THE MUSIC MAN Previews — Page 7

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#151

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 12:29am

HeyMrMusic said: "There are several extended dance sequences in the original, including 76 Trombones, Marian the Librarian, and Shipoopi, but I don’t think any of them overstay their welcome. The original movie is a good example of their respective lengths.

I often feel like shows are overchoreographed. I do love a good dance number, and I also love a good dance-as-storytelling moment. The second that it becomes all about the tricks and the athleticism and the stamina just because you can, I zone out (it might be blasphemous, but that’s how I felt about Newsies). I hope there’s some editing that will be done throughout the preview period."

Ya, all of these dance arrangements are significantly longer than the originals. Maybe Marian the Librarian's stuff is closer in time to the original, but the other 2 are certainly way longer.

And ya, this choreography was definitely giving me Newsies vibes...

Updated On: 12/22/21 at 12:29 AM

#152

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 12:30am

I kind of want to stand up for the backdrops. They gave the show a real “old school” vibe like it would have been back in the day and, for some reason, I appreciated that.

#153

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 12:49am

CATSNYrevival said: "Anyone know if they’ve made any major changes to the book or score? Are they performing the act one"Gary, Indiana" with Harold and Mrs. Paroo that has been used in some revivals?"

1. Sutton does the complete "My White Knight" with all the Barbara Cook interpolations.

2. Lyrics are different in "Shipoopi"

3. No act one "Gary Indiana"

4. Some "Trouble" word swaps

5. Additiional "Sadder But Wiser" words and dance music

6. Lots more dance music in "76 Trombones", "Marian The Librarian" and "Shipoopi" and the introduction to the Footbridge scene.

#154

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 12:55am

Those Shipoopi lyrics have always been icky. Glad to hear about some alterations.

I’ve always thought adding Gary, Indiana to the first act takes away the impact of Winthrop singing it in the second act.

Updated On: 12/22/21 at 12:55 AM

#155

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 1:01am

HeyMrMusic said: "Those Shipoopi lyrics have always been icky. Glad to hear about some alterations.

I’ve always thought adding Gary, Indiana to the first act takes away the impact of Winthrop singing it in the second act."

And I really wanted the kid's story to be a centerpiece of the plot, but alas....

#156

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 1:06am

Saw it. I’m going to focus on some music related things, mainly:

1) Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman have written new lyrics to Shipoopi. It is now about a man who waits to kiss in a relationship (less sexist). Sadder But Wiser Girl is now a big dance number between Harold & Marcellus with added lyrics. There might have been some brief revised lyrics in Trouble and Pick A Little too?

2) Sutton sings the version of My White Knight from Barbara Cook at Carnegie Hall. She mostly sings it wonderfully and belts the end. I liked her voice for this part after going in with my arms crossed. She brings out shades of Marian I have never seen before. She’s really good.

3) I hate to sound like an originalist, but the new choreography has necessitated inferior dance arrangements and new orchestrations. The dance arrangements do not build and they don’t really have an arc. Jonathan Tunick’s orchestrations aren’t as good as Don Walker’s. All this is a problem when there’s sooo much dancing.

4) Hugh bizarrely begins 76 Trombones almost like a prayer. The main verse doesn’t begin with the classic brassy BUM DA DA DA DUM DA DA DA DUM BLEEP BLOP. He is a Harold who is a little slicker than others we’ve seen. He’s a quiet charmer.

5) Hugh sings more in this production, in addition to the dancing. He gets part of Wells Fargo Wagon and a bit of Gary Indiana.

6) Jayne Houdyshell gets “Columbia Gem of the Ocean” as a solo and, predictably, kills it. The racist “Wa Tan Yee” moment is cut and they’re now dressed as revolutionary soldiers when Tommy’s explosive startles Mrs. Shinn. Jayne and Jefferson are still finding comedic moments, but I have no doubt they’ll be perfect with a little bit of time. Jefferson is better in act 2 than act 1.

7) The orchestra balance is a problem in the mezz. It is very tough to hear the strings, and it’s a big string section. Will probably be fixed eventually. The other issue is that the theatre itself has a loud AC system, so it’s never silent.

8. Lida Rose/Will I Ever Tell You made me cry. This quartet is dynamite.

9) The written ending of THE MUSIC MAN is lamesauce, and if they’re going to tamper with other elements of the show then they might as well figure this out too. The Minuet in G finale never works and it’s awkward. It is followed by an overlong curtain call dance sequence, but it sent me out with a smile.

10) The tempos of most numbers are a little slower than what we are used to from the OBC album.

11) The Overture is one minute of 76 Trombones right into the train scene (similar to the cast album). No whistle at beginning. The Entr’acte is a minute of Goodnight My Someone into the rehearsal scene.

Show got out at 10:41 and the curtain went up a few minutes after 8. Not an unusual length for a production of MUSIC MAN, but this can definitely be tightened and some of the dance sequences can be trimmed.

Updated On: 12/22/21 at 01:06 AM

#157

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 1:14am

I thought the ending was fine. Loved all the dance. Wouldn’t cut anything. Has there ever been a leading man in a Broadway show who danced as much and as well as Jackman? The show is joyful entertainment. Audiences will feel well-rewarded for their investment.

Hillary Clinton was in the audience tonight, along with her daughter and son-in-law. Seated on aisle in Row H. She took her seat just before the house went dark.

Updated On: 12/22/21 at 01:14 AM

#158

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 2:17am

I was wondering what they were going to do about the lyrics in “Shipoopie.”

#159

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 2:21am

seeseveryshow2 said: "Has there ever been a leading man in a Broadway show who danced as much and as well as Jackman? "

Well, I can think of a pretty long list lol

#160

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 3:10am

This doesn’t sound like something I’d enjoy so thank you all for the early reports! Too much dancing and boring design and direction. Pass.

#161

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 5:06am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "11) The Overture is one minute of 76 Trombones right into the train scene (similar to the cast album). No whistle at beginning. The Entr’acte is a minute of Goodnight My Someone into the rehearsal scene."

NO WHISTLE?!?!

"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "

#162

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 6:31am

Jordan Catalano said: "I kind of want to stand up for the backdrops. They gave the show a real “old school” vibe like it would have been back in the day and, for some reason, I appreciated that."

I haven't seen The Music Man yet (tickets in February) but I love Santo Loquasto's use of more traditional set design in Hello, Dolly! and Carousel, including painted backdrops. I agree, Jordan, it feels "right" to me, too, for these classic shows.

#163

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 7:36am

I just revisited a video of 76 Trombones in the last revival that Aurora Spiderwoman posted (it features Eric McCormack as Harold Hill). The number in that revival clocked in around 8 minutes with a lot of dancing - pretty long in that production too!

"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "

#164

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 8:46am

The expanded lyrics in Sadder but Wiser: are they the same expansion Seth MacFarlane sings in his swing version?

#165

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 9:03am

darquegk said: "The expanded lyrics in Sadder but Wiser: are they the same expansion Seth MacFarlane sings in his swing version?"

No I don’t think so.

#166

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 9:58am

It's insane that there's plenty of unsold tickets and they're still insisting on the $699 price point.

#167

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 10:03am

"Now little ol' Sal was a no-gal
As anyone could see
Lookit her now - she's a go-gal
Who only goes for me

Squeeze her once, when she isn't lookin'
If you get a squeeze back, that's fancy cookin'
Once more for a pepper-upper
She will never get sore on her way to supper."

Those original lyrics (now adjusted?) were almost obsessed with female sexual behavior, which tracked with the town's obsession with Marian's romantic history. What Willson got so very right: Marian doesn't give a damn, and has incredible agency in the story, start to finish. Gossip doesn't give her sleepless nights. I talked about this a lot in the last revival: she's a character in musical theater that has aged well, ahead of her time. She learns the truth in the Hill story, keeps the secret to protect the town's investment in something bigger than the man's con, the rewards embodied in Winthrop. She's truly wise and multidimensional. And she doesn't have to trade her own agency for love. Harold is the one who must learn hard lessons, not Marian. But it's intriguing that the context for Marian's singularity, the male characters all have almost neurotic fixations on sexual boundaries rigid categories of women ("hussy," a word that's disappeared from the lexicon). Fortunately, the the leading lady was decidedly above it all, even if the male pov was very period-specific (and true). But updates were inevitable. There's a lot of vaguely predatory innuendo.

"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling

Updated On: 12/22/21 at 10:03 AM

#168

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 10:16am

I don’t think a fun dance number with kids has to begin its lyric calling a woman a hussie. All of that subtext is correct, but it’s buried deep in predatory language which sound the opposite of the desired effect.

But I agree that Marian is a well-rounded, contemporary character with agency. It’s one of the reasons I like a soprano in the role, because it shows that the ingenue-type leading lady actually takes matters into her own hands from the second you meet her but still sings about her dreams up to a glorious high A-flat.

#169

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 10:29am

not going to post ALL the new lyrics, but the song now opens as:

Well a fella who goes on his very first date is us’ally shy and fretful.

And a fella who tries for more than a kiss would end up something dreadful.

and these are the ends of each verse:

"Shipoopi x3...the boy who tries his best. Shipoopi x3...to pass the lady's test"

"shipoopi...the boy who's seen the light. Shipoopi...to treat a woman right."

Shipoopi...the girl you can't forget. Shipoopi...but you can win her yet"

so thematically it still very much connects to Harold and Marian.

One other small textual change: Charlie Cowell doesn't call Marian "girly girl" anymore, though he's still plenty sleezy. (Remy Auberjonois is fantastic, and I hope he has some good books for his almost 2-hour break offstage.)

#170

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 11:10am

seeseveryshow2 said: "Hillary Clinton was in the audience tonight, along with her daughter and son-in-law. Seated on aisle in Row H. She took her seat just before the house went dark."

Oh maybe she is in the running to replace Sutton??

#171

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 11:21am

I'd pay to see HRC as Joanne in a one-night benefit.

#172

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 11:24am

Changing the lyrics of Shipoopi so they won't be "predatory" is peak Disney-brain.

"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” ~ Muhammad Ali

#173

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 11:39am

Auggie27 said: ""Now little ol' Sal was a no-gal
As anyone could see
Lookit her now - she's a go-gal
Who only goes for me

Squeeze her once, when she isn't lookin'
If you get a squeeze back, that's fancy cookin'
Once more for a pepper-upper
She will never get sore on her way to supper."

Those original lyrics (now adjusted?) were almost obsessed with female sexual behavior, which tracked with the town's obsession with Marian's romantic history. What Willson got so very right: Marian doesn't give a damn, and has incredible agency in the story, start to finish. Gossip doesn't give her sleepless nights. I talked about this a lot in the last revival: she's a character in musical theater that has aged well, ahead of her time. She learns the truth in the Hill story, keeps the secret to protect the town's investment in something bigger than the man's con, the rewards embodied in Winthrop. She's truly wise and multidimensional. And she doesn't have to trade her own agency for love. Harold is the one who must learn hard lessons, not Marian. But it's intriguing that the context for Marian's singularity, the male characters all have almost neurotic fixations on sexual boundaries rigid categories of women ("hussy," a word that's disappeared from the lexicon). Fortunately, the the leading lady was decidedly above it all, even if the male pov was very period-specific (and true). But updates were inevitable. There's a lot of vaguely predatory innuendo."

I love everything about this post!

#174

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 11:45am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "not going to post ALL the new lyrics, but the song now opens as:

Well a fella who goes on his very first date is us’ally shy and fretful.

And a fella who tries for more than a kiss would end up something dreadful.

and these are the ends of each verse:

"Shipoopi x3...the boy who tries his best.Shipoopi x3...to pass the lady's test"

"shipoopi...the boy who's seen the light. Shipoopi...to treat a woman right."

Shipoopi...the girl you can't forget. Shipoopi...but you can win her yet"

so thematically it still very much connects to Harold and Marian.

One other small textual change: Charlie Cowell doesn't call Marian "girly girl" anymore, though he's still plenty sleezy. (Remy Auberjonois is fantastic, and I hope he has some good books for his almost 2-hour break offstage.)"

My continued hope is that someday we will be advanced enough we can look at these types of songs with the intention and realization of when they were written or when they took place and take them in context. And not be forced to replace them with such inferior lyrics as these.

#175

THE MUSIC MAN Previews

Posted: 12/22/21 at 12:12pm

Changing lyrics to reflect a more “wake” stance does no good when you cant understand what the performer is saying.

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