#26
Posted: 8/1/14 at 2:12am
This does seem like a rather great production for Roundabout to grab onto.
What are the chances of THE VISIT transferring? — Page 2
#27
Posted: 8/1/14 at 9:25am
Chita is doing good work. I hate to day it but she gets overshadowed a bit at times. You see how much Doyle's direction has shaped the production. The decision to have the "ghosts" of their younger selfs on stage for the entire show is effective but sometimes they seem to have little to do other than sit there. Overall I think it is a fine piece of work.
#28
Posted: 8/1/14 at 10:31am
I would love to see this production, as I have never seen/heard any of Kander and Ebb's score.
I was able to catch the Austrian production that opened earlier this year starring Pia Douwes and Uwe Kroger. I know it's not the Kander and Ebb score, but the story was terribly fun!
Hopefully I can head up to Williamstown so that I can see Chita, Judy Kuhn, and company!!
(If I do, I'll give a little review on the differences between the two ways of telling the same story!)
I was able to catch the Austrian production that opened earlier this year starring Pia Douwes and Uwe Kroger. I know it's not the Kander and Ebb score, but the story was terribly fun!
Hopefully I can head up to Williamstown so that I can see Chita, Judy Kuhn, and company!!
(If I do, I'll give a little review on the differences between the two ways of telling the same story!)
#29
Posted: 8/1/14 at 9:00pm
There are some mixed (but very early) comments about the first performance on ATC.
http://www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=2226310
I like this post because it describes the experience I would *like*/*hope* to have with the show (of which I know almost nothing about):
Wow. Guess I disagree about The Visit. Was sort of blown away by the whole experience. I really did not have much interest in seeing the evening perf. Of The Visit and was actually pretty shattered by it. Totally expected nothing. Always struck as a bad idea for a musical but I found it absolutely thrilling. Also, I have to disagree about the characters. I thought the book overall was a very intelligent study in economy and clarity. I can see why u may have felt that the characters lacked dimension. But I thought they were very sharply, though, again economically drawn. Loved the score and many of lyrics. The comedy moments fall flat but this was the first night with an audience.
I went with 3 friends one of whom is a huge Chita fan. We went for the incredible Fool For Love and she pretty much convinced us to see The Visit. She going to love it regardless. But all of us were crying at the end. I don't know...this may be one of those polarizing shows. Personally I was completely taken by it. Heartbreaking and disturbing but at the same time not depressing. It is certainly a weird one. Also, we have been talking about it all the way back to New York. It really had an impact on us. Of course, I also thought Realistic Jones was extraordinary. So maybe I just go for the offbeat.
One thing for sure...Chita Rivera is simply astounding. If this comes to Broadway she is going to get another Tony. Is it commercial? Who knows. I did not think ONCE was commercial but we know how that story has gone. At any rate, it is going to be fascinating to watch how The Visit plays out. We almost stayed to see it again tonight. But one night broke the budget as it is. Anyway, I am definitely now pulling for The Visit.
http://www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=2226310
I like this post because it describes the experience I would *like*/*hope* to have with the show (of which I know almost nothing about):
Wow. Guess I disagree about The Visit. Was sort of blown away by the whole experience. I really did not have much interest in seeing the evening perf. Of The Visit and was actually pretty shattered by it. Totally expected nothing. Always struck as a bad idea for a musical but I found it absolutely thrilling. Also, I have to disagree about the characters. I thought the book overall was a very intelligent study in economy and clarity. I can see why u may have felt that the characters lacked dimension. But I thought they were very sharply, though, again economically drawn. Loved the score and many of lyrics. The comedy moments fall flat but this was the first night with an audience.
I went with 3 friends one of whom is a huge Chita fan. We went for the incredible Fool For Love and she pretty much convinced us to see The Visit. She going to love it regardless. But all of us were crying at the end. I don't know...this may be one of those polarizing shows. Personally I was completely taken by it. Heartbreaking and disturbing but at the same time not depressing. It is certainly a weird one. Also, we have been talking about it all the way back to New York. It really had an impact on us. Of course, I also thought Realistic Jones was extraordinary. So maybe I just go for the offbeat.
One thing for sure...Chita Rivera is simply astounding. If this comes to Broadway she is going to get another Tony. Is it commercial? Who knows. I did not think ONCE was commercial but we know how that story has gone. At any rate, it is going to be fascinating to watch how The Visit plays out. We almost stayed to see it again tonight. But one night broke the budget as it is. Anyway, I am definitely now pulling for The Visit.
Give me claws and a hunch, just away from this bunch.
Updated On: 8/1/14 at 09:00 PM
#30
Posted: 8/1/14 at 9:14pm
It's a polarizing show for sure, qolbinau, but this person's reaction is that same one I had at Signature and again in 2011 at the benefit. I'm looking forward to this new version and I really hope it moves so people can see it and make up their own minds.
#31
Posted: 8/1/14 at 11:46pm
I saw the first performance at Williamstown this week and it was a very interesting show. I really enjoyed the score and the performances by the cast were wonderful.
The production is just really beautiful and I'd love to see it Off-Broadway or something. Not sure it would work on Broadway. It's extremely dark.
The production is just really beautiful and I'd love to see it Off-Broadway or something. Not sure it would work on Broadway. It's extremely dark.
#32
Posted: 8/1/14 at 11:50pm
Since Roundabouts season is full, could MTC pick this up? Do they ever put on musicals or is it only plays? They do not have a show in spring for the Friedman yet.
#33
Posted: 8/2/14 at 1:08am
gstrus2, The only musical that I can think of that MTC did was LOVEMUSIK, which was a special circumstance, though I could see MTC producing this, as they don't really have a tenant for the spring, though CONSTELLATIONS has no set closing date. Also, Roundabout's season isn't necessarily full. If CABARET doesn't extend again, THE VISIT could transfer to Studio 54, or it could be the fall tenant at LCT
Anything regarding shows stated by this account is an attempt to convey opinion and not fact.
#34
Posted: 8/2/14 at 1:21am
"I believe Chita got the flu during the winter DROOD was running. I don't think those absences were due to old age and lack of stamina. She's also in her early 80s and if Alan Cumming can't perform with the flu, Chita Rivera surely can't and shouldn't be."
jv92 is right, kad. Chita was stricken with the flu during Drood. I imagine her age may well have factored into her recovery process, but she is a very vital eighty-something. She did miss a lot of performances, but they were all clustered around that illness.
jv92 is right, kad. Chita was stricken with the flu during Drood. I imagine her age may well have factored into her recovery process, but she is a very vital eighty-something. She did miss a lot of performances, but they were all clustered around that illness.
#35
Posted: 8/2/14 at 8:37pm
I finally got to see the show, and I thought it was one of the most chilling nights I've ever had at the theatre. Dark just doesn't cut it for this show. It made the Lincoln Center production of MACBETH look like ANYTHING GOES, and it was bleak and almost hopelesss However, that does not mean that the show was bad by any stretch of the imagination. Featuring really great music and a knockout performance by Chita Rivera, I believe that this show could have life on Broadway if people embraced it for what it is.
Anything regarding shows stated by this account is an attempt to convey opinion and not fact.
#36
Posted: 8/3/14 at 1:23am
Thanks for the review mohnson2, I love bleak and hopeless.
Can you recall/describe the best Chita moments/songs?
Can you recall/describe the best Chita moments/songs?
Give me claws and a hunch, just away from this bunch.
#37
Posted: 8/3/14 at 1:52am
The reviews should be out tomorrow or Monday. Will be interesting!
Updated On: 8/3/14 at 01:52 AM
#38
Posted: 8/3/14 at 1:59pm
first review and production photos here: http://berkshireonstage.com/2014/08/03/the-visit-with-chita-rivera-gets-an-epic-production-at-williamstown-theatre-festival/
Updated On: 8/3/14 at 01:59 PM
#39
Posted: 8/3/14 at 2:08pm
qolbinau, because the show is so far away from Broadway, I don't want to spoil anything, but Chita's best moments were anytime that she started dancing (because it seemed to fit so naturally into the piece, even though it isn't a dancing show. Plus at 81, watching Chita dance is like watching a small miracle) and also there is a moment where she is trying to convince the town to do something horrible (no spoilers) and it is a remarkable bit of acting on her part and an incredibly stressful moment in the show itself.
Also, I would like to say that the show is around 105 minutes and I think the one act works very well, as the tension rises so steadily and intricately that an intermission might ruin things. Also, this production isn't exactly small, as there are probably around 20 people in it and it has a large orchestra (which sounds delightful).
Also, I would like to say that the show is around 105 minutes and I think the one act works very well, as the tension rises so steadily and intricately that an intermission might ruin things. Also, this production isn't exactly small, as there are probably around 20 people in it and it has a large orchestra (which sounds delightful).
Anything regarding shows stated by this account is an attempt to convey opinion and not fact.
#40
Posted: 8/3/14 at 2:10pm
Chita looks great! They say that she does some minor dancing. Didn't she have a full dance number in earlier versions?
#41
Posted: 8/3/14 at 6:11pm
Loving the set
Give me claws and a hunch, just away from this bunch.
#42
Posted: 8/3/14 at 6:49pm
I sat 2nd row and can say that the set design is gorgeous. Also, the direction by Doyle, using a coffin as a set piece in many scenes, using the suitcases in various ways, the contrast of the colors in the costumes, is very erie and affecting.
#43
Posted: 8/3/14 at 6:54pm
Yes, some bitter posters on ATC were complaining that Doyle was 'up to his old tricks" RE: the coffin (because of Sweeney). However, (assuming this information is correct), the idea of Chita's character bringing a coffin along with her to the Town and given we actually know who it is meant to be for, it is very erie/chilling.
Give me claws and a hunch, just away from this bunch.
#44
Posted: 8/3/14 at 7:14pm
If it does not plan on transferring to Broadway, I think it would be a fantastic candidate for a run at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. I don't believe they filled the vacancy HEARTBEAT OF HOME left in their season, and this would be a really great candidate to buff up a season where the only highlights are CINDERELLA and MATILDA. I know West Coast audiences would love to see Chita!
"I saw Pavarotti play Rodolfo on stage and with his girth I thought he was about to eat the whole table at the Cafe Momus." - Dollypop
#45
Posted: 8/3/14 at 7:25pm
#46
Posted: 8/3/14 at 7:30pm
Talkin Broadway (regional) is a Rave.
http://www.talkinbroadway.com/regional/ct/ct269.html
Williamstown Theatre Festival's new, fascinating and successful rendering of The Visit, running through August 17th, benefits from rethinking the musical as well as classic performance.
Chita Rivera, on the other side of 80, lives up, and this understates the case, to her status as a legend. She has total command of this play and the house the instant she appears on stage.
http://www.talkinbroadway.com/regional/ct/ct269.html
Williamstown Theatre Festival's new, fascinating and successful rendering of The Visit, running through August 17th, benefits from rethinking the musical as well as classic performance.
Chita Rivera, on the other side of 80, lives up, and this understates the case, to her status as a legend. She has total command of this play and the house the instant she appears on stage.
#47
Posted: 8/3/14 at 7:39pm
The team of John Kander (music) and Fred Ebb (lyrics) collaborated to provide a score which is operatic and singular. These men wrote the theme for the film, New York, New York and contributed music and lyrics for Cabaret, Chicago, and many more shows. Kander and Ebb have interfaced with Chita Rivera previously, too. - Talkin Broadway
Doesn't "contributed music and lyrics" make it sound as if Kander and Ebb only provided small amounts of work to those mentioned shows? And what does operatic and "singular" mean? And I think "interface" is an odd choice of words.
That's all. I have a huge headache.
Doesn't "contributed music and lyrics" make it sound as if Kander and Ebb only provided small amounts of work to those mentioned shows? And what does operatic and "singular" mean? And I think "interface" is an odd choice of words.
That's all. I have a huge headache.
#48
Posted: 8/4/14 at 2:25pm
Variety is Mixed... to positive?
http://variety.com/2014/legit/reviews/theater-review-the-visit-chita-rivera-williamstown-1201274930/
http://variety.com/2014/legit/reviews/theater-review-the-visit-chita-rivera-williamstown-1201274930/
#49
Posted: 8/4/14 at 3:54pm
also mixed-to-positive from The Courant
http://www.courant.com/entertainment/arts/curtain/hc-review-visit-0805-20140805,0,395392.story?track=rss
http://www.courant.com/entertainment/arts/curtain/hc-review-visit-0805-20140805,0,395392.story?track=rss
#50
Posted: 8/4/14 at 4:04pm
oddly enough, that is the same reviewer as Variety.
Tickets From $59
Tickets From $71
Tickets From $71
Tickets From $95