Scott Rudin can't be letting this go without a cast recording. I'm in shock. I hope it tours or gets regional productions popping up soon.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
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Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
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Call_me_jorge wrote: Scott Rudin can't be letting this go without a cast recording. I'm in shock. I hope it tours or gets regional productions popping up soon.
This is petty cash to Scott Rudin. You win some, you lose some. Broadway seemed a nice idea at the time... Please, don't be in shock, Jorge.
The show was, in my opinion, not nearly as great as everyone says.
It's an important piece of history worth telling, but the book was a mess. And while it had tons of speechifying about the struggle, somehow that never came through in the action.
There as a big scene about how putting in the first ever black love song might cause violence and other physical ramifications. Next thing you know they're singing it and we're on to the next scene. Everything is hunky-dory.
That's just one example of many.
The 5 stars and Warren easily made up for that, and it was certainly worth seeing for them, but this was not the slam dunk people seem to think it was.
Still, it's a true shame that this might not be recorded. Even a second tier show, the cast and Blake's music make this worth preserving.
I do not think Rudin is even thinking about this anymore.To him, it is roadkill in the rear view mirror. He is to busy counting his money to even give this a second thought. Thinking about a cast album for this is the farthest thing from his mind.
The show was, in my opinion, not nearly as great as everyone says.
I never thought there was a lot of disagreement that the show had its flaws, especially in the second act. And of course, a lot of people saw different versions as Wolfe tried to tweak it.
But as you note, the show features some great performances. And one of the things I admired about it is that it really was trying something new, albeit with old songs and a familiar backstage musical storyline, about a chapter of Broadway history I knew nothing about. When deciding on shows to see, I was more interested in seeing Shuffle Along than in another jukebox musical or yet another familiar film with songs added. It's sadly ironic that this show looks to be facing the same fate as the original musical. It will be forgotten, yet another Shuffle Along "revival" (alas, it wasn't one) that didn't work, with not even a cast recording. In this case, it seems to have been done in by a combination of bad luck and poor planning.
Just got a text that Audra is out tonight. I have a ticket for the final performance tomorrow. Hope everything is ok with her pregnancy and that she's able to perform tomorrow afternoon.
If the show hadn't already started, and I wasn't on the West Coast, and I hadn't already seen it, I would definitely go too.
I saw the show in previews with McDonald, and she was wonderful, but it's an ensemble piece. People who skip it because she's not there are making a mistake.
bear88 said: "If the show hadn't already started, and I wasn't on the West Coast, and I hadn't already seen it, I would definitely go too.
I saw the show in previews with McDonald, and she was wonderful, but it's an ensemble piece. People who skip it because she's not there are making a mistake."
I totally agree.It was nice to see her onstage but there was more to this show than just seeing her. It is killing me that I have not been able to see it again before it closes. Going to trh to geg over there to grab some merch tomorrow after the show.
If anyone going to the theatre could pick me up a magnet, I'd be so appreciative and would immediately PayPal or Venmo you the cost + shipping. I'm so bummed this show didn't get the life it deserved.
orlikethecolorpurple said: "If anyone going to the theatre could pick me up a magnet, I'd be so appreciative and would immediately PayPal or Venmo you the cost + shipping. I'm so bummed this show didn't get the life it deserved.
Magnets are sold out at the theater. Was at the show earlier today and the person in front of me was asking.
I was at the performance tonight and loved the show. I was disappointed that Audra was out, of course - they'd sent an e-mail around 5 PM, but I didn't see it until after the show, so first found out as we were heading into the theater. But really, what difference would it have made? I certainly wasn't going to not go just because Audra was out. And her understudy Darlesia was excellent. There was also a replacement for Brooks Ashmanskas (Leo Ash Evens) but as it was a larger slip in the program ("The roles of Sam, Izzy, etc etc are played by...) I got the impression that Brooks left the show a bit early and Evens stepped in to finish the run. He was very good although I always do enjoy seeing Ashmanskas in anything (just saw him in Something Rotten not too long ago.)
I'm sorry to hear that there will be no cast album - that's very disappointing. I agree with the other posters who've said that this was an interesting and different show and one that should be recorded. It could be done so well, with historical background information included in the CD. It certainly was a part of theatrical history that I knew almost nothing about and I'm glad I at least got to see it before it closed, but I'm sorry more people won't have the chance to experience it.
I have tickets for today and am just wondering if anyone has heard if Audra will be in the show or not. I'm guessing that she might not because of her Twitter posts. Either way I'm excited to see it, but am saddened that this will be my first and last time seeing this production. It really is a shame that there will be no cast album.
It's sad and a bit ironic that this show, about a show that 'disappeared' from history and needed retelling, will not itself be memorialized with a recording...hopefully not destined to be forgotten too