WOMAN IN WHITE - First Preview- Page 7

[jo]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 7:05pm

I like the show very much and will support it, Sharon

I like the theatre and I like it served as different fares - I am glad that THE WOMAN IN WHITE is one perfect example of a very different approach to entertainment via live theatre. I hope it succeeds, no matter how the legit critics view it.

Remember Les Miserables when it first opened in London? The critics called it "the glums" - now the show's producer is talking about preparing for a worldwide telecast concert of its 21st anniversary celebration at London's famous HYDE PARK!

Jo




Updated On: 11/3/05 at 07:05 PM

[Rebekah]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 8:33pm

crit·ic ( P ) Pronunciation Key (krtk)
n.
One who forms and expresses judgments of the merits, faults, value, or truth of a matter.
One who specializes especially professionally in the evaluation and appreciation of literary or artistic works: a film critic; a dance critic.
One who tends to make harsh or carping judgments; a faultfinder.

I think critics loose sight of reality. They fall into the trap of believing they are all knowing. Have any of them been to an acting school? Have they learned lighting design? Are they knowledgable choreographers? Where do their credits come from? Is there a school for critics? There must be something to it all because people believe them.

Certainly they don't just come in from the STREETS!

[rusmic]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:18pm

Word on the street is the reviews are going to be brutal? SO what you are saying is, critics don't wait to see a show before forming an opinion about the show? Since they are less than a week into previews they certainly haven't reached the date where they freeze the production so exactly WHAT are the critics going to be reviewing? Sorry but if they have already made up their minds, without even seeing the production, with this cast and as it will be in the "freeze" state, what are their opinions worth? That is exactly why I don't care what the critics say and wish no one else did either.

Updated On: 11/3/05 at 09:18 PM

[Rebekah]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 11:01pm

So RUSMIC - Do you think Vinnie is making critics look irresponsible???? He makes them sound like a bunch of "BULLIES". STREET BULLIES????

[rusmic]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:00am

Well, if they've already made up their minds about something that they aren't even suppose to be reviewing yet, yes it is irresponsible, unfair and it to me makes the review generally useless. They aren't giving their opinion on the show, just what they THINK it will be. Of course, I have no idea what "word" Vinnie is hearing, he's just another person on the internet claiming "inside knowledge" to me, so it could be true or it could be not true. But if it's true it just goes to show that you shouldn't see a show based on what a reviewer or anyone else thinks. Go if you think you'll like the show, go if you just love to see musicals, but don't not go just because some stranger says "Oh the show sucks".

P.S. Yes I know life isn't fair nor is the world of theatre, but I REALLY hope reviewers don't decide about a show before it opens, that's something we have enough of on Broadway message boards.

[Rebekah]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 1:17am

Just so you know, I saw the show in London and really enjoyed it!!!! I'll be seeing it in New York. Both places are a long way for me to travel but that's how good I thought it was. I'm no critic mind you but then they probably don't even pay for their ticket. Never mind the airfare. Just like "Rodney" they get no respect from me! Take that to the street Vinnie - we're talking about them indoors!

[andrewmrichards]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 5:15am

Hi all

Never posted to this group before, but just wanted to make a couple of points...

Firstly, Woman in White is set in Cumberland, as was mentioned. But Cumberland as such no longer exists, and has now become the county of Cumbria - the furthest north-west county in England.

Yorkshire it is not! Not too far away, but definitely not the same place - they are different counties, with Yorkshire being on the eastern side of the UK. If you're really interested, take a look here: http://footprints.org/1-000201.htm
This is a map of the counties of England as they were historically, thus including Cumberland rather than Cumbria.

Secondly, having read through this entire thread, what is with all the sniping, bickering, backbiting etc??!!!! Haven't seen anything like that since I left school! What happened to the idea of a bulletin board being a forum for discussion. Sometimes inaccurate, because people will want to make their point and they may be occasionally factually wrong. Sometimes passionate - that's what I love about the theatre. Sometimes people will disagree fundamentally - fine too. But surely always respectful of each other's views and sensitive to each other's feelings. Is that not basic courtesy?

Incidentally, saw the last preview in London and loved the show. Thought it probably ALW's best score yet - more varied and rich than Phantom (rather like Aspects in that sense).

As for the money - I guess time will tell, and that the reviews will have a big part in that equation. As for the reviews, I can only hope that they are at least fair to the show, rather than being written at the point of the announcement that the show would come to broadway.....

Andrew

[Eastwickian]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 7:28am

Oops! Got my counties muddled - though I live in Bristol, so anything above Gloucester kind of merges into 'THE NORTH'...

I liked the show in London (and having seen it with various different leads, Maria Freidman and Michael Ball are the best) but have absolutely no expectation of it getting good reviews on Broadway. Sung-through melodrama is no longer in fashion, and Andrew Lloyd Webbers name (rightly or wrongly) often attracts vitriol all by itself. The Sondheim crowd will ignore in on principle, and the Little Women / Wicked band of teeny boppers can't really latch onto a 'star' to idolise which would ensure they would return. I hope it finds an audience, but I think bad reviews could easily finish it off...

[sharon1]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 9:35am

I,too, hope it finds its audience. I love the score. But the real treat is to have two such wonderful performers on these shores. I hope the audiences and the critics realize what a gift these two stars are. They both bring a magic too musical theatre.

[Now Ulla Dance]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 10:50am

Vinnie,
What streets have you been walking on....

Everyone (who i've spoken to) who has seen this show so far is blown away by the theatrics of it.

God, give it a damn change before you poo poo it okay?

[sharon1]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 10:53am

Remember what our mother's taught us; "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all".

[VinnieTheIceman]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 10:58am

The reviews are going to be ugly. You heard it here first.

[sharon1]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 11:09am

I remember another show that got scathing reviews, a little ditty called Les Miserables. Also on these shores another one would be, Boy From Oz. Both did reasonably well I am told.

[leeinlondon]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 11:16am

"The reviews are going to be ugly. You heard it here first."

That is what some people said about the new Sweeny... AHEM !!!!!!!!!!

[sharon1]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 11:18am

Very good. mmmmmm... Maybe Broadway is ready for something a tad different. Something that actually makes you think. Something creative and original. I may be wrong but just maybe..........

[Lori]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 11:44am

I sincerely hope that theatre goers will give this show a chance regardless of the reviews. It will definitely not be to everyone's taste but the score is beautiful and the cast is first rate. I saw "Light in the Piazza" the night before the opening preview of WIW, and although I thought it was a lovely show and very well acted to me it lacked the emotional impact of WIW (and IMO the score, which has received rave reviews, was not nearly as memorable).

It's a matter of taste and opinion, but you have to see something in order to judge it. Let's just hope the critics give the show that consideration :)

Updated On: 11/4/05 at 11:44 AM

[sharon1]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 11:52am

I hope you are right, Lori. I listen to what reviewers say and then my friends, then I go see a show and form my own opinion. I have yet to walk out of a Broadway Show ever. Even those that have not lived up to expectations. Even the ones I haven't cared for I have found something about them that I can review positively about. Everyone works too hard. And all need positive strokes for their effort.

[VinnieTheIceman]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 11:59am

Sharon, Boy From Oz barely recouped its investment. That is hardly "reasonably well." To compare WIW to Les Miz is beyond comical. This show unfortunately, has no shot.

[rusmic]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:48pm

Still want to know why the reviews have already been decided just a week into previews...

[VinnieTheIceman]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 1:05pm

Because there is little they can do to the show at this point that will have any major impact on how it is reviewed. For the most part what you see today is what you will get on opening night.

[sharon1]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 1:20pm

Vinnie,
I never liked BFO but I know it was a success based on Hugh Jackman and barely recouping in a show that lasted one year is actually quite phenomenal. Yea to them. As far as Les Miz goes, I was not comparing the two. Only your criticism. I know WIW is not Les Miz. What is??? My point being, give WIW a chance, it may not be to your liking but it is to some others. It does have a beautiful score and two terrific leads. They are alone are worth the price to me. I have waited quite some time to see Maria Friedman and I saw Michael Ball in Patience, and while it did not showcase his voice it did showcase his talent. I know some people hate ALW, which I don't quite understand, but this show is employing lots of singers and actors give them all a break and give the show a break. Of course you are entitled to your opinion. But maybe you should try to temper it with the realization that you are slamming a bunch of hardworking actors and musicians. They need all of our support, not venomous rantings.

[VinnieTheIceman]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 2:23pm

I actually think the show is decent, but it really doesn't matter what either of us think. The critics are gonna kill it.

[sharon1]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 2:33pm

Bottom Line
If you think it is decent then maybe, just maybe some critics might also. I think this is the kind of show where word of mouth and the presence of two outstanding performers doing their best might be just what is needed on Broadway right now.

[rusmic]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 4:07pm

Sorry, I still have a problem with "there is nothing that they can do with the show" as far as critic reviews are concerned. Basically, if the critics have already made their minds up about a show they haven't even seen (or basing a review on previews when they aren't suppose to do that before the freeze date), it's not a respectable critic.


Updated On: 11/4/05 at 04:07 PM

[Rebekah]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 4:17pm

"I actually think the show is decent, but it really doesn't matter what either of us think. The critics are gonna kill it."

Just curious Vinnie? - I noticed this thread has quite a few views! Why are you taking it upon yourself to speak for the critics?? Are you hoping they read this and are influenced by you??

Like Sharon says WIW has brought two FINE actors to America and we are very very lucky!! This play is nothing like what Broadway is used to and it's so refreshing to have something so different and innovative!!! IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE!

So Vinnie if you think the show is decent, quit being a walking billboard of GLOOM. Talk it up to your friends! Put your energy to good use!!