WAR PAINT - Pre-Broadway Thread

[StylishCynic]

I was lucky enough to see this on Saturday night, and, in short, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. From start to finish, this is truly one of the most captivating new musicals in the past 5 years.

I should preface with someone's comment from earlier mentioning that Ms. Arden and Rubenstein don't have much name recognition in today's audiences, and I very much believe this is one of the source material's strengths. I went in knowing nothing about the women and nothing of the show's plot/musical structure. Because of this, I never once knew what would happen next or how the story would end. It's not like most biopics where the ending is known (a la Evita or Hamilton). 

 

I will say that I was almost more wowed by the book scenes than the songs. The book is top-notch, and the humor is witty, fast, and poignant. I kept telling myself to remember some of the lines. What sticks out in my head now is this:

*Arden at the St. Regis for lunch*
Freddie (waiter): "The usual today, Miss Arden?"

Arden: "Yes, Freddie, I'll have my usual --One beef bouillon cube dissolved in hot water, 4 celery sticks, and a glass of prune juice."



I know that some are not fond of the final book scene (where the women meet at last), but I found it enthralling. The tea has been boiling hot through the whole show, and we finally get to sip it in all its glory here.

What is most effective in this scene is the use of silence between the two women. It was a pinnacle moment of adrenaline, reflection, and camaraderie between two formidable women.



The 2 men, Mr. Lewis and Flemming, compliment these women well, and their send off song --"Dinosaurs"-- was a breath of fresh air. It was an "Agony" for two grown men --both topping each other's hellish experiences with humor, wit, and grief. 

My favorite song had to have been "Now You Know," which burned white hot with spite and pity. 



All in all, I'm still reflecting, but I count my pearls that I'm lucky enough to live 15 minutes away from the Goodman. I've already purchased tickets for 2 more performances.

[MissAnneThrop]

can a picture of the title page of the playbill be posted?

[Almira]

Final Report before I head back home.

Saw the show tonight and it is jelling nicely.  My opinion of the title song, DINOSAURS, and act two in general are the same, but listening to the score a third time it just gets richer and  better.

Arden now has new lines about her friendship with her clientele,  advice about what sacrifices are necessary if you want to succeed.  She also had a new line at the end of PINK.  Tonight she picked up a pick object from her desk (jar?) crossed over to the circle banquette sofa, stares a the object and gives a few words describing the color pink. End of scene.

 

 

 

[KnewItWhenIWasInFron]

Can be and has been, a couple pages earlier in this thread.

[indytallguy]

Went to buy a seat during the final extension week: $182 for orchestra. Uh, no thanks. I'll wait for Broadway when the discounts make a seat about half that.

[gypsy101]

I think MissAnneThrop meant the title page inside of the playbill, not the cover.

[Bettyboy72]

indytallguy said: "Went to buy a seat during the final extension week: $182 for orchestra. Uh, no thanks. I'll wait for Broadway when the discounts make a seat about half that.

Indy, you might want to consider booking a few days in Chicago and going to the box office day of or using the discount code for half price mezz seats. It's worth it.

Also, I have a sneaking suspicion that prime orchestra in NYC will be $225+ for these two leading ladies. As we know the prime orchestra section keeps growing that they charge prime for.

The Goodman is a small 850 seat theatre. Great to see these legends so close. I think $182 is a lot, but well worth it.

 

[sgreen3]

I have been hearing about this for a while now (mostly on social media from David Korins, set designer for this as well as Hamilton) and after seeing a brief NYT article yesterday (http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/10/theater/patti-lupone-and-christine-ebersole-in-a-battle-of-lipstick-titans.html) finally decided to book a trip to Chicago. Just read through this thread (skipping spoilers) and now super excited to see the show on 7/31!

For what it's worth, the mezzanine seat (I think row G) I bought was reasonable. Came out to $50 with fees --- though I think I got charged a slightly higher fee once I put in my NY address? Is that something out-of-town theaters do? Not a big deal as I think it was only a difference of a few dollars, but curious.

[pc1145N]

Saw this for the second time last night and it's in great shape. While it's the music that really elevates it for me, I had forgotten how funny it is. Patti seems to really be enjoying showing off her comedic side. She was hilarious in the final scene simply pouring tea and getting hors d'oeuvres.