Lady Day Previews- Page 4

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/28/14 at 11:30am

Three years before her death, Billie had this to say to Jet magazine:

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/28/14 at 11:39am

Luckily for Audra, Broadway doesn't go for booze and dope...

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 3/28/14 at 11:50am

THAT'S what I'm doing wrong!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/28/14 at 8:39pm

The play itself is nothing incredible. It does have some genuinely funny/touching moments and stories and it serves its purpose, which is basically to be a star vehicle for someone with a plethora of talents. And that is where Audra McDonald comes in.

This just may be the finest stage performance I've seen this season, which is saying quite a lot, considering the wealth of strong performances we've had. But this is one that deserves to go down in the history books and one that anyone who calls themselves a theater-lover should not miss. I can't state it any more plainly: do not miss this performance.

What Audra has managed to do in terms of manipulating her voice, both while singing and speaking, is nothing less than astonishing. She saunters out, gets a roaring entrance welcome, opens her mouth and you can literally hear the audience gasp and sigh after her first few notes. I left the theater unable to find the right adjectives to describe what Audra is managing to do nightly in this show. Transfixing and hypnotizing are certainly two appropriate ones though. I didn't want to blink or breathe and miss a second of what she was doing. The word brilliant gets thrown around a lot on here, but to see Audra in this show is to truly grasp the meaning of the word. It's a performance I will never, ever forget.

The music is so gorgeous, the direction is fantastic, and the technical aspects are lovely. The play is certainly nothing astonishing, but when you have a performance like this, a mediocre script is not the end of the world. The three musicians also deserve a huge acknowledgement. They're excellent.

But this is Audra's show. And boy, does she deliver. Updated On: 3/28/14 at 08:39 PM

[jnb9872]

Posted: 3/29/14 at 9:11am

My date turned to me after the first number and simply mouthed: "What the f*ck!" We thought we'd known what to expect, but "channeling Billie Holiday like a medium and literally singing with a different voice than we'd ever heard her use before" was not something we were prepared for.

I hope these raves don't overdo your expectations, because the shock of what we experienced was well worth the price of admission. But this was a special evening.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 3/29/14 at 10:44am

Going next week. I usually worry about managing expectations when the word of mouth is anywhere near this. But I'd like to think that if even a quarter of what I've heard is true (and I have no reason to believe it isn't, given those who have weighed in and what they've offered about the performance), that there might be no mitigation of the thrill and admiration for what Audra has done here.

[Okiekat]

Posted: 3/29/14 at 11:45am

For those interested in rush, I was 10th in line by 8:40 this morning and got 2 tickets. There were about 15 people behind me.. not sure if everyone got tickets. Box office says rush is not a guarantee.. depends on sales. If show is sold out, there's no rush availability.

[wickedfan11]

Posted: 3/29/14 at 12:36pm

My friend went to the box office around noon and was able to get two rush tickets for tonight's performance.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/29/14 at 7:11pm

Rushed this morning on a whim and got a great 2nd row seat for tonight's show. Can't wait!

[wickedfan11]

Posted: 3/29/14 at 10:09pm

Just saw the show. Audra is giving a truly incredible performance. I had high expectations because of what I've read on here, but I was still blown away.

I was in the 2nd row on the left side of the house, and the view was fantastic.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/29/14 at 10:37pm

Now we all know I love a big bombastic set with moving pieces, etc (I'm seeing Rocky later this week), but these are the kinds of shows I truly treasure.

It was simply stunning. I honestly felt like I was in a club. The mood, the lighting, the ambiance. It was so cool. I loved the on-stage seating with the champagne and stuff. The scrim was used sparingly. Just some gorgeous moment.

Her performance is masterful. I always love when you can't quite tell what was scripted and what was not. She made it her own. Sure, the play isn't a masterpiece, but what she and Lonny Price do with it is amazing. It elevates the material.

Go see it. It was pretty friggin' packed tonight, and I'm sure once word-of-mouth spread it will be a hot ticket.

Unlike Bullets Over Broadway, the audience leapt their feet at the final black-out.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 3/29/14 at 11:13pm

I saw the matinee today with my parents, who typically favor more of loud soaring ballad musical . We left with the same reaction: Audra McDonald is giving a jaw dropping performance. She has, once again, managed to top herself.

Let me talk about atmosphere. For the first time in a long time, I feel like Circle in te Square is being used to it's potential. You get a night club atmosphere. Lighting is used effectively and gives the right tough. I enjoyed our seats, which were in the 4th row, but I don't think there's any disappointing seats here because Audra is singing to all spaces and utilizing the round stage to her advantage.

Like many, I wad intrigued by the idea of Audra McDonald as Billie Holiday. She has won; I'm now a member of the Church of Audra McDonald can do anything. It's not just how she uses her voice, but it's her movement, her expression, and her posture. This is a master class in acting without even opening your mouth. And when she opens het mouth, it's a masterpiece.

I think Audra would be spectacular as the "your call is valuable to us" voice on customer service lines. She has yet to do wrong in my eyes. But this was a new dimension. What jnb9872 said about it like being channeled through a medium? Yep. That. It blew me away. I'm getting chills thinking about it.

Audra is legendary in so many roles. This is no exception. It was as exciting as hearing her sing Sarah in Ragtime, to me. Run to this show. You need to see it, just to get a dose of brilliance. If this extends or transfers or tours, this could become another legendary Audra McDonald role, no doubt.


Updated On: 3/29/14 at 11:13 PM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/29/14 at 11:20pm

The first thing I did when I got home was watched YouTube videos of Billie, just to hear her right after hearing Audra, and the hair stood up on the back of my neck. Her performance is just staggering. I can't get it out of my mind.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/29/14 at 11:24pm

That's what I'm doing now!

As soon as she began to sing her first note, the girl next to me just put her hands up and said "What?!"

I'd love to know more about the rehearsal process. This show seemed so thrown together. How long did it take her to get the voice down? Etc. I'd love to know how it all came together.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 3/29/14 at 11:28pm

Saw this tonight from the last row nearly center - it was brilliantly done. Audra is awe inspiring and the show just so flat out entertaining. I really enjoyed it!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/29/14 at 11:34pm

I swear, I could talk for days about that brief pause after Audra sang the first few lyrics of the opening song. It was like the audience was holding their breath, anxious to see if she'd be able to pull it off. And then after those first few notes, you could legitimately hear a ton of people gasp, sigh, and whisper "wow." I wanted to stand up in that split second and just start cheering. I could've gone home after that first number and been more than happy with my experience and her performance. But she only gets stronger as the night goes on, which is just unreal to me.

She sang those first few notes and I felt a lump in my throat. I could go on and on and on...truly. She's magnificent.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/29/14 at 11:38pm

As someone who didn't know ANYTHING about Billie Holliday, it's hard to say how close her performance is, etc. But all I can say is that her performance is engaging and heart breaking, etc.

I'm glad they stuck true to the whole like "she's performing at a night club thing" and there weren't any crazy outrageously dramatic moments, etc.

*SPOILER???*
I didn't quite understand the ending with her like lip-synching. I was at her profile, so maybe it looked different from father back, but it was just a weird ending to me.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 3/29/14 at 11:40pm

In reply to ^

*SPOILER***
I actually thought her mic went out! It seemed very sudden to me, but I totally see the dramatic choice to do that. But yeah, def thought her mic went out.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/29/14 at 11:43pm

SPOILER
Agreed! At first I was like "Oh, what is she saying" and then I realized it was sort of like the poster for the show. But .... I don't know. I did like how they lit up all the objects behind the scrim though.
END

I kind of wish the objects behind the scrim had been scattered around the theater. It would have used the space a little more instead of having that big blank scrim wall. Plus you could have more seats in there.

[musikman]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 10:46pm

Saw the show this afternoon. I echo every last thing that Wickedrocks said. The work Audra McDonald does is so spot on, it's almost frightening, and it left me shaken walking out of the theatre.

There is no excuse to miss this performance. This one will be talked about for a long time.

[jdrye222]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 11:40pm

apologies if this has already been answered but can anyone tell me where it is that I can still use the discount code?? or are they not being honored anymore?
I can't find a place on telecharge to enter it in.... is it on another site?
Or only at the box office?
thanks

[gstrus2]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 11:47pm

Saw this today. Blown away by McDonald. She never seems to dispoint. I rushed today, got there at 10:45 for a 12pm opening and was about 15th in line, but managed to get a seat in the third row on the left side, and had a fine view. Highly recomend this show.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 3/31/14 at 12:18am

I have one slot left and I'm torn between this and Mothers and Sons. Someone help me choose please!

[bjh2114]

Posted: 3/31/14 at 8:19am

Completely different things. If you want a more traditional style play, see Mothers and Sons. If you want to see an incredible star turn, see Lay Day.

[The Pecan Sandies]

Posted: 3/31/14 at 10:39am

Just wanted to add my 2 cents. Saw the show yesterday and just need to echo everything stated on here. Audra is giving a performance unlike anything I have ever seen. I'm almost embarrassed to say that this was my first time seeing Audra live but what a first time it was. She is sensational in every sense of the word

And WiCkEDrOcKS, I totally agree with your thoughts on the pause in the opening song. I got chills listening to the gasps as she started up again