THE TIMES... on the View- Page 2

[Trailer Trash Jones]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 12:15pm

Oh, and I can't believe no one has mentioned the floppy dog character....we were dying! It looked like bad children's theater. Boo!!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 12:15pm

Ugh...the number started off well in the theater (Arden was in full voice the first two weeks of previews), and then when they brought out those yoga balls representing "rolling stones," it turned from OK to horrible. Honestly, Munk, the show *should* close on Sunday, after 5 regular performances. Ticket sales have been decent though, so it'll run a few months probably.

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 12:18pm

I had a hunch he was sick. He sounded like Cher via the 70's, with the "vocal inflections" and all...or in his case "vocal inFECTions".

Doesn't change my opinion of him, since seeing him is a good way for me to start my morning/afternoon .

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 12:23pm

"This is a song
for the lonely..."

or

That Melissa Etheridge breast cancer song that they use now on the commercial?

Posted: 10/25/06 at 12:23pm

Not saying I think this is the most brilliant thing I've ever seen, but really, Liotte? Theater criticism from someone who practically lived at the Richard Rodgers when Tarzan first opened?


I mean... glass houses, y'all.

Updated On: 10/25/06 at 12:23 PM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 12:26pm

*Tries exceptionally hard not to crack up laughing and chime in with my agreement...*

Why is it that whenever a performer gives a horrible performance on TV, they are always "sick." Shoshanna was horrible on "Martha." Oh, okay, that's fine, she was sick.

I'm not saying Arden's not sick, but I'm not saying he is. I just think it's funny that as soon as someone gives a horrible performance, they're "sick."

[folkyboy]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 12:26pm

hahahaha i love when people bust on the Tarzan lovers!

Posted: 10/25/06 at 1:30pm

ok, tarzan was better than that performance. im not gonna judge the show based on that, but it wasnt great. im gonna blame it on the fact that theyre not on their stage, and that he was sick. but is that what the entire show is like?

[mikem]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 1:35pm

The timing of Michael Arden being sick is unfortunate, since Ben Brantley (and I assume a lot of other critics) was supposedly at the show last night.

I haven't seen today's performance yet (will watch the tape when I get home tonight), but to threadjack slightly, a lot of the morning show performances don't come off that well. Maybe it's because it's hard to get warmed up that early in the day, maybe it's because the songs are shortened and there's no exposition, but I can't remember the last morning show performance I saw that matched the performance I saw in person.

[ThereIs1Director]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 1:38pm

Truth be told, the show is a nightmare. The blocking is bad, the choreography is not on par with Twyla's usual masterpiece and the plot...well there is no plot. I still dont think that should take away from an excellent performance.

When you are in a show, and lucky enough to be working, sometimes you have to play the hand you are dealt. In this situation, Michael was dealt a whole bunch of jokers, but he makes the best of it.

I disagree that Like A Rolling stone sounds un like the original. He puts his own flavor on it, and I think it works. I talked to him last night, and he sounded like he was three steps away from death. I know he is taking at least one performance off today.

Seems like if its not a performance From Wicked or an even bigger piece of Crap like RENT, there is no way that a single persons performance should be acknowleged. Michael, I think, deserves a TONY nod for this. Taking a terrible role and making the best out of it. He delivers evey song in the show, and the performance today, although not the best I ever have seen it, I think deserves at least a little more praise then y'all are giving it.

[NJgirl]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 1:49pm

I saw the show this past Saturday. The book? what book?
But I will say....Lisa Brescia and Michael Arden knocked the songs they sang out of the park. That was worth my 25 dollars alone. Some of the choreo is definitely strange (the yoga balls for one. Why did they put that on tv of all the numbers?) and the whole circus thing was ehh...but some of the dancing and what the dancers are doing up there was outstanding. Definitely not the best show I've seen...but I liked this better than Tarzan. I'm still not quite sure what exactly I was watching the other night, but I definitely didn't leave going "that show totally sucked". I left remembering Brescia and Arden singing the hell out of the songs and how amazing the group of dancers were. For student rush price, I can't complain...

Posted: 10/25/06 at 1:59pm

Yeah, but for those of us not of student age or eligibility...we pay more, and sometimes a LOT more...is it worth, say $80?

[mabel]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 2:05pm

I saw the show a couple weeks ago...I can't believe they chose "Like a Rolling Stone" to perform on TV. Though, who knows, maybe there'll be some viewers that thought it was so bizarrely funny, they have to see it for themselves. I mean, WAT's mention of the yoga balls in his review was one the the main things that finally swayed me to check it out afterall.

The yoga balls were definitley a high/low point for me (high being I was laughing my ass off, low being what were they thinking. This was my first time seeing Twyla's work live (couldn't see getting rush for Movin' Out, since I'd heard you couldn't see the dancer's feet from the front row...so what's the point?!) and for this supposed choreographic genius, you'd think she could come up with something better than yoga balls for "Like a Rolling Stone" and a girl twirling around with a broom for "Cinderella's sweeping up on Desolation Row." And I just about died trying to surpress uproarious laugter during "Knockin' On Heaven's Door." When they did those little flashlight jabs in time to "knock, knock, knockin'" I thought I was totally going to lose it.

That being said...it was worth my $25 just for sheer curiosity's sake.

ETA: Singingbackup, I definitely would have felt ripped off had I paid any more than $25. Sorry for those who don't have access to such discounts, but I personally would be livid if I shelled out more than that for a colorful, ill-conceived trainwreck (albeit a well-sung one).

Updated On: 10/25/06 at 02:05 PM

[liotte]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 2:12pm

To Regina- Yes, I really enjoyed Tarzan, still do. Today's View performance was the first time I have seen anything about These Times... with the exception of Broadway on Broadway, and I thought the balls and clowns and everything was a joke. I seriously didn't think that was part of the show or that was the kind of show it was. And I did not say it was bad or voice anything about my opinion of the performance, all I asked was if that was actually part of the show. No need to attack me for liking Tarzan and accusing me of hating on These Times. Everyone is entitled to enjoy whatever shows they choose, and if you don't like the same ones as I do, great, more tickets for me.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 2:13pm

Well, I'm seeing it tonight. I hope Michael takes the matinee off...and rests up for tonight. Anyone know?

[Reckless]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 2:16pm

Nope, he's taking off both the matinee and tonight.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 2:33pm

Oh well...

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 3:03pm

Damn. It didn't show here. Anyone know if this will be online like the other performances? I really hope so.

[shiksa_goddess]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 3:42pm

To me the show seems like a pretty lame idea, but I would sit through it just to see Michael Arden. LOVE HIM. We all know by now that he is sick, so I hope that people don't judge him too harshly based on his performance, since most of us know what a wonderful performer he is.

That being said...the show looks a mess. Hopefully it runs for awhile so that the cast can at least get something out of all the time they put into the show.

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 4:01pm

This just up on Playbill.com

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/102996.html

[kikki327]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 4:25pm

I came home from school during my lunch to see this....i thought it was pretty wierd....the yoga balls threw me off a little....and oh john selya....that was crazy.

[zepka102]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 4:58pm

i haven't seen the clip yet, but i can also stand behind what director said... michael IS sick and i'm sure he gave it his all. after seeing the show, i'll agree it isn't the best thing on broadway, but Michael is definitely the standout from the show. he's an EXTREMELY talented guy. lay off of him for actually being sick.

get better soon Mike!!

Updated On: 10/25/06 at 04:58 PM

[Miz M]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 6:04pm

I just watched the view and I don't like Coyote's costume at all. It doesn't even work with the story; at least in San Diego the costume was a bit more dark and Coyote looked like a rebel. Now, he looks like a young (and better looking) Larry King.

fire the stylist
Updated On: 10/25/06 at 06:04 PM

Posted: 10/25/06 at 6:07pm

"Arden kept doing reminded me more of Elvis than anything else"
When I first saw the gutiar, memories of ASU came back
The moment the performance began that's where my ASU feelings for this show ended. I enjoyed the performance, even if it was oddly stage and odd looking. I found Arden to be pretty good for being sick. I'm assuming he'd be fantastic when he's not. I am not against seeing this show. I may just have to see me som THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGIN.

Why am I a jukebox musical whore!?

[leefowler]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 6:14pm

I didn't think that the problem with this number on the View had anything to do with the wonderful Michael Arden (who is very sick now) but the jaw-dropping staging. How exactly is this better than something you'd see in "Ring Of Fire"? Or "Lennon"?