TONY Time: ONCE versus NEWSIES- Page 3

[Idiot]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 1:48pm

A friend of mine sent me a note after seeing NEWSIES yesterday. He described it as pre-packaged dreck meant to please the kinds of people who like the shows on Disney cruises.

So I'm thinking ONCE may fare better.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 2:51pm

"Once" is this year's "Spring Awakening" and "American Idiot". It will win a a few Tonys and be gone in 16 months. A Best Musical Tony will do nothing for it.


Yeah, too bad the Tony did not help Spring Awakening recoup its investment and more. I wish people would think a bit before posting random facts.

A friend of mine sent me a note after seeing NEWSIES yesterday. He described it as pre-packaged dreck meant to please the kinds of people who like the shows on Disney cruises.

So I'm thinking ONCE may fare better.

You think Once will do better because of a note your one friend sent? Ok...

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 2:59pm

I wonder what Idiot's friend thought of Memphis. According to the Tonys, he must have LOVED it.

[bookofmel]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 3:17pm

I'm curious as to why people think it's only between Once and Newsies for the Tonys? There are two new musicals that haven't gone into previews yet that people know little to nothing about.

I saw Newsies last night, and while it was super fun during the large dance numbers, the book is a mess and Jeremy Jordan was the weakest part of the show in my opinion. Having now seen Once and Newsies, let's pray to the theater gods that there is a better show coming this season!!

(Note: I know I am new to this board and my opinion probably doesn't matter to anyone :) )

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 3:23pm

Welcome, bookofmel.

I'm curious as to why people think it's only between Once and Newsies for the Tonys? There are two new musicals that haven't gone into previews yet that people know little to nothing about.

You're right. However, Leap of Faith already had a try out run and the material did not seem to be focused enough. Nice Work...well, we'll see about that one, expectations are low. But you are right, this speculation comes from what we know, and things can change.

Updated On: 3/22/12 at 03:23 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 3:34pm

Good points blaxie, it's funny how NICE WORK... has low expectations when it has a TONY winning Marshall at the helm (I don't think much of her work), TONY winner Broderick (who used to be BWay's Darling) the ever-popular extremely talented and likable, O'Hara, TONY book writer DiPetro, TONY winning designers, Gershwin music and still the expectations are low.
Maybe it will surprise us all.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 3:47pm

Well, CP, my expectations are low. I find Broderick unbearable, Marshall owes me money for that Grease revival, DiPietro for Memphis, O'Hara for Dracula and I'd much rather get my Crazy For You revival!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 3:53pm

Nice Work could be the surprise smash hit of the season and the next Crazy For You, but Marshall is so uneven, it's impossible to guess. I've a feeling the preview period will consist of nightly changes. That show is the biggest question mark of the season.

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 3:54pm

"(Note: I know I am new to this board and my opinion probably doesn't matter to anyone :) ) "

New or not, you seem to have very good taste, to me.

Now just be sure you agree with me 100% of the time. :)

[mcdjustin]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 4:11pm

Blaxx: "Once" is this year's "Spring Awakening" and "American Idiot". It will win a a few Tonys and be gone in 16 months. A Best Musical Tony will do nothing for it.
-----

I'm sorry, but when I saw this I had to login and say something.
Spring Awakening has a bigger fanbase than you think. Spring awakening received 11 tony nominations, and won 8. including Tonys for best musical, direction, book, score and featured actor.
It is BY FAR one of the most memorable musicals I have seen and it sends a HUGE message for parents and teens.

now american idiot, I can't speak for. but seriously, all this talk about "Ghost" really has me stumped. Belter and Tenor leads, SO over it. and what's the message behind it anyway?

Sorry, I'm team Newsies all the way. It takes incredible talent to do half the things they do in their performances. and it has an alright message, "Seize the day"

[castlestreet]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 4:33pm

mcdjusting: Sorry, I'm team Newsies all the way.

I didn't realize Robert Pattinson was in Newsies- no wonder its selling so well!

[Idiot]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 4:41pm

Blaxx said:

"You think Once will do better because of a note your one friend sent? Ok... "

If it is as he described it, and we do have similar tastes, they yes, I do think Once will fare better at the Tony's. So Blaxx, you don't have a friend whose opinions you trust? Or were you just being BWW snarky because it in some way satisfies you?

[mcdjustin]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 4:45pm

Castlestreet: "I didn't realize Robert Pattinson was in Newsies- no wonder its selling so well!"

Wow that was so funny I fell off my dinosaur. I'm pretty sure Newsies is doing so well for a few reasons.

a. It was a Disney movie
b. It was produced at papermill before it hit broadway
c. It was previewed on ABC's good morning america and macy's thanksgiving parade.
d. It's a dance, and family-friendly show.

as for ONCE and GHOST, what are they all about again?





Updated On: 3/22/12 at 04:45 PM

[JoanBennett]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 5:41pm

"However, Leap of Faith already had a try out run and the material did not seem to be focused enough." - uh, I *think* Leap of Faith has some pretty experienced names behind it who've honed a show or two - my feeling is that people are in for a delightful surprise.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 5:54pm

as for ONCE and GHOST, what are they all about again?

I don't know how Once will fare, but Ghost has name recognition, spectacle, and has been doing VERY well in London.

But as for what those shows are about...the most popular subject in performing arts: love and loss.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 6:02pm

Although I'm adding little to the discussion, I have to wonder how someone can call Kathleen Marshall's work "uneven."

She's directed/choreographed 3 very well received revivals of classic musicals. Of her last 4 Broadway ventures, only one ("Grease") was underwhelming.

I certainly wouldn't count out NICE WORK until we've seen it.

[strummergirl]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 6:10pm

"as for ONCE and GHOST, what are they all about again?"
Considering you cited that Newsies' success is based off it being a film, it was a box office flop that gained a cult following some time after, both Ghost and Once are also based on films one which was pretty popular and the other a more recent film that won the Oscar for Best Original Song.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 6:11pm

mcdjustin, I didn't write that, I was quoting it. amoni2 wrote it.

Updated On: 3/22/12 at 06:11 PM

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 6:17pm

If it is as he described it, and we do have similar tastes, they yes, I do think Once will fare better at the Tony's. So Blaxx, you don't have a friend whose opinions you trust? Or were you just being BWW snarky because it in some way satisfies you?

No, love, I do not know anyone whose single opinion determines for me if a show does good or not. Especially one that already has had a positive reception out of town and is selling out like pancakes. There's a ton of shows I hated in the past, but my single opinion did not determine their fate.

[bookofmel]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 6:24pm

Thanks for the welcome blaxx and After Eight!

And After Eight, only if you agree with everything I say... :)

JoanBennett, I hope you're right about Leap of Faith. I'm ready to be moved and excited by a musical, which hasn't happened since I saw Book of Mormon last spring.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 6:58pm

She's directed/choreographed 3 very well received revivals of classic musicals. Of her last 4 Broadway ventures, only one ("Grease") was underwhelming.

Depends on who you ask, I guess. I thought her work on Kiss Me Kate and Wonderful Town was merely serviceable and there was plenty of room for improvement in Two Gentlemen of Verona. Little Shop, Follies (2001), Seussical, 1776 and Swinging on a Star went unnoticed for her contribution. So yeah, I'd say uneven. Of the four Broadway musicals she directed and 10 she choreographed, I find only two to be real standouts. I'd add Two Gentlemen of Verona because I did love the show, but even when watching it, there were a lot of missed opportunities that could have put it over the top.

[Idiot]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 7:56pm

Blaxx: No, love, I do not know anyone whose single opinion determines for me if a show does good or not.

Nor do I, nor did I imply any such thing. This is a conversation about opinions leading into the Tony's. I just happened to have heard one that I thought relevant and a little kicky. (He also mentioned that five people near him did not return after intermission, which is also relevant IMO.)

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 8:14pm

That might be his perception, but the show really has no problems, at least with its box office. Even with mixed reviews, it can easily be the strongest contender for the Best Musical award.

[willep]

Posted: 3/24/12 at 9:41am

As per Paul Whitty and Steve Kazee at the stage door last night, they are going to be performing on Letterman on Thursday. They are going to do Te North Strand and a couple verses of Falling Slowly.

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 3/24/12 at 9:53am

Thanks for the update, I haven't seen anything but maybe I missed it? Once really needs to start doing some press. Glad it sounds like they're starting.