For those who saw it in London -- Is this a "Front Mezz" show or an "Orchestra" show? I typically prefer musicals in the Mezz, and plays in the orchestra, because mezz offers a more "full" stage picture, while orchestra tends to be more intimate. These epic plays kinda throw me for where I should sit.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
Thank you for that- just got second row center based on your suggestion- I do hope Vanessa Redgrave is in it- but if not, I am sure someone really good will be cast. Seeing it on a Sunday- all in one day.
I assume it was because part 1 sold a lot better on the West End so they're front loading performances. I assume if sales go well for both parts they'll make it more even if a new block of tickets goes on sale. A lot of people don't want to see a 7+ hour show but they'll see part one and still be able to say they saw it. Some people who said they loved it in London only saw part 1. There is more demand for that part currently. I believe the revival of Angels (both broadway and Signature) had this problem as well.
Might be difficult to answer without getting into spoilers, but how different are part 1 and 2? Is part 1 that concluding where if you don't see part 2 it still feels like I saw the show? I know that may come down to opinion and someone's own perspective as well, but just curious. Really want to catch this one.
Part 1 is definitely a solid and emotional ending, but it's clearly not the end of the overall large story. I don't think any characters at that point have a "resolved" ending. I don't think you could leave it thinking it was the end like you hear about people leaving during Into the Wood's intermission thinking it's over. Not spoilery but you're hit with a character finally getting to see a house he's heard about and another emotional punch so *technically* that could feel like an ending, but that leaves like 8 other plots dangling.
I fully recommend seeing both parts 100%. It's not everyone's favorite of the two parts but heck, neither is Perestroika.
Mike Barrett said: "Is part 1 that concluding where if you don't see part 2 it still feels like I saw the show?"
I'm wondering the same thing. I don't really think Angels in America is a valid comparison, because the two parts of that show were written separately and part two was still in development when performances of part one began, so clearly Tony Kushner felt that they could stand alone.
To me, this is more like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I can't imagine seeing only one part of that show, because it would make no sense without the other.
==> this board is a nest of vipers <==
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene" - Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
I bought my tickets for a full day in January, thought it was weird my seat from Pt. 1 was taken for Pt. 2, but I bit the bullet and got second row seats!
Angels in America is a perfectly adequate comparison, as is Harry Potter.
There are two parts for a reason. Obviously the intention of the playwright is for everyone to see both parts. Part two isn’t a bonus, it’s the second half of the story. I wouldn’t miss either, of any of the two-part plays being mentioned!
TotallyEffed said: "Mike Barrett said: "100% plan on seeing both, but did find it odd there isn't an equal amount of performances for each part!"
Good! You definitely must go to both parts. :)"
Really hoping to! Hard to find a 2 nights or a full day when I'm outside of NYC, but I'm doing my best to make it work. Even though I'm 21, I have VERY intrusive and controlling parents who must know what I'm doing all the time (single child, so they're obsessed) so oddly enough it'd be hard seeing this show as a closeted gay man without them knowing. Its sad, but the reality of my life. Makes me want to see this one even more!!!!
TotallyEffed said: "Angels in America is a perfectly adequate comparison"
According to Wikipedia, "Perestroika was still being developed as Millennium Approaches was being performed", whereas The Inheritance was originally "staged in two parts of over three hours each, intended to be viewed sequentially".
Obviously, Millennium Approaches was deemed sufficiently self-contained upon its debut to offer it without Perestroika, so how is Angels in America a valid parallel to The Inheritance in the context of the performance schedules for each part of the respective shows?
==> this board is a nest of vipers <==
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene" - Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
Lot666 said: "TotallyEffed said: "Angels in America is a perfectly adequate comparison"
According to Wikipedia, "Perestroikawas still being developed as Millennium Approaches was being performed", whereas The Inheritance was originally "staged in two parts of over three hours each, intended to be viewed sequentially".
Obviously, Millennium Approacheswas deemed sufficiently self-contained upon its debut to offer it withoutPerestroika, sohow is Angels in Americaa validparallel to The Inheritance in the context of the performance schedules for each part of the respective shows?"
Perestroika isn’t a sequel, Millennium Approaches was always billed as the first part of Angels in America. It debuted the following season and they played in rep. Have you seen the show? Millennium Approaches ends on a cliffhanger and is not considered a stand-alone piece.
TotallyEffed said: "Perestroika isn’t a sequel, Millennium Approaches was always billed as the first part of Angels in America. It debuted the following season and they played in rep. Have you seen the show? Millennium Approaches ends on a cliffhanger and is not considered a stand-alone piece."
I didn't say that Perestroika was a sequel, and yes, I have seen the show (both parts). My point still stands that part one opened without part two.
==> this board is a nest of vipers <==
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene" - Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
Mike Barrett said: " Really hoping to! Hard to find a 2 nights or a full day when I'm outside of NYC, but I'm doing my best to make it work. Even though I'm 21, I have VERY intrusive and controlling parents who must know what I'm doing all the time (single child, so they're obsessed) so oddly enough it'd be hard seeing this show as a closeted gay man without them knowing. Its sad, but the reality of my life. Makes me want to see this one even more!!!!"
You can mention that it's a play based on Howards End if they ask you what the play is about.
Wick3 said: "Mike Barrett said: " Really hoping to! Hard to find a 2 nights or a full day when I'm outside of NYC, but I'm doing my best to make it work. Even though I'm 21, I have VERY intrusive and controlling parents who must know what I'm doing all the time (single child, so they're obsessed) so oddly enough it'd be hard seeing this show as a closeted gay man without them knowing. Its sad, but the reality of my life. Makes me want to see this one even more!!!!"
You can mention that it's a play based on Howards End if they ask you what the play is about.
"
Fair, but they’d research the play anyways. It’s quite frustrating as you could imagine. Plus they’re homophobic from what I’ve heard them say so just not gonna go there with them if I don’t need to.
I do find it odd there’s no cast announcement yet either. I’m assuming they’ve have trouble locking down some cast members?
I think there would be less of a tendency to evaluate one part against the other if you see both on the same day. That's what I did and it just felt like one extraordinary epic play. And I couldn't wait to return to the theater after the dinner break.