TUCK EVERLASTING Previews- Page 7

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 4/7/16 at 5:52am

Jordan, that is a GREAT suggestion. And it would be an unexpected visual that would have a very striking impact, especially after the "movement of life" ballet that ends the show.

it would also be true to the musical's theme of time. The ensemble is initially costumed in clothing from around 1812, seemingly because that is the moment the Tucks first met. To have it end with the characters in clothing 200 years later would be very powerful.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 4/7/16 at 7:02am

I had issues with the costumes and time period consistency throughout. I thought the main events of the book took place in the 1880's which would place when the Tuck family drank from the spring in the 1780's; Mae and Angus would have met about 20 years earlier in the 1760's? I also like the idea of seeing them in modern (1980's) dress when they visit her grave at the end. 

 

With such varied time periods the costumes are remarkably static through the play making it difficult to pinpoint when anything is taking place. For a story where the passage of time is so integral to the plot, the costume choices really do the piece a disservice. 

[Eliza2]

Posted: 4/7/16 at 8:31am

LimelightMike said: "Just booked BB 105 for a performance in May, 10 days after my originally scheduled ticket. Booked it via Telecharge offers. Hoping this was a smart move. When you go, I'd love to get your further .02 on the sight lines. And, enjoy! :)"

 I don't go until June so you can report to me after you go :)

 

[little_sally]

Posted: 4/7/16 at 10:03am

I agree with the majority of the opinions here; the show is just fine. Inoffensive and not very memorable. The score is forgettable, and nobody wows in the cast because they're just not given a chance to (I did like Andrew Keenan-Bolger and Carolee Carmello the best.) There does seem like a lot of padding, and yet, I feel like nothing really happens and nothing is very developed. Almost every song had a similar theme or message.

 

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I was especially baffled by Winnie's sudden change-of-heart about drinking the water. Angus sings one song to her and all of a sudden she decides she wants to age and live out the rest of her life? It was such an abrupt 180.

The staging is fine. The choreography didn't bother me too much but I agree this show should've been treated like Violet, not a big, splashy musical.

[ohjustjake]

Posted: 4/7/16 at 11:05am

I also expected the Tuck family to be in 21st century clothing at the end - you're absolutely right that it would have a larger impact.

 

I also wish that during the ballet:

 

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That Tuck was there, watching Winnie grow old. He appeared only for the beginning and then we didn't see him again. I feel like it would've been even more moving if Tuck was there when Winnie's grandmother died, or her mother, or husband. Any of them, honestly. 

 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 4/7/16 at 11:48am

Jake that's a good suggestion about the ballet. I also thought maybe once or twice in the ballet it would be moving if she was drawn back to the stream but decided not to drink.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/7/16 at 11:51am

But Winnie decided not to drink and to live her life. I think having her question that makes her decision to make the most of the one life she has, mean a lot less. 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 4/7/16 at 12:04pm

Yes, but unlike the book which doesn't show us anything past when she is a child, the musical actually shows her at the age of 17. I would imagine the thought of the water would have crossed her mind at that age, and I think it would have made for an interesting moment for her to ponder it, as I think we all would. The moment we do see when she dispenses with the water as a child has no real emotional perspective.

Updated On: 4/7/16 at 12:04 PM

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 4/7/16 at 12:06pm

I thought it was very blah. Nothing memorable in the score. The performances are fine, Andrew shines. But beyond that? Nothing to write home about.

Nicholaw's choreography is dreadful. Almost embarrassingly so. And every time the dancers came out (for no apparent reason except to distract us from the bland score and repetitive lyrics), I thought I'd lose my mind.

I stuck around for the ballet everyone seems to be admiring. The idea is nice, but the choreography is so dull I found it tedious, predictable and not in the slightest bit moving... 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/7/16 at 12:11pm

The show is like a high school musical where they needed to get all of the students on stage, so they just come out and dance, whether it makes sense or not. 

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 4/7/16 at 12:23pm

I think there needs to be a much stronger (musical) moment when she decides not to drink the water and gives it to the toad instead. If any plot point in the story cries out for a song this is it. Why isn't Winnie given a big number where she weighs the pros and cons of drinking the water? I know Angus warned her about the dangers of drinking the water, but most of her adventure has been fun, plus I think to an 11 year old, Jesse's pleas to drink the water would win out on any logical decision a child of that age would make. This fault springs from the source material too, which is why a song letting us know her feelings would be all the more welcome.

[lucillefrank]

Posted: 4/7/16 at 1:27pm

She does have a song about this. It's called Everlasting, where she literally says "should I, do I, will I drink?" It's a sweet song but it needs to be stronger..

Updated On: 4/7/16 at 01:27 PM

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 4/7/16 at 2:08pm

Ah, yes. I remember that now. Honestly, it sounds so much like the same generic, bland score sung before it that I never connected it with being her supposed big moment until now! 

 

I'm not saying they need to write her a Rose's Turn, but a little more angst and drama is in order. Part of that needs to come from her performance as well. She needs to dig deep and really sell the hard choice before her. 

[lucillefrank]

Posted: 4/7/16 at 2:35pm

I agree. Obviously, I love the show and love the score but that song was actually the most forgettable for me. It needs to be stronger, I've seen it 3 times and listen to audio like 24/7 and I still don't get the meaning behind the song besides "AM I GONNA DRINK IT??????" 

 

Also, for reference for the time period, they've changed lyrics in the opening so now Winnie points out that it's 1893. The ballet seems to span 80 years.

Updated On: 4/7/16 at 02:35 PM

[Gink]

Posted: 4/7/16 at 9:15pm

Jordan's suggestion was spot on--a costume change would really make a bigger impact if the Tucks showed up at the end looking like they were trying to fit in with the times. I did want Jesse to show up more during the last ballet number as an onlooker instead of just at the start. Sorry to hear they cut Live to Tell the Tale--it was a fun number and given the target audience going by the book's audience, it would be well received. There are other songs I'd cut in favor of that one.

[lucillefrank]

Posted: 4/8/16 at 2:24am

Some more changes tonight: on top of Winnie saying it's currently 1893, they've also added the Tucks pointing out that it's 1808 when they're drinking from the spring in the opening. A lot of entrances have changed and jokes and lyrics and I like that they made The Man in The Yellow Suit (seems like a rewrite as well as an acting choice) seem more "crazy" from the beginning when he stops by Winnie's house.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 4/8/16 at 10:31am

I saw the show last night and was surprised by how strong the book and score were, for what is essentially a kids' show. I will be recommending it to everyone with kids especially.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 4/8/16 at 10:57am

"**SPOILERS** The story itself needs work.  I know it's from the book, and that original book has issues itself, but there seem to be many loose ends that need to be tied up.  The music box is discussed repeatedly and then we never hear about it again or why it was so important.  The man in the yellow suit conveniently dies in a very anticlimactic moment. **END SPOILERS**"
 

Maybe there have been changes but last night specifically, they explain that Mae's music box proves that that's the music box Winnie's grandmother heard 80 years ago, and that's why she believes they're telling the truth. And then Mae gives it to her to remember them by. That seems important enough to me.

Updated On: 4/8/16 at 10:57 AM

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 4/8/16 at 11:00am

^ What you describe was not at the first preview, so if they have added that dialogue to explain the significance of the music box, good for them.

[lucillefrank]

Posted: 4/8/16 at 11:41am

WhizzerMarvin said: "^ What you describe was not at the first preview, so if they have added that dialogue to explain the significance of the music box, good for them.

 

That piece of dialogue was in dress rehearsal so either it was taken out for the first preview and then added back in when I also saw the second preview or maybe it slipped your mind.

(I realize this may come off as rude or snarky but that's not my intention sorry)
 

Updated On: 4/8/16 at 11:41 AM

[Hairspray0901]

Posted: 4/8/16 at 12:01pm

I saw the show last night and I enjoyed it. Definitely needs some changes. My friend actually turned to me during the second act and said *spoiler* 

 

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"I bet that's his son!!!" She was talking about the man in the yellow suit being Thomas (Miles' son). I know the show follows the book but, how great would that be?? I was actually shocked it DIDN'T happen. I believe the time line would fit perfectly. It would make sense how he heard about the Tucks - he sings/talks about learning about them when he was young from his Grandmother or something and we know that his Mother took him away from them when he was a young boy, because they didn't age. Thoughts?? Is this supposed to be implied? If not, they really should make it this way.  

I loved the set and my seats were fantastic, ESPECIALLY for $19.75. I was able to snag center mezz row F. The tree was stunning and the ending was so beautiful, though, it did drag a little. Not sure why but it sort of  reminded me of Finding Neverland. Overall, a nice night at the theater! 

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 4/8/16 at 12:05pm

No, I don't think that's implied at all. Personally, I thought it was much better than Neverland.

[Gink]

Posted: 4/8/16 at 11:14pm

Hairspray: Your friend's idea is great and adds a different layer to what is a good-but-not-great character in this show. You could do the show without him, but what if it were his son--the stakes are that much higher.

 

[brian1973]

Posted: 4/9/16 at 3:02am

Hi, do you mind me asking where your tickets came from please? I am intrigued to see it but don't want to pay much! Thanks

 

Hairspray0901 said: "I saw the show last night and I enjoyed it. Definitely needs some changes. My friend actually turned to me during the second act and said *spoiler* 

 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

"I bet that's his son!!!" She was talking about the man in the yellow suit being Thomas (Miles' son). I know the show follows the book but, how great would that be?? I was actually shocked it DIDN'T happen. I believe the time line would fit perfectly. It would make sense how he heard about the Tucks - he sings/talks about learning about them when he was young from his Grandmother or something and we know that his Mother took him away from them when he was a young boy, because they didn't age. Thoughts?? Is this supposed to be implied? If not, they really should make it this way.  

 

I loved the set and my seats were fantastic, ESPECIALLY for $19.75. I was able to snag center mezz row F. The tree was stunning and the ending was so beautiful, though, it did drag a little. Not sure why but it sort of  reminded me of Finding Neverland. Overall, a nice night at the theater! 

 

"

 

[Hairspray0901]

Posted: 4/9/16 at 3:49am

brian1973 said: "Hi, do you mind me asking where your tickets came from please? I am intrigued to see it but don't want to pay much! Thanks

 

Hairspray0901 said: "I saw the show last night and I enjoyed it. Definitely needs some changes. My friend actually turned to me during the second act and said *spoiler* 

 

 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

"I bet that's his son!!!" She was talking about the man in the yellow suit being Thomas (Miles' son). I know the show follows the book but, how great would that be?? I was actually shocked it DIDN'T happen. I believe the time line would fit perfectly. It would make sense how he heard about the Tucks - he sings/talks about learning about them when he was young from his Grandmother or something and we know that his Mother took him away from them when he was a young boy, because they didn't age. Thoughts?? Is this supposed to be implied? If not, they really should make it this way.   

 

I loved the set and my seats were fantastic, ESPECIALLY for $19.75. I was able to snag center mezz row F. The tree was stunning and the ending was so beautiful, though, it did drag a little. Not sure why but it sort of  reminded me of Finding Neverland. Overall, a nice night at the theater! 

 

"

Tuck did a special - select seats in the rear mezz for all of previews were $19.75. The seats were located center / left / right rear mezz and I believe are all sold out now