Woman in White

[folydcollinsfan83]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 8:52pm

Anyone have any info on this show? Haven't seen too much press ... is it gonna be good?

[jo]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 9:07pm

They haven't made any formal cast announcements. Maybe it is in keeping with the "mysterious secret" theme of the show

Seriously, I have seen the show twice in London and am planning to see it again on Broadway. I like the show very much - the period Victorian drama for a book, a quietly ravishing musical score by Andrew Lloyd Webber ( haunting, poignant, introspective, soaring...), innovative staging with its computerized images for background scenes ( Cool!), great acting and excellent singing opportunities for its cast!

It is going to be different from current genres - not musical comedy ( although the character and scenes with the infamous Count Fosco will certainly provide that), certainly not long on spectacles as it focuses much more on the storyline ( although it uses very effective high-tech images for its sets - they do move the story at a fast clip) - it is an adult musical of mayhem and murder in Victorian times, with wonderful music to set the mood and provide the most effective way of telling the story. Some memorable romantic and haunting songs and one particularly humorous stowstopper ... Very appealing, especially if you like serious and romantic musical theatre fare!

Jo

[Elphie]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 10:46pm

Isnt Michael Ball going to be in it?

[Thenardier]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 10:47pm

I cannot wait!

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 11:11pm

Ive heard they arent previewing in chicago now, im really mad, i wanted to see it!

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 11:27pm

I cannot wait to see this show. I absolutely love Wilkie Collins' novel on which the musical is based; it's a fantastic story. Hopefully it transfers well to the stage! I'm sometimes diappointed when novels are adapted for film/stage and lose something in the transition, so I hope that doesn't happen with this show. From what I've heard about the London run, it's actually worked really well.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 11:30pm

It's a great show, great storie. Speaking of Wilkie, I ahve to read Mark Twain's Literary Offenses, anyone read it? How is it?

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 11:31pm

The score is incredible except ive been told they chaged the ending a few times. I love the ending on the cast recording but if there are others that did bettter than I hope i see them. I cant wait for this show. When is it set to open? Im going to NY for spring break so perhaps I will be able to see it. I want to see Michael Ball and Ruthie Henshall!

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 11:39pm

It opens on November 17th (previews begin October 28th).

[way_to_spend_the_day]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 12:42am

Hmmmmm.....maybe I need to relisten to the cast recording, but I hated it. When I listened to it, I really didn't think it would make it to Broadway if it hadn't been written by ALW.

Posted: 8/26/05 at 1:03am

I've only listened to the cast recording, but I think that the score and the story grows on you. I would see it in a heartbeat if Michael Ball played Fosco! :)

~Rosalynn

[AnotherDay46]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 2:56am

I LOVE this show. I cannot wait for it to open on broadway. I saw it in London and loved it. ^___^ And the music does grow on you.

[jo]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 5:37am

Isn't today the last day for the AMEX ( Green is good enough, no need for Gold) pre-sale promotion for the show? Then it's September 10 for the regular sale of tickets.

[kyle33nyc]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 8:23am

I saw this show two weeks ago in London, and I couldn't wait for it to end. Actors screaming their ballads, a convoluted plot, and of course, songs repeated over and over in case you missed the point the first time.

I will say that Ruthie Henshall was great as the lead, and the use of projections as a set was unique and different. I think many in the audience will get motion sickness from the rapid panning and swooping in and out of different scenes.

I imagine that many folks reading this post are ALW fans, so take heart that if you liked Phantom and Cats you'll probably disagree with my opinions. I like Evita and Song and Dance, but his mega musicals leave me cold.

[jo]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 9:28am

I think if there's any similarity with PHANTOM, it is only because it is a period drama which is a romantic thriller. But the musical score is more like ASPECTS OF LOVE. I felt comfortable with the computerized projections and I've read that they have further improved this for the Broadway production. They do move the story along fast.
Updated On: 8/26/05 at 09:28 AM

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 11:21am

I agree with Kyle. I saw it, and as I said in a previous thread here on the show, I wouldn't recommend it. Ruthie Henshall was great (as were the actors who played Walter and Laura) but I wasn't aware that Ruthie was going to be in the cast in NYC. Is that true? In any case, the terribly convoluted plot and the show's inability to decide what it wanted to be, gothic tragedy or silly comedy, just didn't do it for me. The motion sickness issue is a real one. Several people in the audience in London complained about this.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 11:27am

I first have to say that I am not a ALW fan..actually to be completely honest, I despise Phantom, Miss Siagon and Sunset! I saw it in London in June and enjoyed the musical immensely! I thought the use of projections was unique, songs were great and the cast was fabulous! Can't wait for NYC opening!

[sharon1]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 11:40am

Frankly I can't wait. Finally get to see the "great" Maria Friedman. I listen to the OLC all the time. Can't wait for Michael Ball's version of Fosco. I have my tickets for the holidays already

[LORDVADERRISE]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 11:58am

I like it.

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 12:13pm

I liked the show in some ways and did not like it in some ways. Well, I think the cast was EXCELLENT overall! Esp. Jill, Angela and Martin!!!!! But sorry, just did not like Maria Friedman AT ALL!!!!! And thought Michael Crawford was only average! I can't wait to see Ruthie in the role here in Westend the next time I see it... along with Simon Callows!!!!!
If anyone is interested for a clip of Ruthie's EVERMORE WITHOUT YOU, pm me... the clip is TOTALLY legal!

[Sally]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 2:50pm

I saw the show in London in late December/early January with Maria F. and the rest of the original cast (also Crawford's understudy for one performance).

I enjoyed it a lot---liked the melodramatic story, the music, and the projections, which have apparently been improved since I saw it.

I thought that all the performers were very good, including Friedman and Crawford (and the understudy wasn't bad either).It's looking like Michael Ball will be Fosco in NYC if he and they get his contract negotiated. He was a very popular Fosco in London.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 5:49pm

Haven't seen it, but I love the London Cast Recording

[Theatrical Landladies]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 11:41pm

I saw Friedman and Ball and thought the performances were terrific. Didn't like the music. Staging is fantastic and especially loved the rat's performance!

[kec]

Posted: 8/29/05 at 3:01pm

"Isnt Michael Ball going to be in it? "

That is the rumor, but, although a cast announcement has been made, Fosco wasn't mentioned. I certainly hope the rumor is true, as I thought he was outstanding as Fosco.

Add me to the list of those who loved the show. I found the music beautiful and haunting -- the songs stayed with me for days after I saw the show and whenever I listen to the recording. Loved Maria as Marian, and am very much looking forward to seeing her, Jill and Angela reprising their roles on Broadway.

#1Elphie, the play is LOOSELY based on the novel -- it's not a faithful adaptation. The secret in the stage version is completely different from the book's secret.

[grizzabella]

Posted: 8/29/05 at 7:21pm

I haven't seen the show, but got the London OCR recently. To be honest, while I loved a few of the songs, the score as a whole took several listenings to grow on me. But it has, and now I find myself coming back to it again and again. If the staging is as interesting in NYC as I've heard it is in London, it should be, at the very least, a very interesting and enjoyable experience. I'm looking forward to it.