The Secret Life of Bees - Previews - Page 3

[teatime2]

Posted: 5/20/19 at 4:27pm

It's transferring. 

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 5/20/19 at 4:46pm

Alessio2 said: "Anyone think this might transfer to Broadway by the fall? Would love to see it when I'm in New York in November..."

you don't bring in a high profile creative team like this with no anticipation of bringing it to Broadway...

[JBroadway]

Posted: 5/20/19 at 5:21pm

I agree with several of the above posts:

I would be very surprised if this didn’t transfer, although whether they do fall or spring, it’s much too early to say.

I also agree with the “Kill your darlings” assessment above. Really nothing in the show is BAD in my opinion, just things that don’t work quite as well as other things.

And I also agree about the car songs being among the most cuttable. Also I didn’t care much for the penultimate (?) song in the show, sung by Lilly and Zach. It struck me as too upbeat compared to the words they’re singing. I don’t necessarily think it should be cut, but I think they could alter the tempo or orchestrations.

I liked the movie star song, and i hope they don’t cut it. But if they do, I agree it would be fine.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 5/20/19 at 5:38pm

I know it was brought up earlier, but now that more people have seen it, which house do we think it could take? I really could see it at the Bernard Jacobs, just seems right to me.

[Music_Maker42]

Posted: 5/21/19 at 3:40am

I think Circle in the Square is perfect for it. And with Sam Gold directing maybe it’ll end up there.

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 5/21/19 at 12:58pm

Music_Maker42 said: "I think Circle in the Square is perfect for it. And with Sam Gold directing maybe it’ll end up there."

I was thinking the same thing, since Ohlahoma is a limited engagement I could definitely see it coming in after Oklahoma closes in the fall.  

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 5/21/19 at 1:14pm

Hamilfan2 said: "Music_Maker42 said: "I think Circle in the Square is perfect for it. And with Sam Gold directing maybe it’ll end up there."

I was thinking the same thing, since Ohlahoma is a limited engagement I could definitely see it coming in after Oklahoma closes in the fall."

Oklahoma is now booking through January, but if it doesn't extend Bees could definitely take Circle in the spring.

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 5/21/19 at 1:20pm

Hamilfan2 said: "

I was thinking the same thing, since Ohlahoma is a limited engagement I could definitely see it coming in after Oklahoma closes in the fall."

Didnt they extend until January?

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 5/21/19 at 2:13pm

YvanEhtNioj said: "Hamilfan2 said: "

I was thinking the same thing, since Ohlahoma is a limited engagement I could definitely see it coming in after Oklahoma closes in the fall."

Didnt they extend until January?"

Oh good point, I forgot they extended!  I guess it would be a spring opening then (which I feel like might actually work better for their timeline)

[Music_Maker42]

Posted: 5/21/19 at 2:15pm

Hamilfan2 said: "YvanEhtNioj said: "Hamilfan2 said: "

I was thinking the same thing, since Ohlahoma is a limited engagement I could definitely see it coming in after Oklahoma closes in the fall."

Didnt they extend until January?"

Oh good point, I forgot they extended! I guess it would be a spring opening then (which I feel like might actually work better for their timeline)"

Spring would be a more advantageous time to open. They should do another workshop or something I think but it could be ready for a spring opening at Circle. I must say that was one of the most diverse audiences I’ve seen in ages at a show. It was really amazing. 

[Relevance81491]

Posted: 5/22/19 at 2:21pm

With previews ending soon, I wanted to reach out one last time in search of a back25.  Please PM if you have an extra 

Thanks for your consideration 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 5/22/19 at 11:52pm

Barrymore is open. Hope reviews are good!

[Ledaero]

Posted: 5/23/19 at 1:49am

Got into the show tonight by doing the cancellation line. Only me and 1 other person ended up getting into the performance because everybody with tickets showed up, on a Wednesday night none-the-less. I believe I was in Duncan Sheik's seat because he wasn't at the performance and I was sitting with the creative team, sandwiched between Lynn Nottage and Sam Gold (living the dream, right?).

Really loved the show. It's a very traditional classic book-musical with just top-notch material. Lynn's book is wonderful and Sheik's score and orchestrations are beautiful. The material isn't perfect by any means, but it's in fantastic shape. And I'm sure they'll continue to edit through the entire preview process to get it to where it ultimately needs to be.

My major criticisms lay in the musical numbers, and particularly with the lyrics. Not all of the time, but occasionally it felt like the lyrics and music weren't matching up with each other in terms of content and style. I felt that most in the songs between Lily and Zach ("what do you love most" song, the reprise in the car, and the song after Zach gets out of jail), but also I think those songs could be cut entirely and turned into scene work, especially with Nottage as your book writer. The duet between Lily and Zach was also in a very weird key, where it was almost too low for her and it was way too high for him. They need to change the melody, change the key, or add a key change to make it work (or just cut the duet which is my preference).

I wished that the opening number was different, or played differently. It didn't feel like it perfectly setup the tone of the rest of the play, especially with how many major chords Sheik wrote in. I wanted dissonance, I wanted something that would hint at the racial tensions other than the lyrics "It's hot."

Someone mentioned earlier that there was a song in the show about a movie star, which wasn't in the show tonight. Sounds like it got the axe.

What I loved most in the show, other than Nottage's book, was Sheik's incidental music. His music is stunning in the show, and I'm so glad his shows are taking off again. If anything, I know that with any Sheik show I'll be in love with his music. His uses of the banjo, harmonium, djembe, violin, and piano are all wonderful and creative.

Was talking with a potential producer before the show, during intermission, and afterwards, and it sounds like this thing has the thumbs up on moving next season as long as they have a theater they can move into. The buzz is getting really big with this one, and the material is definitely worthy of it.

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 5/23/19 at 4:56pm

Ledaero said: "Someone mentioned earlier that there was a song in the show about a movie star, which wasn't in the show tonight. Sounds like it got the axe."

Glad to hear they are making necessary changes.  The song was fun but didn't add much and was narratively confusing imo.  Interested to hear what other changes have been made for anyone who has made a return visit?

[RippedMan]

Posted: 5/23/19 at 11:30pm

Ledareo: yes!! His incidental music was just gorgeous. I happened to love their duet and loved when the drums kick in!

[forgetregret]

Posted: 5/24/19 at 8:17pm

Looks like they're making a major change soon. I had tickets to the matinee on June 1 and got an email today saying the performance was canceled: "We are reworking an important part of the show and the only time we are able to do so is during the day on June 1."

[RippedMan]

Posted: 5/24/19 at 11:18pm

Given the design for this show “exposes” the theater, I don’t think it would work in Circle but would need a more traditional space. It’s not a “big” show, but the music and voices make it seem a little confined at Atlantic and I could see it in a bigger space. Like the Barrymore or Nederlander.

[cjmclaughlin10]

Posted: 5/25/19 at 7:53pm

Just got in tonight off the Cancellation Line ($20 with Studebt ID FYI) There was no one besides me in line and I’m in row C on the left side
Review to follow tonight or tomorrow, just wanted to share my Cancellation Line experience

[PK2]

Posted: 5/26/19 at 4:08pm

In my opinion, This is one of the most sophisticated music for new musical.  Duncan Sheik definitely put a lot of thought into it.  There is definitely a language in his music and instrument choice.  I love Spring Awakening but I think Secret Life of Bees music is in a whole different level.  They are not as catchy but they are a lot of complex.   I would pay to see this band play music alone.  They are so good!

All actors are fantastic actors who can sing very well.  Their acting and emotion are so authentic that I did not feel like they are acting, which is quite rare for a musical theater.  

The transition between dialogue and song are seamless and natural.  This is very helpful and important for this type of non-comedy musical.  The songs and the dialogue are one and not distract each others and doesn't create unintended comedy.

The team is definitely still working on it.  I attended last night and they are still in the back of the theater.   I don't think I will be able to see it again so I definitely would love to hear what changes are made in the future.

[Pashacar]

Posted: 5/29/19 at 9:21am

I was there last night and, man, after all this talk of transferring, this did NOT live up to the hype. The story is muddled, the lyrics are lacking, and the two leads have plot song after plot song heaped upon them when powerhouses like Eisa Davis and Jai’len Josey are standing upstage blowing smoke out of canisters. There were a couple of high points, namely when the creative team let the amazing adult cast just sing something simple on loop, but it sure doesn’t add up to much.

I see this opening to lukewarm reviews and skipping a transfer. There’s lots of potential, especially with this cast, but far more to fix than can be done in a preview period. Or maybe they’ll transfer in spite of what I can’t imagine will be strong reviews; it was, unfortunately, toothless enough to go over quite well with the school group audience.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 5/29/19 at 9:29am

RippedMan said: "Given the design for this show “exposes” the theater, I don’t think it would work in Circle but would need a more traditional space. It’s not a “big” show, but the music and voices make it seem a little confined at Atlantic and I could see it in a bigger space. Like the Barrymore or Nederlander."

Lol Im still here for the Jacobs. Once played there so well with the simplest of sets so it could work. 

[chrisampm2]

Posted: 5/29/19 at 9:44am

I’m with Pashacar. This is a show with a tuneful score, important themes, and wonderful performances. For all that, it’s not a success and I don’t think it can be.

Like The Color Purple, this translation from a novel poses challenges. Director Gold and the producers are smart to try following the example of Doyle example of less is more. But Walker’s [I’d first written Morrison here and apologize for the mistake] novel had a primal drive at its core: Celie’s desire to be seen, and to see herself, as someone beautiful, deserving of love.

Bees doesn’t buzz with something as simple, so there’s no sting. Lily’s story needs to unite with the civil rights issues of all other main roles without causing offense. That’s a tall order. And it won’t be met.

Updated On: 5/29/19 at 09:44 AM

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 5/29/19 at 9:53am

chrisampm2 said: "But Morrison’s novel had a primal drive at its core"

Wrong black lady

[chrisampm2]

Posted: 5/29/19 at 10:00am

KJisgroovy, Thanks. I know! As soon as I posted and read the post, I realized and have gone back to change it. I shouldn’t post before coffee. Apologies.

Updated On: 5/29/19 at 10:00 AM

[seussical93]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 7:21pm

Can anyone report on the current finale song? Was there tues night that had a talkback and sheik said a whole new finale was getting implemented Wednesday.