TOMMY TUNE's "TURN OF THE CENTURY"- Page 3

[Jon]

Posted: 9/22/08 at 3:06pm

Clearly, they are not listing the songs because they want the audience to be surprised.

Just like Avenue Q doesn't list song titles in the Playbill because thay would ruin the jokes.

And the flop musical "Something's Afoot" listed song titles, but not who sang them, becuase it was a mystery in which the characters died one by one, and you would pretty much be able to determine, for example, that Hope and Geoffrey were the last ones alive, since they sang the last song.

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 9/24/08 at 3:02pm

Production photos are up on the Goodman website. Just the thumbs in the press room, but whoa! Gorgeous costumes!!! B/W themes for Jeff and the ensemble with vibrant colors for Rachel. In one of them she looks like Annie Oakley.

Looks like they're using a cyc for the set, relying on lighting instead of drops etc. Could be cool to suggest the fantasy/timelessness.

I hope they put larger pix up in the show gallery. It's hard to see detail.
Production Photos

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 9/24/08 at 3:58pm

"And the flop musical "Something's Afoot" listed song titles, but not who sang them, becuase it was a mystery in which the characters died one by one, and you would pretty much be able to determine, for example, that Hope and Geoffrey were the last ones alive, since they sang the last song."

HELLO? JON?!!! Spoiler alert? Jeesh!

Some well respected friends saw it and did not think too much of it. (Turn of the Century, that is, not Something's Afoot)
I am going to try for a half price ticket, but I don't hold out much hope for it.

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 9/25/08 at 12:40pm

Better photos are up at Playbill.com.

That red dress makes Rachel look like Dolly Levi.

(I could see her in that role someday)

TOTC Photos

[Patash]

Posted: 9/25/08 at 9:40pm

From the descriptions and all the music listed (or not) I got the impression this was one long show. So I was surprised to find out it's only one hour and 40 minutes total with no intermission.

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 9/25/08 at 9:53pm

I saw Turn of the Century yesterday, left orchestra, row C, so close that I could see beads of sweat on Jeff Daniels's forehead. This was a great production. I'm sure it will undergo quite a few changes prior to its Broadway run, but it works extremely well right now as a Drowsy Chaperone-ish light, fun (though still adult-oriented) show.

Patash, there are more songs than normal in the show but many are presented in montages. SPOILER: There is a hilarious segment shortly after the couple arrive in turn of the century NY and begin stealing music "from the future" where the greats of the early 1900s - including the Florodora Sextette and Evelyn Nesbit - sing parts of "Moon River," "(I Am Strong, I Am Invincible), I Am Woman" and other songs in a late Victorian-era style. Quite a few of those still don't sound familiar to me...

I've seen Turn of the Century and The Threepenny Opera in Chicago and Gypsy, Spring Awakening, The Seagull, Fault Lines, Fifty Words and August: Osage County in New York, all within the last two weeks, and Turn of the Century is easily one of the three I'd like to see again as soon as possible. (The other two are Fault Lines and Fifty Words; I've enjoyed everything I've seen except The Seagull.)

Updated On: 9/25/08 at 09:53 PM

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 9/29/08 at 6:01pm

First review is up. Three out of four stars. Odd that he'd mention seeing Tommy Tune in the opening night audience when his review is up BEFORE tonight's curtain goes up! A time-traveling critic, no doubt.

"Tune's elegant touch abounds throughout the evening. A giant oval shaped timepiece sets the stage and creates the illusion of an enormous snowglobe to the strains of Rodgers and Hart's 'Where or When.' "

"Film star Jeff Daniels makes a likable enough heel of a hero as Billy, but it's Rachel York whose smoky Broadway belt enchants and electrifies as his chateuse in crime."

"An original and innovative new musical, you wonder? Not quite, but don't let that stop you from enjoying the delightful pastiche now on display on the Goodman's Albert stage."

Warning: there are SPOILERS galore in his review! But it sounds like fun.
Early Review

[commasplice]

Posted: 9/29/08 at 8:25pm

Another review, from Chris Jones at the Tribune. It's mixed; he calls it "pleasant enough" but also feels the show lacks cohesion and fails to live up to its potential:

HOW TURN OF THE CENTURY COULD LIVE UP TO ITS PREMISE
http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/the_theater_loop/2008/09/how-turn-of-the.html

[commasplice]

Posted: 9/29/08 at 8:57pm

And Variety (some slight spoilers):

Premiering at Chicago's Goodman Theater, wispy new jukebox tuner "Turn of the Century" floats along on a thin time-traveling premise and a series of occasionally cute quips. But at this stage of its development the show -- from "Jersey Boys" book writers Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and master musical helmer Tommy Tune, with a string of popular American songs by various composers and lyricists -- feels throughout like a lead-in searching for its payoff.

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117938529.html?categoryid=1265&cs=1

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 9/29/08 at 9:14pm

Newcity Stage is positive.

"The result is a crowd-pleasing period musical in the tradition of, say, 'Thoroughly Modern Millie' with some thoroughly modern juxtapositions."

"Walt Spangler's set soars with gorgeous simplicity...In the Goodman's relatively intimate space, the overall effect is magical."

"The radiant Rachel York, with her big voice and just the right vulnerability, is perfection as Dixie."

"What elevates 'Turn of the Century' above mere pleasantly nostalgic musical theater is the sort of Einsteinian cultural paradox it conjures."

I'm lovin' the love for Rachel.
Newcity Stage Review

[commasplice]

Posted: 9/30/08 at 9:35am

Hedy Weiss (Chicago Sun-Times) liked it: http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/weiss/1192215,CST-FTR-Weiss30web.article

(The only downside is that Hedy Weiss is nuts.)

The only publication I can think of that's left is the Daily Herald -- I called my mom, and she said there's nothing about it in today's paper (and I can't find anything on the website, either). Odd.

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 9/30/08 at 1:05pm

There's a very brief video snippet of the show in performance on the Goodman website.
Video

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 9/30/08 at 2:45pm

Another review from Chicago Critic (it's positive with reservations):

"...a mostly delightfully sweet original musical...has much going for it."

"The rap...lies in the lack of a book. Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice have constructed a clever premise that wilts when it turns into a fluffy romantic comedy reminiscent of the MGM movie musicals of the 1930s-40s after a promising opening. It seems that too much emphasis on the book pushed the songs into secondary importance."

Pretty common themes are emerging. Creaky book, needs more solid songs/production numbers, but holds promise. The cast and design elements are scoring well, too.

Reviews seem to be in line with BWW posters.
Chicago Critic Recommends

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 9/30/08 at 3:22pm

And another from TheaterMania - also fairly positive with almost identical reservations:

"...an imaginative premise, a wealth of songs, a refined look, a talented cast...yet, the show isn't quite ready for Broadway - although it definitely is an entertaining 100 minutes."

"The show's biggest problem is that, despite the bones of a good story, the main characters' development needs to start earlier and go a little deeper."

"Fortunately, the show is in fine fettle with a cast headlined by the dazzling, flexible-voiced York and the surprising song-and-dance turn of Daniels."

TheaterMania Review Updated On: 9/30/08 at 03:22 PM

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 9/30/08 at 11:27pm

I love google alerts.

Here's another review, from Milwaukee (is it that close to Chicago? I'm geography challenged)!
JS Online Review

[commasplice]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 1:24am

I'm surprised the Journal Sentinel reviewed -- I don't think they usually cover shows in Chicago. (lc, Milwaukee's about an hour and a half from Chicago, give or take a few minutes depending on where exactly you're coming from and the traffic. I lived there for a few years :))

I really hope the creative team takes these reviews to heart and make some constructive changes to the show -- it sounds like it has a lot of potential, and it would be a shame for it to be wasted (especially when you have someone as fabulous as Rachel in the cast).

Does anyone know if there's a schedule for the boys alternating as Irving Berlin? Just curious.

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 6:26pm

Hey, commasplice,

Thanks for the info. Milwaukee's closer than I thought. Re: the rotation: that's a really good question. I was wondering the same thing. Since I'm seeing a Sunday matinee, I assume I'll get the other actor, not the one who's been reviewed. I haven't seen anything on the Goodman website about schedules.

This next review from the Chicago Reader critic is just for you!

"If director Tommy Tune were to dump the dumb script and turn the show into a concert performance for leading lady Rachel York, he might have a hit on his hands. York is one of the finest singers I've seen on any stage. Not only does she have a fabulous voice, she makes an intense and detailed connection to the lyrics - and has a stellar stage presence to boot."

Yes, yes, yes! REALLY can not wait to see her in this.
Rachel York Sings Up a Storm

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 6:59pm

Wow! An absolute rave from Edge Chicago.

I tell ya, theater is a great big Rorschach test.
Edge Rave

[Paul W. Thompson]

Posted: 10/3/08 at 8:14pm

The review is up!

https://chicago.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=33568

[Jon]

Posted: 10/3/08 at 8:26pm

The Broadway World review repeats the same error made by Hedy Weiss inthe Sun-Times: The title of the Lambert, Hendricks & Ross song is "Twisted", not "My Analyst Told Me".

[Paul W. Thompson]

Posted: 10/3/08 at 8:38pm

Thank you, I will make that correction!

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 10/3/08 at 8:56pm

I'm speechless. Can. Not. Wait...

...to see Rachel York in this.

"The Julia Roberts of the American musical theater."

YES!

[Paul W. Thompson]

Posted: 10/3/08 at 9:23pm

LOL She may be more beautiful in this production than any actress in any show ever. Seriously.

And lc, when are you going? Let us know if there are any changes, ok?

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 10/3/08 at 9:28pm

Oct. 26. I'll definitely report in.

Thanks!

[Paul W. Thompson]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 12:54pm

Rachel York's website includes quotes from several BWW reviews of her, including a nicely prominent quote from me regarding her luminous performance in "Turn of the Century." Check it out:

http://www.rachelyork.net/Visitors.php/Pages/Reviews/

And seriously, if this show comes into town this year (February is the rumor at this point), look for Rachel in the line-ups during award season.