Witches of Eastwick- Signature Theatre- Page 3

[Busterboy]

Posted: 6/17/07 at 9:58pm

Driving up from Charlotte, N.C. in a couple of weeks...can't wait to see. Loved the London Production and Maria Friedman was fantastic in that Production. Kept thinking they would move to Broadway but no deal, so maybe this one will. Bought the CD of the London cast at the theatre that night and play it all the time. Now maybe we will also have a cast CD of the American Production. When will the reviews be out on this Production?

[broadwaybaby221]

Posted: 6/17/07 at 10:40pm

I saw the show on Thursday and Saturday. Thursday I actually had advanced tickets to see it with a friend and had a great time. It's a very fun show and I think it could have a life on Broadway. However, they would have to get the casting just right, which I think is what makes this show so amazing. All of the leads and the ensemble members are very strong in the choices they make and they stick with them.

Now on Saturday I did some ushering, or rather, watching to make sure no one had cameras or anything like that. The house manager was saying that she thought reviews would be out either Monday or Tuesday since they had press coming all this weekend. On Saturday, one of the guys from the post was there so I would assume reviews will be out either tomorrow or Tuesday.

[Eastwickian]

Posted: 6/18/07 at 6:44am

So glad that it appears to be going down well so far. I'll be at the show on the 5th July when hopefully the show will be 'frozen' and all the technical glitches ironed out.

I'd love news of a cast recording and/or Broadway transfer, but am not holding my breath for either at the moment...

[broadwaybaby221]

Posted: 6/18/07 at 10:29am

Two reviews so far. I know the Washington Post was there on Saturday night so I'm assuming they'll have there's up soon. And I don't know how to do the links, sorry!

http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/bal-to.witches18jun18,0,5237195.story?coll=bal-features-headlines --Baltimore Sun

http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/10956 --Theatermania

[broadwaybaby221]

Posted: 6/18/07 at 10:44am

And we now have pictures!

https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=19319

My favorite picture is Jacquelyn Piro Donovan thinking she's on America's Next Top Model.

[morosco]

Posted: 6/18/07 at 10:57am

Nice to see Karlah Hamilton in this production. Karlah was astonishing as Rose in GYPSY in a national tour some years ago. Although she was rather young to play the role she pulled it off brilliantly. Anyone see it?

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 6/18/07 at 11:16am

So glad it is getting some great reviews, here's hoping a Broadway run will happen.

[rapplega]

Posted: 6/18/07 at 5:56pm

Check out the Variety Review: http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=print_review&reviewid=VE1117933932&categoryid=33

and

Arlington Sun Gazette: http://www.sungazette.net/articles/2007/06/18/arts_and_entertainment/arts403.txt

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 6/18/07 at 7:56pm

The reviewers are being less harsh towards it than I expected, which makes me rather happy.

Sure the show is far from perfect (character development is a problem), but it still has many positive aspects, in particular the casting. I would venture to say there are more positive elements in this show than many that have gotten good reviews on Broadway in recent years.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 6/18/07 at 10:21pm

The thing is the show is everything it should be , a great big fun night out, it's not there to change the world or make a statement on anything.

It's whole purpose is to be entertaining, and it does it with wit, charm and a whole lot of fun.

Pity i am on the other side of the world.

[Sylar2]

Posted: 6/18/07 at 10:33pm

What happened to Skinner... man she has BLOWN UP. Wow.

I really would love to get out to see this show. The movie was so quirky that I think I'd enjoy it.

[rapplega]

Posted: 6/18/07 at 11:58pm

And here's the Wash Post review

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/18/AR2007061801744.html?hpid=features1&hpv=local
Updated On: 6/18/07 at 11:58 PM

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 8:28am

Here is the Washington Times review- less positive than the Post but still praises the casting.

http://washingtontimes.com/entertainment/20070618-110853-2209r.htm

Dude, get over Emily's weight. The girl is 10 times more talented in acting and singing than any of the current tiny it girls on Broadway and she handles this role very well.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 9:40am

So glad for these reviews, especially for Kudisch...raves! He does seem absolutely perfect for the role.

I am sad that the score hasnt recieved more praise, I love it, as well as Rowe/Dempsey's The Fix and Zombie Prom.

[broadwaybaby221]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 11:22am

It's a show that you just have to take it for what it is, tons of fun. I came out of that theatre smiling both time I saw it. And honestly, this cast is all it's cracked up to be.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 11:31am

Great...I was worried about Piro as I couldnt stand her as Fantine...she's getting great notices, too...

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 11:52am

The reviews are quite good but not raves, what strikes me as strange is im in the UK and watched the show at drury lane and remember reading the reviews and the reviews for this one are so similar(praise for cast ,didn't like score to much etc)

i loved it though

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 12:24pm

I think the score is fun- a bit clunky and repetitive in parts and not the most inventive, but just fine.

I was not that much of a fan of Piro when I saw it in previews. I found her shrill and nasaly at time, especially when going for the high notes. Sometimes her voice got lost during the ensemble parts, but that could be due to amplification issues which have plagued this theatre since it opened. However, I will chalk up my response to seeing it during previews, the 2nd one at that.

I am seeing it again tomorrow night, so we will see.

[regnad kcin]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 12:48pm

I thought Jacquelyn Piro was in fine voice Saturday night, and her acting was delightful. Some of the tech was still a bit clunky, so that may just be the way it's going to be for the run. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable show, with a very strong cast throughout.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 12:53pm

Piro was a shrill and nasally Fantine, imo, as well...and she couldnt act her way out of that, like Daphne did.

[broadwaybaby221]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 12:54pm

I actually thought that acting wise, Jacquelyn was the strongest of the girls. She may not be the best singer of the bunch but she has the character down.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 12:54pm

My biggest worry for this show is that if the reviews are this similar to the london reviews then maybe the show is destined to never work fully.

[Minnely]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 5:17pm

I have now seen the show three times. I can not understand your comment about Piro Donovan. Did you ever see her Helen Hayes Award winning performance in 110 in the Shade at Signature?? She blew Audra out of the water. She is one of the most under estimated performers in the business. I am delighted that she is getting those reviews...they are WELL deserved. I will say it again...she is still my favorite...even after the third time. I just saw it Sunday night...the ladies were amazing...as is Marc...and the ensemble. They are all flying now...it is so much fun. I think you should go see the show yourself...it is a blast!! The four leads are ALL extremely talented.

[tgrabon]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 5:28pm

I saw the show in London 7 years ago and I liked it. For me the biggest problem with the London production was Ian McShane's impersonating Jack Nicholson. The West End sets and costumes were superb. The three witches were each unique and the actress that played Felicia was a hoot. She had talent to spare.

The Signature production which I saw on Wednesday, June 13th had all 3 witches in flight and a great Darryl van Horne. What it lacked was the great opening number Eatswick Knows, a nice set (I'm sorry but nailing a picket fence upside down, add an oversize moon and puffy metal clouds didn't work for me), decent costumes (the women in the town were dressed in 1940's dresses, the men 1950's, The 3 witches were dressed in contemporary clothes except in the flying scene where they were dressed in medieval costumes ?!....as this intentional?)

The 3 witches were boring. I sort of liked the "tennis" witch. She was slightly sassy. The opening of each scene with Darryl van Horne and the Little Girl was creepy and inappropriate.

Marc Kudisch was stellar as he was in Assassins, The Apple Tree, Bells Are Ringing, etc.

The actress that played Felicia was one dimensional, too old (she had teenage daughter)and her voice was not distinct enough.

The song between the ingénues was painful and their costumes...she was wearing a pale dress with sequins and he was dressed like a farmer/nerd.

If you could take Marc Kudisch and put him the 2000 London production with a few slight changes to the show you would have a decent show. Not a Broadway caliber show. Just a decent, regional show.

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 9:17pm

I don't think Piro's performance in 110 in the Shade has anything to do with the current discussion of her performance at Signature in this show. Two very different roles and scores. I didn't hate her, she just wasn't my favorite at the particular performance I saw.