Posted: 11/12/15 at 5:00pm
"Well I just snagged a couple of tix for tomorrow night and this old hag is pretty excited to see it . Anything 60s related is up my alley. I read this was originally developed in Japan in 2008 ay in 2nd was intended for Broadway 2009."
Have fun! Do not try to follow the "plot." It's a waste of time and will probably hamper your enjoyment.
Posted: 11/14/15 at 1:18pm
I'm sorry, but this is actually insane. I read it and I am still baffled. How could anyone prefer Trip of Love to Hair?
https://www.tdf.org/stages/article/1325/hearing-the-6s-for-the-first-time?
Posted: 11/14/15 at 9:02pm
I loved it. The sets were amazing as were the costumes. I got the story. Shrooms back then did strange things to you. I would go back to revisit it. If you were a teen in the 60s go see it.
Posted: 11/14/15 at 11:06pm
I graduated high school in 1969, so this was my era. I didn't expect anything deep, and the show was like empty calories, but nothing wrong with that. Jukebox musical with the barest suggestion of a plot. Campy choreography, lavish costumes and sets, eye candy, what's not to like? Lots of talent on that stage.
Posted: 11/15/15 at 12:44am
I didn't enjoy it at all. This felt like a national tour with cheap tacky low-budget scenery, no charisma between the cast members, and music that was so loud that you missed the fine nuances of the songs. Several years ago, I loved "Shout: The Mod Musical" put on by Amas Musical Theater; that was a fun musical with a great cast. Sadly, this was quite bad. Let's just say there were many empty seats after intermission. There will be a closing notice by January 3rd.
Posted: 11/15/15 at 9:35am
I got a comp and it was one of the most bizarre shows I have ever seen. Yes- plenty of talent, beautiful costumes- lots of them....tons of wigs, lots of scenery- a new one for every number, gorgeous bodies on the hard working dancers,. ridiculous story- (if there is one)., band was smokin hot. Was going to bolt at intermission but I had to stay to see how much more weird it could get....and it did. Lots of great nostalgic music. Examples of how bad the direction is....David Elder- who is so talented, plays a character who makes all entrances on a vespa, makes a few circles with it while singing, stops it, takes off his jacket, makes a few more circles, puts on his jacket and exits........and in the Up Up and Away Beautiful Balloon number- yup- there is a hot air balloon and the newly married couple gets into the basket and up to the rafters they go! The Girl From Ipanema number has the dancers doing the Samba while pictures of Rio are projected on the back scrim. The lead girl reminded me of Anna Leigh but with a more nasaly voice- I disliked her sound. Huge cast for off Broadway - no way they can make their nut every week. It played in Osaka Japan 7 years ago- it should have stayed there. Can't wait for the reviews.
Posted: 11/15/15 at 10:42am
I was mistaken about the Samba- I believe it is the Merengue that they do...........and the number with the sexy girl who is painted is something right out of Showgirls.
Posted: 11/15/15 at 5:01pm
"I was mistaken about the Samba- I believe it is the Merengue that they do...........and the number with the sexy girl who is painted is something right out of Showgirls."
I'd say the number straight out of Showgirls is the dance number (instrumental) with the drums and the gold sequin outfits. Watching it I actually thought, "oh, this is Showgirls."
There is no story. At least, no story that makes any sense.
I'd say the biggest problem is those awkward ballads that suck out all the energy. The campy weirdness is at least fun. The actress has a good voice but I dreaded her numbers.
Posted: 11/15/15 at 7:10pm
I haven't seen the show, only clips and I love the set design and costumes. I also love their ad campaign. Sounds like campy fun to me.
Posted: 11/15/15 at 8:16pm
You are right Snarker Darlin'-that number was very Showgirl too. A shame the hunky shirtless drummers were in the dark...The night I saw it, the swing girl was on...I wonder if she pushed the regular down a flight of stairs like Nomi did to Crystal.'.
Posted: 11/30/15 at 10:10am
I saw this show last week and surprisingly really enjoyed it. I'm not usually ones for musicals without a plot but something about this worked for me. I think it's because if you want to make the effort and look for one there is a plot. If not, it's still a lot of fun.
The cast was very talented for the most part. When I saw the show "George" (side note: I think it's hilarious these characters even had names since they're never spoken) was an understudy, Peter Nelson. While he was very nice to look at, his singing left a lot to be desired. Someone said before that all this character does is ride in on a Vespa, do a few laps around the stage, take his jacket/sunglasses off, then back on and ride away. This is true and I found it to be pretty boring. While I thought Laurie Wells sang all of her songs well it most definitely stopped the momentum of the show. I understand that it's most likely to give the ensemble time to do there many costumes changes but it would have been better served by a peppy instrumental. I also thought this character was the show's opportunity because they could cast a big name since all she does it walk out and sing a few times. You could get a 60s (or other era) icon to promote as a draw for the show since it can't be doing well on its own.
The sets are super tacky and the costumes were amazing. There was a multitude of both and I really felt like a lot of money was put into such a weird, little show.
Is it intellectual? No. Are there a lot of hot, half naked men writhing around? Yes. That's enough to get me in the door again (hopefully next time whilst high).
Posted: 12/3/15 at 1:30pm
I know it was a weekday but I also know they've been papering and offering tickets up on discount sites so it was rather disheartening to see the theatre so empty last night. Yes, I went again. The cast gave it their all but it can't be easy when everything past the first few rows of the mezzanine is empty.
Now that I was prepared for it, I didn't find Laurie Wells' ballads as offputting and I was able to really appreciate what a beautiful voice she has. Aside from when she is very flat in the first number (seriously, what is going on there), I think Kelly Felthous' voice is strong and it's one of those unique voices you don't hear as much anymore. Austin Miller is also quite good in the same vein. Dionne Figgins sounds great but I don't think she brings as much to her performance. Joey Calveri is just amazing. I don't know how he finds a character to play in all this silliness but he is fully committed to it. I didn't even laugh (much) this time as the fringe on his jacket swung around because I was caught up in his singing "What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted." And of course I have my favorite guys in the ensemble, because how do you not have your favorite chorus boys in a show like this?
If it's selling anything like it was last night I don't how see how this can last much longer in a theatre this size (which you need for all the production/set gimmicks) but it is a really fun time.
Updated On: 12/3/15 at 01:30 PM
Posted: 12/13/15 at 12:58am
After reading the reviews which said something like it doesn't matter what drugs you take this is a bad trip, I wasn't expecting much. Because I had low expectations, I had a wonderful time!
Some great dancing. Fun psychedelic sets. Being a child of the 60's how can you not love that music? Downtown.. Blowing in the Wind... You Don't Own Me.. In a Gadda da Vida. A trip down memory lane. It was Hullaballo meets Las Vegas meets the Lawrence Welk show for people who grew up in the 60's.
In fact, I had a better time at this than I did at On your Feet. And it was certainly better than Contact where they merely danced to records and never sang. And that won the Tony Award.
For a mindless frolic through the 60's I recommend this show.
Posted: 2/6/16 at 3:31pm
Has anyone seen this show lately? How is it selling?
I haven't been thinking much about it until seeing their... varied promotional campaign for February.
Posted: 2/6/16 at 3:41pm
VintageSnarker said: "Has anyone seen this show lately? How is it selling?"
I saw it again after New Years. I can't say it's selling well since every performance has been papering. Honestly have no idea how it's still open. Someone has deep pockets.
Posted: 2/6/16 at 6:56pm
Snark ,when we saw it about a month or so ago there was nobody in the theater past the first 8 rows or so. This has somebody pouring big money in it to keep it running. It does have to be hard on the actors no doubt about it.
Posted: 2/6/16 at 7:57pm
I just have to ask why would someone shell out money to keep this running if it's not pulling in an audience to make a profit. It doesn't seem justifiable to me. It must be disheartening for these performers to play before more than half empty houses......:but I guess as long as they are getting paid it doesn't matter to them?
Updated On: 2/6/16 at 07:57 PM
Posted: 2/6/16 at 8:24pm
If it tours they could say X amount of time on Broadway.
Posted: 2/8/16 at 10:08pm
I thought this was a entirely entertaining evening. I think Golden Boy came the closest to what I thought...
"It was Hullaballo meets Las Vegas meets the Lawrence Welk show for people who grew up in the 60's."
Yes, it's tacky. There is SO MUCH MONEY poured into this production it is almost unbelievable. Most Broadway shows pale in comparison. The costumes are breathtaking in detail and design. The sets are outrageous. The entire house is covered with a beautiful mod wall covering.
The cast is working hard, having fun, and taking off their clothes quite often. which is fine with everyone in the audience. They are all really talented.
The show is what it is. You either go on the Trip of Love with the cast or you can sit there and nit pick. I chose to go on the Trip and it was really fun. I did get a ticket pretty cheap, and I would go back again. Way better---ENTERTAINING---- than MANY things I have seen on Broadway.
Posted: 2/8/16 at 10:20pm
I saw this yesterday and almost felt bad for liking it as much as I did. Walking into the theatre, you feel like you're walking into a show at a theme park and that's exactly what you get (and there's nothing wrong with that). Andy question also is "WHO IS PAYING FOR THIS?!?" It's a pretty big production that only plays to a half filled house where a good portion of it is papered.
But damn, there's some incredible talent up on that stage.
Posted: 2/8/16 at 10:33pm
It IS like a theme park or a cruise ship experience. And there is nothing wrong with that.
As for who is funding it....I don't have any knowledge other that what was in the program. Some of the producers are Japanese. The original production was in Osaka, so I will assume there are some very wealthy Japanese investors.
You are not going to see Sunday in the Park With George, but you know what, Trip of Love is WAY more fun that Sunday in the Park With George. It's not smarter, or more well written, or even in the same class as Sunday in the Park with George, but it's FUN. You are sitting there saying wtf half the time to yourself, and yet it's compelling. The cast is insanely good looking and sexy.
I could list the Broadway shows I have seen recently I haven't enjoyed as much. And that theatre is perfect. I wish they could get something good in there.
I would have LOVED if Dames at Sea has moved into that theatre. I think it really could have worked for them.
Posted: 2/8/16 at 11:54pm
I admit I made fun of this show before I saw it. I've seen it 4 times now and I echo what positive things have been said here. Great sets and costumes, great band (live-not taped-which you might expect from a show like this), a cast that works their asses off to, unfortunately, half empty houses and, most of all, the music is great. I didn't think I would want to hear these classics sung by others instead of the original artists but this cast is so eager and talented that you almost forget the originals-you don't really-but this cast is committed. I saw it with a dancer friend of mine who couldn't believe the hard work the Ensemble is doing up on that stage.
As far as the complaining that there isn't a storyline, which there is sort of, this show is a Revue! Revues don't have stories, i.e. AIN'T MISBEHAVIN', SOPHISTICATED LADIES, WORDS AND MUSIC.
Finally, I enjoyed myself much more than I have lately at such shows where I was expecting so much more. I won't mention any names but MTC have both been let downs.
Updated On: 2/8/16 at 11:54 PM
Posted: 2/9/16 at 12:29am
As someone who plays in the ToL band every now and then (when the official guy calls out), I just want to say this show is a BLAST to be a part of, and I'm so glad to see so many people digging it. There's definitely no story, haha, but if you love this kind of music, which I do, and you love seeing super-attractive people wearing next to nothing, which, *ahem*, nevermind, then it really is an enjoyable evening.
The theatre itself is something to behold, and the set certainly fills that humongous space. The band is killer and the voices are fantastic. It's kind of like Mamma Mia; if you just accept it for what it is, and go to have a good time, you'll probably find it very enjoyable. And I'm saying that as someone not *directly* involved with the show; I have no reason to lie, haha. But MAN that music is fun!
Updated On: 2/9/16 at 12:29 AM
Posted: 2/9/16 at 6:59am
Saw it twice and recommend this fun review. A good evening out with a young eager cast that I hope play many more performances. I wish them all well.
Posted: 4/12/16 at 12:47am
Just had to say: 200th performance tonight. I've seen it countless times now and, yes, it's struggling, but these producers have money and faith in the show. I wish they would have been behind some Showcase productions I've been in! I hope it continues because every time I've seen it, the audiences seem to really like it.
