Urgent PACIFIC OVERTURES Question(s)!!

[More Cowbell]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 11:12pm

So I have to do a history paper on how the musical "Pacific Overtures" compares to real-life historical events, and it's due Monday, meaning I have to go see it ASAP. My friend and I are heading down to the box office tomorrow morning to try and get tickets to the matinee. This is possible, right? I mean, the show isn't so popular that tix would be sold out... right? Oh, and does anyone know what time the Pacific Overtures box office opens? Much thanks.

BTW I checked Talkin Broadway's Rush/SRO page and Pacific Overtures isn't even listed! Is there no student rush for this show? That sucks, since I'm actually seeing this show for school purposes.

Posted: 1/7/05 at 11:33pm

If you really must see this production go to TKTS booth first.

A better bet, however, would be for you to scrape the idea of seeing the production.

It would cost you less, and I believe you'd get more out of it if you:

1. Buy the OBC (estimate $20)
2. Buy a copy of the book (try The Drama Bookshop on W. 40th between B'way and 8th Ave) (estimate $20)

$40 bucks total (but it'll cost less)

one ticket for this production: $50+

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 1/7/05 at 11:45pm

Go see the production.

Though I understand those who saw the Original Broadway production of Pacific Overtures (like Jose') were somewhat underwhelmed by this proudction, I found it the best time I have ever had in a Broadway theatre.

Since I was not born until over a decade after the original production ended, I had no precedent for this production and found it to be nothing short of miraculous.

Even if some people didn't find the production up to par, Pacific Overtures is still Pacific Overtures.

And it was one of the greatest moments I have ever spent in a theatre.

Updated On: 1/8/05 at 11:45 PM

[jazzyb]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 1:01am

I got $25 general rush tickets to the matinee shortly after the box office opened on a Saturday, and the seats were not bad. I don't think you should have any problem getting tickets.

[Corine2]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 1:06am

Thanks for the tip Jazzy. I am dying to see it.
Where were the $25 tickets.

[AttendTheTale]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 1:10am

I also got $25 ticets at the box office the day of the performance. I can't imagine it being too difficult. Seats at the very top row of the theatre (row NN I believe) were only $25. I'm not sure if they still are, this was over a month ago. I recommend going to see it!

[leomaxfrank]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 2:34am

more cowbell - i love your screen name! "i got a fever..."

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 7:43am

I loved this production and can only recommend it to everyone.

Studio 54 has two different rush tickets:
$25 for general rush located in the rear mezz (which is not bad at this theatre), available when the box office opens at 10am,
$46.25 for student rush, bests seats available (usually front orchestra or mezz), available 30 minutes before curtain.

Go and see it

QM

[Glebb]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 8:19am

I had seen 2 productions of PO before this one. I did not see the original but saw the first Broadway revival and a production at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.
When I saw the Roundabout Production a week ago today I was disturbed at first by how lavish it was. I thought Act I was over done and the comic element was way too silly. There were also magnificent moments, but I was just not sure what to think.

Act II was gorgeous and by the time it was over I was exhilarated! GO SEE IT!!!!!

PS Though I was not brave enough to ask Paolo Montalban for his autograph I think he would have signed.
B D Wong signed very sweetly. I could not help crying at his kindness.

Posted: 1/8/05 at 9:17am

Glebb, the words words "lavish" and "Roundabout" and "production" don't belong in the same sentence.

There is no such thing, in my opinion.

Updated On: 1/8/05 at 09:17 AM

[Glebb]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 9:32am

I perceived the Roundabout production of FOLLIES to be lavish as well.

Posted: 1/8/05 at 9:47am

Glebb, Webster's defines lavish as

1 : expending or bestowing profusely : PRODIGAL
2 a : expended or produced in abundance b : marked by profusion or excess

That was not in evidence in the Roundabout production of FOLLIES that I saw at the Belasco.

Maybe I wasn't wearing my rose-colored glasses that evening.

The important thing is that you saw the production and enjoyed it. To your eyes it may have been lavish, to my eyes it was not. Theatre is a personal thing. Theatre that succeeds is theatre that speaks personally to the audience. We all leave with something different, but somehow changed by the experience.

[Glebb]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 9:51am

I have been moved by many of the Roundabout productions.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 9:53am

Well, it seems, as with Pacific Overtures, those who saw the original Prince production of Follies were underwhelmed by the revival.

Which makes sense.

But to all who were'nt fortunate enough to see the Oriignal Production, the Revival was stunning and glorious.

No matter what way you paint it, Sondheim is Sondheim is Sondheim, and any production of one of his shows on Broadway will be marvelous. But, for one reason or another, have its detractors. Some bash them unfairly. But it is what it is.

Posted: 1/8/05 at 10:00am

"You say potato, I say po-tah-to..."

Now, as much as I am fond of Sondheim and his prodigious musical theatre talent, some would rightly argue that SS is overproduced, and has been for several years now...

I mean, don't you want to hear a new musical creative talent, or maybe 2, or maybe 3?

but that's another thread...

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 10:03am

I am seeing it tonight. Can't wait.

Every year, I use money from my income tax refund to buy a subscription series to Roundabout for me and my daughter. The ticket price for an adult averages out to about $50, and for anyone under 19, $25. It's quite a deal. Anyway, we were supposed to go last Sunday, and had wonderful Front Mezz seats. But due to a conflict with a memorial service for a friend, I had to trade them in (another advantage of a subscription). Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, my only option for trading (on my end) was tonight. The only seats they could give me were in the last couple rows of the balcony. Of course, better seats may open up tonight...one never knows.

Doesn't matter. I'm still excited. And off to find my binoculars.

[Glebb]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 10:08am

Give B D a huge hug from me! One that never lets go.

You're in for a divine treat iflitifloat!

[bta212]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 10:21am

iflitifloat--that's where I sat the first time I saw this show, and it's really not bad. As was posted on previous threads--you will miss some of the action that is staged in the aisles, and there are some overhead effects that will (briefly) partially obscure your view, but you will also get the best perspective on the choreography and the relationship among and between the players.

I subsequently sat downstairs, and it's really 50/50.

If you have them, bring binoculars, but it's not a huge space.

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 10:28am

I'm not really worried about sitting in the last rows. I enjoyed Assassins from the upper regions of the theater on several occasions. (Yes. I was obsessed.) I never felt like I missed out on anything.

[mallardo]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 1:27pm

The stage is an island with water around it on three sides. You don't really get that from the orchestra seats. For this one you WANT to be in the Mezzanine.

[bta212]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 1:30pm

But in the mezzanine you miss some key action/dialogue from the Americans throughout the first act and especially during "Please, Hello"

[mallardo]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 2:47pm

You don't entirely miss it, bta212, but you certainly don't get a full view of it from the Mezz. Still, I think the stage pictures are, in general, best appreciated upstairs.

[More Cowbell]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 8:33pm

I got to see it today... got student rush tickets in the eighth row, and the view was amazing! I think I'm in love with BD Wong, he's just the most adorable thing I've ever seen!! The production was good, some parts in the second act were pretty slow, but it definitely picked up at the end. Top-notch acting!!

Thanks for the help, guys. Now I'll go and write my paper on it.