THE MOST HAPPY FELA! at Encores!

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 3/26/14 at 8:43am

Anybody else going? I'm pretty excited! Of course, it's not Balzac, but how about that Shuler Hensley?

[newintown]

Posted: 3/26/14 at 8:58am

Ain't even Rabelais...

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 3/26/14 at 9:13am

Sahr Ngaujah I love your work

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 7:57am

Dress rehearsal was last night, and reports on the other board are mostly positive. Is anyone going tonight?

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 8:09am

One of my very favorite shows ever. Looking forward to hearing about this production!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 9:36am

Can't wait to see it this weekend! If anyone was there last night, what was the running time?

[hushpuppy]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 9:54am

All you aficionados of TMHF probably know this bit of trivia, but for those who don't, listen for the mailman at the beginning of the title number in Act I. The names he calls out in the mail call were actual members of the original company:

"Farnsworth, your husband's all right" (Ralph Farnsworth, played the bus driver)
"Johnson, you better pay the gas and light" (the immortal Susan Johnson, who played Cleo)
"Sullivan! You're here thank the Lord, Sullivan you're breakin' my back with Montgomery Ward" (Jo Sullivan, who played Rosabella, and went on to marry composer-lyricist Frank Loesser)
"Van Pelt, your sister had a baby girl" (Lois Van Pelt, one of the neighbors)
"Greene, Herbie Greene, say who's Pearl? (Two-time Tony Award winner, Herbert Greene was the orchestra and choral director, and had a prolific 20-year career in musical theatre.)

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 10:27am

Jordan, someone on ATC just asked about running time, so I'm sure there will be an answer there soon. But I think it's worth mentioning that someone else in the thread about last night's dress rehearsal commented on the fact that there were 38 (!!!!) players in the orchestra. I cannot wait to hear such a glorious sound on Saturday! (I'm also hoping Jo Sullivan Loesser will be at the talkback after Saturday's matinee, but unless she's unwell I can't imagine she won't be.)

[gingersnap2]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 10:55am

I'm considering going, but not sure I can afford it. I couldn't find any discounts online - does anyone know of any?

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 11:18am

^ gingersnap, the majority of the balcony is $30 a ticket. However, they may be sold out at this point.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 11:21am

Going tomorrow night! One of my favorite scores of all time!

[gingersnap2]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 11:22am

Thanks, neon. I may check that out. I'm definitely going to want to HEAR it more than see it. 38-piece orchestra!

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 11:24am

Stupid question...but does anyone know the name of the restaurant/bar across the street from City Center? I'm blanking and wanna grab a bite there beforehand with my friend.

[yfs]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 1:07pm

Abboccato is right across the street. Italian, not bad. Pricey, but not horribly so.

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 2:37pm

Abboccato is excellent: really good fresh pasta and seafood. And I wouldn't even say it's that pricey. I always like to eat there when I'm seeing something at City Center.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 2:40pm

Thanks, guys! And, of course, I can't get a reservation. I'll try Trattoria dell Arte

[matineeidol2591]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 4:34pm

The production is pure musical theatre euphoria. The actors, the voices, the direction, the choreography, all first rate. Don't miss this one. Casey Nicholaw did a fine job.

Artistic Director Jack Virtell came out last night just before the show started and announced Laura Benanti was ill. Take a listen to the promo vid shot last night though-shes never sounded better! What a trooper.

[matineeidol2591]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 4:41pm

Run time was about 2 hours and 35 mins, including intermission. The first act is rather short-the second act is the longer of the two.

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 5:24pm

Revival, please?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 7:03pm

Encores! is continuing to build quite a track record for itself. Excited to see this.

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 7:09pm

hushpuppy, I did know that about the names in the song, but I'm glad you mentioned it in this thread just the same.



It's a very nice touch.

Updated On: 4/2/14 at 07:09 PM

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 7:55pm

I have doubts about it being a viable candidate for a full-fledged Broadway revival, although I'd certainly go should that ever happen. I don't think the name-value would mean anything to today's John Q Public and it's really not done all that often in regional theatre/summer stock/etc. The original had several runs at City Center during the 1950's, but aside from the truncated version that was done in 1991 or thereabouts, has not seen the light of day in NYC. Despite good reviews, even the 1991 version was a hard sell (and at one of Broadway's smallest houses). A complete recording would be nice, but a full-fledged revival? Not sure so about that one.

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 9:25pm

Eric---You do realize that the OBCR is a complete recording, right? It's a triple-record set (or 2 CDs).

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 9:45pm

So, how was the moistness?

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 10:53pm

The most happy fella, the most happy man is ME!

The Most Happy Fella is my favorite musical of all-time, but I have never seen a production that wasn't at least a slight let down from the OBCR, which I believe to be the most perfectly recorded show. Ever.

Tonight broke the curse of disappointment, and because of how close this show is to my heart it must rank my top ten theatrical experiences.

Laura Benanti was BRILLIANT. I mean scary, terrifying brilliance. After tonight bring on Esclarmonde! If I didn't worship the woman enough already this sent me over the edge. Transfer it and give her the Tony.

Heidi B was doing some MAJOR channeling of Susan Johnson tonight. It was eerie and wonderful. She was very, very funny without pushing too hard, which seems to be a common problem for Cleos.

Shuler Hensley acted the role beautifully. A few of his top notes were a little thin, but the emotion in his performance more than compensated. He didn't get tripped up on the accent and syntax of his lines.

Cheyenne Jackson gave the best performance of his career IMO. "Joey, Joey, Joey" was a stunner. Jay Armstrong Johnson was a lot of fun as Herman, and of course "Big D" was a showstopper.

The ensemble was HUGE, even by Encores standards. (There must have been a casting call at Hunks R Us too.)

The orchestra was heavenly.

I was in heaven.

I still am in heaven.

My heart is so full.