THE HEART OF ROCK AND ROLL Previews- Page 2

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 4/3/24 at 8:33am

I honestly had no idea that Huey Lewis had this many songs to fill a show with. If you asked the average person in Australia we would have answered like maybe three from the 80’s. Who knew! Well obviously some do. 

[Mr.Liir]

Posted: 4/3/24 at 9:42am

The sound team is amazing for this show.

 

[BSKY]

Posted: 4/3/24 at 1:13pm

I REALLY enjoyed this show.  In fairness, I saw it in San Diego and liked it there too, but I was interested to see how it changed.  It’s a lot of fun. And definitely elevated from The Old Globe.  Billy Harrigan Tighe is a standout.  Corey Cott is talented and very easy on the eyes.  Mackenzie Kurtz’s vocals are amazing.  In a sea of shows built off stories / IP that already exist, (and also so serious in tone), it was nice to see something different and original.  I think if there’s enough time for word of mouth to travel on it, and for people to give it a chance, it’ll last awhile.  

[berniesb!tch]

Posted: 4/3/24 at 2:37pm

I'll be honest, this is the first time I realized this wasn't a bio-musical. More interested to see it now, albeit it's far from the top of my list.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/3/24 at 2:48pm

I can't pull the trigger on this one either - despite the pleasant reports.  

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/3/24 at 2:53pm

I didn't realize before pandemic they did a stint at the Old Globe in San Diego starring Matt Doyle and Katie Rose Clarke. See youtube trailer below. Hopefully they'll do a similar trailer with this Bway cast.

 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 4/3/24 at 4:19pm

DramaTeach said: "Not a brain cell in my head was activated, but this is as a flipping good time! I’m calling it Huey Lewis and the Newsies because the energy of this ensemble is insane much like that show. They are the heart of this rock and roll show. Corey Cott is in great voice, oozes charisma, and oof,is he good-looking. Mckenzie Kurtz felt likea goofier, more awkwardGlinda with lots of humor. The actor who played her HS/college boyfriend was excellent, but really the whole cast is elevating this.

The choreography is full-force. There’s a dance number on bubble wrap (and a few pirouettes on cardboard boxes that again were reminiscent of…ya know), but every full cast number has choreo that lit the place up. Costumes are, of course, very bright and 80s camp. I knew more Huey Lewis songs than I realized, and the most insane lyric for me was “You’ll thank me. Sauvignon Blanc me.” I giggled. Not sure if I love it because it’s cleveror hate it because of the mispronunciation of blanc for the rhyme.

I honestly think the show’s only fault is its long Act 2. A few songs need to go because it starts to drag. But a lot of what’s happening on that stage is just so much fun! Many friends and influencers in the audience who were clearly comped. Definitely trying to drum up business. I hope it works, and I wish it lots of success."

HA Huey Lewis and the Newsies- I like it :) 

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 4/3/24 at 5:14pm

Seeing this tonight. I’m surprised how quiet this board is about it but figured I would check it out.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/3/24 at 5:20pm

hearthemsing22 said: "DramaTeach said: "Not a brain cell in my head was activated, but this is as a flipping good time! I’m calling it Huey Lewis and the Newsies because the energy of this ensemble is insane much like that show. They are the heart of this rock and roll show. Corey Cott is in great voice, oozes charisma, and oof,is he good-looking. Mckenzie Kurtz felt likea goofier, more awkwardGlinda with lots of humor. The actor who played her HS/college boyfriend was excellent, but really the whole cast is elevating this.

The choreography is full-force. There’s a dance number on bubble wrap (and a few pirouettes on cardboard boxes that again were reminiscent of…ya know), but every full cast number has choreo that lit the place up. Costumes are, of course, very bright and 80s camp. I knew more Huey Lewis songs than I realized, and the most insane lyric for me was “You’ll thank me. Sauvignon Blanc me.” I giggled. Not sure if I love it because it’s cleveror hate it because of the mispronunciation of blanc for the rhyme.

I honestly think the show’s only fault is its long Act 2. A few songs need to go because it starts to drag. But a lot of what’s happening on that stage is just so much fun! Many friends and influencers in the audience who were clearly comped. Definitely trying to drum up business. I hope it works, and I wish it lots of success."

HA Huey Lewis and the Newsies- I like it :)"

Corey actually used that the day he was cast and shared it on his Instagram page. 

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 4/3/24 at 5:27pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "Corey actually used that the day he was cast and shared it on his Instagram page."

Great minds!

[RumTumJM]

Posted: 4/3/24 at 6:09pm

Does anyone have/know of a song list? As a Huey Lewis & The News fan, I'm really curious to hear what songs, hits and deep tracks, made the show. (I hope that Couple Days Off is in the show! - It's one of Huey's most rockin' songs, and the lyrical content seems like it would fit a show that's partially set in corporate America!)

Updated On: 4/3/24 at 06:09 PM

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 4/3/24 at 7:49pm

Lots of empty seats..I’m in the mez and it’s only about 40% full. Apparently it’s they sent out an email offering people free tickets, but I found one on the Theatr app (HIGHLY RECOMMEND) for $40 a couple hours ago. 
 

edit: mezz full. People were just late

Updated On: 4/3/24 at 07:49 PM

[CJRochester]

Posted: 4/3/24 at 8:02pm

Wick3 said: "I didn't realize before pandemic they did a stint at the Old Globe in San Diegostarring Matt Doyle and Katie Rose Clarke. See youtube trailer below. Hopefully they'll do asimilar trailer with this Bway cast."

Thanks for posting that trailer. It looks fun. I had no interest in seeing this show, but after watching the trailer I'm now interested. 

[Dirty Rotten Scoundrel]

Posted: 4/3/24 at 11:28pm

Saw this tonight and had a blast. I'm not super familiar with Huey Lewis and the News' music apart from his big singles but thoroughly enjoyed myself. The cast was giving it their all - especially with some very physical choreography - and the vocals were top notch. There was a minor issue with the sound mixing at the top of Act 1, but they quickly fixed it and the show sounded great for the remainder. While I think it'll be an uphill battle for this production on Broadway, especially in such a crowded season, I could see this being pretty successful on tour. I'd also be remiss if I didn't give a special shoutout to Corey Cott's arms because my goodness - even from the balcony they looked phenomenal. That does bring me to my main complaint - which isn't to do with the show but with the theater...and please indulge me while I go on a brief rant about an experience we had this evening. 

If you're over 5'3", avoid the front row of the balcony; it offers virtually no legroom, perhaps 7", which is about 40-50% less than other rows. My boyfriend and I were experiencing discomfort, bridging on pain, due to our shins being shoved against the railing. The balcony was only about 40% full, so we quickly moved ourselves across the aisle and a row back midway through Act 1, and were immediately reprimanded by an usher. We quietly explained that it was physically painful for us to sit in those seats, but she said it didn't matter and that we couldn't switch. While I normally wouldn't argue, I gestured to all of the empty seats in the balcony and asked if we could please stay, but she insisted we go back to our original seats, so we did. We were on the aisle so my boyfriend was able to cross his leg into the stairs, but his foot wound up being slightly against the railing. We were then reprimanded by a different usher due to this. We apologized and said there was literally nowhere else for us to put our legs. He left and then seemed to reconsider because he came back 5 minutes later to tell us we could move.

If the balcony was more full, we would have been fine to grin and bear it, but given how empty it was, it seemed ridiculous. And I'm a bit miffed because I hate disrupting fellow theatergoers - and after multiple disruptions we wound up right in the exact seats we'd moved to earlier. Had they just let us stay, there would've been no disruption to anyone else. This was also made more bizarre due to the fact that there were multiple audience members talking or on their phones during the performance, none of whom were reprimanded. Anyway, my apologies if anyone here was in the balcony this evening that we may have disturbed!

Updated On: 4/3/24 at 11:28 PM

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/4/24 at 8:57am

RumTumJM said: "Does anyone have/know of a song list? As a Huey Lewis & The News fan, I'm really curious to hear what songs, hits and deep tracks, made the show. (I hope that Couple Days Off is in the show! - It's one of Huey's most rockin' songs, and the lyrical content seems like it would fit a show that's partially set in corporate America!)"

I took a photo from the playbill:

[gordi_92]

Posted: 4/5/24 at 1:05pm

I was rushing Heart of Rockn Roll today (I was 12th in Line for The Wiz. After 4 people they had no rush anymore) and was hoping to get a great seat.

At the Boxoffice of Heart of R&N I got told they only have Rushtickets in the balcony. I was a bit dissapointed because I thought this Show was not selling well and I would get a better seat. I looked up the seating chart and basically nothing is booked. How come they only give out Balcony Seats when the mezzanine and orchestra is still  90% available? Do they hope to sell the whole house in a few hours?

[RumTumJM]

Posted: 4/5/24 at 1:24pm

Wick3 said: "RumTumJM said: "Does anyone have/know of a song list? As a Huey Lewis & The News fan, I'm really curious to hear what songs, hits and deep tracks, made the show. (I hope that Couple Days Off is in the show! - It's one of Huey's most rockin' songs, and the lyrical content seems like it would fit a show that's partially set in corporate America!)"

I took a photo from the playbill:

"

WOW! - Thanks, Wick3.

There are some really great, deep cuts in the show: Don't Make Me Do It, I Know What I Like, I Never Walk Alone (one of my personal favorites), and Giving It All Up For Love (which I think was originally titled "Tattoo" on the record & written by Thin Lizzy's Phill Lynott, a personal friend of Huey.)

Updated On: 4/5/24 at 01:24 PM

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 4/5/24 at 3:00pm

Dirty Rotten Scoundrel said: "Saw this tonight and had a blast. I'm not super familiar with Huey Lewis and the News' music apart from his big singles but thoroughly enjoyed myself. The cast was giving it their all - especially with some very physical choreography - and the vocals were top notch. There was a minor issue with the sound mixing at the top of Act 1, but they quickly fixed it and the show sounded great for the remainder. While I think it'll be an uphill battle for this production on Broadway, especially in such a crowded season,I could see this being pretty successful on tour. I'd also be remiss if I didn't give a special shoutout to Corey Cott's arms because my goodness - even from the balcony they looked phenomenal. That does bring me to my main complaint - which isn't to do with the show but with the theater...and please indulge me while I go on a brief rant about an experience we had this evening.

If you're over 5'3", avoid the front row of the balcony; it offers virtually nolegroom, perhaps 7", which is about 40-50% less than other rows.My boyfriend and I were experiencing discomfort, bridging on pain,due to ourshins being shoved against the railing. The balcony was only about 40% full, so we quickly moved ourselves across the aisle and a row back midway through Act 1, and were immediately reprimanded by an usher. We quietly explained that it was physically painful for us to sit in those seats, but she said it didn't matter and that we couldn't switch. While I normally wouldn't argue, I gestured to all of the empty seats in the balcony and asked if we could please stay, butshe insisted we go back to our original seats, so we did. We were on the aisle so my boyfriend was able to cross his leg into the stairs, buthis foot wound up being slightly against the railing. We were then reprimanded by a different usher due to this. We apologized and said there was literally nowhere else for us to put our legs. He left and then seemed to reconsider because he came back 5 minutes later to tell us we could move.

If the balcony was more full, we would have been fine to grin and bear it, but given how empty it was, it seemed ridiculous.AndI'm a bit miffed because I hate disrupting fellow theatergoers - and after multiple disruptions we wound up right in the exact seats we'd moved to earlier. Had they just let us stay, there would've been no disruption to anyone else. This wasalso made more bizarre due to the fact thatthere were multiple audience memberstalkingor on their phones during the performance, none of whom were reprimanded.Anyway, myapologies if anyone here wasin the balcony this evening that we may have disturbed!"

If you moved during the first act, it's very likely that they were ensuring no one came in late. Even if there were empty seats around you, the people paid for those seats and they would want to sit there. You'd cause a disturbance to the people around you with moving and the latecomers getting settled too. It's likely the usher checked with house management to make sure those seats were open. 

[KarenValentine'sheadband]

Posted: 4/6/24 at 12:27pm

If you're over 5'3", avoid the front row of the balcony; it offers virtually nolegroom, perhaps 7", which is about 40-50% less than other rows.My boyfriend and I were experiencing discomfort, bridging on pain,due to ourshins being shoved against the railing. The balcony was only about 40% full, so we quickly moved ourselves across the aisle and a row back midway through Act 1, and were immediately reprimanded by an usher. We quietly explained that it was physically painful for us to sit in those seats, but she said it didn't matter and that we couldn't switch. While I normally wouldn't argue, I gestured to all of the empty seats in the balcony and asked if we could please stay, butshe insisted we go back to our original seats, so we did. We were on the aisle so my boyfriend was able to cross his leg into the stairs, buthis foot wound up being slightly against the railing. We were then reprimanded by a different usher due to this. We apologized and said there was literally nowhere else for us to put our legs. He left and then seemed to reconsider because he came back 5 minutes later to tell us we could move.

If the balcony was more full, we would have been fine to grin and bear it, but given how empty it was, it seemed ridiculous.AndI'm a bit miffed because I hate disrupting fellow theatergoers - and after multiple disruptions we wound up right in the exact seats we'd moved to earlier. Had they just let us stay, there would've been no disruption to anyone else. This wasalso made more bizarre due to the fact thatthere were multiple audience memberstalkingor on their phones during the performance, none of whom were reprimanded.Anyway, myapologies if anyone here wasin the balcony this evening that we may have disturbed!"

 

 

I think it is perfectly fine to seat hop during intermission if you've already scoped out where the empty seats are. If there's a large open area of course. If it's an almost full house then you're out of luck. 

 

Updated On: 4/6/24 at 12:27 PM

[Ensemble1712455599]

Posted: 4/7/24 at 3:32am

Updated On: 4/7/24 at 03:32 AM

[pmensky]

Posted: 4/7/24 at 5:39am

hearthemsing22 said: "Dirty Rotten Scoundrel said: "Saw this tonight and had a blast. I'm not super familiar with Huey Lewis and the News' music apart from his big singles but thoroughly enjoyed myself. The cast was giving it their all - especially with some very physical choreography - and the vocals were top notch. There was a minor issue with the sound mixing at the top of Act 1, but they quickly fixed it and the show sounded great for the remainder. While I think it'll be an uphill battle for this production on Broadway, especially in such a crowded season,I could see this being pretty successful on tour. I'd also be remiss if I didn't give a special shoutout to Corey Cott's arms because my goodness - even from the balcony they looked phenomenal. That does bring me to my main complaint - which isn't to do with the show but with the theater...and please indulge me while I go on a brief rant about an experience we had this evening.

If you're over 5'3", avoid the front row of the balcony; it offers virtually nolegroom, perhaps 7", which is about 40-50% less than other rows.My boyfriend and I were experiencing discomfort, bridging on pain,due to ourshins being shoved against the railing. The balcony was only about 40% full, so we quickly moved ourselves across the aisle and a row back midway through Act 1, and were immediately reprimanded by an usher. We quietly explained that it was physically painful for us to sit in those seats, but she said it didn't matter and that we couldn't switch. While I normally wouldn't argue, I gestured to all of the empty seats in the balcony and asked if we could please stay, butshe insisted we go back to our original seats, so we did. We were on the aisle so my boyfriend was able to cross his leg into the stairs, buthis foot wound up being slightly against the railing. We were then reprimanded by a different usher due to this. We apologized and said there was literally nowhere else for us to put our legs. He left and then seemed to reconsider because he came back 5 minutes later to tell us we could move.

If the balcony was more full, we would have been fine to grin and bear it, but given how empty it was, it seemed ridiculous.AndI'm a bit miffed because I hate disrupting fellow theatergoers - and after multiple disruptions we wound up right in the exact seats we'd moved to earlier. Had they just let us stay, there would've been no disruption to anyone else. This wasalso made more bizarre due to the fact thatthere were multiple audience memberstalkingor on their phones during the performance, none of whom were reprimanded.Anyway, myapologies if anyone here wasin the balcony this evening that we may have disturbed!"

If you moved during the first act, it's very likely that they were ensuring no one came in late. Even if there were empty seats around you, the people paid for those seats and they would want to sit there. You'd cause a disturbance to the people around you with moving and the latecomers getting settled too. It's likely the usher checked with house management to make sure those seats were open."

I think it’s a rule regardless of the number of people seated in a section. Years ago my friend and I had comps to a Wednesday matinee of Rocky. We were in the front row of the center section of the mezzanine, and we were the only two people in that section. There were probably fewer than eight people in the entire mezzanine. Twenty minutes into the show we decided to move back a row, and an usher pounced on us. We didn’t even respond to her, but just looked at each other and simultaneously said, “Do you want to leave?”and we both walked out and had a long lunch. 

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 4/7/24 at 12:03pm

Had absolutely no expectations for this. Went in a bit skeptical and unbothered. Had the BEST TIME. It has a certain charm that you just can't stop smiling from beginning to end. Were there issues? Of course. But I wasn't bothered by them. Corey and McKenzie are wonderful. The whole cast is giving 150%. The dance numbers are electric, arrangements are a blast. I think a lot of work will be done and it'll be even better in a few weeks. 

The audience was on fire, so I'm really hoping it's able to sustain that and run for a few months. If you're doubting this show, I urge you to give it a chance. You may get the burst of you joy you need right now.

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/7/24 at 12:46pm

I agree. I had a great time when I saw it too. In addition to Corey and McKenzie, I thought Tamika Lawrence (Roz) was on fire too! Her HR jokes always made everyone laugh!

Are there pins now? When I went, merch folks said they didn't have pins yet.

[Hopelesslydevoted24]

Posted: 4/7/24 at 5:30pm

BCfitasafiddle said: "Had absolutely no expectations for this. Went in a bit skeptical and unbothered. Had the BEST TIME. It has a certain charm that you just can't stop smiling from beginning to end. Were there issues? Of course. But I wasn't bothered by them. Corey and McKenzie are wonderful. The whole cast is giving 150%. The dance numbers are electric, arrangements are a blast. I think a lot of work will be done and it'll be even better in a few weeks.

The audience was on fire, so I'm really hoping it's able to sustain that and run for a few months. If you're doubting this show, I urge you to give it a chance. You may get the burst of you joy you need right now."

I texted a very similar sentiment to my friends when I exited the theater last night. This show is a joyful blast 

and I was smiling from ear to ear for the rest of the night. Such a wonderful reprieve

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 4/8/24 at 3:17pm

Someone who is in Back to the Future on Broadway posted in their instagram stories that there aren't a lot of musical comedies on Broadway right now. 

I hope they realize this show is around and that it is so joyful and should not be overlooked.