THE GREAT COMET Announces September Broadway Closing; Final Performers for Role of 'Pierre'- Page 21

[JustAnotherNewYorker]

Posted: 8/25/17 at 11:42pm

Not clear to me how you bring your young child to a Broadway show without previewing it. My daughter is about 13, and had seen over 30 different shows on Broadway (not including repeats). Except for the Disney or child-aiming shows (e.g., Matilda), we previewed every show before we brought her for the first 12 years of her life. Not just for sexually content and violence, but also for whether she'd sit still for it. 

It's not cheap, but if she's not comfortable, I've wasted the money we spent on all our tickets since none of us are. 

[irishgator1]

Posted: 8/25/17 at 11:55pm

Well, I'll admit to being guilty of bringing my young children (7 and 9) to this show and they'll be at closing night too.  I saw Comet three times before bringing them and debated a lot with my husband about whether it was appropriate or not. I ended up picking mezz seats on the aisle and to be honest, all of what is risqué went over their heads. Heck, I missed most of what happens and I've seen the show 5 times from orchestra, mezz, and stage seats. The only way I know about the scandalous stuff is from reading here. I prepped my kids via watching clips, listening to the album, and lots of discussion.

I would not, however, get stage seats for them for many reasons, and regardless of where they sit, would never pay for them to attend a show if I didn't think they were ready for it in all ways. 

[irishgator1]

Posted: 8/25/17 at 11:55pm

Deleted as a duplicate post. 

Updated On: 8/25/17 at 11:55 PM

[mikem]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 12:19am

I apologize because I imagine this has been asked before, but I can't find the information.  I am lucky enough to be sitting at one of the onstage tables (TP) this weekend.  Is there a restriction on what you can bring on stage?  I usually carry a small backpack or messenger-type bag with me, is that all right?  Also, do you get Playbills before the show starts if you sit on stage?  I know for some on stage shows, they don't give you the Playbills until afterwards.

Thanks in advance for your help!  I'm very excited to be seeing the show!

[HSky]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 12:33am

Just tuck the bag under the table or against the back wall (just make sure nothing sticks out into the walkway above) and you'll be fine. Playbills are handed out as you take your seat.

[schubox]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 12:41am

I've seen the show 4 times and was on stage each time, never was warned about people invading my space. I was told I was in the splash zone before, and that a lot of people would be running around, but that's it. The last two times all I got was a strobe light warning. I also don't know why you would sit on stage and then be shocked at interaction. What do you think is going to happen?

I, thankfully, never saw anything too awkward. One girl didn't run up on stage for the letter and threw it instead, but she laughed it off. All of the Lucas "Russian custom" interactions were great. Including the last show I saw where the girl he pushed over offered him a water bottle. And he almost broke but then opened it and took a huge swig. It was fantastic. He then put her arm around her and kissed her on the cheek before taking off

[hmph]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 4:52pm

Stage seating is awesome, hope you enjoy it mikem. 

Nick Choksi responded to one of Rafael Casal's tweets in a pretty interesting manner. Other cast members have liked and retweeted it (as far as I can tell, Shoba Narayan, Mary Page Nance, Sumayya Ali, Scott Stangland, Lauren Zakrin). I know the topic has been discussed to death, but I'm still hoping to get the cast's perspective about how all of that nonsense went down. 

https://twitter.com/NickChoksi/status/900751071437606912

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 4:56pm

Choksi's tweet is absolutely delicious.

Then you see all the "woke" Rafael defenders that follow it and you cringe.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 5:10pm

hmph said: "Stage seating is awesome, hope you enjoy it mikem. 

Nick Choksi responded to one of Rafael Casal's tweets in a pretty interesting manner. Other cast members have liked and retweeted it (as far as I can tell, Shoba Narayan, Mary Page Nance, Sumayya Ali, Scott Stangland, Lauren Zakrin). I know the topic has been discussed to death, but I'm still hoping to get the cast's perspective about how all of that nonsense went down. 

https://twitter.com/NickChoksi/status/900751071437606912

 

"

Wow @ that tweet. I guess now that the show's closing the cast members don't feel the need to put up a facade anymore. I saw this show last week and will see it again this Tuesday and honestly can't really believe it's closing. The energy is amazing. The show is still in great shape -- none of the staleness that can set into even the best shows.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 5:15pm

JustAnotherNewYorker said: "Not clear to me how you bring your young child to a Broadway show without previewing it. My daughter is about 13, and had seen over 30 different shows on Broadway (not including repeats). Except for the Disney or child-aiming shows (e.g., Matilda), we previewed every show before we brought her for the first 12 years of her life. Not just for sexually content and violence, but also for whether she'd sit still for it. 

It's not cheap, but if she's not comfortable, I've wasted the money we spent on all our tickets since none of us are. 

 

"

It's called research.  You read reviews, you talk to people.    No way I'd go see a show just as a preview for whether or not I'd bring my kids.  (and my kids have been seeing shows since they were about 4 or 5)  Have there been shows I might have changed my mind on whether or not to bring my kids after seeing it?  I'm sure, but I would never had been able to afford seeing a show twice when my kids were young.  Never regreted a single choice.  (Well, I regretted LIttle Mermaid, but that's a different story.)

 

Yes, to bring your young kids in, without knowing enough is ridiculous -- and those people then complain.  (I saw 8 year olds at Spring Awakening, oy.)

[willep]

Posted: 8/27/17 at 12:08am

I'd been checking regularly to catch a ticket for the last performance and managed to snatch one of those when they popped up the day, but I was still hoping to catch Scott's Pierre and haven't sat in front Mezz yet. Well, I happened to look just now and found a front row mezz seat and had to grab it. Can't believe how much I've spent on seeing this show during its run, but I've also just never loved a show as much as this special show. Can't wait to catch it two more times this week.

Updated On: 8/27/17 at 12:08 AM

[adagio]

Posted: 8/27/17 at 12:29am

Was lucky enough to see the show from on stage tonight - flew into NYC just to see Great Comet and it was worth every penny. I'd forgotten how beautiful, raucous, and moving this show could be. I'm crushed it's ending before its time, but I'm so glad I got a chance to experience it again. Beats out seeing the Hamilton OBC for my fave Broadway memory.

Dave Malloy was absolutely heartbreaking as Pierre, and Denee and Lucas vocally were pretty on point. Brittain was a standout for me - I never got to appreciate her nuanced performance sitting in the mezz or orch. And the entire ensemble worked their asses off - pure magic.

Nicholas Benton tried really hard not to break after a delayed, particularly enthusiastic woo from an audience member during The Private and Intimate Life.

The crowd seemed like it was full of Great Comet fans. I loved the energy.

Most everyone came to the stage door to sign even though they were clearly having some kind of celebration inside (saw Rachel Chavkin go in the stage door, Brittain mentioned pie, and Paul Pinto initially came out holding a glass, but had to put it back bc it was too tricky to sign). I was just thrilled that Dave came out!

Side note - I saw Groundhog Day as my matinee and I have to say that I unequivocally enjoyed both shows more than Dear Evan Hansen. Can't believe they're both closing while DEH is going strong.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 8/27/17 at 1:39am

I wonder if the the cast staying positive, is a sign the show might continue off-Broadway. 

[willep]

Posted: 8/27/17 at 5:16am

Or maybe it's a sign that they are professionals doing their jobs.

[haterobics]

Posted: 8/27/17 at 5:43am

Call_me_jorge said: "I wonder if the the cast staying positive, is a sign the show might continue off-Broadway."

They were positive all along and the show is closing. Not sure what connection there is between the two.

[leighmiserables]

Posted: 8/27/17 at 12:33pm

Call_me_jorge said: "I wonder if the the cast staying positive, is a sign the show might continue off-Broadway."

While I don't know what their positivity would have to do with them going off-Broadway, one of my professors got to go backstage after last Thursday's show (one of his old students works in hair/makeup), and he said he never would've guessed they were closing in a little over a week. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 8/27/17 at 1:10pm

Call_me_jorge said: "I wonder if the the cast staying positive, is a sign the show might continue off-Broadway."

Or they could just be professionals who don't wear their emotions on their sleeve? How could you possibly make such a leap in prediction like this?

[mikem]

Posted: 8/27/17 at 2:33pm

Scott Strangland is on for Pierre today. Was that a scheduled absence?  I was hoping to see Dave Malloy but still excited to be sitting on stage!

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 8/27/17 at 2:40pm

mikem said: "Scott Strangland is on for Pierre today. Was that a scheduled absence?  I was hoping to see Dave Malloy but still excited to be sitting on stage!

No it's not scheduled. Malloy was supposed to have been out the 30th but not today. I hope Malloy goes on Tuesday because that way I'll have seen four Pierres.

 

[hmph]

Posted: 8/27/17 at 3:30pm

Scott was scheduled to do the Instagram Stories takeover today to show a day in the life of a standby, but got called to play Pierre so it seems like his dresser is taking over Instagram while he's on stage. 

One thing I've seen several videos for, including one of Scott's Instagram stories from an hour ago, has been fight calls where they practice the Pierre and Anatole confrontation. Anyone know why that in particular is rehearsed so often? Do they do that every day, every time there's a new person, etc.?

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 8/27/17 at 3:44pm

I found this video made by Lucas Steele to be absolutely beautiful:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXlcLySjqmT/?taken-by=greatcometbway

[sm33]

Posted: 8/27/17 at 3:48pm

Anyone know why that in particular is rehearsed so often? Do they do that every day, every time there's a new person, etc.?

I wondered the same thing. It doesn't seem all that complicated when you see everything else that's going on during the show, so I was curious about that as well. 

[HSky]

Posted: 8/27/17 at 3:49pm

I believe the fight call is run daily prior to the show, there was one with Dave Malloy and Lucas Steele posted earlier in the week.

[willep]

Posted: 8/27/17 at 5:30pm

Fight call is done for every performance (so on a two show day it is done twice), and it is a requirement to run any fight choreography in the show.

[mufish]

Posted: 8/27/17 at 6:39pm

Decided to plan a quick trip to the city to catch Groundhog Day before it closes, as I hadn't seen it yet.  I saw Great Comet back in February and thought it was a neat spectacle but I was generally indifferent.  Since then I've listened to the cast recording a number of times and have come around a bit.  Now that it's closing I wanted to revisit it once more, so I'm going to catch the matinee on Wednesday as part of my trip, despite the fact that a ticket showed up on Telecharge for Dear Evan Hansen as the same time - that'll have to come another time!  The first time I was in the last row of the rear mezz which was a pretty good vantage point.  This time I'm in Row A of the front mezz.