THE MUSIC MAN Will Now Start Previews 12/20/21 — Page 9

Well that’s certainly not the early buzz i was expecting to read lol. 

I saw this posted by somebody who was there on Facebook. 

Let's face it--on a cold, wet December Saturday evening feeling already slightly disheartened by the impact COVID is once again taking on the NYC entertainment industry--if I'm going to be conned by any character in a Broadway theater, please let that character be played by Hugh Jackman (in a white suit at least some of the time). Thanks to the kindness of a friend in the cast of "The Music Man," I got to attend the invited dress rehearsal tonight--the first audience the cast had. And what an audience. And WHAT a cast! Jerry Zaks made a short curtain speech where he reminded the audience that it was a rehearsal, and while he was hoping that they wouldn't have to stop, if they needed to, they would stop. My friend in the cast texted that they had never done the show without stopping until tonight. Turned out the only pausing they had to do was for rock-star entrance applause and the screaming, standing ovation at the end of the show. There was a lot of love emanating back and forth from stage to audience and vice versa tonight. Here was another show scheduled and temporarily derailed by COVID. But so lovely to finally have it on Broadway. Beautifully cast (you could do about THREE Broadway musicals with the cast of just this one) with co-star Sutton Foster and outstanding supporting performances by Shuler Hensley, Jayne Houdyshell, Phillip Boykin, Eddie Korbich, Gino Cosculluela, Emma Crow, Jessica Sheridan, Garrett Elise Long, Jefferson Mays, Benjamin Pajak and Marie Mullen. That Hugh Jackman is always in it to win it, and he seems to respect the theater and theater work so much. Plus he's so danged good looking and charismatic. Sutton Foster, as one might expect, makes the role her own, and is charming and funny. She sings beautifully--often in her head voice, and perhaps one key for one song is lowered and slightly rearranged to suit her personality and voice. Shuler Hensley is an adorable bad guy--charming, goofy and delicious. Jayne Houdyshell is so deliciously rubber-faced. The Pick-A-Little ladies are adorable as is the Barber Shop Quartet. The orchestra, under Patrick Vaccariello, sounded great, and the cast's diction in the songs was terrific. In order not to be a spoiler, I'll leave it at that. But what a treat and a delight--delicious chicken soup for the soul.

Thanks for sharing that!! The only thing worrying is this se sentence - 

“you could do about THREE Broadway musicals with the cast of just this one”.

 

More People more chances of shutdown. 

Hairspray0901 said: "bwayphreak234 said: "Pre-show set...

"

Does anyone know what happened with the 4 seats they released in row AA or BB a few months ago for $279? I recall them being sold some dates with only 2 per row, none per row or 4 per row? But according to this pic, it looks like there are at least 7 seats in the front right orch. Did they remove what was being sold, or, just add more seats?"

Per current seating chart, there are now 7 seats abreast  each for  Left & right Orch of row A (priced at $269+) .  Total of fourteen  seats for every performance!

Updated On: 12/19/21 at 09:32 AM

Based on what I saw last night, I think this show will make Hugh Jackman a star!

The 76 Trombones number is perfect!

The important discussion here, heading into this first week of performances: are the swings up to speed, have the covers been rehearsed. Covers for everything but Harold, since any out is possible on any day. This show is part of a community on tenterhooks, and unless the large company has multiples ready to step in, it could face the same fate. That's not "hater" pessimism, that's December 19th reality check. I'm hoping that the long rehearsal period has readied everyone who stands by or understudies. It's possible that any or all could go on before the opening night. 

Updated On: 12/19/21 at 10:40 AM

Jordan Catalano said: "Who is Sutton’s understudy?"

Kathy Voytko

SueFB said: "Jordan Catalano said: "Who is Sutton’s understudy?"

Kathy Voytko"

 

OMG I had no idea. I’ll definitely be trying to see it with Kathy if Sutton has a vacation!

 

Curtain call --

https://twitter.com/hugh_ig/status/1472598441113047047?s=20

Dolly80 said: "The photo of the set pre show is hugely uninspiring.
maybe all the money was spent on Hugh."


I once saw a production of The Music Man at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, it was intentionally drab at the start. Everything in fact was done in greys, no colour. As Harold Hill came and the town changed, colour was slowly introduced into the set and costumes. It was incredibly effective. 
 

Perhaps this production is going for a similar effect? Start off with some drab realism? 

Updated On: 12/19/21 at 12:29 PM

Anyone trying rush for the first preview? What time is anybody planning to get there? It’s gonna be 28 degrees. No idea what to plan for.

That photo also doesn't include any of the pre-show lighting, so you aren't getting the realistic and desired effect the designers are going for.

That must be the intermission set. A friend on FB posted a the pre show and it’s a curtain.