The Times They Are A-Changin'- Page 3

[Trisky]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 12:43am

Since I can't make it to Cali. to see this, I'll just cross my fingers that it makes it to Broadway eventually. I miss hearing Michael Arden sing live.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 12:44am

well the crowds standing and cheering disagree
and Michael and Jenn's Voices are far from sacherine
and i always thought Bobby Sherman was real cute.
There is a very different view on All Tht Chat
look it up

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 12:50am

If someone is going to talk about Shatner in a review of a show involving Dylan the reference should be to "Mr. Tamborine Man" not "Rocket Man."

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 12:54am

Trisky u ain't gonna be in San Diego for Arden?

[Trisky]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 9:30am

Trisky u ain't gonna be in San Diego for Arden?

Unfortunately I couldn't pull two trips off in less than a month and the other was a little more important.

Besides I was starting to think it was a little stalkery-weird to fly all the way to San Diego to see him in it. LOL

[lite2shine]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 9:24pm

>Why hasn't anyone posted a (preview) review yet?

Possibly the Old Globe subscribers are mostly older generation folks who don't post their review on the net. Possibly during the preview people may not want to review or "rain on someone's parade."

I saw it on the first preview. I didn't think all the singers stunk. But I didn't think it was the greatest thing ever either. It is a 90 min show and still it felt longer (actually it was less than 90 min on the 1st preview night). I personally think they need to bring a bigger name for Captain Arab for Broadway unless Bob Dylan (and his songs) is more popular than Billy Joel (to draw a bigger tix sales).

[otis33]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 11:08pm

I saw it last night. I loved it! I think someone posted earlier about it being more of an event...I agree. I found it more of a theatrical event than a musical. Not the best thing I have ever seen, and at times a little far-fetched, but I was totally sucked in and inspired by it. Moments of it (Knockin' on Heaven's Door) were beautiful. I don't know that a bigger name needs to be brought in. But then, I'll see things because they sound interesting and not because of who is in it (although I did see Cabaret just to see Molly Ringwald).

Michael Arden is in fantastic voice. Thom Sesma sounds creepy and great, but at times channeling a little Neil Diamond. Jenn Colella is a powerhouse!...and slightly underused. The staging is mindboggling at times, however, some of the acrobatics got a little repeative. My Dad is a huge Dylan fan. I have always avoided him like the plague. I was blown away by how much his music lends itself to "theatrics." And his lyrics, which I've never understood before, are extremely poetic.

I know a lot of the running crew for the show. They say the show it is a-changin' every day. I look forward to seeing it again towards the end of its run.

My partner was not impressed. He had a hard time following the story, wanted more traditional choreography, and had a difficult time with the sound. Some audience members walked out about 15 minutes before it was over. I had a great time. I was moved, and like I said earlier, very inspired. Just one man's opinion. But then, I liked Cats.

[QMAN03]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 12:11am

One of my friends is seeing it on Friday (I gave her my tickets because I got better ones near the end. Yes, I'm a selfish person). I'll post a review then.

[courtneyanne]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 4:40am

PHOTO CALL: Dylan and Tharp Proclaim The Times They Are A-Changin’ with San Diego Premiere

[erica23]

Posted: 2/5/06 at 2:53am

When does this show close?

[jochang621]

Posted: 2/5/06 at 5:16pm

i saw it on Friday! sorry if this is so long, but since there weren't very detailed reviews here, i thought i'd post some of my thoughts. i also got to meet the cast as well, which was a blast. they were all dressed up because they were heading to a party for the sponsors that night as well. here's my review of the musical, so warning there may be possible spoilers (depends on what you call a "spoiler"...) so forgive me if i indulge~

first of all, we got front row center seats! it was fun to see a lot of the acting and dancing up close. it was an interesting show. very artsy, possibly not for everyone. i know that the plot sounds horrible, but more than a storyline, i perceived it more as a setting of a sad circus. The "plot" is really hard to follow, being that there is not a spoken word in the entire show. it's just forcing a bunch of bob dylan songs into a narrative, which doesn't really work out organically.

the best things about this musical was the singing and the dancing. michael arden is amazing - i've only heard him on the "bare" recording, and hearing him live is another thing in itself. it was such a sensory overload, that sometimes if you focus on the dancing you tend to miss out on the singing - not that that's a bad thing, but both were amazing. i also really liked thom sesma - his voice really fit bob dylan's songs well, in my opinion.

the dancers are extremely talented. because i'm trained as a dancer, I really appreciated twyla tharp's choreography and the intricacy and musical interpretation of it all. the acrobatics were good, but more than that, the dancing really blew me away. charlie neshyba-hodges really stood out, and so did jason mcdole.

another random note: the lighting was noticeably well done. it really added another element to the creativity of the dancing.

meeting them was really fun. they were all dressed up, like i mentioned before, and really friendly. because my twin sister and i were sitting in the front row, it was a little embarrassing at how visible we had been because we look so similar, and I guess the cast could see us from stage. thom sesma said that he wanted to take both of us up on stage! that would have been a blast.

we talked to charlie neshyba-hodges, who told us that originally, john selya had been the original coyote. i told him i didn't realize that john selya sang, and he basically said that he originally had only about three songs, but when michael arden signed on, they expanded his part to almost all singing with very little dancing. they officially open next thursday, and get to find out next Friday if they are broadway-bound or not. it'll be interesting to see if this show goes to broadway - it has some good things such as the stellar cast and twyla tharp behind it, but a little avant garde that might not be as universally appealing as some other broadway shows.

michael arden is a sweetheart! we told him we didn't know he can dance, and he replied that he still doesn't know if he does. he says he has some bruises from the very athletic dancing, but seems like he thoroughly enjoys it.

overall: the talent in both the dancing and singing is the best part. it's mostly emotionally moving with some humor ("everyone must get stoned!"). a friend of mine who also went, wasn't as impressed due to the confusing storyline and artistic license, so definitely not for everyone. but i loved it. :)

some pictures with the cast, as well as some fuzzy ones: https://www.flickr.com/groups/broadwaystars/ enjoy!

[Trisky]

Posted: 2/5/06 at 6:17pm

michael arden is a sweetheart! we told him we didn't know he can dance, and he replied that he still doesn't know if he does.

LOL! I've never pictured Michael as a dancer either which is half the reason I hope this show comes to Broadway just so I can witness it myself. Oh, and hear the voice live again, been far too long since that's happened.

I'm still not sure I fully get what this show is about other than the love story in a circus but I'm willing to open my mind to figuring it out, provided they let them come to Broadway. *crosses fingers*

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 2/5/06 at 6:31pm

I'm going to be in California for my Spring Break from March 14th- 20th. I've been holding my breath and praying the Times would extend just one more week so I could see it! AND YAY THANK GOD IT DID!!!!

I have been a Michael Arden fan FOREVER, and love Jen Collela too (I saw her twice in the out- of- town tryout for Urban Cowboy, and also in Slut). And I just got $19 student seats in the FRONT EFFING ROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[erica23]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 11:53pm

What do you think the chances are of this show going into the Marquis theatre, now that the "woman in white" is closing??

[otis33]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 12:04am

I feel like it might be a bit to large. It's been a long time since I've been in the Marquis, but I seem to remember it being big. Maybe I'm wrong?

I'd like to see it transfer, though. I can't wait to see it again.

[QMAN03]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 12:18am

As I see it, this will not be ready in time to fill the Marquis, so the Drowsy Chaperone will go there. But I have heard that this show has a contract with the Palace, which states that after Lestat, this is going to occupy that theatre. But who knows. Broadway is a fickle place.

[mint0621]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 12:27am

I envision this show (unless the whole premise changes) as more of an off-Broadway production. Avante-garde, artsy & stylistic...with not much of a plot line.

[otis33]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 1:44am

Oh, I disagree...I think the show could play Broadway. Again, just one of the smaller houses. I don't know how long of a life it would have, but it would definitely bring in a new audience to Broadway and break a few of the stereotypes. That's not a bad thing.

Broadway or Off, I hope people get the chance to see it.

[lite2shine]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 3:59pm

Woo hoo! I got a student ticket for this show (the box office person WAS super nice!). Today is the opening night, break a leg!

[otis33]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 5:38pm

Is today opening? I thought it opened tomorrow, 2/9. Regardless, have a great time!

[lite2shine]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 5:50pm

You are right, I was a day ahead of time. Tomorrow is the opening!

[kikki327]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 7:50pm

that makes me so upset that john selya isnt in the show! hes such an amazing performer and its such a shame to see broadway without him.

[otis33]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 2:46pm

Hey, Lite2shine - what did you think? I got my Dad tickets for opening night last night. Haven't spoken to him yet, but he left a message saying he wants to see it again. I'm assuming he like it. Curious to know your thoughts.

[robbiej]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 2:54pm

Michael Arden playing opposite Jen Collela?

Sounds reminiscent of the scintillating chemistry between Jody Foster and Richard Gere in SOMMERSBY.






I kid...I kid...they're both very talented...but really...

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 3:06pm

i was less than enthused, but i have a friend who's worked on many a hit and many a flop who gushed to me for a good 20 minutes about how wonderful it was. but maybe he was just stoned. you know, everybody must get stoned.