Posted: 9/23/15 at 12:27pm
Mr Roxy said: "not a blank wall which appears to be the new in thing on Broadway"
There is little evidence for this invented motif that is apparently sweeping Broadway lately...
Posted: 9/23/15 at 1:06pm
I thought the nominees for best musical that year were ALL musicals done before. I thought A Gentleman's Guide for Love and Murder was The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Beautiful was Jersey Boys, After Midnight was Aint Misbehavin', and Aladdin was The Lion King... All musicals when compared won Best Musical ALL READY. Does anyone get what I'm saying??? I felt non of them were BEST MUSICAL.. just "we have to pick one".
Posted: 9/23/15 at 1:30pm
Loved GG. Thought it was one of the best things I've seen on BWay. But it was a farce. It was not supposed to have all the things OP claims it is missing. Maybe you just don't like farce. Doesn't make it a bad show, just not your thing. Comparing it to Fun Home is absurd.
Posted: 9/23/15 at 1:35pm
"I thought A Gentleman's Guide for Love and Murder was The Mystery of Edwin Drood..."
Other than being set in England in the past (although not quite the same period, I believe), I don't really see any similarities.
Posted: 9/23/15 at 1:51pm
Agree with artscallion. I’ve seen this show three times and loved it every time. You aren’t meant to have a deep emotional connection to the characters – the humor is in how all of them die one by one in completely ridiculous ways.
Also, the lyrics are simply amazing. Perfect rhyme isn’t a must for me, but I still appreciate a musical that rhymes perfectly the entire show. It’s so rare these days and the rhymes are clever and funny! I’ve tried to mouth the lyrics as I listen to the cast recording and goodness the actors must have such good diction.
I have to say, though, that it’s a shame that Jefferson Mays has been out of the show in recent months. He’s better at differentiating the 8-9 D’Ysquiths than his understudy. Also, while Catherine Walker is a good singer, Lauren Worsham was phenomenal. And Lisa O’Hare really turned up the siren heat as Sibella. But just so you don’t accuse me of being all ORIGINAL CAST!!!, I will say that I like Jeff Kready as Monty better, just because he plays the role as a straight man, providing some contrast and grounding the farce.
Posted: 9/23/15 at 2:09pm
I thought the nominees for best musical that year were ALL musicals done before.
JoseLee - Wicked is The Wizard of Oz.
Posted: 9/23/15 at 2:21pm
I finally saw the show last thursday - won the lotto - and overall I enjoyed it. I thought Scarlett and Bryce were great. Jefferson was absolutely fantastic. I was a little underwhelmed with Catherine Walker. She had some really great moments vocally, but I got the sense that she was holding-back and had trouble understanding her at some points.
I enjoyed the show overall, but didn't quite love it like I had hoped I would. I thought the physical production was first-rate, though (well.. maybe except the huge screen & videos, but I got over that pretty quickly) A fun night out for sure.
Posted: 9/23/15 at 2:36pm
Sorry, it just sounds like you weren't paying any attention. My 14 year old saw it once and didn't miss a thing.
Posted: 9/23/15 at 3:11pm
Has this started performances yet?
Posted: 9/23/15 at 3:13pm
Call_me_jorge said: "Has this started performances yet?"
Yes.
Posted: 9/23/15 at 8:36pm
I was paying attention (I thought) but sometimes if things move to fast (and I'm not 100% invested in it, well, sorry, LOL!) I guess if I saw the show again (which is unlikely unless someone were to give me a ticket which they won't) I would appreciate it better. But thanks everyone for explaining things to this 45 year old dummy! Lol
Also, to those who don't want me to compare GG to Fun Home and Hamilton and others I've already seen this year, well, how can I keep from comparing them? I know they are all different! But...in my mind, I cannot help but rank them (ok, shoot me, I like to rank what I see, big deal)....so, of the musicals (not plays) that I've seen this year this is how I would rank them. 1. Fun Home 2. Hamilton 3. The Visit 4. On the 20th Century 5. Kinky Boots 6.Wicked 7.Chicago 8. Gentleman's Guide, so there, lol! Take those comparisons! Also as an FYI the best play I've seen is The Audience and the worst WOLF HALL part 1. I've seen other plays but will spare you the ranking since this is sort of off topic. But I will try to be open-minded and realize that each show has value and uniqueness otherwise it would probably not be on Broadway.
Posted: 9/23/15 at 8:45pm
Dissimilate, I'm so sorry I was asking about the tour.
Posted: 9/23/15 at 8:50pm
Ranking them is different from comparing them... you could enjoy Fun Home more without further questioning why GG as a slapdash farce didn't do as much character development as an autobiographical show exploring sexual awakening and suicide.
Posted: 9/23/15 at 9:07pm
True... I've always gravitated towards heavy depressing films, so I guess it would also hold true that I would gravitate towards serious subject matter versus more lighthearted things/fare.... I don't know why that is. Maybe in some strange way, I look for answers in the serious subject matter (like how to make my life easier or feel less alone) versus just zoning out on lighthearted entertainment. I remember one time I took my ex-partner to see BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS (film), and he became so angry that I suggested that film. But I liked it. (Maybe I'm a sick puppy! Lol! But I do have a sense of humor.... I just like serious heavy things that's all)
Posted: 9/23/15 at 10:45pm
Call_me_jorge said: "Dissimilate, I'm so sorry I was asking about the tour. "
Still a yes, they just started this last week. Chicago has one preview (the 29th) and it opens in a week (the 30th).
Posted: 9/24/15 at 7:37pm
Dissimilate says Jeff is out a lot, TBone saw him last Thursday. I truly hope he's in on the Saturday matinee I am going to in October. It will be my third time. Taking my daughter because I want her to see these fine performances and fun show.
OP- Watch the film Kind Hearts and Coronets please. You'll see why there are so many murders in the musical.
Posted: 9/24/15 at 8:51pm
asmith0307 said: "Call_me_jorge said: "Dissimilate, I'm so sorry I was asking about the tour. "
Still a yes, they just started this last week. Chicago has one preview (the 29th) and it opens in a week (the 30th).
"
I caught the tour. I must say the Kristen and Adrienne who play Sibella and Phoebe, respectively, are really fantastic and I think it's because they play younger than their Broadway counterparts (more Adrienne than Kristen).
Kevin was great as Monty. He's not a lanky as Bryce is so the "Poison in my Pocket" didn't come out as amusing as when I saw Bryce do it. However, Kevin's timing and singing was spot-on.
John was fantastic as the D'Ysquith family. He's definitely more of a singer than Jefferson is, so sometimes he might need to reel in his voice so that the words wont mush together. Jefferson makes for prettier lady D'Ysquiths, though. 
The rest of the cast was great. I have no qualms about any of the ensemble members.
Posted: 12/3/15 at 12:19pm
hello
Just saw the tour cast opening night in SF.
Having seen and loved the OBC, was curious how anyone could step into Jefferson Mays extraordinary shoes and play the nine parts.
The answer by John Rapson, who was in Les Mis on broadway, was just fine, thank you. John was clever, outrageous and over the top with his portrayal of the nine various dysquiths, and I liked one of his versions of a family member even better than the Mays version (the beekeeper)
The vast majority of the crowd, heavily stacked with SFs hardcore musical fans who want to be there opening night so they can tell all their friends about the show first, loved it, laughed loudly, and gave loud ovations to virtually every number, and an extended ovation to the very cleverly staged (and my favorite number from the show)"Ive decided to Marry You" . Of course, with the male dominated crowd (probably 2:1), "it's Better With a Man" was a huge favorite as well
A gentlemans guide will not be everyones cup of tea, the couple in their late 60s next to us left after the second murder in the first act. People have compared the humor to spamalot and I dont think thats accurate. Python is witty, but also frequently plays to the gag and the absurd. This is mostly very very clever british humor in my opinion, blended with some very silly physical and gag humor.
Kevin Massey was solid as the aspiring heir, Kristen Beth Williams and Adrienne Eller were fantastic in "that horrible woman" and in general. In most musicals, you get emotionally invested in one or more of the characters. This is not the case here, all the primary characters, with the exception of Adriennes dysqueth are truly awful human beings....
The second act moves along even better than the first.
A gentlemans guide will not be everyones cup of tea, the couple in their late 60s next to us left after the second murder in the first act. Many of the songs, while very clever, do not have strong memorable choruses and the songs felt more writtten to be integral plot advancers, vs blockbuster showtunes. It can be difficult at times to understand lyrics with the british accents
I enjoyed this quite a bit the second time around, maybe not quite as much as the first time with broadway cast.
I think this is a very fine touring production , and its always great to see Tony winning musicals if you missed the broadway cast.
I think most people who really musical theater will enjoy this show. It's fresh enough and different enough from most of the original shows that have been produced over the past five years to be worthwhile viewing, and you will get a number of great laughs out of your evening....
Posted: 12/3/15 at 1:44pm
I saw the tour in Durham almost two months ago, and I thought it was way overhyped...
Of all the Best Musical nominees of 2014 that I did see, I personally liked both Aladdin and Beautiful much more than this.
Posted: 12/3/15 at 2:57pm
First post!
I saw this show in Chicago and was very happy I went. The show was extremely well directed. The use of the music hall platform and decorative proscenium arch gave an intimacy to the production. The projections were cleverly integrated with the action. Costumes were beautiful. The actors were energetic and funny. The music and lyrics were witty.
I will say I got a bit lost with a lot of the stage business in the second act dinner scene so it was almost hard to figure out what happened to one of the D'Ysquith clan.
This show will be a big hit across the country when the rights are released for regional theaters and amateur productions. Lots of great parts for actors to chew the scenery (while hopefully not being poisoned in the process ).
Updated On: 12/3/15 at 02:57 PM
Posted: 12/3/15 at 3:21pm
Saw the tour in Chicago and was absolutely giddy with joy by the end and ready to see it again. One of the most creative musicals I've ever seen. Every element of the show from the book, score, design, performances and direction were pretty much flawless and highlighted theatrical ingenuity. I also loved reading the notes of the creative team in the brochure, particularly their inspirations for Poison in My Pocket and I've Decided to Marry You. I wish it weren't closing on Broadway. I'd easily go see it again.
Posted: 12/3/15 at 3:44pm
I caught the tour as well after seeing it twice on Broadway. Kevin Massey/John Rapson was my third pairing after Jeff Kready/Greg Jackson and Bryce/Jefferson (Pinkham's first performance back).
The best way I could put it was that they were just different to me. Massey plays up more of the awkward/who-would-have-thought angle in the beginning (sort of like he just happened to find himself with this opportunity) and then takes advantage of the situation whereas Kready and especially Pinkham seem more diabolical and that they have a plan right when they find out they are part of the family. As for the D'Ysquiths, I couldn't get a strong finger on Rapson's performance, not necessarily because of anything he did, but more of because he changes characters so quickly that its hard to settle into any particular character.
Updated On: 12/3/15 at 03:44 PM
Posted: 12/3/15 at 4:03pm
Jeffrey-
i have to agree that i really liked both Beautiful and Alladin a lot.
All three musicals are SOOO different its almost hard to "judge" them against each other to vote one over the other (which you unfortunately have to if a tony voter)
Of the three, Beautiful is the one I would probably go back and see more times than the others if the opportunity arose. Im excited to see the tour with the younger sister!
I can see why the tony voters picked it, as the only all original music musical of the three and it just being so different than most of what we see on broadway today.My own personal vote would have tipped slightly to Beautiful.
Posted: 12/3/15 at 5:15pm
"Of all the Best Musical nominees of 2014 that I did see, I personally liked both Aladdin and Beautiful much more than this."
Interesting. I on the other hand preferred "Gentleman's Guide". I thought it was brilliant. I liked both of the others but Aladdin is just a glorified theme park show and Beautiful had the dramatic intensity of a Love Boat episode.
Posted: 12/22/15 at 4:55pm
just saw gentlemnns guide
third time around and second time seeing the tour. Fantastic seats dead center third row.
this is a fantastic and wildly entertaining musical, and a rare show where i think the second act is even stronger than the first act....
Watched it again with a specific eye to comparing it to Beautiful and Alladin
as if i was casting my vote for best musical of the year as part of the recent discussion....
and asked, what are my criteria that i would measure
music
story
acting
direction
staging
dance
overall entertainment
connection with the characters
new, different, unusual
Most of my previous best/favorite musical picks i had a strong identification with one or more characters and absolutely loved the music and standout songs...neither is the case here and Beautiful and Alladin both score higher in these critical factors for me
story acting direction and overall entertainment GG wins for me in all four of these areas
staging and dance (and i guess lighting)-Alladin wins for me in these three
new, different, unusual-GG wins hear, even though i think much of the music and format borrows from
british musical comedies of 30s-40s
Great songs and connecting with characters are probably my must impt criteria, so given this analysis
I would vote for Beautiful first, and even Alladin second, but these were all three fantastically well executed shows for what each wanted to acheive that deserve long runs and revivals in the future
For Bay area folks or folks outside of New York
GG is a fantastic show and you really will want to see this!
