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THE STORY OF MY LIFE - Final Performance - 02.22.09 — Page 3

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#52

re: THE STORY OF MY LIFE - Final Performance - 02.22.09

Posted: 11/22/10 at 11:42am

It's believed that the first non-Equity production of "The Story Of My Life" post-Broadway took place in Bartlett, Illinois in September of 2009.

A revised version of the show, with new material by Bartam and Hill, and directed by original director Richard Maltby, Jr., opened at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre in Chicago in November of 2010, and is scheduled to run until New Year's.

One of the stars of the 2009 production, Tanner Spears, has written a GUEST REVIEW of this new production and new version of the show, exclusively for BroadwayWorld.com. Check it out!

https://chicago.broadwayworld.com/article/GUEST_REVIEW_Actor_Tanner_Spears_On_The_Revised_Version_of_The_Story_Of_My_Life_20010101
#53

re: THE STORY OF MY LIFE - Final Performance - 02.22.09

Posted: 11/22/10 at 8:00pm

Thanks for sharing that. As a huge fan of the bway production, and someone who was saddened by it's short run, these changes seem out of place.
"Sometimes on the strip, the dreams you come in with, ain't the dreams you leave with" ~Rock of Ages
"I'm a butterfly, trivial and small, and in the greater scheme of things, I don't mean much at all." ~The Story of My Life
"Forget Regret, or life is yours to miss." ~Rent
#55

re: THE STORY OF MY LIFE - Final Performance - 02.22.09

Posted: 11/23/10 at 12:51am

I agree. It comes across as, "But that's not the way we did it..."

Is the show supposed to be in flashback, or actually take place in Thomas's mind as the reviewer says? Although I don't remember the Broadway version that well, I don't remember having the impression that we were seeing Thomas's version of events as opposed to an objective flashback. What was the impression of others who saw the Goodspeed or Broadway versions?
"What was the name of that cheese that I like?" "you can't run away forever...but there's nothing wrong with getting a good head start" "well I hope and I pray, that maybe someday, you'll walk in the room with my heart"
#56

re: THE STORY OF MY LIFE - Final Performance - 02.22.09

Posted: 11/23/10 at 1:05am

Aside from the from the bias the reviewer has towards his own production, the review is so poorly written it hurts to read it. I kept having to re-read sections because the thoughts get scrambled between the comas and the brackets. Ouch.

It's nice to see this terrific little show having a life after Broadway. Hopefully it will live a long and fruitful existence in regionals for years to come.
#57

re: THE STORY OF MY LIFE - Final Performance - 02.22.09

Posted: 11/23/10 at 8:04am

Is the show supposed to be in flashback, or actually take place in Thomas's mind as the reviewer says? Although I don't remember the Broadway version that well, I don't remember having the impression that we were seeing Thomas's version of events as opposed to an objective flashback. What was the impression of others who saw the Goodspeed or Broadway versions?

I saw both Goodspeed and Broadway. If memory serves me, the audience is seeing flashbacks. Some are objective, but some seem to be slanted toward Thomas' version. At one point, before "You're Amazing, Tom" (I believe) he says something like "This isn't about me", so he's relaying stories about him and Alvin, but they have his own spin on them.

"Sometimes on the strip, the dreams you come in with, ain't the dreams you leave with" ~Rock of Ages
"I'm a butterfly, trivial and small, and in the greater scheme of things, I don't mean much at all." ~The Story of My Life
"Forget Regret, or life is yours to miss." ~Rent
#59

re: THE STORY OF MY LIFE - Final Performance - 02.22.09

Posted: 1/22/11 at 1:51am

so the show is playing here in San Diego and i just got back from seeing it... and wow... what an absolutely beautiful musical... i damn near almost cried in the last five minutes or so... it is so wonderful to see a musical that is essentially a love story between two friends... but it isn't sappy or cheesy... just a very honest portrait of two friends... aah... such a beautiful piece of theater
#60

re: THE STORY OF MY LIFE - Final Performance - 02.22.09

Posted: 1/22/11 at 1:57am

ha
was wondering how this thread came back again
sad I missed seeing it.

I think it was just too small for broadway and lacked major star power. (not to knock the two, especially the versatile Chase)
#61

re: THE STORY OF MY LIFE - Final Performance - 02.22.09

Posted: 1/22/11 at 4:42am

If possible send your comments to Neil Bartram and Brian Hill...I am sure they will appreciate them. Brian actually showed me a letter he got from Jerry Bock praising the show. He was very proud.

I don't know why the NY critics were in such an ornery mood, but they often take a dislike to shows that start other places - like Toronto - and seem to go after vulnerable shows with hatchets. Never mind. STORY is having a healthy life in regionals and hopefully will soon be like LAST 5 YEARS in terms of number of productions.




I am happy to say that "Nick Plasia" and "Roslyn Reynolds" have both been banned from BWW. This person never saw any of the shows, they just liked to stir things up by coming in (under these and other names) and posting negative comments. Attention must not be paid.

Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!

I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com

#62

re: THE STORY OF MY LIFE - Final Performance - 02.22.09

Posted: 1/22/11 at 5:46am

That being said, there WERE many people that didn't like the show that DID see it. I was one of them.

I found it terribly predictable, trite and mundane. Had there BEEN an intermission, I would have left. As would have the friend with me. If we weren't smack dab in the middle of a row -- we might have left anyway. I've only left ONE b'way show in my life. I'd only paid TDF prices, and STILL wanted my money back.

I'm not disparaging the opinions of those of you that did enjoy it, I'm just putting a little reality out there.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#63

re: THE STORY OF MY LIFE - Final Performance - 02.22.09

Posted: 1/22/11 at 8:27am

True and there is no show that EVERYBODY will enjoy. But that's what makes for healthy discussion. Wingnuts like the ones mentioned above claimed to hate EVERY show, riddiculed those who enjoyed the productions, and generally were just here to stir things up.

Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!

I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com

#64

re: THE STORY OF MY LIFE - Final Performance - 02.22.09

Posted: 1/22/11 at 3:04pm

I thought this show was just plain stupid. And I did see it. I saw it three times actually because I'd heard they were making changes and I love seeing the evolution of musicals.

My roommate adored it though and says it's one of the best things he'd ever seen and, like me, he's extremely knowledgeable. To my surprise, I came home the other day to see a windowcard framed and hung in the living room. God forbid I put my Brando/Tandy STREETCAR out there or my original out of town KISS ME KATE from 1948, but STORY OF MY LIFE? Seems just as good.
#65

re: THE STORY OF MY LIFE - Final Performance - 02.22.09

Posted: 1/22/11 at 6:04pm

I only saw the Toronto production, and there were some changes between Toronto and New York, but I am curious what changes were made in previews. DO you recall any specifics, Jordan?

There was one really well-written number in the Toronto production as Alvin made plans to take over his Dad's bookstore, and sang at length about all the changes he would make, eventually arriving at the conclusion that to make all these changes would negate the character his father brought to the bookstore, and deciding ultimately to keep it the way it was. An excellent song that went full circle without really advancing the story. It was dropped, which helped trim the running time by about 5 minutes. Still, the song would make a wonderful cabaret number.

Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!

I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com

#66

re: THE STORY OF MY LIFE - Final Performance - 02.22.09

Posted: 2/18/14 at 11:32am

I recently saw this show. Other than knowing it was a flop and being vaguely aware of the plot I went in completely cold.

I must say that I was deeply moved. The score was fantastic, much better than I anticipated.

I'm surprised it never found an audience.

Great show with some amazing songs.

....but the world goes 'round
#73

re: THE STORY OF MY LIFE - Final Performance - 02.22.09

Posted: 2/18/14 at 12:33pm

I'm glad you got to see the show, taz! Every now and then I listen to the OBCR with very fond memories. Gets and Chase each gave excellent performances, and the staging was simple and beautiful. The marquee and artwork around town were truly blandness personified, and sadly the show came and went very under the radar.

I'm glad it still has life and is finding new admirers.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco. Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
#74

re: THE STORY OF MY LIFE - Final Performance - 02.22.09

Posted: 2/18/14 at 1:00pm

I loved it Whizzer. And the score is so beautiful.

Particularly "The Butterfly" and "This Is It".

Anyone know what Bartram is up to? I'm definitely interested in seeing what he does next.

....but the world goes 'round

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