Thank Heaven for GIGI — Page 2

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#26

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/18/15 at 9:13am

Oh please, he's not a shill, he doesn't work for the show.

He enjoyed the musical and he started a thread about it.

I've loved many a flop and voiced support for them in various threads.

I'm always happy when someone find a show they really love. There is a desire to want others to find the same magic and share in the joy. Everyone here knows what that's like.

....but the world goes 'round

#27

Of course we do; but there is a line between supporting a flop and just saying any meaningless hyperbolic thing that comes in your head. No one thinks muscle works for the show; but "shilling" can be used in a more casual sense of "posting frequent and out-of-proportion PR-style paeans to an unworthy project."

Not that that's universally accepted as what's happening here; but some people seem to think so (including me).

Personally, I could see it making perfect sense if the show had something going on for it, some sort of under-appreciated excellence (like The Visit, or The Scottsboro Boys, perhaps); but Gigi was merely mediocre in just about every way. Praising it for artistic excellence is like praising Spam for culinary excellence.

#28

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/18/15 at 11:06am

You see? Maybe that's why I connected so much with the show. Because I have people in my life like you telling me what I should do and what I feel. Just like GIGI does.

"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

#29

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/18/15 at 11:10am

tazber, you're totally right. Then when I find a gem like GIGI, I realize that seeing so many shows I dislike, to find one I connect with, makes theatre worth it.

This season I was lucky to catch GIGIx6, On The Townx3, Something Rotten!, Merrily We Roll Along in Astoria and Zorba at City Center. Shows I loved. I also liked The King and I a lot.

"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

#30

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/18/15 at 11:34am

I just saw Gigi yesterday after having seen it early in previews during its out of town run. I had a great time. The show is a lot tighter, though still very nearly the same as it was in Washington DC. The humor came through stronger and Vanessa's acting has improved a whole lot. I noticed she scrapped some of the exaggerated stuff that she used to do with the character, which made her transition throughout the show more natural and gradual. Victoria Clark's Say a Prayer was the best part of the entire show, though. I didn't remember it being that incredible during previews. I think Howard McGillin's improved a lot as well--he seems less out of place and much more comfortable in his character. I'm sad it's closing because it's a delightful, fun, beautiful show, but I'm really glad I got to see it.

#31

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/18/15 at 11:38am

"Of course we do; but there is a line between supporting a flop and just saying any meaningless hyperbolic thing that comes in your head. No one thinks muscle works for the show; but "shilling" can be used in a more casual sense of "posting frequent and out-of-proportion PR-style paeans to an unworthy project."
Not that that's universally accepted as what's happening here; but some people seem to think so (including me).
Personally, I could see it making perfect sense if the show had something going on for it, some sort of under-appreciated excellence (like The Visit, or The Scottsboro Boys, perhaps); but Gigi was merely mediocre in just about every way. Praising it for artistic excellence is like praising Spam for culinary excellence."

But at the end of the day it really is just your opinion. muscle23ftl feels otherwise and he has every right to express his opinion and champion a show he feels is worth it regardless of whether you agree with it or not. There is no "right" or "wrong" here.

#32

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/18/15 at 12:09pm

You're absolutely right.

#33

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/18/15 at 11:33pm

I second that!

"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

#34

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/20/15 at 11:59pm

So, full disclosure I work at The Simon and we are very sad to see this lovely little gem leave us so soon.

Tonight a woman came up to the bar in tears, her mother died one year ago tonight and Gigi was their favorite movie, they'd seen it dozens of times together.

And this is not the first time I'd had a woman over 40 come to the bar in tears because of her relationship to her mom and the material.

And she loved the show, she came back to tell me both at intermission and after the performance as I was leaving.

I don't think we gave enough credit to Dee Hoty and Vicky Clark. Or, the hundreds of women who did come to see the show and really, really enjoyed it.

Women matter. Especially women over 40. We don't listen to them enough. (My 2 cents).

From President Obama: "Over the years, musicals have been at the forefront of our social consciousness, challenging stereotypes, shaping our opinions about race and religion, death and disease, power and politics."

#35

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/21/15 at 9:13am

BWW now states the show will tour. You are starting to see this more & more. Honeymoon & Bridges both flopped & they are touring. Now Gigi. It appears Broadway is neither the be all & end all for a show like it used to be. Just because Broadway audiences turned up their nose at a show does not mean it is not a good show and worthy of a life after Broadway.Hope this trend continues & grows.

Poster Emeritus

Updated On: 6/21/15 at 09:13 AM

#36

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/21/15 at 11:57pm

Was anyone at the final performance? Vanessa posted she was very sad on facebook.

"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

#37

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/22/15 at 12:53am

I was watching some scenes from the movie with Leslie Caron and Vanessa is a much much MUCH better singer.

"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

#38

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/22/15 at 4:01am

"I was watching some scenes from the movie with Leslie Caron and Vanessa is a much much MUCH better singer."

I had no idea you were deaf - that makes this thread make so much more sense.

Sorry, I'm not normally that bitchy, but I couldn't resist :)

"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium." - Patti LuPone, a Memoir

Updated On: 6/22/15 at 04:01 AM

#39

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/22/15 at 8:01am

According to imdb, Leslie Caron was dubbed in the movie. A woman named Betty Wand is credited as the singing voice of Gigi.

#40

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/22/15 at 8:01am

Double post

Updated On: 6/22/15 at 08:01 AM

#41

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/22/15 at 8:47am

"BWW now states the show will tour… Just because Broadway audiences turned up their nose at a show does not mean it is not a good show and worthy of a life after Broadway."

Not that this really needs to be stated (does it?), but flops now go on the road because only a few shows each season are actual hits. But shows that flop on Broadway often flop on the road as well (bar in subscriber houses with guarantees).

#42

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/22/15 at 9:00am

A mega flop like Gigi? Normally, something like this would stay dead. The point I am trying to make is that appears to be a new mindset.Now they are trying to tour with a critically massacred show. That does not happen to often

Poster Emeritus

#43

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/22/15 at 9:05am

Muscle23, why didn't you attend the final performance?

Hey Dottie! Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany

#44

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/22/15 at 9:16am

Recent mega-flops that toured or will tour:

Hands on a Hardbody
Bridges of Madison County
Ghost
Bullets Over Broadway
9 to 5

I think we'll be seeing even more flops on the road after they leave Broadway. The road needs product, even if that product is a failure.

Updated On: 6/22/15 at 09:16 AM

#45

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/22/15 at 9:17am

Sorry, Bill -- I don't see the point of most of your post. Enough credit to Dee Hoty and Vicky Clark? Clark got a nom -- how much more credit can she get?

How does this show flopping have anything to do with listening to women over 40? I'M over 40 and I disliked it, and I loved the film.

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

#46

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/22/15 at 9:25am

>A mega flop like Gigi? Normally, something like this would stay dead. The point I am trying to make is that appears to be a new mindset.Now they are trying to tour with a critically massacred show. That does not happen to often<

It is not a new mindset - it has been around for some time. Shows that failed on Broadway can make money on the road. The road needs product to fill out subscription seasons. Usually, there will be one or two major hit shows to anchor a subscription, like a Mormon, Wicked or Lion King. But you need four or five other shows to fill out a season, and shows like Bridges or Gigi, traveling with a reasonable operating budget and a low guarantee largely covered by subscription sales can make money in the large tour houses, both for the presenter and for the producer. Because the tour theatres are often 3-4 times the size of Broadway theatres, anything that comes in above subscription in single ticket sales can be profitable. Shows that failed on Broadway can also make up losses by renting or selling the sets and costumes from the Broadway production to the tour producer. Now, there are shows that tour that tank again on the road, but for the most part, it's a successful business model.

Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.

Updated On: 6/22/15 at 09:25 AM

#47

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/22/15 at 10:17am

Women matter. Especially women over 40. We don't listen to them enough. (My 2 cents).

Women of any age weren't buying tickets for this show. That's why it closed.

#48

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/22/15 at 10:46am

This feels like the kind of musical that might do well on tour. If they can manage to tour that huge staircase.

#49

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/22/15 at 10:48am

The idea that any producer is ignoring women over 40 is laughable, considering they are widely reported as the key ticket buying demographic.

If women over 40, or anyone, for that matter, were buying enough tickets to pay the bills the show would still be open. As evidenced by the weekly gross reports, they weren't. The show is closing for that reason, and that reason alone. Not because the producers were ignoring any demographic.

#50

Thank Heaven for GIGI

Posted: 6/22/15 at 12:17pm

I didn't attend the final performance because I've seen the show plenty of times, and I wasn't available that day anyways.

There is a clip of youtube that it says it's Leslie's own voice. That's the one I watched. It makes sense she was dubbed, because her own singing wasn't good at all.

"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

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