re: THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN' - 6th Preview - 9/29/06- Page 2

[dented146]

Posted: 9/30/06 at 8:31pm

muscle, sorry, I did not mean to suggest the show would be a flop. I'd like it to be wildly successful. But some of the points made by WAT have some merit.

I did not feel the story was cheesy but when there are three characters, there are only so many directions to take.

I saw the show very early on. I went in knowing almost nothing about what I would see and the Playbill was my only prompt. I had some trouble following the storyline.

I enjoyed the music and the creative dance. To me it was like an explosion of creativity. Taking Dylan's music out of it's original context was hard for me in the beginning because I was there in the 60's. As the play progressed I enjoyed the ride and left feeling that I had witnessed a theatre version of abstact art. I hope other people of my generation enjoy the work.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 9/30/06 at 9:54pm

How was Jason Wooten?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 9/30/06 at 10:01pm

I think it's odd that:

a) there are only 3 named characters, everyone else is "Ensemble." I suppose once it gets closer to opening, they'll have the cast listed one-by-one, like "Contortionist" and "Dog".

b. the list of Musical Numbers is 1/4 of a page, compared to shows like Mamma Mia and Movin Out that get full pages.

c. The Setting is "sometime between awake and asleep."

d. Twyla Tharp's inspirational passage is at the very end of the Playbill, along with a photo from the show.

[Luscious]

Posted: 9/30/06 at 11:08pm

To think, I almost bought tickets to this stink-a-roo last week. Glad I saved my money!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 12:47am

This show sold out in San Diego and extended.
As I have have stated before,
Not everyone's idea of a Musical
but definitely a Visionary work
Don't take one or two people's view
(and I respect them for that)
But I found it Beautiful
Exciting
and a chance to see Michael Arden in a Breakthrough Performance.
See it and decide for yourself.

[lite2shine]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 1:34am

I saw the show twice in SD once with Michael and another time with his stand by Doug Kreeger (who will be in Les Mis this fall). While I thought Michael was charming, Doug was more suitable as Coyote and he had more chemistry with Jenna.

Who is Michael's standby in this production?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 10:52am

Standbys
For Coyote: Jason Wooten
for Captain Ahrab: John Herrera
for Cleo: Lisa Brescia

Phantom2: Jason Wooten is a standby and hasn't gone on for Michael Arden yet.

[ruprecht]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 10:56am

Well, I wound up at the matinee yesterday and all I can say is, WHAT HAPPENED? This show had an extended out of town run, cast shuffling and more than enough "fixing" time and this is what's left? I've seen alot of really crappy theater lately but this takes the cake. I just didn't get it, none of it.

There's no book at all so you're left to "figure it out" all on your own and none of it meshes in any sort of comprehensive way. The sets are just plain ugly and although it's just 90 minutes, I wound up looking at my watch more times than I remember doing at any show in the recent past.

The songs are fine, but you do have to be a Dylan fan to know some of the more obscure ones that they have decided to interpret and oftentimes, not well. I disagree with those who said the dancing was bad, if anything, the only thing the show has going for it are the seemingly bone-less dancers who are contorting themselves in ways that would make Cirque Du Soliel(sp) proud. The dog is annoying at best, confusing at worst. Michael Arden is a GREAT singer but yes, he's a bit "boring" doing the same thing for each song which is, standing center stage belting out song after song. Get's alittle "ok, I get it" after about the 5th time he does it, CLM should honestly be replaced asap. I don't know much about her but it makes no sense to me that they got rid of J.Colella for this person. She couldn't reach any of the high notes and is not a good enough "actress" to convey any emotion without the aid of a script. I think almost the whole audience felt the same way judging from the lukewarm applause she'd get after all her songs. Sesma was fine, competent but I think a show like this needs more than "competent". It needed three, (not one) amazing singer to at least make you forget there was not a whole heck of alot going for the show. I was extremely disappointed and would have been really upset if I had had to pay 100 plus dollars for a ticket. The curtain call is longer than the show and also makes no sense.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 11:15am

Once struck up a conversation with someone sitting at the bar during the intermission of Song of Singapore. Turns out he was a band member in Rockabye Hamlet.

Said it reminded him of something General Patton said. This guy was referring to the band in RH & he said the quote was: "What a criminal waste of fine infantry". He was saying the band was great but the show was the pits. I disagreed & thought it was great but it bears repeating here

When you say the band is great but..... Sort of like highlighting the scenic designer in the credits of a musical. You know you are in trouble

Updated On: 10/1/06 at 11:15 AM

[Hank]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 1:17pm

I wonder, what the hell were they thinking?
Bob Dylan, musical poet genius that he is, but this is supposed to be a dance musical.
Huh!

[Kevo711]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 2:14pm

I saw "THE TIMES THE ARE A-CHANGIN'" last night and agree with a lot of what WAT said. But, although the show has MANY flaws, I did enjoy myself, but would not have enjoyed it as much had I payed $100 plus for a ticket. I am not the greatest at reviewing and this is one of my first somewhat reviews. So here it goes... Going in, I did not realize that the whole show was sung. I enjoyed almost all of the songs, but some transitions of both the songs and plot were very skaky and sometimes confusing and out of place. The show moves along quickly and I agree with ruprecht, who said it leaves you to "figure it out". Now, lets just say, I love Michael Arden. Although he didn't have much to work with, he made the most of his role. His singing was fantastic and I could not believe how powerful and gorgeous his high notes were. We will surely be seeing more of him in the future. The first song that Caren was featured in was obviously too high for her. Listening to her voice, I felt like she was very uncomfortable and reaching for the higher notes. When she got into the more belty songs, she could reach the notes, but they sometimes weren't very pretty. Thom was acceptable. He wasn't amazing, but his voice was suitable for the role and his acting was quite good. The ensemble was quite lively and they were all quite the acrobats. I really enjoyed the trampoline concept and though that the ensemble did a fantastic job with all the choreography.
For the $26.25 student tickets in the rear mez., I did not feel like I wasted my money, but I would not pay full price for this show. However, I did have a good time last night, and the show can only get better!

Updated On: 10/1/06 at 02:14 PM

[MollySim]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 4:51pm

KEVO-

Thank you for saying something positive about this show. I was beginning to think I was the only one who enjoyed this show. I think of it more as an art piece, not a musical. I thought the show was beautiful, despite its flaws, and would recommend it to anyone just because of the talent of the ensemble. I agree that CLM was not wonderful, but I thought both Arden and Sesma were. I think that Twyla's vision does not translate to anyone, but people should go see it with an open mind and just enjoy the ride for the beauty in the performance.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 4:54pm

i really would like to see it.


but really only for michael arden and bob dylan's music :-P

[MollySim]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 5:44pm

Michael IS really good in the show, so that is reason enough to attend.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 6:00pm

well, unfortunatly, there simply won't be time on my next trip...

The Times and Spring Awakening will just have to wait

[BreeDaniel]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 7:01pm

I didn't dislike it quite as much as Rup did but I understand why it's getting the responses it is. I realize that Tharp was going for some big artistic statement but something got lost in translation and you wind up going "huh" most of the time. I think the choreography was, at times, stunning but that's not enough for 111 dollars. Michael Arden is an odd choice to sing "rock" but does well nonetheless. He looked alittle put upon but he is the least of the problems. Sesma was forgettable, even as loud as he delivered every note (not a compliment) and Manuel is absolutely lost and practically tone deaf. Not even her 6 pack abs were enough of a distraction and really, this isn't a "miss universe contest", it's a musical with no book, the singers BETTER blow me away, all of them.

Again, I feel bad saying this as I do believe Tharp was really going out on a creative limb but after all this time, it should be in a much better state.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 10:03pm

"Phantom2: Jason Wooten is a standby and hasn't gone on for Michael Arden yet."

I can't wait for him to go on. Jason is so talented. Standbys are getting a lot of recognition these days. I'm just sayin'...

Posted: 10/1/06 at 10:21pm

Saw the show... I'm going to keep my mouth shut because that's not the reason I'm posting.

To those who are considering seeing it... IF you like Michael Arden AND Bob Dylan music (must be both- trust me) then you'll love the show. Michael basically sings every song (very well!) and hardly leaves the stage, and Bob Dylan wrote every song... so there you go, you can't lose (just close your eyes). I promised myself I wouldn't go there... dammit.
Updated On: 10/1/06 at 10:21 PM

[mabel]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 10:40pm

Ugh! It's so sad to hear such iffy reviews. I'm sure I'll still get around to seeing it at some point though.

I didn't really read the reviews in San Diego, but weren't they decent (at least for a show still in a developmental stage)? I haven't had a chance to read through all of these reviews thoroughly (partly because I haven't had the time, and partly to avoid any potential spoilers...I've just been skimming to get the gist). Anyway, has anyone seen both productions? Were the changes (if any) for the worse? It just seems to be getting much stronger negative feedback here than I remember it getting out of town.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 10/2/06 at 2:15am

"To those who are considering seeing it... IF you like Michael Arden AND Bob Dylan music (must be both- trust me) then you'll love the show."

This is HARDLY true, Regina! I love both Michael Arden and Bob Dylan music, and couldn't have hated the show more. Poor Michael Arden...his talent is so wasted here!
-BJH

[AlmostFamous]

Posted: 10/2/06 at 9:03am

It's been said by some cast members that people are either going to love it or not like it at all...It looks like its leaning towards the second option at this point.

Posted: 10/2/06 at 10:26am

Really BJH!? I was sure I had found the solution to their problem! Well I’m pretty sure that’s what they had banked on also… oh well, they had a good run.

[mabel]

Posted: 10/2/06 at 10:36am

Maybe you have to have an affinity for bad acrobatics and an eye for the deep, poetic nuances that excessive flashlights suggests?!? Just a thought.

I do still want to see this even though it sounds pretty ratty. Is it at least quasi-amusing in its rattiness? Worse than In My Life etc, considering they both seem to have a strong WTF factor going on??

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/2/06 at 10:40am

It is definitely amusing. I found that my friend and I were laughing at the show a lot (there were some really boring moments though). However, I still think IN MY LIFE is the worst musical ever written.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 10/2/06 at 10:43am

hopefully this stays open one more month so i can see it before it closes :)

are they selling magnets at the merch desk?