WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN begins previews TONIGHT!- Page 7

[After Eight]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 7:58pm

"Looking on the bright side... does the theatre look fabulous?"

Yes.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:00pm

After Eight why are your opinions more valid because they are positive?

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:00pm

You had to join just to tell us how experienced you are in theater and how bad the show is in its first previews, kyle? If you're so damn experienced you know how troublesome first previews can be and wouldn't be so eager to tell us what a "tragedy" the show is.

Honestly, please don't bother to come back after your shower and purging just to trash a show here. It's bad form and makes you look like a know-it-all ass. Take a deep breath and get some perspective.

Tragedy my ass.

eta: How did After Eight claim his/her opinions were more valid, songanddanceman? I read quite the opposite, but I too bemoan the people who rush home after an early preview to be the first to proclaim how gawdawful a show is. Many people here just love to trash shows and performers. Oftentimes it seems they think it makes them look like they know what they're talking about. It really doesn't.

Updated On: 10/9/10 at 08:00 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:06pm

Do Patty and Sherry sing good?

[After Eight]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:07pm

"After Eight why are your opinions more valid because they are positive"

I never said they were. I disagree with the negative opinions, and I dislike the approach of some of those who proffer them. We are not professional critics here, and to write a thesis-length litany of critiques as if one were strikes me as at once egomaniacal and depressing.

[alawhat]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:09pm

Jesus Christ. They're not defecating on each other on stage. Calm down. Maybe it wasn't good, but that's all it can be. It's a musical!

I understand the whole capitalized 'I Paid One Hundred and Twenty Dollars And I Have the RIGHT to Expect the Second Coming of Jesus!' argument, but this is the first public performance of something people have put years of their life into. It's like spitting on an ugly baby.

Excuse the hackneyed metaphor, but maybe it will grow into something beautiful and maybe it won't. Proliferating awful 'It's the next Carrie!' word of mouth isn't exactly going to inspire hope in the creative team. I'm sure they know if it sucks by now.

We should encourage failures like WOTV (if it is one). Ambitious failures are noble, not a disgusting insult to the sacred holy establishment of musical thea-aye-tur.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:10pm

I’m sorry but what is with the idiots who are trashing people for posting their negative thoughts on a first preview?

This is a theatre site still right? We talk about theatre here, people have always added their thoughts good or bad about first previews. Surely the attacks on the posters comes from people who either like the show or don't want to believe it's bad.

If you don't wanna read of here about 1st previews because it is just a preview then don’t look in the thread. Also when the show is charging full price tickets for its first preview then people who have handed over that much cash for a seat have the right to give their thoughts.

These people who moan about posters reviewing 1st previews make me laugh because you still open a thread and read it that is titled 'previews' somewhere in the title.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:11pm

"hey're not defecating on each other on stage"

I wish they were.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:15pm

Is there any nudity in this show?

Someone asked why the Pone didn't get a star's entrace, probably because she's not the star.
I feel bad for Sherie, she was spose to be the star, but is being overshadowed by weak material and other Divas.
(Just from what I have heard and read, I haven't seen it yet)

[After Eight]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:17pm

"Also when the show is charging full price tickets for its first preview then people who have handed over that much cash for a seat have the right to give their thoughts."

You're absolutely right. And those who read those thoughts have the same exact right to dislike them and to say as much.

[ABB2357]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:18pm

I won't be seeing WOMEN ON THE VERGE for another month or two so can't compare, but there's no way this can be worse than LEAP OF FAITH.

Certainly word of mouth hasn't been good for FAITH either, but believe me, there's your disaster. I wish there was some sort of theatergoer exchange program between the coasts!

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:18pm

"I’m sorry but what is with the idiots who are trashing people for posting their negative thoughts on a first preview?"

What is it with the people (I won't stoop to name-calling as you did) who misrepresent other posters as you just did with After Eight? Sure, It's a theater site, and we talk about theater. We also offer opinions about other people's opinions, and someone who just joins today to tell us, breathlessly, just how bad the show is, so bad that they have to take a shower before they can REALLY tell us how bad the show is, deserves to be ridiculed. It's absurd or hyperbolic. I want to hear observation, not "It's so bad I had to take a shower first". What the hell does that even mean?

[alawhat]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:19pm

The negative people are treating WOTV, a farce about crazy campy Spanish woman, with the reverence usually reserved for La Scala and Papal rituals. Musical theatre is meant to be exciting and thrilling. Bringing a sensibility of 'it's not Sweeney Todd, therefore it's crap' to a first preview is ridiculous. I understand you spent a lot of money and were disappointed, but get a grip. Watch your crappy bootleg of Follies if you want economic and creative satisfaction.

Maybe they'll add on-stage defecation. It would sell tickets.

[once a month]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:42pm

Nudity-just an ass shot.

I saw it today, and I thought it was quite interesting. I wasn't bored like I was at Marie Christine. I didn't get insulted or pissed off, the way I was after Thou Shalt Not or Dance of the Vampires. At times I was confused. Theres an awful lot of talent on that stage, with much to like. I loved the costumes and the characterizations and some of the sight gags. All the same, it was disjointed and what I disliked the most was the film projections. Some were abstract, many were just shapes or paint-strokes and sometimes I had no idea what they were. I had first row mezz. I did worry however when the director came out beforehand with his little speach requesting we be kind. It was only the 2nd time the cast went completely through the show. If he wasn't so good looking and charasmatic, I would've countered with the full price cost I paid for an untried product. My mistake...but it seems misguided-much like last years HAPPINESS. The production just seemed completely over produced.

Can't recommend this one. Sad.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:47pm

At least the director is acknowledging there are problems. If he knows there a problems I am sure he will do everything he can to fix them. It is only the second preview...

[MissAnneThrop]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:49pm

can someone post the cast/character list and who sings what. thanks.

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 9:03pm

It's amazing me how much more positive ATC continues to be with this show.

http://talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=1907064

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 9:11pm

Yeah, seriously.

Could it be possible that expectations were just too high from us BWWers?

I really find it hard to believe that the composer/lyricist & book-writer team who created one of the funniest shows I've personally ever seen (DRS) couldn't find laughs here. Is it really THAT devoid of laughs?


Regardless, I'm still really, really anxious to see it.

[Chuck Lawrence]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 9:17pm

THEATER QUEENS ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN

a new NYMF entry?

I"m new to the board, enjoying the witty repartee :)
Sounds like work must be done, let the professionals do their thing, comes with the territory. I also bemoan the loss of "low priced previews" - it's a sad comment on today's commercial reality. Attending next Saturday, will be interesting.

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 9:19pm

VERGE'S preview prices ARE technically cheaper than their post-opening prices...

Detailed Pricing Information
Orchestra: $116.50
Mezzanine Rows A-F: $116.50
Mezzanine Rows G-H: $81.50
Balcony Rows A-D: $51.50
Balcony Rows E-F: $36.50

For performances beginning November 4:
Orchestra: $126.50
Mezzanine Rows A-F: $126.50
Mezzanine Rows G-H: $91.50
Balcony Rows A-D: $51.50
Balcony Rows E-F: $36.50

[dshnookie]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 9:21pm

For those of you salivating for some gazpacho...

(No, I didnt take this myself.)

[bwayphreak234]

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

^THANK YOU FOR THE PICTURE!

[kyle4]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 9:33pm

i feel bad for patti.

the director wandered out onto the stage. he looked disoriented. he was basically apologizing for what we were about to see. he seemed nervous and he said that everyone involved was very tired.

why was i told this? i bought a preview ticket. i came to see a preview. why are you telling me you are tired? things may go wrong... uh huh... i am an adult. no need to coddle me before the show starts. i made the decision to be here. start the show...

i have seen the movie tons of times. i LOVE the movie. thank god i saw it because... it is hard to understand ANYTHING that is going on... for a myriad of reasons...

a) there is an answering machine involved... it is a MAJOR plot point... anything said on it is muffled....

b) everyones' "spanish accent" is different... sometimes it is not even a spanish accent, sometimes there is no accent... sometimes the accent comes and goes from the same character, the accents or lack thereof are distracting and off... REALLY OFF...

c) the set makes the craziest noises... but i mean super crazy... for instance, a tiny television is rolled across the WHOLE stage at one point... it sounds like someone took a broken supermarket cart and flung it onto the stage...

i feel bad for patti.

now, i am aware that a lot of the tech stuff will eventually smooth out.... but, the set is pretty sad and often cluttered and just "eh"... pedro's movie is clean and bold and sleek... i was excited to see this presented on stage... i imagined that the set designer would have a field day using almodovar's signature colors to create some hot spaces and locations.... this is never the case... the set is wooden (literally) and clunky... there are tons of unnecessary, unstylish props... everything looked kinda cheap... not chic.... there were conveyor belts and various projections, but it all looked cluttered and not well thought out...

the taxi is soooo sad.... so so sad... it makes you want to cringe... it moves slow and it is just not innovative or interesting... there is no fun or intensity when the taxi is involved.. you just pray that she gets out of it sooner than later... then more conveyor belts... then more people pacing around... it evokes nothing... there is nothing fun, retro or spanish about anything going on...

in the movie, pepa's penthouse is so much fun to look at... you just want to be there... the penthouse in this show is just... well... drab. more flatness and dreariness...

i feel bad for patti.

ok, i will now share random things that occurred...

1) at one point, pepa accidentally sets her bed on fire... now, keep in mind, the director came out before the show started and told us that there may be mishaps... thank god i knew about the "bed fire"... most people in the audience did not... when the bed went on fire, it frightened people... not to mention, it did nothing dramatic to further the scene... sherie just sang in front of a fire... a plain ol' fire... in the middle of the stage... smoke and kerosene smell filled the theater and remained so for the rest of act 1...

2) four of the principals end act 2 hanging on wires... yes, patti lupone, for no discernible reason, is in a harness and hanging before you... it is odd, meaningless and seemingly uncomfortable for all involved... they are singing the "fun" song we all heard in the 60 second commercial... the full song is not melodic, fun, tuneful or anything... you pray for it to end and that nobody falls... i'd be okay with them hanging, if it made any sense...

i feel bad for patti.

3) the ivan character literally sings a song called BLAH BLAH BLAH... if it is not actually called that, it should be because he repeats BLAH BLAH BLAH over and over... it is pathetic and sad and embarrassing... in the movie, ivan is not "blah blah blah", his tone and reputation is anything but...

this "forum message" is already too long, so i cannot write more examples... there are so many... it is really really upsettingly bad...

now for our wonderful and talented actors... how i feel for these people...

scott -- her pepa is serious, boring, unstylish... her songs slow down ANY momentum that is EVER gained... they have such a hard time getting any momentum, but pepa is ALWAYS on hand to sing a song and stop it... if she doesn't do it by song, she hails that damn taxi...

benanti -- she is the ghost of what the show could have been... her energy and demeanor captures the essence of the movie... i have no idea how she was able to find that amidst the rubble... but god bless her ability to shine in the quarry...

mitchell -- a role that never should have been, it was his second performance and he looked "over it"... i feel bad for him having to sing BLAH BLAH BLAH every night...

guarini --- well, he suits the production

ok, i am depleted... i can't type anymore... i shared what i could... i need another shower...

oh...

and patti...

act 2 opens and the taxi driver (who is now channeling the "piragua guy" from IN THE HEIGHTS) is singing a pointless, horrible song as the women hang above him in their harnesses... patti is licking a pink smiley face lollipop...?????????!!!!!!!! i felt a connection with this woman at this moment... i wanted to yell -- I AM SO SORRY PATTI!!!!! and i KNOW she would have understood and appreciated my sentiment!! i am horrified to think of her hanging there licking that lollipop... i did not yell out to her... i left the theater for fear i would do it involuntarily... as i approached the door, an usher tried to redirect me to a restroom... i explained i just needed to leave...

i feel SO bad for patti!

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 9:36pm

^ Thanks for spoiler warnings! You should really invest in some capital letters.

[dshnookie]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 9:40pm

kyle4, thanks for the LOLs! haha