BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical preview thread- Page 3

[macnyc]

Posted: 11/25/13 at 2:19pm

Thanks for your comments! I agree with you that Epstein's performance was very strong. After reading the postings from the SF run, i had been expecting otherwise. I didn't find him to be the weak link at all. He didn't get booed at the show I attended, however. I loved the show from start to end and can't wait to see it again.

Updated On: 11/25/13 at 02:19 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/25/13 at 2:25pm

He kinda got booed when I went to the first preview, but he was also so happy he was crying, so that was kind of a fun juxtaposition. :)

I forgot to mention Jake Epstein earlier too -- I really liked him in Spring Awakening, and I kinda liked him in Beautiful in SF, but I was back to the "really" this go around. I thought he talk-sang through a lot of SA, which was weird, so it was nice to hear him sing in this. I think he may have more to sing in the show now than he did before.

Agreed with Kelly about Up on the Roof. We already know what the Drifters sounded like singing it (and they already have On Broadway) -- let's let just Gerry sing it!

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 11/25/13 at 8:12pm

Sorry if I missed it but can anyone post the approximate current running time? Thanks a lot!

[Joviedamian]

Posted: 11/25/13 at 10:28pm

"And that was kind of the problem in SF -- there was a great story there, but it seemed stifled by the heavy involvement of the relevant parties. But we'll see how it is here."

True! I read an article, stating that a lot of the "drama" per say, was left out of the musical because it was material the creators were NOT allowed to use in the show. King gave her approval, but apparently it came with conditions (you can't say this, or talk about this, etc). So, for what the creators HAD to work with may be the best results they could do!

[Kelly2]

Posted: 11/25/13 at 10:52pm

Jovie, would you mind providing a link to said article? I'd be really interested to read it. I hadn't heard anything about any kind of censorship, though I'm sure there are some particularly painful things that were left out.

Updated On: 11/25/13 at 10:52 PM

Posted: 11/25/13 at 11:56pm

Broadwaystar2-

I get that. But the only other times I said that was:

Christian Borale - starcatcher
Billy porter-kinky boots


Im 2 for 2.
Haha.... I never walk out insisting someone will win something, that's all. But, yes the season has just begun and it's a great one!

[Joviedamian]

Posted: 11/26/13 at 2:04pm

Hey Kelly2, let me see if I can find it. I think it was actually an interview with the creators or Jessie, I can't remember now. Now, I am not saying it was complete censorship, I guess I am just in defense in a way when all these post I read mentioned how "This" should have been in the play and "That" should have been in it too...all along not knowing that maybe the creators wanted it to be, but legally could not.

I think it is very fascinating how a show get puts together to become the final product the audience sees. The challenges are very difficult to pull something off like this. The Richard Ridge interview shows Carole's daughter answering questions from Richard that really give you the tone of the piece and what her mother wanted it to be. You can tell there was some things left out of the play, and it shows in her answers!

Here's the Richard Ridge Interview:

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-TV-Meet-the-Cast-of-Broadways-BEAUTIFUL--Plus-an-Onstage-Performance-Preview-20131122


Updated On: 11/26/13 at 02:04 PM

[Kelly2]

Posted: 11/26/13 at 2:09pm

I guess having read more about the story online and especially about Gerry (as mentioned earlier in the thread), I can see how people feel things might be left out, but I really think they have plenty in there to tell the story they want to tell.

A musical that goes into the gritty details of Gerry's drug abuse and mental illness and all would be a very, very different show in tone than this one is. I don't think that's the story they're trying to tell. A lot of the other hardships in Carole's life mentioned earlier in the thread fall well outside the time frame this show is examining. I mean, I'd love to know a lot more about the darker side of her story, before and after Tapestry, but I don't think most of that has a place in this show, and not because of censorship. Does that make sense?

[Joviedamian]

Posted: 11/26/13 at 2:13pm

Kelly2, that makes total sense. It's a different kind of show. I think I read one post on here that said (paraphrasing), that they should have put this in the show to make it "Better". Well, maybe, maybe not. Who knows. I think the creators did a wonderful job to what looks like a very captivating musical story of a music icon. I have not seen the show to comment on what I really think about it, but educated myself I think, enough, to comment respectfully.

[macnyc]

Posted: 11/26/13 at 2:22pm

I think the show beautifully expressed what it wanted to cover, which was Carole's start in the business and her transition to singer/songwriter. I think we saw enough of Gerry's struggles to see how they affected her life. Just my opinion!

[Rhoda4]

Posted: 11/26/13 at 3:24pm

Saw the show this past Saturday the 23rd (matinee) Very simply, I really enjoyed it! I found the basic story interesting, and the music - the cast - the voices - all were wonderful. I think that if anyone has any interest in Carole's story and/or enjoys her music - you will enjoy this musical.

Updated On: 11/26/13 at 03:24 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 12:20pm

I don't think this is a good show. The book is weak and much of the first act is simply performances of well-known songs strung together with "scenes" that are a few lines.

But I'll be damned if I wasn't entertained. The songs are impeccably performed, the design is wonderful, there are fun quick changes, and the voices of the cast are fantastic.

And, of course, Jessie Mueller. Enough cannot be said for how excellent she is. She truly transcends the material, and when she is able to let loose, the excitement is palpable. I would happily see her win the Tony for this.

Updated On: 11/29/13 at 12:20 PM

[BobNC]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 4:38pm

"I coached a client for the Carole cover." Can you further explain this comment?

[Marlothom]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 5:32pm

Just caught the matinee - saw the opening night in SF and was eager to see what changes had been made. SPOILERS (I Guess) Act 1 is mostly the same - with an early introduction of Janelle and some changes to the "suicide" attempt. I really wish they would let Jessie blow the roof off during the One Fine Day Act 1 finale, I get that it is out of character (she does it at the curtain call), but it's let down after such an emotional scene.

Act 2 is very much a new work in progress - tons of new dialogue to make it more about the making/origin of Tapestry - but frankly some of these new scenes need some rehearsing - slow, and awkward (i.e. intro into Natural Woman, intro into It's Too Late, very looong intro into You've Got a Friend). All these new dialogue make Gerry's character practically gone for all of act 2. I am excited that they are continuing to tweak at this.

[StickIt]

Posted: 12/8/13 at 6:11pm

Just thought I'd bump this to post that according to Alison Solomon (associate choroegrapher) and Carole's daughter Sherry Kondor on Twitter, the show has been sold out this entire weekend including today. So happy to see them having such success so far. Also worth noting, Cynthia Weil said on Twitter she's been having conversations with bookwriter Doug McGrath about revisions that are forthcoming or possibly maybe have been put in already? Has anyone seen it recently to comment on if anything has changed?

I was very happy to see the major rewriting done to Carole's final scene with Gerry back when I saw it. *SPOILER* It just flows so much better without the attempt on his part to get back together and the "YOU'RE going all the way" really worked for me.

[theatregeek6]

Posted: 12/8/13 at 8:06pm

I went Friday night and it was sold out. Jessie Mueller is, of course, incredible. The story flowed well and the running time was a nice 2 1/2 hours. The audience went crazy for the show - more wild applause than I have heard in a while. The cast was talented and energetic, and the show was aided by a very sleek and workable set design.

The book is not fantastic, but workable and combined with the performances made for a really great evening. Did I mention Jessie Mueller was incredible?

I didn't have a huge interest in this and was very happily surprised. Oh, by the way, Jessie Mueller was incredible.

[StickIt]

Posted: 12/9/13 at 2:25pm

The audiences really do seem to be loving this show, there was a standing ovation before the lights had even come up for the curtain call both times I saw it.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 12/9/13 at 3:15pm

'"I coached a client for the Carole cover." Can you further explain this comment?'

Sorry! I just saw this. Besides acting myself, I also do work as an acting coach here in NYC. A client that I've worked with was called in for an ensemble role that would have covered (understudied) the role of Carole. At that point, they were also wanting that track to cover the role of Cynthia, so I had to help her prepare both roles with the material from the script.

[StickIt]

Posted: 12/9/13 at 3:52pm

That's interesting, Robbie! There is still an ensemble role that covers both Carole and Cynthia in the show though, it's the track done by Rebecca LaChance. I believe she is the first Carole cover and the second cover for Cynthia. I know you mentioned having issues with the way the final Carole/Gerry scene was done, if you ever get a chance to see the show again, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the changes they've made to it, which were pretty substantial. I agree with you that as written before it really didn't feel like enough.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 12/9/13 at 4:09pm

That's wonderful to hear! I do hope to see it again to see what changes they've made.

[Marlothom]

Posted: 12/9/13 at 5:01pm

I commented above about some of the changes, one thing I missed from SF was the connection between Carole/Gerry confrontation and her performing "It's Too Late." In SF, it seemed to come right after - and the crowd erupted. In NYC, they added the scene with her mom (loved!), the whole moving to LA thing (I think), and by the time she gets up to perform, it had lost some of its impact.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 11:27pm

Saw the show tonight and absolutely loved it. For what it's worth, I didn't think It's Too Late lost its impact at all. It felt like such a catharsis to me the way it was done. I highly recommend this one. Is it groundbreaking? Not at all. But I would definitely say it's the best jukebox musical we've had since Jersey Boys by a lot. I kept thinking how this show did so many things right that Motown and Baby It's You did wrong. I also loved that the Shirelles were so much better and more convincing as characters in passing here than they were in the Broadway show all about them...

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 5:45pm

Im calling it now-Jessie Mueller will win the Tony ala John Lloyd Young. She has the audience in the palm of her hand from the first moment. This show, although a weak book, has an uber-talented cast that delivers the songs with such artistry. It has gorgeous production values and the audience falls under its spell.

There's some magic that goes on. All the main characters get nicely humanized and are endearing even with a clunky book. My guess is that Anika Larsen has a great shot a Tony too.

This show is gonna be a big fat hit. The older audiences (the ones with the $$$ to spend) will flock to this and this show will tour like a dream.

I was swept away for two hours. Jessie nails it and its a tour de force.

[MickSeven]

Posted: 12/21/13 at 9:47pm

I saw it this afternoon and thought it was wonderful. I have been attending 3/4 things a year for the last decade and would put it in my top 4-5 along with Aida, Jersey Boys, Bronx Tale (play obviously) and Les Mes.
I agree with a recent post- it avoided things that Motown and Baby Its You did.
I thought it was stronger than Memphis which I also liked.
Ironically, Baby its You could not secure the rights for Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow which is absurd given it was their biggest hit.
What I liked about this show was there were some additional subplots that gave the other cast members a lot of time.
I sat in the front row for this which was actually pretty good since the pit took a few feet and most of the show takes part in the front half of the stage.
Was the most I ever paid for a broadway show (normal face) and was well worth it.
Perhaps they worked on the book more? I found it rather smooth unlike the choppy Motown one.
Question (as a piano player myself)- is she playing on any of the songs? (looked like she was doing some of the Bach) or is it merely the pit musicians- saw they had a few keyboardists/pianists.
I agree with a previous post that a little more could have been done with the Carnegie Hall Concert- was actually listening to that on my ride up today.

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 12/22/13 at 12:08am

I saw it a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it. I hope it is as big of a hit as Jersey Boys. The entire cast was wonderful and the audience really seemed to enjoy it and were really vocal when familiar songs started.

To answer your question, Mick Seven, I saw the show from above and she is not actually playing the piano. But she did a hell of a job acting like she did. I was so convinced that I had to look at the conductor a few times to see if he was playing or not. The only time he did not play along is when she played the classical bit for Gerry at college.