Who's going to the first preview of STORY OF MY LIFE?- Page 3

[joeybiltmore1]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 12:03pm

I've always thought the opposite, Insider - It always seems to me that those who fork over big bucks for tickets are more inclined to praise a show, thereby legitimizing their purchase, while those with little or no investment in it are the ones more likely to pooh-pooh it.

[Insider2]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 12:25pm

Hmmm...that's a very good point, and it may be true. I just have a feeling that the first previews of this are very heavily papered and many early reviewers are probably associated with the show in some way, even if in a minor way...

Personally, I tend to get very annnoyed when I pay to see a bad show, which is more often than not, unfortunately.


Updated On: 2/4/09 at 12:25 PM

[Steve2]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 12:41pm

"I've always thought the opposite, Insider - It always seems to me that those who fork over big bucks for tickets are more inclined to praise a show, thereby legitimizing their purchase, while those with little or no investment in it are the ones more likely to pooh-pooh it."

I disagree. The more the pay for something the higher my expectations are.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 1:22pm

I had a discounted ticket, but it definitely wasn't a comp.

I don't think I expect more out of a show if I pay more for it. I could have paid the premium seats for Young Frankenstein and not have expected to see brilliance, yet with a discounted ticket to Gypsy I had very high expectations.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 1:47pm

I have a ticket for a week from tomorrow! Can't wait.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 1:49pm

PRFRMR20, and I disagree with just about everything you said.

If you asked anyone on the street what they thought of when they heard the term "Musical" they'd think of dancing choruses and big flashy numbers. That's just a fact.

And if you read my review you would have noticed that I said that they songs came out of the characters and out of the dialogue naturally. I was saying that these characters did indeed need to sing instead of it just being a straight play. And the story isn't slow, it just unravels slowing. I think a lot of people came in and out of it, but by the end most of the audience seemed to enjoy it.

Also, I'm not sure what your criteria is for a successful show on Broadway. Sure "Glory Days" wasn't successful, I don't think anyone can dispute that, and I know "Grey Gardens" didn't make any money, but it's been successful. Because of it's Broadway run, and Tony wins, the show has become a staple in the Regional theater seen for the past couple of months. There are different ways to define success. And I'm in no way connected to this show, and I paid $40 for my ticket, and I enjoyed the show. If you didn't enjoy it, sorry?

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 3:16pm

Wow West Village, way to *completely* misunderstand the point in my post.

There are more posts in this thread about Will's suit and philosophical discussions about what makes a musical than comments on the show. That word of mouth won't sell tickets at any price point.

Updated On: 2/4/09 at 03:16 PM

[Elke]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 4:29pm

Just got back from the matinee (second preview). The show was not as good as I had imagined... it was 100 times better. A true delight that moved me to tears, with spectacular performances by Chase and Gets. I wish this show a very long life (no pun intended).

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 5:39pm

P.S. frontrowcentre, I can't speak for Eugene but I found your comment to be completely false...

What was false? I stated an opinion. How can an opinion be false??

...there are many "smaller" shows (as I anticipate this one will) that just don't attract me because when the story and/or characters are so specific or the story is told at a snails pace I don't CARE about the story and/or characters...

From this and some of your previous posts it does sound as if you have made up your mind up about this show.

Pacing is crucial to the success of any production. Most shows establish a rhythm early on. Some begin slowly and gain momentum as the story unravels, others are more deliberately paced. A farce has to be played much faster and tighter than an O'Neill drama.

Traditional musical comedies benefit from tight pacing but I saw a production of GUYS AND DOLLS a few years ago that rushed everything and never gave the viewers a chance to breathe. The opposite happens often in community stagings where the pacing is deadly slow, to the point of interrupting the flow of the piece.

Intimate shows tend to seem slow at first because they are establishing a world on stage and they want us to come into that world. Whether you feel it worth going is your opinion.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 6:28pm

I have not seen the show yet, but I really like what I've heard so far. I really would like it do it well. Does anyone have a full synopsis of the show?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 6:44pm

I'm seeing it in approximately 2 weeks. I'm quite looking forward to it. No matter what the reviews may be, I try to keep an open mind. (Trying VERY hard to do that before seeing Hedda Gabler.)

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 8:29pm

Just wanted to put my 2 cents in - I've seen the show 2.5 times now (the 45 minute presentation at NAMT, at Goodspeed and on Broadway), and while I believe it's an admirable piece of work, I just don't think there's enough in the basic premise to sustain a 90 minute show. It worked best at NAMT, with half of the songs and two actors at music stands. There will be plenty of people who love this show, and for good reason, but it's simply not... enjoyable.

It will, however, be a fantastic cast album, which is likely to catch on in future years a la The Last 5 Years.

[Actor 7]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 10:31pm

Let's face it, all opinions are valid when viewing this show. Of the few video clips I've seen, a few of the sound bites of the music that I've heard and the comments from several friends who have nothing to do with this show, but reacted very favorably to it, I am drawn to it. We are going to love some shows and we are not going to like other shows. I do think this show deserves a place on Broadway. The Booth Theatre is just the right size for a small scale musical like THE STORY OF MY LIFE and there is absolutely a place on Broadway for a new work like this one. I hope it succeeds and I wish people who have not had the opportunity to see it yet would reserve their opinion, keep an open mind and allow yourself to experience it as it unfolds. Personally, I can't wait to see it and look forward to the night when I can take my seat at the Booth Theatre.

[Actor 7]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 10:31pm

Let's face it, all opinions are valid when viewing this show. Of the few video clips I've seen, a few of the sound bites of the music that I've heard and the comments from several friends who have nothing to do with this show, but reacted very favorably to it, I am drawn to it. We are going to love some shows and we are not going to like other shows. I do think this show deserves a place on Broadway. The Booth Theatre is just the right size for a small scale musical like THE STORY OF MY LIFE and there is absolutely a place on Broadway for a new work like this one. I hope it succeeds and I wish people who have not had the opportunity to see it yet would reserve their opinion, keep an open mind and allow yourself to experience it as it unfolds. Personally, I can't wait to see it and look forward to the night when I can take my seat at the Booth Theatre.
Updated On: 2/4/09 at 10:31 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 10:36pm

You're coming across really shilly Actor7.

[Actor 7]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 10:44pm

The double posting of the last thread was not intentional. I will try not to repeat my error. Sorry.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 10:53pm

Lol accidently posting a response twice is fine, we are all human, but that doesn't make what you talk about come across as a big shill

[lstbutifulgrl2]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 12:02am

Okay I'll try to write why I love this show so much. And my tickets were not comped, I paid full price for my tickets for first preview.

I have loved this show since I saw it at Goodspeed. Yes, the reason I saw it at Goodspeed was because of Will Chase. The reason I went back to Goodspeed a few times, was not. For me this show is about the story. It touched something in me regarding the friendships in my life. I lost a friend last year way too soon, so the overall theme of the show hit me on an emotional level. Some may say the metaphors in this show are trite, and I agree that it has some flaws (i feel it starts slow, etc), but I know that each time I have seen it, I walk out with a smile on my face.

I agree with what Will has said about this show, that it makes you want to connect with your friends and family. It has done that for me.

I know that's not much of a review, but it's why I like it.

[Actor 7]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 12:19am

I enjoyed reading and appreciated the Istbutifulgrl2 review of THE STORY OF MY LIFE. The many friends I know who saw it at Goodspeed said very similar things about this new musical. Not only the importance of connecting with friends and family but the brief time we have on this planet makes it necessary that we value those people who have made our journey easier and more enjoyable. Let's face it, life can be beautiful and it can be difficult but good friends make it easier to navigate and explore its' meaning. Most people I know said the music is so well integrated into the story that you come away feeling good. That in itself makes me want to see it. Thank you for a very thoughtful and insightful review.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 12:24am

I've thought Actor 7 has been a shill all along.

Whatever.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 12:42am

I'd thought I'd pipe in my own opinion of the first preview. I had discounted tickets, but they were not comped. I have fallen in love with this show. It's not trying to be something it's not - it is a simple story about two friends, life, and human emotions. I was captivated the entire time and I connected the story line with my own friendships. I liked the idea of a minimal set and costumes so that the focus was more on the characters and the music. By the end, I was in tears.

I do have to say that the music felt like it was inspired by Sunday in the Park With George - glad I wasn't the only one who felt that way.

This isn't very much of a review and I completely respect everyone's view of the show whether they liked it or not.

I was inspired and I'm extremely happy to see that this tiny show was able to open on Broadway. I hope it finds its audience.

But hey, what do I know? I enjoyed Billy Elliot very much, but I didn't think it was as good as everyone says it is. =P

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 10:57am

A friend of mine saw it last night and called me this morning raving about it. Another friend, who is known for bailing at intermission or just walking out if there isn't one, was with him and also fell in love with the show.

[Actor 7]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 4:42pm

Although I found it disingenuous but also somewhat amusing, that some posters have felt it important to call me a shill because I have shown strong interest and enthusiasm for new musicals in their preview stages, I am sorry to disappoint you but I am just a person who very much loves the life force that the theatre has provided for me during my life. I am not an insider working for a producer or trying to promote someone else's interests. Just a theatre goer, and a (sometimes working) professional actor. Sorry to disappoint you. As you are entitled to your opinion, so am I entitled to express my opinion about specific reactions that either I or my friends have expressed in regard to new works or existing or revival works that are on or off Broadway or in regional theatre. So, I will therefore continue to ask questions and express my own insight on a variety of topics related to theatre. "The play's The Thing." Nothing more.

[Insider2]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 5:45pm

Doesn't help your case that your join date was less than a month ago. That is usually a sign of shillery when raves begin the instant the curtain rises...

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 10:43pm

Give it up, actor7. Next you'll be telling us how "you've heard from friends" that audiences have been loving the show so much that they leap to their feet at curtain call and run out to the box office to buy full price tickets for future performances because the show's THAT GOOD. Or so you've heard.