TOOTSIE - Chicago tryout- Page 5

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 9/12/18 at 8:09pm

Sorry if this has already been mentioned. I know someone said the set was minimal, but was it actual physical pieces solely or did it use screens? 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/12/18 at 8:15pm

The Dearborn(the restaurant) is really good! It’s across the street from petterinos actually and I prefer it. You can also go to 312, which is like right next the Cadillac palace.

[anislander]

Posted: 9/12/18 at 10:02pm

I’ll come back and give a full review later but all of us at the second preview tonight got a fun little treat. An onstage costume change went badly for Santino and messed up his microphone for the rest of the first act. He stopped the show at one point just so he could try to fix it to no prevail. Absolutely hilarious, and his one liners during had me rolling on the floor. I love the show so far!!!!

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 9/12/18 at 10:03pm

YvanEhtNioj said: "Sorry if this has already been mentioned. I know someone said the set was minimal, but was it actual physical pieces solelyor did it use screens?"

Actual physical pieces. 

Posted: 9/12/18 at 10:11pm

For those curious, I did the lottery and was in row A phenomenal seats I could see everything just fine. Poor Fontana and the mic. It was hilarious how he handed it for a good chunk of the act. I’ll write a full review but I thought the show was hilarious thus far.

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 9/13/18 at 12:52am

Outside the theatre before the Wednesday evening, Sept 12 performance began, a woman was attempting to sell 8 orchestra seats.

Security politely stepped in and explained that she was welcome to sell the tickets, but not UNDER the marquee.

A while back, the woman's boss had asked her to buy tickets for the Oct 12 show, but she mistakenly bought eight tickets for Sept 12. She had no takers on Ticketmaster resale.

Her tickets tonight were excellent. Four main floor seats on the aisle, row K, and another 4 immediately behind in row L, also on the aisle.

"I'm in charge of the boss's credit card," she confessed, "so he'll NEVER find out."

At least 4 of the prime seats remained empty all night.

Meanwhile, when Fontana's microphone failed late in Act 1 in the ensemble fountain scene, the blip continued in the NY apartment shared between Michael Dorsey and Jeff Slater.

Fontana futzed with his uncooperative wiring. 

"It's the second preview," warbled Fontana as Dorothy. "Now, we ALL have a secret."

The audience roared.

Roommate Jeff assisted with the faulty wiring.

"Just a second, Sandy!" he added, as Sandy waited to enter the apartment.

A few moments later during Act 1's brief final number, Fontana carried a microphone. Fontana then hid the mic in his bosom under his yellow coat for the last few
moments of the Act.

Intermission ran long at 25 minutes.

At the silent opening of Act 2, Fontana pointed to his right ear then shared a thumbs up.

In other random news,

1. Tonight's performance had one obvious line change. When agent Stan Fields berates Michael about "he, she, they," the line was abbreviated tonight to "he, she".

2. There are a few times when Dana Carvey's Church Lady character invades my empty head during the show.

3. Call me a traditionalist, but I would love a closing number in Act 2. And hopefully, exit music is in the works.

Overall, a wonderful night.


 

Updated On: 9/13/18 at 12:52 AM

[Ravenclaw]

Posted: 9/13/18 at 2:02am

All I can do is echo the praise on this board already. It's not a perfect show yet, but they have a hit on their hands. It must be nice to be David Yazbek right now--the toast of Broadway with a Tony winning musical selling out every night and an out of town tryout that has audiences rolling in the aisles.

I saw the film for the first time earlier this week, and I loved it. I loved the musical as well. The overall structure is mostly the same, but the musical captures what works about the film while finding its own voice. I couldn't help but think the entire time that this is what Pretty Woman could have been. 

Santino Fontana is giving a star performance. Early on, when his character is temperamental and not so lovable, he infuses the character with so much charm that you sign on to following his story anyway. As the character grows and changes, you buy every beat of it. I've long been a fan of his, and I was so thrilled to see him in a role where he can really show off.

The supporting cast is also consistently fantastic. Everyone rises to the occasion in their respective moments, and each character is given proper time to shine. The book is filled to the brim with witty jokes that just keep coming. The choreography stands out for its inventiveness and creativity throughout--it excels even in moments when the choreography need only serviceable to keep the story moving forward.

And then there's the score--I love David Yazbek (Women on the Verge, especially, is a very frequently played album for me) and the score has the same jazzy style and off-kilter verve one expects from him. As others mentioned, the songs for the supporting characters especially stand out. And for the character of Max (a hot, dumb reality star making his Broadway debut, a role not in the original film) Yazbek once again shows us how to write a smart song for a dumb character. His lyrics are sharp, ironic, and entirely within his voice without ever sacrificing the voices of the characters. And it is so relieving to hear a new Broadway score which doesn't just have its lead actors scream in the stratosphere the entire evening and instead draws you in with, well, good writing.

All that said, here are my few qualms that if the creative team addresses would make this show even better:

1. The diegetic numbers for the show-within-the-show don't entirely work. The show-within-the-show is clearly supposed to be bad, but it seems that Yazbek struggles to write songs that are entirely bad, so they get caught in a weird middle-ground. The fake out opening number is not a strong enough opening to the show, and it isn't bad enough to allow you to actually laugh at it. Santino's audition song, similarly, starts as a run-of-the-mill power ballad that he then is supposed to inject with life, but the song doesn't start out bad enough to be funny, and then it can only soar so high by the end if we have been set up to believe the material isn't great. 

2. As others have noted, there are too many applause-grabbing lines. It's well and good to know that the show's heart is in the right place, but feminist manifesto lines are shoehorned in more for the sake of making the audience clap than because they naturally fit within the story. A couple are fine, but the show stops a few too many times to make sure we're all on the same page about feminism. Showing would be better than telling. Similarly, many of the jokes feel like stand-up jokes inserted into a story and aren't grounded enough in the situations. Thankfully, there are enough fantastic jokes that the show can afford to cut the extraneous ones. 

3. The best songs in the show are for the supporting characters. Santino needs a stronger late-in-act-two number--and it should probably be in the moment leading up to him taking off his wig rather than in his dressing room before the opening night.

But honestly, even if they don't change a single word, this show is going to be a big hit. Word of mouth will do this show very well. What a welcome relief after the disaster of Pretty Woman and the beautiful, unfocused mess of The Cher Show. I've seen almost every out-of-town tryout that has come to Chicago since The Addams Family, and the only show that has really rivaled this one was Kinky Boots. Again, that's not to say that it's perfect just yet, but there were stretches where I thought to myself "this is what musical comedy should aspire to be." Well done.

[MusicalFan1030]

Posted: 9/13/18 at 8:56am

For those who have seen it, is there anything objectionable that it would make it inappropriate for kids?

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 9/13/18 at 8:59am

Sounds great! I hope though they don't mess around with it once it leaves Chicago. I mean, how many times have we heard of shows being remarkable out of town, and they fixing the wrong things before Broadway. I wish them all the best.

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 9/13/18 at 9:38am

MusicalFan1030 said: "... iinappropriate for kids?"

I did not see anyone under high school age at the first 2 previews.

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

The Times Square Western motif restaurant/bar has 2 full shelves of alcohol.

Jeff Slater sometimes has a beer bottle in his hand in the NY apartment scenes.

Julie Nichols has at least 9 bottles of wine in her NY apartment.

This being TOOTSIE, there are a few lines that refer to anatomy.

Language?  Several F bombs at the top of Act 2. The script also includes the words dou...bag, d..k, sh.t, and Akron.

 

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 9/13/18 at 9:49am

BalconyClub said: "MusicalFan1030 said: "...iinappropriate for kids?"

I did not see anyone under high school age at the first 2 previews.

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

The Times Square Western motif restaurant/bar has 2 full shelves of alcohol.

Jeff Slater sometimeshas a beer bottle in his hand in the NY apartment scenes.

Julie Nichols has at least 9 bottles of wine in her NYapartment.

This being TOOTSIE, there are a fewlines that refer to anatomy.

Language? Several F bombs at the top of Act 2. The script also includes the words dou...bag, d..k, sh.t, and Akron.

"

Not Akron!

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 9/13/18 at 9:56am

fashionguru_23 said: "BalconyClub said: "MusicalFan1030 said: "...iinappropriate for kids?"

I did not see anyone under high school age at the first 2 previews.

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

The Times Square Western motif restaurant/bar has 2 full shelves of alcohol.

Jeff Slater sometimeshas a beer bottle in his hand in the NY apartment scenes.

Julie Nichols has at least 9 bottles of wine in her NYapartment.

This being TOOTSIE, there are a fewlines that refer to anatomy.

Language? Several F bombs at the top of Act 2. The script also includes the words dou...bag, d..k, sh.t, and Akron.

"

Not Akron!"

Right?!?! There are some things a child should just plainly not be exposed to.  This is clearly one of them. 

[Observation]

Posted: 9/13/18 at 11:16am

BalconyClub said:

"2. There are a few times when Dana Carvey's Church Lady character invades my empty head during the show."
 

Oh my goodness! YES! When I saw it I kept seeing hints of SOMETHING but couldn't figure out what. But yes, he's got some of the Church Lady mannerisms and looks going.

Posted: 9/13/18 at 12:21pm

For fans of Santino Fontana, here's a 15 min film he made 7 years ago, "Newsworthy," https://vimeo.com/46588905 where he plays a cool-head high school teacher opposite Noah Robbins' rambunctious high school sophomore.  It was directed by Jeremy Robbins, Noah's brother (the whole family is talented). 

[NYCblurb]

Posted: 9/13/18 at 4:46pm

Thanks for this review. I thought it was spot on'ish. My comments mirror many of yours, though I think I am taking it right now as a solid "A" which is wild given I saw the first and second shows with audience.

- "Joe's Pub" number (Bats in the Belfry?) doesn't work 

- The supporting cast is stellar (Halston, Bellman especially just blows you away)

- Fontana is inhabiting Dorothy / Michael in such powerful and nuanced ways that Yazbek and Horn's music and book simply soar

- First act finale is extremely satisfying

- Second act finale is abrupt for my head and shoulders

- Horn has never been better - a star is born in this book's update from 80s to now

- Yazbek's "F*CKed it Up" is so satisfying & sums up what we have all done to get a job and still find we ****ed it up

- The show within the show works incredibly well

- Bellman has a star turn, and Sandy is sublime

[Blue207]

Posted: 9/13/18 at 7:07pm

Thanks to everyone who posted reviews (and the discount code for previews!). Convinced me to get a ticket to see this show in a couple of weeks! I honestly know next to nothing about the movie... for those of you who have seen the show, should I watch the movie before I see it? Or better to wait until after? Thanks!

[NYCblurb]

Posted: 9/13/18 at 7:13pm

I will add that the sets are are solid, and made me miss NYC a little bit more. I predict this TOOTSIE will roll right into NYC with a bit more work and become a hit hit for great white way.

[Observation]

Posted: 9/13/18 at 10:40pm

Blue207 said: "Thanks to everyone who posted reviews (and the discount code for previews!). Convinced me to get a ticket to see this show in a couple of weeks! I honestly know next to nothing about the movie... for those of you whohave seen the show, should I watch the movie before I see it? Or better to wait until after? Thanks!"

I hadn't seen the movie either. I'm not sure it really matters as the story has been updated.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/13/18 at 10:44pm

My thought on this is ALWAYS: if you need the source material first, then it isnt a very good show.

That being said, the film is adorable.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 9/13/18 at 10:45pm

The movie is one of the all-time greatest in comedic cinema history. See it because you should

[Blue207]

Posted: 9/13/18 at 11:11pm

Guess I know what I’m watching this weekend... thanks! 

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 9/13/18 at 11:31pm

For those who've seen it, what's the orchestra (musicians, not the seating section) like?

Michael Riedel's column tomorrow: "Early Tony buzz for Broadway-bound Tootsie musical". I guess the PR people have been chatting with him.

Updated On: 9/13/18 at 11:31 PM

[NYCblurb]

Posted: 9/14/18 at 12:06am

is this a joke?

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 9/14/18 at 12:26am

The third preview on Thursday, September 13 cleared up a confusing Act 1 scene change for me. Earlier this week, I thought Sandy's initial song I Know What's Gonna Happen number took place in her apartment.

The scene actually takes place in Michael's bedroom.

The show stopped cold tonight in Act 2 immediately after Dorothy's dressing room scene.

The ensemble and Dorothy realized that the center stage trap door was malfunctioning. It may have been open or ajar.

"Everyone, please leave the stage," said a calm miked voice from off stage. The ensemble split into two, and headed into the nearest wing. Dorothy happily skipped off stage.

The production's front red curtain slowly inched down to the stage, then Fontana as Dorothy soon appeared.

"We've all just shared a special moment," surmised Dorothy. "It's our third preview. Do you have any questions for Dorothy?"

Someone in the audience quickly asked, "What's happening?"

"Technical difficulties," sweetly answered Dorothy.
"We have a magical hole that needs fixed. The magic will return soon. I won't let you down."

Dorothy then asked "The cast and crew want to know, we're in Chicago, where should we eat?"

This being Chicago, the audience first suggested a few pizza joints like Giordano's and Gino's East, as well as the upscale 312 and lowly Super Dawg. The Purple Pig was also suggested.

Next, an audience member asked "What's your favorite soap opera?"

"When I was young, I used to watch soaps with my Mom, who has pneumonia," Dorothy slowly recalled. "We watched General Hospital, which is ironic, as Mom had pneumonia."

The off stage miked voice then instructed, "Ms Michaels, we're ready for you backstage."

Fontana gleefully skipped off stage.



 

Updated On: 9/14/18 at 12:26 AM

[Solipsist234]

Posted: 9/14/18 at 1:23am

BalconyClub said: "The third preview on Thursday, September 13 cleared up a confusing Act 1 scene change for me. Earlier this week, I thought Sandy's initial song I Know What's Gonna Happen number took place in her apartment.

The scene actually takes place in Michael's bedroom.

The show stopped cold tonight in Act 2 immediately after Dorothy's dressing room scene.

The ensemble and Dorothy realized that the center stage trap door was malfunctioning. It may have been open or ajar.

"Everyone, please leave the stage," said a calm miked voice from off stage. The ensemble split into two, and headed into the nearest wing. Dorothy happily skipped off stage.

The production's front red curtain slowly inched down to the stage, then Fontana as Dorothy soon appeared.

"We've all just shared a special moment," surmised Dorothy. "It's our third preview. Do you have any questions for Dorothy?"

Someone in the audience quickly asked, "What's happening?"

"Technical difficulties," sweetly answered Dorothy.
"We have a magical hole that needs fixed. The magic will return soon. I won't let you down."

Dorothy then asked "The cast and crew want to know, we're in Chicago, where should we eat?"

This being Chicago, the audience first suggested a few pizza joints like Giordano's and Gino's East, as well as the upscale 312 and lowly Super Dawg. The Purple Pig was also suggested.

Next, an audience member asked "What's your favorite soap opera?"

"When I was young, I used to watch soaps with my Mom, who has pneumonia," Dorothy slowly recalled. "We watched General Hospital, which is ironic, as Mom had pneumonia."

The off stage miked voice then instructed, "Ms Michaels, we're ready for you backstage."

Fontana gleefully skipped off stage.




"

This is probably going to sound like an extremely dumb question, but how is it that you're able to see all of these performances for these tryouts? As much as I want to hear a breakdown of every little change that's being made, I would much rather read reviews than just a list of changes (even if the show is still technically in "previews" in Chicago!)

 
Also, considering you did this for The Cher Show this past summer, do you do this for all of the out-of-town tryouts in Chicago? 

Updated On: 9/14/18 at 01:23 AM