Transport Group's Revival of Hello Again- Page 2

[Brick]

Posted: 3/6/11 at 6:11pm

site-specific is different than non-traditional venue.

Site-specific uses the space as a set. Non-traditional venue means a theatre piece is at a venue that isn't a theatre. In the case of the latter, sometimes a space is chosen for its configuration or size, like Peter Stein's piece on Governors Island last summer, not because the location is actually meant to be occurring there. That would be site-specific.
Updated On: 3/6/11 at 06:11 PM

[bk]

Posted: 3/6/11 at 6:35pm

I'm just curious - has the word "revival" lost all meaning. Because the way it's bandied about then the Serendipity Players in Howe, Indiana doing The Music Man are doing a revival? Is that right?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/6/11 at 7:09pm

It's a non-traditional theatre space- definitely not site specific. I hope I won't come across as snarky when I say the production values and venue come across a little as a fledgling Off Off Broadway effort and border a bit on the amateur. I would never have imagined the reputation of the company based on that aspect and frankly some might come away wondering what all these talented Broadway actors and musicians are doing involved with it. But they are all wonderful and really elevate the proceedings

I have to disagree about the comfort level of the chairs- maybe one or two are comfortable but they are a complete smorgasbord of different styles- mine was an old upright wooden chair and was pretty bad. Therere some swivel chairs mixed in- I would aim for one of those.

Updated On: 3/6/11 at 07:09 PM

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/6/11 at 7:14pm

Jack Cummings called it site-specific in an interview I saw. I'm almost sure of it. I haven't seen it, but I pretty clearly remember him using that term.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/6/11 at 7:21pm

If they wanted to do site specific they should have staged it in a Sleepys mattress store

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/7/11 at 12:31pm

I'm not sure what I think of it. I'm very into a show having a plot - and not knowing this show before I went in, I was a little disappointed that it didn't have a story that I could sink my teeth into. It was still fun and gorgeous music to listen to, but as soon as it was over, it all just sort of left me.

I don't really know why it was staged this way. It didn't really do anything but make me feel uncomfortable. Lots of ass cheeks and simulated sex going on like right next to you. I'm no prude, but I just wasn't expecting it.

I was just surprised by the structure. There seemed to be only maybe two or three actual take away songs, everything else was recitative.

I didn't really get why it was designed the way it was designed with the mismatching bulbs, and stuff. I don't know. I think I have to say it felt "cheap." The wall of doors at the rear just looked cheaply made. The tables that they danced on seemed a little too big.

[Pippin]

Posted: 4/3/11 at 11:44pm

saw it tonight after hearing the great word of mouth, and was not dissapointed. I only had a passing knowledge of the score, exept for "Tom" and "Mistress of the Senator" thanks to Audra's first cd, but I digress.

I really loved the production. For me, this is what real theatre is all about. It doesn't rely on set, props, gimmicks, or ploys. Just give me great actors and tell a story and make me feel something and they did.

Jack Cummings' direction was great, though, as Michael Bennet said there were a few missed oppurtunities. I love seeing things staged in the round, and I feel that while not always appropriate, for this show it is because the audience becomes a character, and this is a "mirror on society" show. The whole thing really worked for me.

Special notice to Rachel Bay Jones, who played the actress and had me in tears by the end of "Mistress" through her desperation to be loved by the senator, who, for whatever reason, refuses to return it. I was deeply moved by her reactions.

You have one more week to see this show before it closes after the current extension. Go see it!!!!

[jbm2]

Posted: 4/4/11 at 12:39am

I really want to see this show..
I wont be in town till the 16th. What are the chances of this show extending a 2nd time?

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 4/4/11 at 1:27am

I made a trip with a friend to see it last week. I absolutely loved it and have been talking it up. The staging just made the piece feel so confrontational, yet beautiful. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was really impressed by it.

Standouts, for me, were Rachel Bay Jones, Elizabeth Stanley, and Blake Daniel. Jones especially made a big impression. "Mistress of the Senator" was definitely the highlight of the evening, for me.

My one issue was the sound design. I realize it's a tough space to design in, but there were times I couldn't hear a single thing at the opposite end of the room.