#1
Posted: 5/19/09 at 5:53pm
(spoilers may be abound)
***BILLY ELLIOT***
preface: 2nd time seeing it; did student rush on a wednesday matinee and got a partial view seat in front mezz; show was delayed 30 mins due to an audience member having a heart attack (see separate thread); david alvarez & david bologna
- Hayden Gwynne seemed to be going through the motions of the performance (and I'm not talking about the lack of "enthusiasm" when she does choreography as that is a specific choice that works). I'm talking about her energy and scenes.
- Gregory Jbara definitely should win the Tony. OMG. Amazing. He is the heart of the show, in my opinion, not Billy.
- The show has moved me more than any other I have seen, on Broadway or off.
***NEXT TO NORMAL***
preface: I had seen it once before at Second Stage. Got tkt through tdf. mezz on the right, not a bad seat at all.
- Generally speaking, I thought the story has improved and is much more clear and easy to follow. The character relations are slightly more developed, too.
- The production, however, had NO impact on me whatsoever. And I don't blame the show, I blame the venue. I felt so distant. Granted I was in the mezz, but even so, the production is swallowed in that space. It should be done in an intimate space.
- The acting performances have improved across the board. Much more specific. Alice Ripley has gotten more intense moments, which are great, but I think they came about because of the venue actually. There was a larger need to fill the space.
- I miss a lot of "moments" and tiny specifics from the 2nd Stage version of the show, but do like the rewrites. I strongly miss "Growing Up Unstable" however it wouldn't work in this production.
***WEST SIDE STORY***
preface: tkt was purchased through a friend. turns out I needed to get 2 more tickets so myself and 3 other friends tried our luck at lotto. 2 of us got called so 1 of us got the 2 tickets. my seat was front mezz center-right.
- plain and simple: they are "putting on" a production of west side story, rather than "doing" west side story. awful. dreadful. i hated most of it.
- choreography was great, as it should be.
- i feel like it was a half-ass attempt to make the show relevant to today. I wanted them to speak spanish whenever the puerto ricans were with each other, unless intentionally speaking english. it wasn't necessary to have us, the audience, understand their words 100%. it makes more of a statement if we are left a little in the dark.
- Officer Krupkie was my favorite number. Somewhere A Place For Us (or whatever it's called) was my second favorite number, but it didn't fit the show. Too random, and this is from someone who is a fan of theatrical devices.
***9 TO 5***
preface: won the lotto. side orch seat was fine. went in knowing NOTHING about the show except I was familiar with the title song and I had seen the movie a LOOOONG time ago.
- I think the material is MUCH better than what the performers are doing with it. every single person, except maybe Megan Hilty and Stephanie J. Block. more on this below.
- it was MOST surprising that Roz, played by Kathy Fitzgerald, got two big featured production numbers. and I don't think Fitzgerald did enough with it. it was twice an opportunity to SHINE, and she didn't. whether it was by choice, direction, or inability...it was IN the material to really WORK it but she didn't. she wasn't BAD, I just think she could have REALLY taken it home and won us over. if all that makes sense.
- another preface: I *love* Allison Janney. I've seen a lot of her film and tv work. I have worked with her before. I have seen her on stage before. And I know she doesn't have the best voice. That being said, I thought her acting was weak. She gave us personality but not a character. She could have done SO much more. She had some ZINGER lines that didn't zing at all!
- block's big 11 o'clock number, "Get Out & Stay Out" was the highlight of the show. came from nowhere. loved it.
- the choreography was lackluster and I don't think was the right choice for the show. the atmosphere it provided was appropriate but didn't work FOR it.
- another case of underperforming. marc kudish. had lines that were meant to be zingers, but were half-assed.
- I enjoyed the show. it was fun. but it desperately needs to be IRONED OUT. it's not smooth. from the performances to the writing, there's just bits and pieces that flaw the production. some of the songs come from nowhere.
- kudos to dolly parton at her first attempt to write a show. the score works as a musical theatre score. and it's not too shabby! just not memorable. except for the title number. HOWEVER, if "9 to 5" had not been written and a hit song prior to this production, I would have forgotten it, too.
***THE NORMAN CONQUESTS: Table Manners***
preface: stephen sondheim was in the audience. got my tkt on tdf. front row center (albeit in the round).
- well-written. well-acted. well-directed. not too much to say about it. wish I could have seen all three. nothing profound, nothing exceptional. just really solid.
***GOD OF CARNAGE***
preface: got a standing room tkt. although the mezz overhangs the top half of the stage, in this production, nothing is missed and there are no obstructions.
- four great performances. especially from the ladies. again, a solid production. not too much to say. very enjoyable.
***EXIT THE KING***
preface: got a student rush tkt front row center.
- I know Ionesco is absurd, and that's all I knew about the show. I still don't know exactly what it is about. I only know hints. I will have to do a study of it, now.
- geoffrey rush was brilliant!
- susan sarandon was bland but I don't think there was much in the role to do something with.
- the rest of the cast was terrific! special shout out to andrea martin!
***WAITING FOR GODOT***
preface: got a tkt through a friend. in the rear mezz.
- production was good. AGAIN, i really enjoyed all the performances. especially john goodman and john glover. solid.
- first time seeing nathan lane live. he was suitable but not a stand-out.
***HAIR***
preface: prepaid tkt with playbill discount code. 3rd row center in mezz.
- WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- direction, staging, choreography were all brilliant.
- designs all brilliant.
- orchestrations and sound brilliant.
- performers all tremendously brilliant.
- very energetic. LOVED LOVED LOVED it.
- someone from the gay marriage rally went on stage during the curtain call encore and held up his huge sign which was the HRC logo and website address. loved it!
***OTHER TIDBITS FROM THE TRIP***
- went to the gay marriage rally. that was the best part of the trip.
- went to the Sirius show at Info Center hosted by Seth Rudetsky. Hunter Foster and Titus Burgess were guests. Burgess sang "Meadowlark" which was THRILLING!!
- Aretha Franklin did a photoshoot in Duffy Square. one of the photographers took my photo for some reason. she said it may end up in a magazine.
- saw two movies: Every Little Step and Outrage. I loved both. Go see them!!
***BILLY ELLIOT***
preface: 2nd time seeing it; did student rush on a wednesday matinee and got a partial view seat in front mezz; show was delayed 30 mins due to an audience member having a heart attack (see separate thread); david alvarez & david bologna
- Hayden Gwynne seemed to be going through the motions of the performance (and I'm not talking about the lack of "enthusiasm" when she does choreography as that is a specific choice that works). I'm talking about her energy and scenes.
- Gregory Jbara definitely should win the Tony. OMG. Amazing. He is the heart of the show, in my opinion, not Billy.
- The show has moved me more than any other I have seen, on Broadway or off.
***NEXT TO NORMAL***
preface: I had seen it once before at Second Stage. Got tkt through tdf. mezz on the right, not a bad seat at all.
- Generally speaking, I thought the story has improved and is much more clear and easy to follow. The character relations are slightly more developed, too.
- The production, however, had NO impact on me whatsoever. And I don't blame the show, I blame the venue. I felt so distant. Granted I was in the mezz, but even so, the production is swallowed in that space. It should be done in an intimate space.
- The acting performances have improved across the board. Much more specific. Alice Ripley has gotten more intense moments, which are great, but I think they came about because of the venue actually. There was a larger need to fill the space.
- I miss a lot of "moments" and tiny specifics from the 2nd Stage version of the show, but do like the rewrites. I strongly miss "Growing Up Unstable" however it wouldn't work in this production.
***WEST SIDE STORY***
preface: tkt was purchased through a friend. turns out I needed to get 2 more tickets so myself and 3 other friends tried our luck at lotto. 2 of us got called so 1 of us got the 2 tickets. my seat was front mezz center-right.
- plain and simple: they are "putting on" a production of west side story, rather than "doing" west side story. awful. dreadful. i hated most of it.
- choreography was great, as it should be.
- i feel like it was a half-ass attempt to make the show relevant to today. I wanted them to speak spanish whenever the puerto ricans were with each other, unless intentionally speaking english. it wasn't necessary to have us, the audience, understand their words 100%. it makes more of a statement if we are left a little in the dark.
- Officer Krupkie was my favorite number. Somewhere A Place For Us (or whatever it's called) was my second favorite number, but it didn't fit the show. Too random, and this is from someone who is a fan of theatrical devices.
***9 TO 5***
preface: won the lotto. side orch seat was fine. went in knowing NOTHING about the show except I was familiar with the title song and I had seen the movie a LOOOONG time ago.
- I think the material is MUCH better than what the performers are doing with it. every single person, except maybe Megan Hilty and Stephanie J. Block. more on this below.
- it was MOST surprising that Roz, played by Kathy Fitzgerald, got two big featured production numbers. and I don't think Fitzgerald did enough with it. it was twice an opportunity to SHINE, and she didn't. whether it was by choice, direction, or inability...it was IN the material to really WORK it but she didn't. she wasn't BAD, I just think she could have REALLY taken it home and won us over. if all that makes sense.
- another preface: I *love* Allison Janney. I've seen a lot of her film and tv work. I have worked with her before. I have seen her on stage before. And I know she doesn't have the best voice. That being said, I thought her acting was weak. She gave us personality but not a character. She could have done SO much more. She had some ZINGER lines that didn't zing at all!
- block's big 11 o'clock number, "Get Out & Stay Out" was the highlight of the show. came from nowhere. loved it.
- the choreography was lackluster and I don't think was the right choice for the show. the atmosphere it provided was appropriate but didn't work FOR it.
- another case of underperforming. marc kudish. had lines that were meant to be zingers, but were half-assed.
- I enjoyed the show. it was fun. but it desperately needs to be IRONED OUT. it's not smooth. from the performances to the writing, there's just bits and pieces that flaw the production. some of the songs come from nowhere.
- kudos to dolly parton at her first attempt to write a show. the score works as a musical theatre score. and it's not too shabby! just not memorable. except for the title number. HOWEVER, if "9 to 5" had not been written and a hit song prior to this production, I would have forgotten it, too.
***THE NORMAN CONQUESTS: Table Manners***
preface: stephen sondheim was in the audience. got my tkt on tdf. front row center (albeit in the round).
- well-written. well-acted. well-directed. not too much to say about it. wish I could have seen all three. nothing profound, nothing exceptional. just really solid.
***GOD OF CARNAGE***
preface: got a standing room tkt. although the mezz overhangs the top half of the stage, in this production, nothing is missed and there are no obstructions.
- four great performances. especially from the ladies. again, a solid production. not too much to say. very enjoyable.
***EXIT THE KING***
preface: got a student rush tkt front row center.
- I know Ionesco is absurd, and that's all I knew about the show. I still don't know exactly what it is about. I only know hints. I will have to do a study of it, now.
- geoffrey rush was brilliant!
- susan sarandon was bland but I don't think there was much in the role to do something with.
- the rest of the cast was terrific! special shout out to andrea martin!
***WAITING FOR GODOT***
preface: got a tkt through a friend. in the rear mezz.
- production was good. AGAIN, i really enjoyed all the performances. especially john goodman and john glover. solid.
- first time seeing nathan lane live. he was suitable but not a stand-out.
***HAIR***
preface: prepaid tkt with playbill discount code. 3rd row center in mezz.
- WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- direction, staging, choreography were all brilliant.
- designs all brilliant.
- orchestrations and sound brilliant.
- performers all tremendously brilliant.
- very energetic. LOVED LOVED LOVED it.
- someone from the gay marriage rally went on stage during the curtain call encore and held up his huge sign which was the HRC logo and website address. loved it!
***OTHER TIDBITS FROM THE TRIP***
- went to the gay marriage rally. that was the best part of the trip.
- went to the Sirius show at Info Center hosted by Seth Rudetsky. Hunter Foster and Titus Burgess were guests. Burgess sang "Meadowlark" which was THRILLING!!
- Aretha Franklin did a photoshoot in Duffy Square. one of the photographers took my photo for some reason. she said it may end up in a magazine.
- saw two movies: Every Little Step and Outrage. I loved both. Go see them!!
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
