Who's Going to Whoopi's First?- Page 2

[bschneid76]

Posted: 7/29/08 at 10:18pm

I went to the performance this evening and Whoopi was great fun. Still learning the part, as she had some note cards on stage. I was sitting onstage (my first time) and we were in the "Popcorn" seats and Andre went on for Mary and was fabulous. It was a great time, and I am glad I went to see it.

Whoopi at one point during "Evil Woman" started to sing ala Carol Channing it was hysterical.

[twitchy+bitchy+manic]

Posted: 7/29/08 at 10:36pm

I just saw it today, was onstage seating, it was great fun! Whoopi was fun, she didn't know the choreographjy though, and andre kept on helping her through it during the dances. :P Winston, if you were onstage aswell, who were you?

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 7/29/08 at 10:36pm

JUST BACK FROM WHOOPI'S FIRST!!!

as per miss pennywise...

"*************SPOILER ALERT***************"
"*************SPOILER ALERT***************"
"*************SPOILER ALERT***************"

The "Power Point" review, from the "Suddenly" seats...

* "Oh hey!" got huge applause, at least 30 seconds - I think audiences for the next six weeks are going to be in an amazing mood.
* In the audience, Eric Benet and Caroline Rhea.
* Andre on as Melpomene, Marty on as Terspiscore, making Broadway debut tonight as Featured Skater was Jacon ben Widmar. Curtis back as Thalia full-time.
* The Playbill has Whoopi above Kerry and Cheyenne.
* I'm Alive: Huge applause to Whoopi's introduction; Whoopi has the last line in the "role call". First time we notice that Andre is not only covering for Mary, but also doing some major hand-holding for Whoopi, who does not have any of the choreography down (almost clothes-lining Kenita at one point).
* Kerry/Andre dialogue: Andre has a hysterical reaction to "My old, old and potentially senile sister." that actually stops the show cold with laughter, and Kerry has to re-start her line.
* Evil Woman: Probably the crowning moment of the evening. Andre and Whoopi are clearly having a ball working off each other in the dialogue. "He my baby daddy!" gets probably the biggest laugh of the night (bravo Andre!), followed closely by Whoopi's reply to the daughters' names: "See, that's why they think black people can't name their babies!" I can see Kerry offstage right doubling over in laughter, and hear the ensemble behind me cracking up.
* Whenever You're Away From Me: Just mentioning because it was great to have Curtis back doing his tap solo, which got loud and extended applause. Also, the "nickel bag" line introduced recently has stuck around, though it didn't get a good a laugh without Curtis as Sonny to receive it.
* Don't Walk Away: the clarinet doesn't break properly and cast has to try and pick up the pieces for the next five minutes; I stop watching to look for metal pieces like there's anything I can about it (stage manager in me); otherwise, Cheyenne rocks the song as only he can.

Whoopi is doing alright. Not landing the jokes very strongly, and the normal Jackie ad-lib moment did not go over well. Then we hit...Whoopi as Aphrodite. Here's where we realize she should've had a lot more rehearsal then she did. Why you ask? Well, first, there's the index cards. They first pop out when she does the Aphrodite monologue, and it's actually kind of funny. When you see she has to read off the cards for the rest of the show, it becomes distracting, and all her jokes fall flat. But the cast does a tremondous job picking up the slack, and the audience doesn't really care, and we're having fun watching her enjoy herself. It's Whoopi and you know she'll get into the swing of things in a couple of days with a bit of on-the-job training.

But I do want to give a special nod to the cast for not only putting on an amazing performance, but also being able to do so while looking for metal debris on the stage and also having to guide Whoopi around the stage.

And a special MVP to Andre for being able to make us actually say "Mary who?" If you get to see Andre this week for Mary, you will be in for a major treat.

Updated On: 7/29/08 at 10:36 PM

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 7/29/08 at 10:48pm

Taboo, maybe you could go back and put "SPOILERS" at the top of your post for anyone who hasn't seen it yet.

Oddly enough, when I got home today, my husband had a "surprise" for me: he got me a copy of the movie, which I have never seen all the way through, just clips. So now all this crazy XANADU talk has me watching it!

[BNN]

Posted: 7/29/08 at 10:52pm

Well it sounds like she's on her way, I am going on Aug. 14th and can't wait to see the show again! (3rd time!, even though the first and second time were already charms)

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 7/29/08 at 11:05pm

miss pennywise, as you wish!

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 7/29/08 at 11:13pm

Taboo, I hope any of the "old" posters here who haven't seen the show yet can see your subtle, innocuous, hardly discernible spoiler alert as opposed to a huge, easy-to-read "*************SPOILER ALERT***************"!

P.S. Thanks for your "review." I can't wait to see it again this coming weekend!

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 7/29/08 at 11:15pm

I'm so bummed that I won't get to see her in this! Anyone think it's possible that she'll be at the flea market?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/29/08 at 11:25pm

So Mary comes back 08/05?

I am definitely going to catch it with Andre in it...and want to make sure I'll see him.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 7/29/08 at 11:36pm

ok, missy p, hope the new edit works out for ya!

also, just remembered, Cheyenne didn't change into his finale shorts tonight, he stayed in his cutoffs

who else was onstage tonight? i was downstage left in the pink shirt.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 7/29/08 at 11:48pm

Aww, Taboo, you are so sweet. On behalf of all the "old" posters, I thank you.

My son is dying to sit on stage for XANADU but I don't think they allow six-year-olds on stage!

[skb2010]

Posted: 7/29/08 at 11:49pm

Thats too bad for him.

Bribe the ushers. (Can you even do that?)

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 7/29/08 at 11:55pm

"Patrons must be at least 10 years old."

Just read this about on-stage seating. He definitely does not look "ten."

But I perfectly understand why they restrict children from being on stage.

[skb2010]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 12:14am

Yeah. I understand as well. Just wait 4 years... =/

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 12:18am

We're watching the movie XANADU with Olivia Newton-John and Michael Beck. My son just paused the movie with the remote, turned to me and said, "This movie is giving me a head-egg!"

[mormonophobic]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 12:20am

Saw her performance tonight and was wowed. She's still getting into the swing of things but handling it fine. Her line delivery at certain parts (esp. anything with Andre) was fantastic. Even reading off the cards she was still funny as Aphrodite (esp. with Andre's line about double-casting). And at the stage door, it took FOREVER (they were drinking champagne) but they ALL came out eventually. I got to meet Cheyenne, Andre, Kerry, Whoopi(!!), and all the others. It made the night such a treat for me. And I'm onstage tomorrow. Any suggestions on where to sit considering the fact that Whoopi isn't doing mat?

Oh and on a related age-onstage note, I went to Spring Awakening last night onstage and there was an 8-year-old in front of me. The ENTIRE show he just looked so uncomfortable and kept shifting in his seat and looking around. It was then that I realized why there's guidelines.

But yeah, great show and awesome to see Butler and Jackson back together. Such a treat and I can't wait til tomorrow!!

[skb2010]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 12:24am

Hah. Thats cute MissP.

A bit off topic, but how's norn?

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 12:29am

Morm, excuse me, but who would even take an 8-year-old to Spring Awakening, no matter where they sat?

Since I'm off-topic already, I'll answer you, skb. I posted a couple of photos on the OT Board I took of Norn last week in North Carolina. He looks GREAT!

Updated On: 7/30/08 at 12:29 AM

[skb2010]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 12:48am

I shall have to look. Thanks =]

Really. Did they even look at the description of the show before buying a ticket for a 2nd grader?

[enteng2]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 1:05am

OMFG, HILARIOUS!

I was there, and it was all the way crazy! Cheyenne's back, Mary Testa is on leave.

I really love the part when Whoppi took out her cue-cards/cue scripts and started reading her line (she still doesn't memorize the whole show) but still funny and hilarious. it seems it was part of her skit and the whole show.

she was so great at stage door! all of them went out and signed.

---------

the rush tickets - not much - i tagged along 3 friends with me and we got 5 tickets!

[mormonophobic]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 1:24am

I know! I personally would not feel comfortable bringing an 8-year-old to Spring Awakening whatsoever, much less onstage. And we had the seats stage right where you can see (VERY UP CLOSE) Melchior take out Wendla's breasts and kiss them. That alone made me want to shield the poor boy's eyes. The stageperson who sat us (Bruce) even asked his parents if he would be ok and asked the kid what he thought the show was about. He just said "growing up and stuff". I tried to avoid his shifting eyes and constant confusion throughout the show, but it was difficult.

And on a more on-topic note, since Whoopi won't be there for the matinee, any suggestions on what seats are good for onstage?

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 1:38am

Is Whoopi not doing matinees?

[mormonophobic]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 1:59am

I believe she is only missing Wed. mats. I asked her personally at the stage door (she was so nice and helpful, even though people acted like the freakin' paparazzi "whoopi look over here, over here, whoopi smile!") and she said she forsure will not be there tomorrow at the matinee because of The View. But since it's only a weekday show, I think she does weekend matinees. But again the only think that is definite is that she will not be there tomorrow morning. Grrrrr. Anyone know who is replacing her for tomorrow morning? I'm sooooooo glad I bought two tickets and got to see her tonight now. Ha!

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 2:14am

I'm assuming Annie Golden. Mary & Jackie's understudy.

[amoni]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 4:49am

"It also proves that there really can be a good juke box musical if the creative team takes the right approach to the material."

"Xanadu" is not a juke box musical. It's a stage adaption of a movie musical. 90% of the music in the show was written for movie.