The New Group: Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice

How has the show been a hit or miss lately?

I know nothing of Sheik's version of Bob&Carol&Ted&Alice, but I think I'm still going to prefer Cy Coleman's I Love My Wife - and that was not a great show, but was a lot of fun to watch The Smothers Brothers in.

I also know nothing of Jackie Hoffman's version: David and Jodi and David and Jackie.

Wee Thomas2 said: "New Group has been very disappointing recently. I'm not getting sucked into this one until I see casting, but the creative looks good.

Here is my list of underwhelming shows of theirs we have seen. Sweet Charity was really good, but not:

Whirlygig

All the Fine Boys

Daddy

Clueless

Happy Talk



"

Clueless...oh man. I thought it was fun, but that's really it. But I actually liked Happy Talk! 

GreasedLightning said: "TodayTix is having a flash sale for the first few performances of this today - $30-45 + fees. Tempting.

Previews start Thursday. Has anyone heard anything more about this?"

Apart from the plot (which I'm intrigued by) absolutely nothing. But I am tempted to see it...maybe....

I'm assuming some of you are familiar with this theatre and wondering if there are any sections to avoid sitting in?

 

 

---

Huss417 said: "I'm assuming some of you are familiar with this theatre and wondering if there are any sections to avoid sitting in?

Since the configuration of this theater changes based on show, it really depends on the show/set. But in my experience, the mezzanine seats are usually awful.

"

 

---

Totally agree about Alice by Heart - but it was in a new theater so I got to experience that. I thought that the musical had its moments, but not enough of them. But, I am intrigued by this show. More contemporary setting and subject matter may make a big difference.

As for the theater, I echo the prior postings - there aren't that many rows in this configuration, all seats are pretty close, and mezzanine is not very good.

Has anyone seen it yet? Eager to hear any thoughts.

The show was enjoyable with a cute late 60s easy listening pastiche sound. I really appreciate it when writers take the source material and reimagine it as a music theater piece, as opposed to just throwing some songs at the screenplay.

The show starts off really slow but I'm not sure if it's the writing or that Joel Perez and Jennifer Damiano just aren't very good yet. But the show comes alive when Michael Zegen and especially Anna Nogueira appear. Anna is the MVP of the cast. Never seen her before now I want to see her again and again! Luv huh!!!!

Suzanne Vega as the band/play's leader takes on a multitude of different roles, all in NPR voice. But when she sings I remember Luka lived on the second floor.

I guess my basic problem with the show is why. Just so Duncan Sheik can play with that particular type of sound? The 60's suburban mores and their derived comedy (the original reason the film was a success) is so outdated it's neither funny nor titillating.

Putting the band on stage only makes the show see more like I Love My Wife than it already does. And I Love My Wife has a way better score. It's sort of made me think I'd love to see a revival of that.

I think the piece requires 4 great actors who only need to sing semi-well. And instead we got two really great actors and two “musical theatre” actors for lack of a better term.