I was so excited to be sitting front row for this (as I am a fron row-aholic!) but now the sales seating chart shows two new rows in front of mine. WTH!?!?!?! I was front row on an aisle, now according to the new chart I am third row in the middle of a bunch of people. How does this happen?!?!?
Bob, that is very odd. They must have just seen they could add 2 extra rows? As I hadn't gotten my tickets yet (I was hoping, somehow, some better seats might pop up somewhere), after I read your post I went on the date I wanted and got 2 seats in the "new" front row. I am very excited, but, if I had originally had front row like you, would be very upset to now see two rows ahead of mine. I wonder if you could call and see if your seat could be moved to the new front row that they opened up?
I would do that but I already got them to exchange my tix from the crappy seats I had to the seats I have now when they opened up unexpectedly. I'll just wait and if they're available day of see if the box office can switch them for me. Still ANNOYED though!
Agreed with DAME. Give them a call - your request is totally reasonable and the worst they can say is no, but better to try than to go the day of to find out they have been sold. And, if they were accomodating with your earlier request, most likely they will be accomodating with this one as well.
This show is the main reason I'm coming over from Germany in November! I saw the original 1987 production in London 3 times. So I guess you could say that I'm pretty excited.
"It's not where you start, it's where you finish!"
Is roundabout's use of the phrase "Tony triple Crown" (best musical/book/score) common? I've never heard that before.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
The original production was a truly perfect jewel, utter delight in every way. As much as I'm looking forward to seeing the piece again, the combination of the generally awful Roundabout and some of the less-than-adroit casting have prepared me to accept that it'll be a lesser (if still enjoyable, I hope) experience.
Seeing tomorrow's matinee. This is a special musical because it was when I fell in love with Loretta Swit. I hope that Chita Rivera can pull the part off.
Going to see it tomorrow evening and will report back! Really excited about the cast (SJB, Will Chase, Jessie Mueller, Betsy Wolfe, Andy Karl), although I'm also wondering/worried about whether there are TOO many characters and they won't have enough time to each be featured, much less developed.
But I've basically been waiting for this since it was announced in July, so I'm hoping it does well.
I have a rule to not post about previews...But what the hell...
Drood is a smash, the best show I've seen in years, and I see everything. The strongest ensemble cast I've ever seen in a Broadway show. Perfectly staged, with beautiful costumes and sets.
If this is on TDF, I'd would rush to get tickets.
Behind the fake tinsel of Broadway is real tinsel.
Thrilled to hear your report (being a man of great talent and taste, your word carries a great deal of weight!)
I had a feeling this could really be a wonderful revival -- I definitely was holding my breath (and will continue to until I take it in myself next week) but from everything I've heard from colleagues, this could very well end up being the smash of the season (a sleeper hit for the tourists)
The original production was pretty damn exceptional - the cast was certainly perfection with the inimitable George Rose holding court with grace and great ease. How did you find Jim Norton in the role? He's been nothing short of wonderful in everything I've seen him in (from Seafearer to Finian).
To anyone else who took it in this evening: can you recall if they restored any of the Delacorte/workshop songs? I know Rupert mentioned they were experimenting with restoring at least 2. I'm assuming 'Evensong' is one of them since they have Edelman for Crisparkle (who also sang it on Lost in Boston)
The Mystery of Edwin Drood is the pleasant surprise of the season. I had such a great time tonight! I apologize to anyone who had to hear the Drood medley with which I attempted to serenade the folks on 9th Ave, but this cast had me singing all the way home!
To begin with, two words must be spoken: Betsy Wolfe. Yes this is an ensemble piece, but she nailed Rosa Bud so deliciously I have to single her out first. By the time we got around to Rosa's Confession (she was the murderer) it was too much to handle. I know this isn't her Broadway debut, but it might as well be, because this is her moment to step into the limelight and make a lasting impression. Simply perfect.
Chita is the next one who can line up for a Tony nomination this year. On paper Puffer is an ideal role, and the reality lived up to any expectations and then some. The Wages of Sin was very fun, and of course leading the way with Don't Quit While You're Ahead was only going to stop the show.
Will Chase has had a second blossoming of his career- from Grenade at La MaMa to Pipe Dream at Encores and now this. I've always liked him, but his craft as an actor is SO strong right now. The singing, the acting, all of it.
Jim Norton was an excellent Chairman. Laughs galore, and the string of puns at the end was hilarity. He's a warm presence and holds the piece together so nicely. Without him all the parts would fall apart and be a mess. He makes it feel effortless, but he's working his ass off up there.
Peter Benson comes very, very close from stealing the whole show away from everyone with Never The Luck. I have a huge crush on him now. (Peter, if you need help running lines PM me.)
Gregg Edelman is funny and dopey as the reverend. Loved his goofy faces to the audience, and his aside about what happened to Rosa's mother was great.
Andy Karl and Jessie Mueller were good as Neville and Helena. They have such weird roles, and not as showy as the others, but acquitted themselves nicely.
Finally, Stephanie J Block aka Stop the World: I'm ready to belt is giving the best performance of her career, and yes better than her Reno, which was sublime. She is funny, funny, funny and the notes are all there. Every once and a while she sounded eerily like Buckley. Slight Spoiler**** The best laugh of the night was when she stormed out of the theater after the rest of the cast voted her dead! End Slight Spoiler
The costumes were lavish and the sets were comprised of gorgeous backdrops and a handsome house for Jasper. When Roundabout is willing to spend a little money they really can impress. And lastly Roundabout itself was the biggest surprise. Many, including myself, have given this company a lot of crap over recent years, but this is truly a quality production and one that will restore the faith that was shaken in their patrons. Congrats on a triumph for all involved.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
I'll be at the matinee tomorrow. I was being cautious; but the last two shows I saw at Studio 54 (Sondheim on Sondheim, and Sunday...) took my breath away, so here's hoping for a three-peat.
"If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do it." -Stephen Colbert
The songs followed the OBCR. I was worried because Garden Path to Hell was not listed in the program and I was ready to throw a hissy fit, ha, but Chita sang it. When they print more Playbills they should put it back in the line up so people aren't left hanging.
I was out by 10:45 I believe. There was so much applause tonight I'm sure it added an extra 10 minutes.
Also they had better record this cast.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!