated On: 7/20/09 at 11:30 AM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 12:04pm

It's not.

[madophelia]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:29am

A vlog update from Sam Harris
First Wives Club update

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 10:20am

Yikes. Someone needs to cut back on the Botox.

[iamchanging9]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 6:40pm

no one has seen it yet??

[madophelia]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:33pm

The Old Globe has posted this twitpic

Click on the link to get a bigger one

http://twitpic.com/b5xa4 "Barbara Walsh, Sheryl Lee Ralph & Karen Ziemba in the world premiere of The First Wives Club on Twitpic"

Updated On: 7/21/09 at 09:33 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:38pm

Feh

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:41pm

Ew to that picture.
Lol to Phyllis' botox comment (it's funny 'cause it's true).
Still interested in hearing from someone not involved with the show who has actually seen it and wants to write more than 150 characters about the show.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:42pm

Sheryl Lee Ralph looks fantastic, and from that rehearsal video, is the only reason to see the show.

oh. and Barbara Walsh looks like the most awkward person ever.

Updated On: 7/21/09 at 09:42 PM

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/22/09 at 12:29am

BWW has posted a full set of photos.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Flash_THE_FIRST_WIVES_CLUB_At_The_Old_Globe_Theatre_20090722

The three central women look pretty great.

Updated On: 7/22/09 at 12:29 AM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/22/09 at 12:41am

I think it looks sad.

[camncal]

Posted: 7/22/09 at 1:48am

the look and feel reminds me of 9 to 5.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 7/22/09 at 2:00am

[B3TA07]

Posted: 7/22/09 at 2:01am

Barbara Walsh is so committed in those photos. So committed.

[camncal]

Posted: 7/22/09 at 2:04am

i love your post Adamgreer. lol

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/22/09 at 3:16am

Does Barbara Walsh' performance in this consist of a single expression? I have no interest in seeing her as Brenda.
Having said that, I am actually looking forward to Sheryl Lee Ralph. She just looks fabulous in every way possible and from the rehearsal clips, she also sounds fabulous. God, so looking forward to seeing her on Broadway (and I admit I was a nay-sayer when Adriane Lenox dropped out and Ralph came in...what can I say? girl sold me).
Karen Ziemba looks good, at least she has different expressions in each picture unlike Walsh.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/22/09 at 6:33am

Those photos make it look as if the women know they have egg all over their faces but were told to "Smile, Baby!"
And poor Sam. Did he get in trouble for posting that video of rehearsals?

I love the photo comparison, Adam.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 7/22/09 at 11:46am

Ray, come on! They are just pictures... I really couldn't care less at this point.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/22/09 at 11:55am

Barbara Walsh's skinny little head looks funny with the fat suit.

[Wildcard]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 2:50pm

I watched First Wives Club this weekend. My overall reaction was that it was bland.
The production was totally unexciting and seemed like a waste of its talented cast. The sets were lacking, mostly white with transparent plastic sheets that weren't really well illuminated by the lighting. The people I went with said it was reminiscent of a college production. By the end of the first act, the story hadn't gone anywhere. The First Wives were still figuring things out. The most exciting part of the story is when the ladies make their moves to take revenge on their husbands. There should be more of this in my opinion.

The ensemble seems wasted too. The best number in the show was during the auction. This was because they actually used the full company, musically staged them well, and the scene was somewhat more colorful than everything else that went on in the show. The opening number should be spruced up to include more of the entire company to get the audience more excited about what is to transpire in the next two hours.

The three leads were great. I was expecting much from Sheryl Lee Ralph and she delivered. I was most pleasantly surprised by Barbara Walsh. She brought life to her character very nicely. Nevertheless, none of the solos for the leads were that memorable nor were their voices truly equipped to handle notes and higher registers. Sara Chase was excellent in her roles and had the juiciest part in the show although she did tend to overact in certain scenes.

Of the three husbands, Brad Oscar performed the best. Kevyn Morrow was forgettable, or rather someone I'd like to forget. His solo was off key, doesn't advance the plot, and was just totally horrible. Sam Harris was very good in his best friend role and stole the scenes he was in.

Overall, it still needs A LOT of work before it is Broadway-quality. Not to diss off-Broadway shows because a lot of them are very good but the only way this show would feel appropriate in NY is in some smaller off-Broadway house. Since the theme of this show is so close to the more superior 9 to 5 (which isn't really a WOW musical to begin with), I would rather watch the latter again if I wanted a dose of female empowerment.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 3:50pm

Wildcard, was there a song list in the program? If so, would you mind posting it?