If I want to minimise chances of understudies should I avoid Thursday matinee?
"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
"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
When is the show going to acknowledge the extended absence of Brody Grant? I think it’s been 2+ weeks now.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
Props to Variety for pressing the producers to say something. But what a strange statement from them…
“The Outsiders’ is a very demanding project. He needed time away and is returning next week. As with any long-running shows, our performers regularly take time away, when needed, to recharge and reset.”
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
If the producers knew this absence would be so long and planned, an advance formal announcement would’ve been nice. I wouldn’t have exchanged my ticket, but it could’ve helped manage expectations prior.
I saw this this afternoon. I didn’t expect to like it to be honest,but I really ended up liking it a lot.
I was initially disappointed because Brody Grant, who I thought had just returned, was out. His understudy, Josh Strobl, was just outstanding, and I cannot imagine Grant being any better.
i was a little underwhelmed in the beginning, and I think that was probably impacted by the face that I saw Sunset Blvd last night; as professional as this was, it had a really hard act to follow, particularly in its direction and lighting.
That said, both were really excellent, with the show getting better as it progressed. The entire cast was excellent, with a particular shout out to the actors who played his brothers. They played a significant contribution to the strong ending.
i thought from reviews that the score was its weak point. While I didn’t leave the theatre thinking about any of the songs, I thought the score contributed to the overall quality and enjoyment of the show.
There were many (couple of hundred?) teens in the theatre, which I am always happy to see. It was the perfect show for any of them who have not attended the theatre much / at all.
Looks like lots of the "kids" decided to go begging for candy tonight instead of showing up. Included in the no shows were Brody Grant, Joshua Boone, Emma Pittman and Daryl Tofa. What a disappointment.
CukorLover said: "Looks like lots of the "kids" decided to go begging for candy tonight instead of showing up. Included in the no shows were Brody Grant, Joshua Boone, Emma Pittman and Daryl Tofa. What a disappointment.
"in re: Brody. it is very tough. 8 shows a week for $25K plus 1% of grosses. and a bonus once the show recoups. plus he is recovering from "exhaustion" such a hard knock life. "
but i hear he does like complimentary mini snickers bars.
I saw Brody on Thursday night- he was not there for the matinee- but did make it to the evening performance- and I thought he was the weak link in the show. His articulation of words and musical phrases is weak and I often had trouble understanding him- his acting is just okay- actually, I was disappointed with his performance- and would have preferred seeing someone else in the role. I probably am in the minority here- but I thought he was the weakest link in a very strong cast.
I say this a few weeks ago and was surprised that everyone was on. It is REMARKABLY well directed but I thought the material was really weak. The book feels like a patchwork that doesn't really tell a whole story. The score has some great songs but quite a few of them are bland and I'm not always sure the score does a great job furthering the story rather than stopping it for awhile... and there didn't feel like a ton of cohesion in the score.
I found it odd there was so much focus on telling the story through Ponyboy's eyes and pen but then we get important scenes that Ponyboy didn't witness without any sort of explanation? I'm just not quite sure why they pushed the "character writing the story" angle so hard? I realize the book is written from Ponyboy's perspective but it felt weirdly grafted on.
The character of Cherry, particularly, felt so incredibly underwritten in a less accomplished actor's hands the character would likely disappear entirely. Emma Pitman does a great job infusing what is there with specificity... but the character as written makes very little sense.
As for actors... I thought Ponyboy and Johnny give pretty servicible performances. Brody Grant sings with style and flair AND looks fourteen but there's not really a lot of acting going on? Johnny entered with a fixed expression that he kept for the entire performance. Neither were bad but neither of them commanded the stage the way I'd expect broadway performers to... the way Darry, Dally, Soda do. I thought Brent Comer give a strong, soulful performance and I wish the other performers gave at that level.
Anyway. Surprised this won best musical but really impressed with the direction. Not only for the really stunning powerhouse moments but the way the direction successfully makes something out of not much (to my mind).