"I think it's a fool's errand to discuss audience response as proof of anything..."
Thank you for that. There seems to be a large number of people who express an opinion on a show, then follow it up with something like "and the rest of the audience felt the same." They ignore two facts:
1) Our own reaction will color our perception of others' - that is, if we love a show, we want to see that everyone else loves it, and thus that's what we see; and
2) Assuming that because you are in the majority, that makes your opinion extra valid is a fallacy. Your opinion alone really is all you can (and need) express.
Whizzer, your first and most recent post on this make great sense to me. I'd list your "flaws" in the book as challenges. To me, the plot's not the thing here; neither is incident or dialogue. It's all a pretext for inventive staging and distinctive performances. I felt the numbers featuring the male chorus were on the whole adequately conceived and worked quite well. It's intended to be an entertainment, not a traditional book show.
I saw the original tour of IRMA LA DOUCE(Taina Elg and Denis Quilley) when I was about sixteen and remember it fondly and quite well. I assume that the tour was pretty much the same staging and concept as the Broadway production. It was a light, charming, funny confection; and I loved it. I can't help but think that the Encores failed to achieve the right tone and atmosphere. I didn't see it, but it sounds like casting was an issue as well. Agree that awkward cuts might have hurt the book; but even if the book is bad, isn't that what Encores was originally about--shows with good scores and problematic books?
I generally enjoy taking the time to rave about something I like or feel could do a lot better with small little tweaks. I almost left during intermission having fallen asleep during Act 1 - but decided to stay & thankfully found myself very charmed with an Act 2 number "Polar Ballet" with guy dancers as penguins. The unusual small pit band orchestrations were enjoyable, as well.
I saw the original Irma La Douce. It opened in September of 60--the critics loved it and loved Elizabeth Seal. I heard the OBC and could not wait to see it. It was a hot ticket, but during my intercession weekend in January 1961, it snowed on a Saturday, and my brother and I were able to get to the box office and luckily grab two center orchestra tickets. I had high expectations. However, I found much of the musical simplistic, and though Seal was good, it was Keith Michell who really excelled, I felt it was odd that the climax of Act I was his "scene" with himself, the one in which Nestor "kills" Oscar. He did it brilliantly, but where was Irma? Also, despite the large cast, really only Seal, Michell, and Clive Revill seemed to be involved. I remember leaving feeling let down. Interesting sidelight---Fred Gwynne played one of the "mecs" , I was amazed to find in the chorus, a younger dancer who looked like a Jewish version of Fred Gwynne. I watched him, assuming that he was Gwynne's understudy (he was) and took note of his name.....Elliott Gould.
No one thus far has suggested that City Center is just TOO LARGE for a show this size. I fear even THE FANTASTICKS would loose a lot of its charm in this space.
Most elaborate set and smallest orchestra I've ever seen for Encores.
Act 1 was a huge bore, and yes there were many empty seats when I returned for Act 2, which was a delight. Thank G-d. Female lead did nothing for me. Rob McClure was adequate. Definitely one of the lesser Encore performances.
Just saw it. When the Penquin Dance is the highlight, they are in trouble. The 2 leads lacked everything needed for the show. She should be a spark and cracker-jack dancer/singer. She is not. He should be a handsome, velvet voiced leading man with good comic chops.
The whole thing lacked tempo, timming and fun.
The musicians and chorus singers were fine. But McClure was out of his element and his voice was weak. I did enjoy hearing the score but not from the leads. I feel let-down, I think with a great set of leads and more energetic direction it could have been a lot better.
Saw it last night..flaccid staging & lackluster leads but what a beautiful score. "From a Prion Cell" gave me chills and that fulfilled Encore's mission for me..
^^^ From a Prison Cell was wonderful! Overall I thought the score was lovely, well played and well sung. The first act was draggy, but I'm glad I stayed.
Lowered expectations definitely helped. At least it was great to hear the wonderful score. I wish it had been a "star is born" experience for Jennifer Bowles, but sadly that was not the case.
Sad to hear that Rob McClure was miscast here, as I think he is one of our very best musical comedy actors currently. I dearly hope he gets the Broadway vehicle he deserves. He's in Honeymoon in Vegas (if that happens), but don't know anything about his role...
No, I wasn't Roxy. The production I was in had lots of women in the chorus and they were the penguins. I played a variety of roles. The one that stands out is one of the judges in the murder trial. It really was a crappy production and I didn't want my family and friends to waste there time coming to it. Many of them did and were disappointed.
I have no idea how much of the "real" book we saw at Encores this weekend, but (to me) much of it made little-to-no sense. It either needed to be directed/performed in a different style than the flat, naturalistic one used, or Doyle made incomprehensible re-writes.
Saturday afternoon McClure's voice was very weak, he went flat at one point and I believe he cracked on one note. He's much more a character Actor than Leading Man. HONEYMOON seems more up his alley.