Amelie at the Ahmanson

[RaisedOnMusicals]

BroadwayConcierge said: "Someone in a Tree2 said: "My fervent hope is a smart producer buys her out of this contract and pops in her in a proper revival of MY FAIR LADY post haste."

Bumping this because I have actual dreams about a My Fair Lady revival with Ms. Soo at the lead—and somebody needs to make this happen sooner than later!"

 In  no way is it clear that Soo would jump at that opportunity. Sometimes we fail to realize how much the opportunity to create a role on Broadway means to an artist. I'm not saying that she wouldn't trade, I'm just suggesting that it's not a given.

And let's not forget that the majority of the professional critics' reviews of Amelie in LA were positive:

LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-amelie-musical-review-20161217-story.html

Hollywood Reporter: 'Amelie, a New Musical': Theater Review 

NBC Los Angeles: 'Amélie': Magical Film Frolics on Stage 

BroadwayWorld: BWW Review: Ahmanson Welcomes Charming AMELIE 

Stage Scene LA: AMÉLIE, A NEW MUSICAL 

Splash Magazine: Amelie, A New Musical Review - Magic is All Around Us 

Living Out Loud LA: Review: Whimsical “Amélie, A New Musical” Enchants Ahmanson Theatre 

It’s Not About Me.tv: AMELIE, A NEW MUSICAL 

 

 

"

 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Oh, I wasn't saying Soo "should" do My Fair Lady in place of Amélie, RaisedOnMusicals! I, for one, cannot wait to see her in this role on Broadway this spring! I was just saying that I'd love her to take on Eliza Doolittle on Broadway sometime soon, later down the road

[sm33]

I went to see Amelie this afternoon. I was excited for it, but I have to say that I agree with most of the issues that everyone else had with the show.

Things I enjoyed:

- The sets and the scene changes. I especially liked The Two Windmills and the Adult Store, both of which were very colorful. 

- The staging. The use of projectors and a mix of flats and pieces was effective, and allowed them to make it more whimsical than it would look ordinarily. 

- The costumes suited the characters well. 

- I liked most of the actors for their parts. 

Things I did not enjoy:

- Every song Amelie sings sounds the same. Realistically, I am sure that's not the case, but it sounded that way. And despite the repetition, nothing was memorable.

- I didn't like Nino's actor for the part of Nino. I am not sure if it's the way the part is written, or his acting, or both. 

- Having Amelie's every emotion sung directly at the audience. Part of the charm of the movie is figuring her out. 

- The fruit stand guys being in one scene? Why have them in at all??

Basically, this just works so much better as a movie than it does as a musical that I don't really see the point. I didn't hate it, but I wouldn't pay to see it again.  

 

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Someone PM me if you're interested in reading/critiquing a musical treatment that I plan to develop. It has similar notes as AMELIE, but I'm hoping to avoid that production's mistakes.

[theatreguy12]

Farewell to Ms. Soo and the company of Amelie.  It was a magical evening of theater. Thanks for sharing your story with L.A. and break a leg on Broadway!

[LesWickedly]

I saw this production twice in LA. I didn't love it the first time, but really enjoyed myself the second time. The score isn't great and neither is the book. There really isn't anything great about the show, except it's charm. Don't go in expecting the best thing ever and I guarantee you'll have a good time. 

[Skimbleshanks2]

I keep getting discount codes for this... Is it not selling??

[nealb1]

I think it's pretty safe to say that "Amelie" will not be playing for very long in NYC after it opens.

I saw it on closing weekend it was trying to be many things, but wasn't clear on what it was supposed to be. Needs a lot of work.  

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

My concern is the size of the Walter Kerr. I want to see this show succeed, but that theatre is fairly big. Perhaps this would do better at Playwrights Horizons or even the Pels? Eh, what do I know...

[QueenAlice]

Well Playwrights and the Pels are both run under the not-for-profit umbrella, so that wouldn't have worked for commercial production. Though perhaps another developmental production would have been a good idea. Most of the criticisms seem to be about the score. Save hiring new writers, I'm not sure what else they could do at this late juncture.

[CoreyRyan3]

Skimbleshanks2 said: "I keep getting discount codes for this... Is it not selling??

 

I cant seem to find any discount codes. Could you possibly PM me the code??

[Skimbleshanks2]

http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.php?thread=1098300

I was just looking on TICKETMASTER...Oof...

The ads are trying so hard to push HAMILTON re: PHILLIPA SOO... But man... Should she have stayed with THE GREAT COMET?? Why would she want to do AMELIE? THE GREAT COMET has great music, an incredible set and JOSH GROBAN... It's the SHOW OF THE YEAR!

[LesWickedly]

While it may not have been the best choice regarding the show itself and awards, it's a good move to be the star of the show. She's not co-starring, she is the star. Though in the long run, it would've been better to be in Comet since she'd have a real chance at winning the tony, whereas for this, she'll be lucky to get a nomination.

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

I will say this much, the artwork is SO pretty and colorful...and very flattering to Phillipa's visage.

I watched the footage trailer that Playbill posted and the song that plays behind it is lovely. I probably will catch this with my 54 Below pianist. Girls' night out!

[pupscotch]

CoreyRyan3 said: "Skimbleshanks2 said: "I keep getting discount codes for this... Is it not selling??

 

I cant seem to find any discount codes. Could you possibly PM me the code??

 

"

I think AMND15 is one, they're selling tickets for like $60, they must not be selling well at all.

[RaisedOnMusicals]

The fact that discount codes are being offered for a new show is not necessarliy predictive of how a show will do once it opens. My guess is that there will be plenty of discount codes available for Come From Away as well, a show with excellent word of mouth. (And by the way, word of mouth for Amelie was not "bad", as someone posted recently. Comments from those who saw it in LA were certainly mixed, and the reviews skewed positive for sure.)  In any event, the marketing theory at this point is to try to build an advance with the codes, and then hope that the word of mouth and reviews are both excellent. If they are, the show can go on to become a hit.

[Skimbleshanks2]

I understand the risk and wanting to be a lead...It's just that THE GREAT COMET was so beautiful... And this, a musical based on a French movie from 2001, doesn't scream "success" ... I understand the business / career decision, but ... I think she would have been better off staying with GROBAN...

[aaaaaa15]

If Natasha Pierre was a new show that she hadn't starred in before that she had been offered then I'm sure she would have gone with that. But with Amélie she can say she has played the female lead (yes Eliza was a lead) three times at the age of 26. How many other actors can say the same? That plus being the sole headliner of a Broadway show is a big deal at such a young age. Sure she would have almost definitely got a Tony nomination with Comet, but she still may with Amélie and either way it's very unlikely she would be winning against Midler, Ebersole etc. And it's not like she hasn't already been nominated. Another nomination probably means little in comparison to getting to take on new work, a new character and not go back to a role she was playing five years ago.

[Skimbleshanks2]

I guess at this point it might be better to say you were in two back-to-back successes than star in what looks like a flop...But maybe I'm getting ahead of myself here...

I wonder if SOO and STEVEN PASQUALE will ever do a show together... THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM?

[aaaaaa15]

Well Natasha was a success off-Broadway so she can already say that. It'd be more like saying she starred in two back-to-back successes and then went back to the first one. All Broadway actors have flops, considering the recoupment rate of Broadway shows.

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Not for nothing Skimbleshanks, but a French film from 2001 "not screaming success." A Russian novel from 1869 doesn't exactly do that either! You just never know what will connect with people...truly.

[Margo319]

Well, Great Comet is so creative, and beautifully executed.  There is simply nothing else like it.  But, Amelie is based a move not millions of people remember or asked to put on Broadway.  Like, Bullets Over Broadway, Bridges of Madison County and Honeymoon in Vegas.  I don't think anyone cares about a 16 year old movie that is in people's distant memories.  Even though it was well received.  But, not a huge commercial success, unlike Groundhog Day, which is selling very well. 

I think Ms. Soo wants to be similar to Ms. Menzel in terms of creating characters from scratch and doing new material.  She is good in the part, but I did not enjoy the show overall.  Maybe they will make positive changes before opening because every single website I go to, there is she is, urging me to buy tickets.  If you look at Tickemaster, it's really not selling well at all.

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

I was able to get orchestra seats for April 13th, through my job so the price was right! My friend and I are excited. I'm hoping to learn from the show...a few of its themes match those of the next project I'm working on. How is Pam MacKinnon's direction?

[SmokeyLady]

@Ado.. you have the right attitude for this show.  The direction was workman like.  But the show is a fun enough diversion.   I still don't know why it is going to broadway.  But you will have a pleasant evening.