"The Curious Incident..." Previews- Page 8

[theatregoer3]

Posted: 9/25/14 at 11:03am

Well thanks, AntV - now I know I'm going to LOVE "Curious...".

I though Matilda awful. I left that theater depressed by the current state of NY theater. Anytime I hear someone give that lousy show praise I loose all interest in hearing anything else from said individual.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 9/25/14 at 11:50am

Wow, that is a rather large amount of people in whom you have no interest. I absolutely loved Matilda, but I wouldn't hold anyone in complete and total disregard for having different opinions or taste. I hated Spring Awakening, but I still respect the opinions of many who raved about it and knew that my opinion of the show had nothing to do with the state of NY theatre (even if it was actually an American show). That's a rather silly notion.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 9/25/14 at 11:56pm

Just got back from the show a little white ago. The scene after the curtain call HAS been added. It's pretty fun, and has some extra little stage-effects for it.

I think the play was strong but not perfect. As a couple others have said, the few moments of breaking the fourth wall were kind of weird and I didn't think they worked. There were also a few times that I felt it was dragging a bit; it could have been a bit shorter. Those are my only criticisms. Otherwise, I thought it was great. Very entertaining and engaging and moving. The stage-craft is brilliant, both in the use of technical effects as well as the use of the ensemble. The performances were great all-around. As everyone here has said, Alex Sharp was amazing, and super sweet at the stage-door. I know it's early, but I'm sure he'll be a strong contender for Best Actor.

I picked up a rush ticket from the box office at about 5:45 tonight, and the box-office woman said there were 4 left. The seat was row E of the orchestra on the extreme side of house right. Pretty good view for the most part but missed a couple of upstage moments, and moments that are played on the floor.

Updated On: 9/25/14 at 11:56 PM

[Glittergrrl]

Posted: 9/26/14 at 7:48pm

I went last night and was underwhelmed.. I really enjoyed the book back in the day and it is extremely faithful to the book... maybe even too much so. In an earlier post, someone mentioned that it was like watching a performance of a book more than watching a play... more telling than showing. That was my take on it as well. I also felt that it was overlong. I was bored for long stretches. The lead actor was fantastic. I was really excited to see the technological aspects of the show. It seemed so innovative... But the material was not enough to hold my interest and I left pretty.disappointed.

The crowd seemed to love it. They gave it a long standing ovation. I overheard several people on the way out predicting it would be an enormous hit, so I was definitely in the minority. My boyfriend also liked it quite a bit more than me.


Updated On: 9/26/14 at 07:48 PM

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 9/30/14 at 4:03pm

We had super high hopes for this show, having bought tickets to the West End production a year and a half ago that was canceled due to that catastrophic roof collapse at the Adelphi. So we've been waiting a while to see what the fuss was about.

Well, no question that the physical production is a winner. Superb concept beautifully carried out in sets, projections, lighting, choreography and simple command of the stage. We were in center orchestra second row-- a great perch for taking in the fine performances, and a super chance to observe the awesome details of the train set being installed on the stage floor during Act I, but lousy for seeing most of the floor imagery. (Fortunately much of the imagery there is duplicated on the upright walls.) Anyone with foresight should pick seats farther back or in the front mezz.

But the real question is-- was all that spectacle in the service of a great play? Our answer is not quite. Act I is dazzling, and Alex Church is riveting as Christopher. The climax of Act I as pieces click together was nearly as thrilling as the Act I climax in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE.

But by Act II we wanted something more meaty than an all-stops out journey to London. We wanted our experience to change and deepen-- we wanted the story to finally take us somewhere new. We wanted the adults to learn a new way to be with Christopher, something they don't seem able to do. By the end of the play we were really just whistling the sets, which wasn't quite enough of a meal.

Updated On: 9/30/14 at 04:03 PM

[gangtey]

Posted: 9/30/14 at 9:16pm

I agree. Alex Sharp's performance is incredible, and the set is dazzling. The play's engrossing, but I'd hoped for a dramatic payoff. The final scene felt like a payoff for a different play.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 9/30/14 at 10:55pm

Any update on the alternate skedge yet? I know the show's a week and a half away from opening, just looking for any further info...

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 10/1/14 at 2:11pm

Wanted to get some advice on here – going to NYC toward the end of February and want to see this. Right now discount codes only go through November 23rd. Assuming the show gets rave reviews and is a hit, do you think that they will be offering any discount codes (eventually) for February or not? I’m expecting it to sell well, but February is a slow tourist time, so I wasn’t sure if I should just bite the bullet and buy tickets now or wait and see if discounts become available. (As of right now, there are plenty of seats left for the date I am looking at).

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 10/1/14 at 2:40pm

I expect the show will indeed get rave reviews, but I'm not convinced it will be a big hit. Sure it might be the best play on Broadway right now, and the cognoscenti may flock to it on that score, but I think it will still be a tough sell for average tourists-- an unfamiliar property with a confusing title, no stars, and British accents to wade through. I think if it lasts till February, you'll have no difficulty getting discount seats from all sources.

Posted: 10/1/14 at 6:10pm

Went last Night...Taylor Trench on for Topher(Understand why they need an alternate as this is an extrememly physical role)...Really liked it still digesting it...Makes you think alot which I like...I would say definently worth seeing...Loved the Topher "encore"...will add more later.

[ggersten]

Posted: 10/1/14 at 6:54pm

>>I expect the show will indeed get rave reviews, but I'm not convinced it will be a big hit. Sure it might be the best play on Broadway right now, and the cognoscenti may flock to it on that score, but I think it will still be a tough sell for average tourists-- an unfamiliar property with a confusing title, no stars, and British accents to wade through. I think if it lasts till February, you'll have no difficulty getting discount seats from all sources. <<

Are you talking about Curious Incident or A Gentleman's Guide to Love And Murder?

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 10/1/14 at 7:01pm

^ touche!

[PrinceCaspian]

Posted: 10/2/14 at 11:47pm

DEFINITELY worth seeing. Alex Sharp was fantastic!

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/3/14 at 5:27pm

Where have the TDF seats been located?

[Steve721]

Posted: 10/3/14 at 5:39pm

I saw a preview a few days ago and absolutely loved it. I was riveted throughout and didn't find it the least bit boring. I thought the stagecraft was original and inventive--it really gave you a sense of what was going on in Christopher's head. The acting was consistently superb, but the show belonged to Alex Sharp, who carried the play and was in virtually every scene. I can't say enough good things his performance. IMHO, it was a great night at the theater.

[Rainbowhigh23]

Posted: 10/3/14 at 5:57pm

I saw the show two days ago and loved it. It is indeed very inventive.

[wickedfan11]

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

How has rush been?

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/3/14 at 11:36pm

Maybe my expectations were too high reading reviews on here, but I thought it was great, but not "holy ****" great like some people.

The physical production is pretty spectacular. I thought it was best when it used simple tricks - like the end of Act 1 or scene with them fighting in the dark and us only seeing the boy - as opposed to the more technical moments. I found it interesting how they showed us the entire London subway, but didn't show us other moments? Not saying good or bad, just interesting how that whole sequence worked. It was cool though. But some of it felt very like "seen it" at moments. It felt like Matilda without the songs?

The story itself just didn't grab me. The big twist wasn't a huge shocker and after that it all just kind of gets wrapped up and then just...ends? Which is fine, but I just didn't feel like there was any big build up to anything. The preceding 2 hrs were pretty magical in their staging and then the show just ends.

I thought the lead was great, but at the same time I wasn't blown away like I was expecting to be. I could see how other actors could do that, etc. I was most mesmerized by his teacher. I just thought she was so effortless in her likability.

I just felt like if you took away all the glitz and glam, would we have a compelling show? And I'm not sure. Not sure I cared enough about the actual story. The dad/mom fighting got old, etc. I'm just curious to see subsequent productions without this budget and see how the show holds up.

[golfer727272]

Posted: 10/3/14 at 11:45pm

Attended tonight"s preview.....LOVED IT....here's to a Great Opening Night on Sunday

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/3/14 at 11:51pm

Tonight was apparently press night? I think Jerry Mitchell was in the rear mezz with me.

For those of you wondering, as I was, I was in the rear mezz like 5 row up? On the right, but full view.

This is a show where you want to sit in the mezz. There are a couple times the cast are in the mezz, etc. And the projections/lights on the floor are awesome.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 10/4/14 at 12:59am

It's believed Alex does the Saturday evenings, right? Just trying to plan ahead. :)

[dreaming]

Posted: 10/4/14 at 11:37am

Mike-if you have the option of going to the box office, do ask. They are really nice about telling you.

[PrinceCaspian]

Posted: 10/4/14 at 4:11pm

The ticket I got via TDF was rear mezz D17

[mgldan]

Posted: 10/5/14 at 12:39pm

Alex Sharp is certainly giving a wholly committed performance of a socially disabled 15-year-old, and if you are into watching individual performances of this high caliber, I can recommend this play. I can also commend some of the inventive staging: the scene with Chris’ parents arguing outside his room is effectively haunting, the escalator was genuinely scary, and the LEDs are kind of fun. On these technical aspects the play does well. Couldn’t help but laugh when the box turned into a rollaway bag.

Nevertheless, I didn’t enjoy the play overall. And I think it all comes down to the painfully literal and stifling book. Look, I get that it’s hard for Chris to be out in society, and that he doesn’t quite grok the social norms to which most of us are accustomed. It is like that for many people that I personally know, and it makes me uncomfortable when it’s discussed over and over.

The real problem with seeing everything through Chris’ eyes is that it exposes and focuses attention on his lack of a character arc. The plot “twist”, if you want to call it that, is not founded in the rest of the story—all I will say to avoid spoilers is that Chris has not lacked for encouraging adult figures in his life.

There is plenty to commend here, but this play has no payoff.

[dreaming]

Posted: 10/5/14 at 12:57pm

I understand your criticisms, but I respectfully disagree. I feel that by the end, Christopher has gained confidence-he believes he is capable of leading a fairly normal life (and indeed, he likely is). His journey has given him that confidence and insight that he needed.