WAR PAINT - Pre-Broadway Thread — Page 10

Was at the opening last night. It was a very special evening. Upon a second viewing I think Dinosaurs and Better Yourself both need to be re written. I disagree that some are finding the show generic. I found it to constantly be about the one upmanship of each woman on the other. I think the show does an excellent job of portraying that. Some tightening and minor re-writes will likely be done between here and new york but i agree on all the praise the score and the cast are receiving. Those are the reasons to see this show.

Theatreboy49 said: "Was at the opening last night. It was a very special evening. Upon a second viewing I think Dinosaurs and Better Yourself both need to be re written.

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I find it interesting that opinions on here re: Dinosaurs have been mostly negative, while I've seen it discussed positively in nearly every review. Wonder why that is?

Another Positive review, from Variety

http://variety.com/2016/legit/reviews/war-paint-review-patti-lupone-chicago-1201816611/

I finally saw this tonight. (Some spoilers below.) I liked it. Didn't love it. I enjoyed the second act more than the first. The first act dragged on a bit for me as I felt all the music felt a bit similar and we were just going back and forth between the two of them. I really enjoyed the scenes with the shop girls in the first act and wished there could've been a bit more ensemble support. I know it's a star vehicle and obviously these two leading ladies were glorious and are the entire point of the show--but their many songs and duets (great though they may be) they're standing or sitting and singing. I enjoyed the bits of dancing from the ensemble so much I guess I wished there had been more of it. (Certainly not instead of our two divas, but maybe in the background. Not sure...).



I agree with the person earlier who posted it felt like vignettes without much of an arc. At first it was about their competition. Then it was about them versus the FDA and I thought they were going to band together at first. Then it was about them innovating during the war. Then it was about them losing business to their competitors.... It just didn't feel like there was a thematic point to all of it. I understand it's a biopic but I didn't find myself really caring about what would happen next--especially in the first act. I feel like maybe they could've done more to emphasize that these were two women with humble beginnings who forged the way as entrepreneurs, which was basically unheard of for women at the time. There are certainly many pieces of that there, but I just didn't feel moved by it, and it's a story I think has the potential to be very moving.



I did really enjoy the second act though. The songs felt more varied and I cared much more about the characters. Both leading ladies' songs were glorious, with Pink a real stand out. I also really enjoyed Fire and Ice as far as an ensemble piece. I thought dinosaurs was funny actually, but not necessary. I didn't know much about the story until I read this thread afterward so I didn't know hey never actually met. I haven't decided how I feel about the end yet, but I do know they need to keep that closing number. It brought the house down. (And the playbill still lists the A Woman's Face reprise as the last song even though it is gone.).



Anyway I'm incredibly glad I got to see these two amazing women on stage together. It is certainly worth seeing for them alone, but I don't see it being particularly memorable without them. I do think there are changes that could be made before the Broadway run that would make it better for me. But again, as is, it's worth seeing for these two ladies alone.



Oh oh and as others have mentioned the costumes are gorgeous, as is the lighting. The set was simple but I thought quite lovely. And everything is very polished.

This is going to be a hit. I can feel it. Ugh, I'm so excited.

We saw this last week and I must admit that although both divas were terrific I have almost completely forgotten the show by now aside from Pink and a brief moment in Dinosaurs. I'm not sure if that says more about the show or my energy the night I saw it, but for whatever reason it did not stick with me as many shows do.

Updated On: 7/27/16 at 11:08 AM

Theatreboy49 said: "@Kaylee the first time I saw the show i liked the song. It was amusing. But upon seeing it a second time it felt like sentiments neither of these intelligent, albeit hurt men would make. I think the characters do need a song here to say goodbye and exit the story but I just dont think this is the one. I think the praise for the song is that its fun but that doesnt make it right for the story.



@KnewitwhenIwasinfront I think the men are absolutely vital the to the story. The leaving of each others sides played a huge part in their rivalry. By working so intimately with these women, the men saw sides of them likely no one else did. It's part of the lure of these two women and their constant wish to one up the next. And in the end that's the point of the story, in the end they were so desperate to one up each other they no longer kept up with the trends and sacrificed things to keep competing. They were equals. The men were a part of that. So I respectfully disagree with you.



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I disagree but my point was not that they aren't vital but that it's crazy to say the men are as vital as the women. You would have a show without the men. You would not have a show without the women.

I saw the show for the second time last night, after seeing it on 6.30.16. After that show, I really liked it and thought that it needed few changes. Seeing it last night, some small changes have been made for the better, but I still think that it is missing something. This time I was not as aware of the two men not having enough to do. The whole show has picked up the pace, which I suppose is natural, but it lacks some tension or stakes. The two women are rivals who compete with each other almost obsessively, but that doesn't seem to change much. They just keep competing. One thing that came to mind last night is that Arden's second act number "Pink" is so strong and then it is followed by "Forever Beautiful" from Rubinstein which is good, but just not up to the same level. Would it seem like less of a letdown if they switched the order? Just a thought. Overall, great show with outstanding performances and good music. Should be interesting to see what additional changes will be made.

schmoe said: " I saw the show for the second time last night, after seeing it on 6.30.16. After that show, I really liked it and thought that it needed few changes. Seeing it last night, some small changes have been made for the better, but I still think that it is missing something. This time I was not as aware of the two men not having enough to do. The whole show has picked up the pace, which I suppose is natural, but it lacks some tension or stakes. The two women are rivals who compete with each other almost obsessively, but that doesn't seem to change much. They just keep competing. One thing that came to mind last night is that Arden's second act number "Pink" is so strong and then it is followed by "Forever Beautiful" from Rubinstein which is good, but just not up to the same level. Would it seem like less of a letdown if they switched the order? Just a thought. Overall, great show with outstanding performances and good music. Should be interesting to see what additional changes will be made.



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I was actually wondering about the order of these songs. Maybe this is a frivolous reason that isn't important to anyone involved, but if they were switched I think Patti would look a bit upstaged and you'd risk ego damaging. Again, this might not be a real reason at all, though I think the structure of the show and song choices suggest that they have very much tried to make the parts equal. Pink is by far the best song in the score and is the 'true' 11 o'clock number though.

Am I correct in assuming that the alternates for Patti and Christine probably won't go on, barring illness, during the Chicago run? I'm travelling a decent distance to see the show for Thursday's matinee and i'm lowkey terrified I won't get to see Patti in the role for some reason (especially after seeing many people say that the show wouldn't be as good without the headlining divas).

KnewItWhenIWasInFron said: ""No harmony?"

That's just plain incorrect. There are a number of times when the two are singing in harmony (not, as you say, singing the same note together).



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I may not have a great ear for music as others, but for the most part I didn't hear much. I hope they can transfer and record an album so I can hear the music again for myself. I've mostly forgotten it besides the song pink.

Call_me_jorge said: "KnewItWhenIWasInFron said: ""No harmony?"

That's just plain incorrect. There are a number of times when the two are singing in harmony (not, as you say, singing the same note together).
I may not have a great ear for music as others, but for the most part I didn't hear much. I hope they can transfer and record an album so I can hear the music again for myself. I've mostly forgotten it besides the song pink.



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Fair enough but, if you aren't able to recognize harmony, why on earth would you post that there is none?