WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN begins previews TONIGHT!- Page 24

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 12:52pm

Can someone explain to me how exactly Almodovar's films are mediocre?

And, if you feel that way, why would you pay so much cash to see a musical of one of his films?

[dave1606]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 12:53pm

"I think one of the problems may be that Almodovar films (in my opinion) are a bit mediocre themselves."

Everyone is certainly entitled to their own opinon and I certainly am not attacking the poster for this opinion, but I absolutely don't think that the source material is the problem.I personally find Almodovar's films fascinating with richly developed characters. The Pepa of the film is far more developed (and likable) than the Pepa currently onstage, and I think that major fault of this show right now.

Almodovar's films are inherently theatrical in their own right, and maybe it would have worked better as a straight play, I don't know, but right now the majority of the music doesn't seem to be forwarding character development or plot. Songs like "Mother's Day" while pretty seem to bring the action to a standstill and songs like "Madrid" (while fun) really have nothing to do with anything.

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 12:57pm

Am I the only one who liked and felt for Sherie's Pepa? I felt moved by the final moments where she announces her "decision."

Women and gay men who have dealt with their share of jerks should be able to relate to these characters. And I think there's enough there to make them likable and relatable. Updated On: 10/18/10 at 12:57 PM

[kyle4]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 3:00pm

i love you, mimijudith...  
  
i love you... just want you to know that i want to kiss you and hug you and win a stuffed animal for you at the next carnival...  
  
i LOVE that people think that my opinion is not worthy because i did not see the whole show...  
  
first, i did NOT leave at intermission... i saw the nonsense/piragua guy/narrator/taxi guy sing that weird song under the dangling women... next thing i knew... patti (who i love) was in a boring and inane courtroom scene that was sooooooo boring that i had to leave...  
  
i only reviewed what i saw... i think it is important for people to know that i was MOVED to leave... the only other time i wanted to leave a show was during THE LIFE, but i even then i stuck it out...  
  
the irony here is.... the people on this forum who said they liked the show ALL agreed that ACT 1 was superior! kinda funny....  
  
i loved when my new girlfriend, judithmimi (i call her "pooks") said that she woke up the next day with a feeling that something horrible had happened.... that is when i fell in love... that was a PERFECT way to describe it.... i REALLY DO love you, pooks!!!  
  

Updated On: 10/18/10 at 03:00 PM

[MimiJudith]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 3:09pm

Kyle, MWAH!

[kyle4]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 3:15pm

i am on an ipad and in a rush... i will clean my previous post when i am on my home computer... still have a hard time editing on this thing...

until then, i am off to the gym...

i need to make my muscles bigger and stronger for POOKS!!!

i am dancing on air.... i found love on the WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN begins previews TONIGHT forum... i am the luckiest guy in the world!!!!!!!!!!!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 4:14pm

This thread really is insane.

Amen.

[Sleeper2]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 5:20pm

I just wonder if some of the overwhelmingly negative reaction to the show is due to unmet expectations: major Bway star power in the cast, a Tony-winning director fresh off a mega-hit together with his whole design team who have a shelf-load of Tonys themselves, a renown film director's involvement, no out of town try-out and major hype. Anything short of a blow-out show would have fallen short of expectations.

Or, put another way, would you have enjoyed it more if there was a little less glamour associated with the production? Unknown cast, novice director, smaller set...

[After Eight]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 5:37pm

"Am I the only one who liked and felt for Sherie's Pepa? I felt moved by the final moments where she announces her "decision.""

No, you're not the only one. I felt as you did.

[Donthatecongratulate]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 6:37pm

"Am I the only one who liked and felt for Sherie's Pepa? I felt moved by the final moments where she announces her "decision."

no, you are definitely not. I thought she portraye it in a lovely way.

And for the record, I am no one's shill. I am a proud Hispanic happy to see a show on Broadway repping my people, and I feel like people are tearing it down because they have a problem with seeing middle class Hispanics portrayed on stage.

Kyle4 & mimijudith SHOULD definitely get together and have babies. IN HELL.

And Kyle4, stop pretending that you're going to the gym to get muscles for a girl. We all know from your tone & your drama, that you're a big ole queen.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 6:46pm

Most of you know me as a long time poster. I am glad some of you enjoyed the show and felt for the characters, but I am boggled if we saw the same show. I agree completely with mimijudith. I felt like I had no idea where any of these scenes or songs were coming from. A total jumbled mess from start to finish. The court scene and song-you're kidding, right? The insane mess of an ending and shooting? For realz?

To address the topic of unmet expectations: is it wrong to expect something stellar from all the talent involved? I mean, you assume that with all the people who signed on that this was going to be something really exceptional. The reviews and word on the street is mixed at best. It's a steaming turd if you ask me. Actually, I wasn't expecting that much and it didn't meet those expectations.

To be honest, I felt for Brian Stokes Mitchell-why would he want to be with a depressive actress or a dramatic overbearing hag?

[Donthatecongratulate]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 6:50pm

Women…Breakdown
(Belasco) $440,931 7,329 8 0 1,002 $60.16 91.4%

it's great that a show about Hispanics is one of the top grossing shows this week. specially since In The Heights is a sinking ship.

Updated On: 10/18/10 at 06:50 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 7:46pm

Betty, didn't you only see the second preview? Several changes and cuts were made last week.

Oh well. It's really a lost cause at this point. Those who hate it will always hate it. And those of us who like it will continue to like it.

[Jgssf]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 7:47pm

Here's another really good interview. This one is with Patti LuPone about the show, how it's going, how she feels about the other actors, what they're trying to convey etc. Very insiteful!

http://www.broadway.com/shows/women-verge-nervous-breakdown/buzz/153946/patti-lupone-dishes-about-women-on-the-verge-rockers-on-broadway-more/
Broadway.com | Patti LuPone Dishes About Women on the Verge, Rockers

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 7:49pm

Am I the only one who liked and felt for Sherie's Pepa?

No. I thought Sherie was wonderful and clearly established the show as "her" story.

[kyle4]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 8:11pm

donthate...

that was a pretty homophobic comment... you have been pretty awful in some of your comments... but going THERE is not smart, kind or sensible. just LOW and SAD.

i am happy to deal with anyone's vitriol... i can give it, so i will take it. but, homophobic comments are UNACCEPTABLE. do NOT try that again with me! and i assume i speak for EVERY other gay person here!!!! actually, i hope i am speaking for ANY decent person!!!!!

that was one sad and self HATING comment. super pathetic!

[binau]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 8:11pm

Was there anyone who *didn't* see the movie beforehand, who was able to follow the story very clearly?

(I'm just wondering whether it is better to watch the movie or not first)

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 8:12pm

I had not seen the movie beforehand, and I was fine. It's not a confusing story at all.

[singer73192]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 8:19pm

I didn't see the movie either. (from reading these reviews it seems like this was actually a good thing. I didn't have anything to compare it to.)

Broadway Girl on Twitter loved the show! ha.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 8:48pm

I also didn't see the movie beforehand and had no trouble following the story.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 9:24pm

i'll be curious to see what the critics say with everyone on the boards being so divided.

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 9:26pm

I think they may be just as divided. But I think a positive review from Brantley is what the need. It will be basically guarantee an extension. But Brantley did basically hate Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 9:31pm

Changing the subject, at the Merchandise stand there was a pre-order for the cast recording. I havent had my attention at all today.

[binau]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 9:35pm

This was mentioned earlier in the thread but it's pretty exciting.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 10:17pm

ljay889: Am I the only one who liked and felt for Sherie's Pepa?

adamgreer: No. I thought Sherie was wonderful and clearly established the show as "her" story.

... and...

ljay889: I had not seen the movie beforehand, and I was fine. It's not a confusing story at all.

adamgreer: I also didn't see the movie beforehand and had no trouble following the story.


You guys could finish each other's sentences.