"Thrill Me" - 5/21 5 p.m. show - spoiler

[do_re_milla]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 8:08pm

Just got back. Went with my friend who was a child when it happend & remembers when Leopold got parolled.

We both feel the show has potential legs & look forward to see how it develops further. Good music, disturbing story, and I enjoyed the detail of the book. Acting was exciting. What also thrills me is the anticipation of what Stephen Dolginoff's going to write next.

I feel The York is doing great work in helping worthwhile shows get put on.

BTW, I got a sneak peak this of some of Tony Walton's artwork which will be put up at the York in anticipation of Mr. Walton's receiving the York's Hammerstein Award on June 6. What I saw was done when he'd just come to NYC & hadn't joined the "union". Striking pics drawn of his then-wife Julie Andrews, Robert Goulet & Richard Burton while in Camelot.

And, Monday is a 1 night only reading of "Summer of '42", which is the night before the cast goes in to record the show. I'd seen it at the late lamented Variety Theatre. Finally, it will be recorded. Some very nice songs. Will be glad to have the CD.

Milla

[mtdonegan]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 11:53am

I can't disagree with you more. This show was poor at best! $55.00 for top tickets! People left after the first 15 minutes of the 5pm show on Sunday. I would have left if the writer hadn't been there (I stayed out of respect). The show is bare, bare sets, bare lyrics, bare plot. Don't expect much for your money. Best of Luck theatre lovers.

[midtowngym]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 12:06pm

I grade it A for heart, C for quality. It needs a LOT of work. Too much time spent on unimportant information (for example- certain details on planning the murder), not enough time spent on character development or their relationship. I was bored. The score didn't make much of an impression either.
However, the actors are pretty and do fine work.

Updated On: 5/23/05 at 12:06 PM

[LesMizazz]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 1:27pm

I'm just sad that they let go of Heath Calvert in the part of Richard. Though Doug Kreeger still did a good job!

[do_re_milla]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 2:44pm

mtd, It's fine that we disagree. That's what makes a horse race.

I'm quite happy w/the performance that I saw & re the state of the show, I always take into consideration that the York positions itself as a theatre where shows can be encouraged to develop.

Just by the nature of the story, it's not necessarily going to be popular. Throw in 2 men making out on stage & I can see where that might not be acceptible to mainstream audiences, so combine those 2 things plus potential impatience of an audience that may be expecting a finished product ready for Broadway, and I'm not surprised at you mentioning that some people left. I'm very happy to read that you stayed, whatever the reason.

I'm guessing that this is very, very early in the writer's career. The show was imaginative, took chances, had great acting and has a place to gestate.

I only wish there were more theatres like the York to encourage young writers. I say keep plugging away, Stephen Dolginoff. It will pay off.

Milla
Updated On: 5/23/05 at 02:44 PM

[midtowngym]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 3:03pm

I was also happy to see it, especially after sitting through soulless garbage like Good Vibrations and Brooklyn. I had no problem with the set--i've been moved to tears by shows with a $500 budget. Its heart is, as i said, in the right place. I'm not sure this show has a future, but Stephen Dolginoff most definitely has.

Updated On: 5/23/05 at 03:03 PM

[BwayFan4]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 10:01am

I saw this show last night and I have to be blunt and say that I felt so disengaged. It just felt like the energy was sucked out of the room a few minutes after it started.

There were some moments that seemed as if they were meant as comic relief, but those moments fell flat. The actors were good enough with the material, but the direction just felt very contrived and flat, as well.

Outside of maybe one or two numbers, the music all sounded the same, as well. Couple that with hardly any character development and a running time of only about 80 minutes and, well, you get the point.

I had heard that it ran in a very small theatre a few years ago, which may be better for a show like this, but in a more traditional theatre, it just didn't work for me.

I didn't mind going for free, but I would never recommend that anyone spend a dime to see this. Maybe with a lot more work it could turn into something a bit more compelling, but I think it has a very long way to go...

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 10:38am

I was at the first preview of this show, and I found it to possess two solid performances, great direction by Rupert, and a score that works much better live than on disc. The overall feeling of the show was very intense and creepy for me, and I found the production as a whole to be a success.

[BoxFive]

Posted: 5/26/05 at 11:00am

Heath Calvert will find another role, he's stunning.

[magic8ball]

Posted: 5/26/05 at 11:14am

I saw this the second or third day that it opened, and I thought that it was ripe with potential. The score is very good- very moody and appropriate for the subject matter. The lyrics are weak, but that can be workshopped. The acting, I thought, left a LOT to be desired, as did the uninspired direction, and I think that these things made the weaknesses of the material stand out even more. The minimalist set design was also something that I liked... Was I the only one who was officially creeped out the SECOND I stepped into the theatre?

Anyway, I'd say that this show could be dynamite with some work, and I also anticipate Dolginoff's next endeavor.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 5/28/05 at 12:27pm

This is something I plan to take in. I agree about Heath Calvert. He has a great voice, not to mention cool hair.