Runaways at Encores Off-Center

[smidge]

WhizzerMarvin said: "CarlosAlberto said: "Awww, my heart just sank. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience at the show Whizzer.

 

Aww, thanks, but it does seem like I'm the outlier here, so if you were on the fence maybe you should still go see it. The bad audience members around me clearly affected my enjoyment, but my dislike of the show ran much deeper than the distractions nearby. Oh well- here's hoping I like the jamboree and Mr. Rosewater more!  

 Sorry to go off topic but has anyone heard any rumors about who might be at the Jamboree besides Foster, Groff and Tesori?

 

"

 

[Wilmingtom]

I saw the original production. The cast, as with Encores, was fantastic.  The show perhaps had more resonance when it opened as the City was in such a sorry, dangerous state.  It was going bankrupt and the show followed the Summer of Sam.  The thought of those kids out on the streets may have been more unsettling than it is today.  The score has a couple nice, heartfelt numbers but after while, it has a sameness about it, as do the monologues. .It is nowhere near the achievement of ...I Can't Cope.    

[JBroadway]

I saw this tonight, and I genuinely thought it was among the best things I've ever seen onstage. I knew some of the history and concept of the show, but none of the material. I found it all to be incredibly moving, poignant, and relevant. I did not find it to be dated at all (well, maybe the costumes...)

As others have said, the cast is astounding. They have put together a unique ensemble filled with diversity, talent and passion.

I sat in the front row through their Peer2Peer ticket program, and I felt completely part of the action. I can totally understand how someone in the back of the mezz, or even the orchestra, would not be nearly as moved as I was. This is a show that requires you to be really swept up, and I agree that this house might be too big for this show. 

I say if you're on the fence, just go. Even if you hate it, I think it's an important piece of theatre to witness.

[high_onbway]

If anyone would like to be part of the action on Saturday 7/9 at 2 pm, let me know because 2 of my friends cancelled so I have 2 extra tickets in the third row of the orchestra. 

[high_onbway]

If anyone would like to be part of the action on Saturday 7/9 at 2 pm, let me know because 2 of my friends cancelled so I have 2 extra tickets in the third row of the orchestra. 

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Saw the show tonight and, sadly, was not a fan at all. I tried hard to at least be aware of how it may have been received in its time, but I ultimately found the show, as a piece of art, one that is ineffective. My biggest issue is that simply hearing the different situations was not enough to move me or make me think. I didn't feel like we got to see into any deeper emotions or meanings behind the stories, so I couldn't connect or invest. Parts of it felt a bit like the SNL high school theatre troupe skit: just simply stating something different or "subversive" or relaying facts about an awful family situation, but without expanding on them or commenting or reacting to this info. It felt meaningless to me, despite the fact that I could see it was supposed to be holding much meaning. Ultimately, because I wasn't able to connect, I was quite bored throughout the show and was anxiously awaiting the end about ten minutes into the show.

[SmoothLover]

neonlightsxo said: ""It is the kind of show that is meant for a small dilapidated East Village theatre. So in presenting it at City Center it becomes more of a concert version than an experience. "

 

That is basically the point of Encores Off-Center.

 

But the point is not to observe material from distance. Even though the Encores presentations are streamlined many past productions have ellicitated an emotional response and embraced the audience. The director in my eyes failed to make it work in the larger space.  His performers were not connecting to the audience and the monologues were like interpretations of drama rather than experiences. Thus as an audience member I was an observer and walked away without any lasting impressions. The original production must have been really cool since the script was written through the actors own experiences. I imagine some of the monologues were chilling. I must say that I liked a lot of the music and the way the piece was structured all though in this particular interpretation the thread was somewhat weak.

Neonlightsxo: Your comments are always so droll.

 

"

 

[cynthiastarlight]

Saw it last night and was not a fan. Two or three of the songs were great, several of the children were outstanding, but for the most part it was a chaotic, uneven show. Couldn't understand a lot of the words, some sang off key, didn't move me at all.