WICKED COMING TO SEATTLE!!!

[DickonDefysGravity]

Posted: 4/28/05 at 6:28pm

SO freaking excited!!! This is the most kick-ass season I have ever seen anywhere!!! WOWSERS!!!

Wicked
Little Women
Les Mis
Annie
Joseph


http://www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=99&tabid=19&City_ID=10

Updated On: 4/29/05 at 06:28 PM

[Elphaba]

Posted: 4/28/05 at 7:05pm

hmmm, I'll have to come visit my parents when Little Women is up there

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 4/28/05 at 7:47pm

That is one DAMN GOOD SEASON! Maybe I'll convince my cousins to go to Wicked...or maybe I'll go with them! I'd love to see Les Mis again, too. It was great when it came to L.A.!

[DickonDefysGravity]

Posted: 4/28/05 at 11:59pm

I KNOW!!! Isn't it!!!???!!! In addition, Pippin and Sweeney Todd are coming to the 5th Ave...

I cannot wait to see Block in Wicked and McGovern in Little Women!!!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 12:01am

Yeah, but their Sweeney and Pippin will probably SUCK, because the 5th's artistic director has his head up his ass.

[DickonDefysGravity]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 12:06am

I'm gonna stay positive, bobby...

WOOHOO!!!

[meagan9848]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 12:13am

does anyone know when the boston theatres will announce their seasons?

[bjivie2]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 3:19am

Wow, Bobby. That was a catty comment. The Artistic Director, David Armstrong, stages very strong musical theatre pieces. His Rocky Horror Show, Hair and Secret Garden have been some of the best shows of the past seasons that Fifth Ave has done. He's going to do a remarkable job with Pippin, and I don't think he'll be directing Sweeney. He usually only directs one show a year, as does Bill Berry who will be directing Wonderful Town. Anyways, someone who helped bring Hairspray, Princesses and The Wedding Singer to the same theatre can't be all bad. He's a very smart and talented man who I've worked with and respect. Lay off. If you're going to complain, at least say something intelligent.

As for Paramount, I'm excited for Wicked and Little Women. Everything else I couldn't care less about. I wouldn't call it a "damn good season," but it's definitely a money-maker. We'll probably get one more show like Stomp or Chicago.

[Derech2]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 8:22am

AHHHHHHHHH!!!! Finally!! Really good shows within 5 hours of me!!! My parents are going to kill me for wanting to drive up to Seattle so much, but maybe I can get to friends to take a couple road trips down there. Now all I need to make my life complete is for them to come to Spokane .... *melts*

[Lisatwin-2]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 8:52am

YEHAW!!!!!!!!! We were just going to buy our tickets for San Fran's Wicked when they went on sale TOMORROW!!!! We are in Seattle and LOVE this season!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dancing with excitement here!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 9:58am

Bjivie2,

Did you see his Little Night Music or Yankee Doodle Dandy? They were awful.

He's a rambling, overpaid (you don't even want to know what he gets paid) ass clown. I know I don't come off very well calling him that but...I really don't care. The 5th Avenue theatre puts on some of the worst "professional" theatre I have ever seen. Their productions of Forum and Wizard of Oz were laughable.

And again, that Yankee Doodle Dandy was a big ego trip. I believe I left 45 minutes into the show (a first for me. I have walked at intermission, but never in the middle of the first Act. and believe me, it takes a lot for me to do that), when I realized the show would be about 4 hours of Armstrong trying to credit GEorge M Cohan with the invention of musical theatre, which, is not even factual or accurate in any way.

The 5th's big problem? THey don't know how to design sound, and everyone looks like they are lip-synking or your ears ar ringing cause the sound is too high (ala Rocky Horror)

Armstrong also made a promise to do 1 Sondheim show per season, and well, that hasn't really happened. I think he realized how unsophisticated Seattle audiences are (sit in the audience of the 5th or Paramount and just listen, you'll see I'm right)

I hate 5th Avenue's space too. It's an old movie house, too narrow to see past row 10.

I just think they do terrible shows there, just my opinion. I cannot stand the "talent" from Seattle he constantly casts (won't name names but the same old people with the mediocre voices), and now I only go to the touring shows there. Loved Hairspray and the tour, intrigued about Princesses, excited about Wedding Singer. Odd that the touring shows are able to fix the sound problem. I would hardly credit Armstrong with the success of Hairspray, as basically, he provided the space, not much more. He has no artistic imput.

Armstrong's Rocky Horror was alright, but I couldn't hear a freaking thing because of the sound. Oh, and he said he wasn't going to use anyting from Ashley's production and copied, oh, a lot of it. I believe I once heard him say before a show that Fidller on the Roof and Flower Drum Song are basically the same show.

But hey, if you like it, then great, glad someone does. But I stay away from anything local in Seattle, as it has a strong smelll of very good community theatre (Village Theatre, hello!)

The last stellar thing in Seattle was Piazza, and how long ago was that, almost two years?

And also to clarify. Sweeney and Pippn aren't COMING to the 5th, they are being produced by the 5th. And despite what some clown wrote somewhere else on this board, this Sweeney has no relation to the Broadway production. And I believe for the press release, Armstrong is directing Sweeney.




Updated On: 4/29/05 at 09:58 AM

[DickonDefysGravity]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 12:22pm

and bobby wonders why people don't like her...

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 12:25pm

Hmmm...

I don't think me having the opposite opinion of you or anyone else, constitutes a comment that people don't like me.

I said you were entitled to your opinion, as I am to mine.

I think that both sides of an opinion should always be spoken.

I am judging Armstrong on my standards of what professinal musical theatre should be, and in my opinion, he doesn't cut it.
Updated On: 4/29/05 at 12:25 PM

[another_day_2day]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 12:27pm

enjoy the shows! i must admit i did enjoy wicked when i saw it, hope u feel the same. Enjoy!

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 12:34pm

Hehe. I love you, Bobby, even if no one else does.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 12:39pm

Just people in Seattle hate me, apparently. But frankly, whatever!

[bjivie2]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 1:55pm

To clarify a few things...

Fifth Avenue still has the rights to every Sondheim show in the canon and has every intent to produce ALL of them (that's right, even stuff like Anyone Can Whistle). After A Little Night Music tanked they needed some time to reevaluate. Notice that they did a mediocre production of Forum last year and they're doing Sweeney Todd this year. Maybe we'll get Into the Woods next year. Or Follies. But yes, Fifth Avenue WILL produce every Sondheim show.

Yes, Yankee Doodle Dandy was not a very good show. I had friends in it, otherwise I would have left. (I don't like that kind of show anyways) It was just a mistake. People make mistakes, we're all human.

The last stellar thing in Seattle was The Secret in the Wings at the Rep which was a mere month ago. And Miss Saigon is pretty darn good. If you don't like the theatre in Seattle, go move somewhere else.

And you have to realize that even though shows like Wizard of Oz are huge money-makers, they are creatively stiffling. And Armstrong didn't even direct that (or Forum).

I received the press release. Armstrong is announced to direct Pippin. No one has been announced to direct Sweeney.

I know exactly the "talent" which you are referring to, as many of them are my friends. But friendship aside, they are the best people in Seattle to play those roles at this time.

Are you just bitter that you're not getting cast there or something?

Oh, and I have a strong connection to Village Theatre, and I would just like to point out that they are a professional theatre, hiring largely Equity casts.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 2:07pm

A few points for you:

On a release, and it may have been changed, Armstrong was announced for Sweeney, it may have been on Playbill.

I have no big personal connection with anything to do with Theatre in Seattle, so I would have to say, my opinions are slightly less connected and biased than yours.

I think that since I have no connection to the 5th and to Village, I can have an opinion that is a little more, well, neutral than yours. Yours is tainted by the people you know. Which is fine, but just own it.

Seeing things that your friends and co-workers are in will always taint your opinions. Period.

As for Village. Most of the actors at Village got their equity cards by working at Village, or another mediocre theatre in Seattle. Steve Tompkins, or whatever his name is, is the the worst choreographer on the planet. Again, IN MY OPINION.

And the most naive, idiodic criticism that one can make is that I am bitter at not being cast.


I am fine with you enjoying Seattle theatre, I'm just not going to touch it with a ten foot pole.

Again, I am entitled to my opinions, as are you, but don't knock me for having mine and I won't bash your for having yours.

Not everyone who hates something that you love is "bitter". Period. That is a stupid, narrow way to defend yourself in an argument. Very, well, SEattle. I realize that a lot of what I say may come off that way, but I have strong opinions, and have seen what real, life changing theater can be. And none of it is happening for me in Seattle.

I am not an actor, and I have never claimed to be one.

I worked at a major Seattle theatre's box office for years and I know the mentality of the audience's in Seattle, and you my dear, fit such a mentality.

Have fun at your shows. And I'll have fun at mine. :)Cheers.
Updated On: 4/29/05 at 02:07 PM

[bjivie2]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 4:32pm

I pride myself in keeping my personal and professional lives separate. I'm not going to say someone I know did a great job on a show when they didn't. It's not my way.

I am the kind of person who enjoys to see theatre thrive, in basically any form. If I see a show and dislike, I usually keep that to myself, because that is not going to help keep theatre alive. I have certainly seen my share of awful shows in Seattle, many in the last two years. I just keep my mouth shut about those.

It's fine that you don't enjoy Seattle theatre, but it's people that have the same attitude as you that don't help it get any better. You just complain that it's bad, but don't want or try to do anything about it. I can only assume that you are knowledgable of theatre, and that many of your opinions are valid, but to just bash things isn't going to help.

Earning Equity is earning Equity. It doesn't matter where. If you've received your weeks, then you can be Equity. To call Village "community" theatre is simply false. It's definitely theatre for the Issaquah senior citizen audience, but that's the audience they're trying to produce for. They're not going for the savvy 40-something Seattle audience, which may account for your distaste of their shows. (and while Tomkins' choreography is full of paddle turns and padaboore's (sp?), he's by FAR not the worst choreographer in the city)

And just to throw it out there, your comments are bitter. "Very, well, Seattle." Bitter. I'm not exactly a fan of the theatre snob mentality, which seems to be yours. I also believe in people having their own opinions, and I'm not going to say yours are wrong. But I will defend my opinions and support the theatre community that I love.

Nice to chat with you. Conversations like this are what I live for. Best to you!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 6:12pm

And I'm not a fan of people with low or mediocre standards. Having high standards is not a bad thing, hon.

And you have to admit, a lot of Seattle has these low standards.

Maybe the low standards are keeping Seattle theatre in a stagnant place. Maybe if performers and artistic directors were forced to be challanged and forced to step up their game, they would have better success. If they challenged their audience, perhaps their audience would adapt and invite the challenge and crave it.

I also think you need to look up the word bitter, and think of the meaning. I don't think you really know when it should and shouldn't be used.

Sure my comments about Seattle can be read as bitter, but using that as your main argument against me isn't very original. I was simply stating a fact, or rather, an observation: Many Seattle residents (and for that matter, a lot of people in general) think that one is bitter if they have an opinion about something that isn't 100 percent positive. And more specifically, many actors and directors who are finally called on their mediocrity after years of being able to get praised for so so work.

Patting someone on the back for doing a mediocre job is just, well, pointless...In my opinion. You're basically saying that mediocrity is okay, and I really can't agree with that. Challenge yourself, and challenge others by being honest with them about what you saw, and maybe, they will be able to be more honest on stage. I think the reason New York has so many good actors, is because they have been through the ringer, they have been told what works and what doesn't, someone, at some point in time, was honest with them. And that is what made them more than okay, that is what made them great. And that is what I need to see on stage, I need to see greatness. And in a way, don't we all?

[bjivie2]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 8:18pm

It's not that I pat people on the back for mediocre work. I don't do that. If someone ASKS for my opinion on something I'm going to give them my honest opinion, whether that be good or bad. But I always try to make it constructive. Someone who gives an opinion without being asked can ruffle a lot of feathers.

I do agree that the standards for Seattle theatre are fairly low. At least people don't give standing ovations for EVERYTHING anymore. And don't get me wrong, I have high standards. I usually don't GET people asking me what I thought because of those standards. The best shows I've seen in Seattle have been Hairspray (pre-Broadway), Light in the Piazza, Man of La Mancha (at Village) and The Secret in the Wings.

To expect New York talent in Seattle is a trap. The New York-level talent in Seattle usually moves TO New York. High standards are good, but to expect Broadway-quality shows here is not going to happen, really, unless we don't use the talent that's right here in Seattle and fly people in (like they did for Piazza and Secret in the Wings). One can only hope that directors like David Bennett can step up their game to bring the great performers to Seattle, and get the great perfoamcnes out of the ones that are already here.

[musicalzebra]

Posted: 4/30/05 at 1:07am

question about les mis...I went to seattletimes.com and found the article listing the info but all it says is that a 5th season show would be announced later, is that going to be les mis? it wasn't listed on broadway across america.

[arykahmarye]

Posted: 4/30/05 at 1:27am

Les Mis was here two years ago at the 5th Avenue. It was a good show, and even sitting way up at the top (2 rows from, actually), i really felt i'd gotten my money's worth. I could see and here everything, and the show was great. I remember everyone standing and singing with the cast at the finale.

I am SO excited for 'Wicked' to come to Seattle! I read the news and started dancing and singing with excitement before calling my mom. The whole season next year at the Paramount is looking great (except 'Annie', but that's my personal prejudice), i'm really excited for this.

[ElTico68]

Posted: 4/30/05 at 2:11am

I knew they had to fill those "empty" slots in the schedule. I'm so excited... a little miffed that the announcement came when I'm NOT in Seattle. But I think I just might be buying season tickets to the Paramount too...

Re: Seattle theater, yes, it's not the quality of NYC theater. Like bj said, that talent moves TO NY. BUT... how are people going to develop their talent and grow and get better if they are not given the chance? Most actors begin somewhere, and I for one love watching our local actors, choreographers, etc., especially once they "make it". And I would be very sad if the 5th would only bring in tours or cast out of NYC. As much as I have a problem with the 5th's productions (I usually feel like something was lacking), I'm still glad there is something for local talent to look forward to. I, as a community theater performer/choreographer, am very grateful for the prospect that one day I could get paid to perform.

[Lisatwin-2]

Posted: 4/30/05 at 2:39am

Musicalzebra:
This morning Les Mis WAS listed on the Broadway Across America web site as coming to Seattle May 24th-June 4th 2006....now the web site does not even have it listed! (I had printed out the page) Also this morning when I first went to the web site I could renew my subscription (for 5 tickets), and did so,and also ordered my sister season tickets (Her first time being a season ticket holder)and also bought my subscriber special tickets to Mama Mia...now that part of the web site is gone! When you click the link you go to some filled out "information page" with my contact info already on the page, but it keeps listing my country as Canada and my state as Alberta and I don't have the option to correct my state to Washington. Bummer...makes me wonder if the confirmations numbers that were e-mailed to me and my sister are going to even be valid.
I wish we didnt have to wait for 17 months for Wicked! (dates will be here in Seattle Sept 20-Oct 1 2006)