WAR PAINT - Pre-Broadway Thread- Page 10

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 7/19/16 at 10:23am

"Costumes are indeed stunning but they sure make LuPone look diminutive. I've seen her in other things but, based on this, she sure does not look 5-2 (and, of course, Ebersole's heighten increases the contrast). I was guessing under five feet tall."

That sounds like high praise for the costume design.  Given that Helena Rubinstein was 4' 10".

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 7/19/16 at 10:23am

Was at the opening last night. It was a very special evening. Upon a second viewing I think Dinosaurs and Better Yourself both need to be re written. I disagree that some are finding the show generic. I found it to constantly be about the one upmanship of each woman on the other. I think the show does an excellent job of portraying that. Some tightening and minor re-writes will likely be done between here and new york but i agree on all the praise the score and the cast are receiving. Those are the reasons to see this show.

[bdn223]

Posted: 7/19/16 at 11:24am

I just can't wait for the DRAMA at the Tony's next year if this does indeed transfer. Lupone Vs Middler Vs Ebersole vs White vs possibly Chenoweth...and we thought 2014 (O'Hara, Menzel, Meuller, Foster, and Davies) was a battle of the divas.... I guess the Queens want to show them what separates a Legend from a diva.

[kayleefabulous]

Posted: 7/19/16 at 2:17pm

Theatreboy49 said: "Was at the opening last night. It was a very special evening. Upon a second viewing I think Dinosaurs and Better Yourself both need to be re written.

"

I find it interesting that opinions on here re: Dinosaurs have been mostly negative, while I've seen it discussed positively in nearly every review. Wonder why that is?

[KnewItWhenIWasInFron]

Posted: 7/19/16 at 2:26pm

I wonder if the difference is this: I like the song just fine, so I can see praising it. But the show doesn't really make us care about the characters and the placement of the song in the show comes just when we don't need it slowed down for two marginal characters (I'm flummoxed by the Variety review that asserts the two men are as vital to the show as the two women. There's room for disagreement on how much you respond to the two characters but: Um, no. They are not.)

Updated On: 7/19/16 at 02:26 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/19/16 at 9:19pm

Another Positive review, from Variety

http://variety.com/2016/legit/reviews/war-paint-review-patti-lupone-chicago-1201816611/

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 7/20/16 at 10:51am

@Kaylee the first time I saw the show i liked the song. It was amusing. But upon seeing it a second time it felt like sentiments neither of these intelligent, albeit hurt men would make. I think the characters do need a song here to say goodbye and exit the story but I just dont think this is the one. I think the praise for the song is that its fun but that doesnt make it right for the story.

 

@KnewitwhenIwasinfront I think the men are absolutely vital the to the story. The leaving of each others sides played a huge part in their rivalry. By working so intimately with these women, the men saw sides of them likely no one else did. It's part of the lure of these two women and their constant wish to one up the next. And in the end that's the point of the story, in the end they were so desperate to one up each other they no longer kept up with the trends and sacrificed things to keep competing. They were equals. The men were a part of that. So I respectfully disagree with you.

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 7/23/16 at 1:23am

I finally saw this tonight. (Some spoilers below.) I liked it. Didn't love it. I enjoyed the second act more than the first. The first act dragged on a bit for me as I felt all the music felt a bit similar and we were just going back and forth between the two of them. I really enjoyed the scenes with the shop girls in the first act and wished there could've been a bit more ensemble support. I know it's a star vehicle and obviously these two leading ladies were glorious and are the entire point of the show--but their many songs and duets (great though they may be) they're standing or sitting and singing. I enjoyed the bits of dancing from the ensemble so much I guess I wished there had been more of it. (Certainly not instead of our two divas, but maybe in the background. Not sure...).

 

I agree with the person earlier who posted it felt like vignettes without much of an arc. At first it was about their competition. Then it was about them versus the FDA and I thought they were going to band together at first. Then it was about them innovating during the war. Then it was about them losing business to their competitors....  It just didn't feel like there was a thematic point to all of it. I understand it's a biopic but I didn't find myself really caring about what would happen next--especially in the first act. I feel like maybe they could've done more to emphasize that these were two women with humble beginnings who forged the way as entrepreneurs, which was basically unheard of for women at the time. There are certainly many pieces of that there, but I just didn't feel moved by it, and it's a story I think has the potential to be very moving. 

 

I did really enjoy the second act though. The songs felt more varied and I cared much more about the characters. Both leading ladies' songs were glorious, with Pink a real stand out. I also really enjoyed Fire and Ice as far as an ensemble piece. I thought dinosaurs was funny actually, but not necessary. I didn't know much about the story until I read this thread afterward so I didn't know hey never actually met. I haven't decided how I feel about the end yet, but I do know they need to keep that closing number. It brought the house down. (And the playbill still lists the A Woman's Face reprise as the last song even though it is gone.). 

 

Anyway I'm incredibly glad I got to see these two amazing women on stage together. It is certainly worth seeing for them alone, but I don't see it being particularly memorable without them. I do think there are changes that could be made before the Broadway run that would make it better for me. But again, as is, it's worth seeing for these two ladies alone. 

 

Oh oh and as others have mentioned the costumes are gorgeous, as is the lighting. The set was simple but I thought quite lovely.  And everything is very polished. 

[LightsOut90]

Posted: 7/23/16 at 3:57am

talked to someone close to the production tonight, they have a lead commercial producer attached and the plan is to start load in late January at the Nederlander with a early March preview start, opening night is still TBD.

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 7/23/16 at 4:44am

This is going to be a hit. I can feel it. Ugh, I'm so excited.

[broadwayguy91]

Posted: 7/23/16 at 10:38am

CindersGolightly said: "This is going to be a hit. I can feel it. Ugh, I'm so excited.

 

"

I feel the opposite.

[kristinj1]

Posted: 7/23/16 at 11:08am

We saw this last week and I must admit that although both divas were terrific I have almost completely forgotten the show by now aside from Pink and a brief moment in Dinosaurs.  I'm not sure if that says more about the show or my energy the night I saw it, but for whatever reason it did not stick with me as many shows do.

Updated On: 7/27/16 at 11:08 AM

[TheSassySam]

Posted: 7/23/16 at 11:22am

I have my ticket for tomorrow evening! Goodman tends to tease younger generations in their shows. I wonder if we will be getting that with this production.

 

Either way, I am excited!

[KnewItWhenIWasInFron]

Posted: 7/23/16 at 1:20pm

Theatreboy49 said: "@Kaylee the first time I saw the show i liked the song. It was amusing. But upon seeing it a second time it felt like sentiments neither of these intelligent, albeit hurt men would make. I think the characters do need a song here to say goodbye and exit the story but I just dont think this is the one. I think the praise for the song is that its fun but that doesnt make it right for the story.

 

@KnewitwhenIwasinfront I think the men are absolutely vital the to the story. The leaving of each others sides played a huge part in their rivalry. By working so intimately with these women, the men saw sides of them likely no one else did. It's part of the lure of these two women and their constant wish to one up the next. And in the end that's the point of the story, in the end they were so desperate to one up each other they no longer kept up with the trends and sacrificed things to keep competing. They were equals. The men were a part of that. So I respectfully disagree with you.

 

"

I disagree but my point was not that they aren't vital but that it's crazy to say the men are as vital as the women. You would have a show without the men. You would not have a show without the women.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 7/23/16 at 1:39pm

God, I would love to hear some of the songs from this show again...

[schmoe]

Posted: 7/24/16 at 1:38pm

  I saw the show for the second time last night, after seeing it on 6.30.16.  After that show, I really liked it and thought that it needed few changes.  Seeing it last night, some small changes have been made for the better, but I still think that it is missing something.  This time I was not as aware of the two men not having enough to do.  The whole show has picked up the pace, which I suppose is natural, but it lacks some tension or stakes.  The two women are rivals who compete with each other almost obsessively, but that doesn't seem to change much.  They just keep competing.  One thing that came to mind last night is that Arden's second act number "Pink" is so strong and then it is followed by "Forever Beautiful" from Rubinstein which is good, but just not up to the same level.  Would it seem like less of a letdown if they switched the order?  Just a thought.  Overall, great show with outstanding performances and good music.  Should be interesting to see what additional changes will be made.  

[Leaf Coneybear]

Posted: 7/24/16 at 4:02pm

Has anyone on here won the TodayTix lotto? I've entered every day since the beginning and no luck yet. 

[binau]

Posted: 7/24/16 at 5:48pm

schmoe said: "  I saw the show for the second time last night, after seeing it on 6.30.16.  After that show, I really liked it and thought that it needed few changes.  Seeing it last night, some small changes have been made for the better, but I still think that it is missing something.  This time I was not as aware of the two men not having enough to do.  The whole show has picked up the pace, which I suppose is natural, but it lacks some tension or stakes.  The two women are rivals who compete with each other almost obsessively, but that doesn't seem to change much.  They just keep competing.  One thing that came to mind last night is that Arden's second act number "Pink" is so strong and then it is followed by "Forever Beautiful" from Rubinstein which is good, but just not up to the same level.  Would it seem like less of a letdown if they switched the order?  Just a thought.  Overall, great show with outstanding performances and good music.  Should be interesting to see what additional changes will be made.  

 

"

I was actually wondering about the order of these songs. Maybe this is a frivolous reason that isn't important to anyone involved, but if they were switched I think Patti would look a bit upstaged and you'd risk ego damaging. Again, this might not be a real reason at all, though I think the structure of the show and song choices suggest that they have very much tried to make the parts equal. Pink is by far the best song in the score and is the 'true' 11 o'clock number though. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 7/25/16 at 8:52am

I saw this last night and I was overall pleased. The simplest way I could describe this as its like watching two different televisions, but only having one on at a time and you keep swapping back and forth and when you have them on at the same time they are saying the exact same thing. My issues were basically it's repetitive nature of going back and forth from Rubinstein to Arden, back to Rubinstein and then back to Arden over and over again. 
I would love for them to flesh out the character of Harry Fleming and actually make him gay, it wasn't clear if he actually was or if it was just a one night thing. I also think they should go deeper into the divorce of Arden and Lewis, that would add a lot of drama. 
My biggest complaint though are the duets with Rubinstein and Arden. Like I said before, when the two tv's are on at the same time, they are saying THE EXACT SAME THING. Guess what Patti and Christine were doing? They weren't only singing the same words, but the same notes! No harmonies no breaks, nothing, nada, zilch. In my opinion the perfect duet in all of musical theatre is For Good. Why? Because they aren't singing the same words nor the same notes. Frankel and Korie need to spice it up a little. 
I'm just in love with the fact I got to see two divas on the stage LIVE! As a bonus I got to witness these two divas not acting like divas at all. At the end of the curtain call I expected Patti and Christine to just walk in separate ways(don't ask me why), but in reality they embraced and were really in tone with each other. They really seemed to care for one another. I hope their friendship lasts. I hope this show succeeds. Long live original musicals.
Some of favorite songs were dinosaurs(Tommy and Henry), Pink(Elizabeth) and Forever Beautiful(Helena). I loved the set. It was simple, but it supported the show well. I especially loved the LED lighting. I imagine they'll add lifts when it transfers to Broadway.
Also can I just give a shoutout to Michael Greif? Like WTF?! How can a guy go from directing RENT to directing WAR PAINT?! I mean, talk about versatility...

[kayleefabulous]

Posted: 7/25/16 at 1:14pm

Am I correct in assuming that the alternates for Patti and Christine probably won't go on, barring illness, during the Chicago run? I'm travelling a decent distance to see the show for Thursday's matinee and i'm lowkey terrified I won't get to see Patti in the role for some reason (especially after seeing many people say that the show wouldn't be as good without the headlining divas).

[KnewItWhenIWasInFron]

Posted: 7/25/16 at 1:24pm

"No harmony?"

That's just plain incorrect. There are a number of times when the two are singing in harmony (not, as you say, singing the same note together).

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 7/25/16 at 1:30pm

KnewItWhenIWasInFron said: ""No harmony?"

That's just plain incorrect. There are a number of times when the two are singing in harmony (not, as you say, singing the same note together).

 

"

I may not have a great ear for music as others, but for the most part I didn't hear much. I hope they can transfer and record an album so I can hear the music again for myself. I've mostly forgotten it besides the song pink.

[logan2]

Posted: 7/26/16 at 2:00am

The score just gets better with repeated listening, and the two Diva's do harmonize beautifully together. Ebersole's voice is soft and smooth as silk and LuPone is at her brassy, belting best. The title song doesn't translate well to audio without visuals in my opinion - I guess you have to be there - but that section needs a little work.

[KnewItWhenIWasInFron]

Posted: 7/26/16 at 1:57pm

Call_me_jorge said: "KnewItWhenIWasInFron said: ""No harmony?"

That's just plain incorrect. There are a number of times when the two are singing in harmony (not, as you say, singing the same note together).
I may not have a great ear for music as others, but for the most part I didn't hear much. I hope they can transfer and record an album so I can hear the music again for myself. I've mostly forgotten it besides the song pink.

 

"

Fair enough but, if you aren't able to recognize harmony, why on earth would you post that there is none?

[kayleefabulous]

Posted: 7/28/16 at 11:40pm

I saw the 2pm matinee today - just fabulous! The men played a larger part than I thought they would, I have to admit. I did enjoy Dinosaurs, thought it was a fun way to say goodbye to the guys (and it brought the mostly elderly matinee house down!). The costumes and set were fantastic, and the ensemble girls had lots of fun choreo. As for the divas- wow. Best Actress is gonna be a nightmare of a category at next years Tonys! Christine and Patti really compliment each other. It seemed like Patti had about 85% of the laugh lines between the two, but gosh is the woman funny. 

I can't wait to see what's in the future for this show! 

Overall: great music, Patti LuPone healed all of my physical ailments, wonderful show.