THE GARDENS OF ANUNCIA: Michael John LaChiusa musical based on the life of Graciela Daniele @ LCT- Page 2

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 9/15/23 at 1:03pm

KevinKlawitter said: "A new musical about living under Juan Peron opening Off-Broadway when a revival ofEvita is rumored to be aiming towards Broadway is a bit of a flex."

It’s has zero to do with Peronism. That’s the timeline setting but has no relevancy to Juan Perón or his regime.  

[forfivemoreminutes]

Posted: 9/15/23 at 3:24pm

Does anyone know if LCT usually releases additional tickets to their shows later on? I bought two tickets for the November 4 matinee during the member presale, but I was unable to purchase two seats next to each other at that time due to limited availability. I was hoping to exchange the tickets for two that are beside each other, but now that date is showing as completely sold out, which doesn’t make sense since the public on sale just started today.

 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 9/15/23 at 3:33pm

Granted I was so bored its possible I blacked out entirely, but i wouldnt say it has nothing to do with Peronism? The political situation is directly addressed, I think. 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 9/15/23 at 3:34pm

Got my tickets!

[BroadwaysBroad]

Posted: 9/15/23 at 3:35pm

Is gratiticella’s life really that interesting for a musical?

[BJR]

Posted: 9/15/23 at 5:34pm

Peron is discussed in that the family are very supportive of Peron. It's definitely more of a memory play than a political one, but the politics are present.

[sondheim94]

Posted: 9/16/23 at 2:02pm

I got my $30ish dollar from LincTix and am very excited to see a new work by my favorite composer with some pretty exciting casting to boot!

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 4:48pm

Do LaChiusa shows tend to change a lot in previews? I already have too much booked in November so I had to choose a date about a week before it opens. 

Also, if you're getting Linctix, it was suggesting tickets in the back to me at first, so it's worth it to keep clicking to see other tickets on the date if you want to sit closer. 

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 10/19/23 at 9:53am

Anyone attending during previews?

[JasonC3]

Posted: 10/19/23 at 10:02am

Going on the 21st and will post thoughts.

[JasonC3]

Posted: 10/21/23 at 10:42pm

So my one-word review of the overall 95 minutes is "pleasant." But man, those 95 minutes drag quite a bit.

It was only the second preview, but I don't think my issues with the show can be resolved during a preview period. The musical elements were worth the price of admission and I think I'd have enjoyed it more just as a concert with a little patter. A better book and crafting of the narrative would give it a bit of the spirit/feel of The Light in the Piazza.

In reading the San Diego reviews, it doesn't seem like they adequately fixed the major problem: the story they are trying to tell through the book and the overall structure of the show. Too many metaphors, too many manufactured plot moments, too many weird interjections of a thought that ends up not being pursued. And the show's opening is too slight and too dull. I really never cared about any of the characters even though I enjoyed the songs they performed.

I spoke with the two people seated in the same row as me and they felt the same about the storytelling and show structure. And if you do not know anything about Daniele's career, some of the dialogue and plot might not make sense.

I would hypothesize the challenges with the storytelling might be the result of Daniele directing her own life story, but maybe other reasons are in play.

All that said, there are about 7-10 laugh out loud moments (albeit some are cliche or stereotypical), the songs are solid, and the performances are uniformly strong although Priscilla Lopez's voice is not. I was in the front row and constantly struggled to hear her. Ironically, there isn't much choreography in the show and the staging is simple with one background through the entire show and a few benches brought on and off during key moments.

The blocking has the cast regularly playing to all sections of the house, including the far sides, so you won't hate it if you end up sitting there. But the center three sections are still what I would recommend.

Generally polite applause at the show's conclusion coupled with some more enthusiastic responses. A standing ovation started slowly and ultimately had 40-50% of the house on their feet by the end.

Oh, and there is a singing deer, one of the "magical realism" components. A sassy and sexualized singing deer who dispenses life advice. His scene/song was actually one of the more entertaining moments. Updated On: 10/22/23 at 10:42 PM

[HBP]

Posted: 10/28/23 at 12:20pm

Between the cast and LaChiusa, was excited for this one but… oh my. I’d rank this among the least interesting shows I’ve seen in the last few years. Great cast and the music shines at times, but the book feels like an adaptation of a 3rd-grade essay. 

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 10/28/23 at 11:48pm

JasonC3 said: "And if you do not know anything about Daniele's career, some of the dialogue and plot might not make sense."

Is there something there might be worth reading beforehand? Anything in the program or even wikipedia? I didn't know it was only going to be 95 minutes. I guess it'll be nice to get home early. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 10/29/23 at 1:58am

VintageSnarker said: "JasonC3 said: "And if you do not know anything about Daniele's career, some of the dialogue and plot might not make sense."

Is there something there might be worth reading beforehand? Anything in the program or even wikipedia? I didn't know it was only going to be 95 minutes. I guess it'll be nice to get home early."

 

[inception]

Posted: 10/29/23 at 5:54am

Thank-you BrodyFosse123 for posting that video.  Very interesting overview of her career.  I found her comments there, 20 years ago, about gardening vs the theatre very amusing.  With gardening there are no critics.

She was involved with so many interesting shows from before my time that I love from the cast recordings - like Promises, Promises & the original Chicago or The Rink - but this really brings home how those recordings only give us a glimpse at those shows.  How I wish it were possible to go back in time & experience them.

[UWS10023]

Posted: 10/29/23 at 6:01am

I recently saw a preview and thought the music was stronger than the book. I think I would have preferred less time spent with the narrator on stage. It would have moved along quicker. It was a memory piece so the flow had a dream like quality which at times was effective but other times it felt kind of flat. The singing for the most part was excellent. I loved the set and lighting design. I liked the idea that we sometimes alter memories to our liking; to make them less painful and that our memories are a way to stay connected to those we have lost. I just felt that if the story had been told in another way if would have been more of an emotional experience. Mary Testa was reliably great. As an actress she is a very good listener. I also thought Tally Sessions was Impressive as the deer. He had a powerful voice and wonderful comic instincts. Ms. Lopez seemed a little unsure of herself but she was well cast. I think her character could have had a bit more spunk. It would have matched the portrayal of her younger self. I have a feeling that by opening she will be performing and singing with more confidence. Like a woman who has survived rather than lost.

The production was staged for a three quarter audience so there were many shifts in the actors movement. At times it felt heavy handed and unmotivated but I am sure that will fix itself by opening.

I wonder how it would have worked as an operetta?

Updated On: 10/29/23 at 06:01 AM

[raddersons]

Posted: 11/2/23 at 10:05pm

Tremendously boring. 

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 11/5/23 at 7:32pm

I think any theater lover will love this show. It was the best musical I have seen this season.

What a luxury to have Broadway stars and legends like Eden Espinosa, Mary Testa, Andrea Burns, Kalyn West, Priscilla Lopez, Enrique Acevedo and Tally Sessions in this new musical by Michael John Lachiusa.

What can we expect from this cast besides absolute perfection? The show flew by. I usually get bored at everything and not sure why anyone would get bored in this show, especially when it's about 90 minutes long!?

There is a 10-piece orchestra that sounds great!

It brought me to tears, it was so well done, the sets, the intimacy of theatre, the acting and singing was a level of excellent not seen very often. I loved "Gardens", this is one of those New York City gems. Don't miss it. 

Updated On: 11/5/23 at 07:32 PM

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 11/5/23 at 10:00pm

raddersons said: "Tremendously boring."

saw it in La Jolla and struggled to stay awake. a tremendously talented cast, though.

[Dreamboy3]

Posted: 11/6/23 at 7:58am

Saw it this weekend.  Tthe opening number was the best song in the show. Maybe it is new? (Something like “Grandmama, Tia, Mami and me)”. The Perons are very important to the plot. Foundational.  It is a small show and notwithstanding its short length it does drag. I was excited to see most of the cast.  I have a sentimental fondness for Priscilla Lopez and while her voice is no longer what it was in ACL her performance was moving I’m not a fan of Mary Testa as she always seems to be doing an unintentional Merman imitation.  

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 11/6/23 at 11:48am

I saw it this weekend, as well, and thought it was a lovely piece and surprisingly moving. I was in full tears by the end. I'd say it's much less about Graciela and more the women who raised her. Not much "happens," but I think that was the joy of this piece - to just get to know these women who raised Graciela and to recognize and celebrate the everyday life lessons that those in our lives teach us.

I would definitely recommend this.

[JasonC3]

Posted: 11/6/23 at 12:52pm

In the early preview I saw, I felt the opening book scene was a liability with its somewhat disjointed mix of references to gardening, where to bury the one set of ashes, and getting a lifetime achievement award, all of which I felt were dealt with too tritely and almost in passing.

As the show progresses, being surrounded by (and the role of) strong women of influence becomes a more compelling central theme.  I wish it was somehow used a bit more explicitly on books scenes as a recurring thread/undercurrent to tie the various biographical moments that are covered.  I think the elements are there, they just are underwritten in certain moments, at least for me.

For me, the gardening metaphor then could be exploited for deeper meaning .... we grow from the seeds and cultivation of those who raise us and care about us. While that's not novel, it does seem to be one of the core messages of the show and Daniele's biography.

 

 

Updated On: 11/6/23 at 12:52 PM

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 11/6/23 at 3:22pm

GilmoreGirlO2 said: "I saw it this weekend, as well, and thought it was a lovely piece and surprisingly moving. I was in full tears by the end. I'd say it's much less about Graciela and more the women who raised her. Not much "happens," but I think that was the joy of this piece - to just get to know these women who raised Graciela and to recognize and celebrate the everyday life lessons that those in our lives teach us.

I would definitely recommend this."

 

Me too! It moved me to tears.

 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 11/18/23 at 10:01pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "KevinKlawitter said: "A new musical about living under Juan Peron opening Off-Broadway when a revival ofEvita is rumored to be aiming towards Broadway is a bit of a flex."

It’s has zero to do with Peronism. That’s the timeline setting but has no relevancy to Juan Perón or his regime. "


Huh? Wrong as usual.

 

I found this to be vaguely sweet but ultimately very boring and even a bit silly. The poor actor playing the deer deserves a special award for being subjected to that. Oy.

[bwaylyric]

Posted: 11/18/23 at 11:29pm

The various accents bothered me, especially Testa’s. Aunt Eller in Argentina?

For a show about Graciela Daniele, I wish there was more dancing. 

And why is the lead named Anuncia and not Graciela?