Rocky Previews- Page 4

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 3:53pm

If anyone feels like saying hi, I'll be in a blue and white teeshirt and in row P of the orch!

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 3:53pm

Interesting that tickets are available on TDF but not TKTS.

[Rainbowhigh23]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 4:05pm

Do you think Sly Stallone will be in the lobby greeting everyone like Kathie Lee did at Scandalous?

[TonyVincent]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 4:10pm

Only 1 ticket left on TDF. Between putting the seats in my cart and entering my CC number, they could no longer process my order. Oof!

[Famebroadway2]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 4:14pm

I have 2 TDF tickets for tonight if anyone wants to buy them off me. I am stuck in PA and i would rather not have to go through the trouble of past dating them for a later date. PM Me! ;o)

[Famebroadway2]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 11:04pm

Just saw a pic of the curtain call on Facebook. Can't wait to hear the details.

[Famebroadway2]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 11:04pm

Just saw a pic of the curtain call on Facebook. Can't wait to hear the details.

[eperkins]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 11:15pm

It was amazing! I'll let people who are more articulate give the details, but I say get your tickets now before you have to wait for a couple of years. Big fat hit.

[Kad]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 11:24pm

Just got home.

Even without a surprise and heartfelt speech at curtain call by Slyvester Stallone, this would have been an incredible night at the theater.

Terrific performances, terrific score, terrific design, tremendous spectacle. The audience ate it all up.

My biggest complaint is the wildly anachronistic sports show graphics they use during the "vamping" before the fight while they get the audience onstage. Really weird- very 2014, despite the rest of the show being true to 1976.

That is my biggest complaint.

Otherwise- wow. Rocky just came into this season swinging and sets the bar high. I cannot imagine this not being a hit- with audiences, with critics, with awards.

I can't wait to see it again once the power has been fully restored- they clearly had stagehands aiding in scene changes, as well as some other transitions that will be tighter once power is fixed. Some sound issues, as well, but that's natural for a first preview.

The show is INCREDIBLY tight for a first performance before an audience.

It will be a night I will remember.

yes there's a show curtain and merch etc. etc.

Updated On: 2/13/14 at 11:24 PM

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 11:26pm

Can you two say that this could get Best Musical? I know it's too soon to determine that, but there's no clear frontrunner yet

[Kad]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 11:31pm

I don't know its competition very well- but from what I have heard about and from If/Then, Bridges, and Gentleman's Guide- absolutely. Better than Beautiful? Absolutely. Bullets Over Broadway? Who knows.

But as of now, I would confidently put money on Rocky.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 11:39pm

I'm just getting home from tonight's first preview and I'll start out by mentioning the pre and post-show speeches. Alex Timbers gave a very nice introduction with the typical first preview warnings (we might have to stop the show, etc), but then he added that this was not a painting. It was living, breathing work that would change as the audience reacted to it, and I respect him so much for that. So many shows seems so unwilling or unable to change and he's definitely heading into the preview period with the right attitude.

The curtain call speech was even more exciting because Sylvester Stallone showed up!!

Honestly I don't think it matters what anyone says on this site, or what the reviews are in the papers. This is going to be a big, fat hit. The last twenty minutes are so thrilling that the piece is unstoppable and the word of mouth will spread like wildfire.

That said, I wasn't overly enthused with much of what happened before the big fight sequence, and at intermission I was ready to write it off as a very mediocre evening. The score was shockingly unremarkable, and it pains me to say that because I love Ahrens and Flaherty so much. Luckily act two is basically underscored with Eye of the Tiger and that seemed to be enough to put the audience and myself in a good enough mood.

Andy Karl is doing the best work of his career; they couldn't have scored bigger in the casting department with this role. He has the look, the voice, the swagger and easy charm that makes him a hero to invest in. He really buoys the material he's given.

His big workout sequence reminded me of Spider-Man with the entire male ensemble dressed in the hoodie and sweatpants running around the stage. The audience went absolutely ape**** when the stairs came out and he ran up them.

The set is utterly fantastic, as is the lighting. There are SO many pieces moving all over the place and it all feels so right. It reminded me of what Ghost wanted to be, but failed. The atmosphere created by the set, costumes, etc is perfect, and Timbers must be given credit for unifying the vision of his creative team.

He is tougher job than Bartlett Sher had/has with Bridges though. The problems with JRB's musical are obvious and glaring. Cut this song, change this dialogue. Do these concrete things and you will have a stronger show. The problems with Rocky aren't so easy to diagnose. I found the songs to be most forgettable, but it's not like any of them were screaming to be cut. The book is never cringeworthy or campy, which it easily could have been, and yet I often found the scenes inert.

Like I said though, once that boxing match starts it's the helicopter and chandelier rolled into one. A genuine thrill that gave me goosebumps and had me cheering and screaming.

I preferred both Bridges and Gentleman's Guide to Rocky, but I would have no qualms recommending this one to co-workers, visiting relatives and the like.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 11:43pm

Hmmm. Have a good friend in the show who is u/s to Rocky. I might have to check this out. It just doesn't "speak" to me as theater. I can't get excited for it. Glad it's not cringeworthy though.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 11:45pm

I hate to be that person, but where would you guys recommend sitting for this one?

[RUkiddingme]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 11:47pm

Can't wait to see this! So glad to hear good things!
For folks who saw it tonight - where exactly did you sit and how was the viewing?
I'm still not sure where I want to buy tix.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 11:48pm

I was in the center mezz and thought it was a perfect seat.

Updated On: 2/13/14 at 11:48 PM

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 11:51pm

Just got home. I loved every minute of it. I've never seen the film, and while this is much more a spectacle than a traditional musical, I was enthralled. But most importantly - I was moved.

Andy Karl is extraordinary and will only get better. If he isn't the front-runner for the Tony, I'll be shocked.

Timbers' direction is stunning. The design is gorgeous (except for the aforementioned modern-day news bulletins). But the score is, as others have said, incredibly lacking. I love Ahrens and Flaherty more than most writers. But this is not their best work. BUT, it serves the story and I think the book will get tighter in time and it will ultimately be a very satisfying night.

This was a flawless first preview. So for all those hoping for drama and tech disasters, sorry. They started 7 minutes late, intermission was not long at all, and the show moved along briskly.

I really enjoyed it and it is my front-runner for Best Musical at this point. As much as I loved Gentleman's Guide, I love that ROCKY is capable of bringing NEW people to the theatre. It'll be a big fat hit, even if the critics don't like it.

I'm rooting for this one. It's got so much potential.

[RUkiddingme]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 11:58pm

Mezz is good? Can you see the whole boxing ring?
Do you miss anything in the back of the stage?

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 11:59pm

I sat in Row P of the Orchestra and it was wonderful.

[dave1606]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 12:00am

I was there tonight and first off I would easily reccomend the last row of the mezz for this. This is a BIG show with a capitol B and you want to be able to take it all in. The view is fine and I didn't feel like I was too far away, and I really enjoyed being able to take everything in. I feel like you could have an amazing seat in the golden circle for the first 85% of the show, but then the last 15% you might wind up with the last bleacher seat and be far away from the action, but I will be curious to hear people's experience there.

Coming out of the show it is easy to say that this is the best musical of the season. And certainly it is an adrenaline rush. Alex Timbers continues to show what an incredible director he is, and the set design continued to surprise me ever well before the boxing ring was spinning around.

Unfortunately if you take all of that away, as a musical, the show isn't quite a great musical. The score is totally forgettable save for a few songs, and many of the book scenes stop the show cold. I was definitely reminded of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The first act is spent waiting for the big payoff in Act 2. While this is a much better show than that on all respects, you can't help but feel that coming out of intermission.

But onto the amazing. Andy Karl really is making a star turn here. Instantly likable, funny, and smoldering, you can't help but root for him. I would hope is he remembered come tony nominations.

The thing with this show is that you will come out on with an adrenaline rush and the staging is totally unlike anything I have seen on Broadway. And for a first preview there were very few glitches at all (save for a funny moment where some vocals didn't come in and Andy Karl noted, I think they should sing.").

The show is in great shape and will do well. But please, don't let it win best score.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 12:00am

So happy to read these reviews

[Kad]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 12:08am

I was row L of the side orch and had a good view.

I really do think that those Golden Circle folks get a raw deal, though. They're not much closer to the action than the folks in the rest of the orchestra. But if they want to pony up the cash, well...

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 12:09am

I'm a little nervous for my Row A side orchestra seats, but I am really looking forward to this. Glad to hear some good remarks.

[jakethesnake]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 12:10am

How was Margo Seibert? How was the supporting cast?

[Sauja]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 12:12am

I was there unexpectedly. Managed to snag a last minute ticket in the golden circle. I don't know what I expected, but I left the theater completely, totally, joyously thrilled. After a "we might have to stop" speech, what we got was a beautiful, clean show that might have had some technical issues but I only noticed because I was so close and could hear a couple bumps and see some crew with flashlights in changeovers.

These characters live such internal lives, but Ahrens and Flaherty give them beautiful, specific voices that feel true to the intimate spirit of the show but don't sacrifice how BIG the production is. It would be easy to be overwhelmed by the size if the spectacle, but everyone is so richly developed that the heart of the show beats loud and proud.

Andy Karl is doing unbelievable work as Rocky. I no longer think Jefferson Mays had a Tony seen up, and that thrills me because it means early in the season, we've already seen two bravura performances from leading men. But let's talk about Margot as Adrian. I don't know where she came from, but the biggest thrill of the night for me was seeing her first performance on Broadway. She nearly
Stopped the show with her second act solo, and if she continues to grow into the role, she's going to slay them. I'm shocked by how much I loved this show. What a completely surprising and exciting night.