SIDE SHOW at Kennedy Center

[mjohnson2]

Looks like they have found a cast and are moving foreword with it. God help us all.
Thoughts?

Broadwayworld link

[perfectlymarvelous]

This production was always going to play the Kennedy Center after it was at La Jolla, it's a joint production.

I'm excited for it, I've loved the cast recording since high school and it's one of those shows I've always wanted to see live and never thought I would get to. I'm considering making a trip down to DC for it.

[mjohnson2]

Oops, my mistake. I'll edit the original post now.

[morosco]

So happy you posted this today. I didn't realize tickets had gone onsale already.

[Brian07663NJ]

Saw the original. Loved it then. Have enjoyed the CD for years.
Purchased my tickets to attend July 12th matinee. Looking forward to it!

Will get back to you once I return to see if my opinion has changed.

BTW I accidentally noticed when trying to figure out which day I would travel from NYC to Washington DC to see Side Show that Wolf Trap (in Virginia) on Saturday evening July 12th has an 8:30pm performance of Disney Fantasia Live in Concert with the National Symphony Orchestra. So I will see the matinee performance of Side Show at the Kennedy Center and then this concert. Two shows for the time/money on one trip!
Disney Fantasia Live in Concert at Wolf Trap link

[doodlenyc]

We've had tickets for months, though we are subscribers. Looking forward to it!

[ggersten]

Looks like there has been one major cast change since La Jolla with Ryan Silverman stepping in for Terry. I haven't otherwise compared the two casts. And based on the show I saw (and others), this may have been a needed change.
BWW Board Comments on La Jolla production

[Wicked Fanatic]

Looks like there are 3 new ensemble members along with a recast for a principal. Manoel Feliciano who played Terry Connor is being replaced with Ryan Silverman. For me his character or Manoel was a weak link in the La Jolla Playhouse production so not surprised that he didn't transfer. Looking forward to hearing the thoughts of those that see it in DC; enjoy!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Performances for the first week are listed on Goldstar. For some reason, I can't muster up any desire to buy a ticket for this.

[brotherhoodofman]

Hey Brian07663NJ, I don't know if you've been to Wolf Trap before, but it's a pain to get there unless you're driving. Here's the link to using Metro and bus to get there (you have to buy a SmarTrip card and check the weekend track work schedule at www.wmata.com to make sure you won't miss your bus).

http://www.wolftrap.org/Plan_Your_Visit/Access_by_Metro.aspx

Since I've been to Wolf Trap before, I wanted to make sure you knew how it worked so you can budget enough time to get there from downtown!

[Brian07663NJ]

Much appreciation Brotherhoodofman for the heads up on transportation.

I'm driving to Washington DC from NJ with my car so I will be able to get there without public transportation. However, in the event I had thought to use mass transit from the hotel - thanks for your information!

[brotherhoodofman]

You shouldn't have any problems then, Brian. Glad it will work for you -- it took me nearly two hours to get there from downtown on transit in rush hour (and that was without the 15-minute headways we have on weekend Metro trains here!)

[Brian07663NJ]

How about a hotel recommendation? hahaha

[brotherhoodofman]

Honestly -- just Hotwire. That's what we tell all of our out-of-town guests. You should be able to get something just fine for $90-110 a night. Weekends are often more expensive than weekdays in the summer, just FYI. Anything in the Metro Center-Dupont-White House/downtown-Crystal City labels should be just fine. Just look at the map to make sure the area they're labeling isn't too far from transit, if you want to use that to get around some. Parking downtown will be significantly more expensive overnight ($45-50) as opposed to something like $25-30 overnight in Arlington/Crystal City.

Curious to hear how SIDE SHOW is. I've been dragging my feet on buying even though it's on Goldstar.

[Brian07663NJ]

My opinion about you dragging your feet on Side Show...

It is on Goldstar for a discount.
You love theater.
It is known to historically be a flop but cult-ish hit.
It is in your neighborhood.

What's the reason to drag your feet?
If funds are tight - I understand.

If you go and don't like it - walk out.
If you go and love it - you will be thrilled you went.

If you don't go and it transfers to Broadway, becomes a hit - you will say - WHY did I drag my feet and not go?

You are on Broadway World talking about theater...LOL
Need I say more?

[grumpyoptimist]

I LOVED the LJ Playhouse production, and think a new Terry can only improve an excellent show. Silverman looks like he can carry a romantic lead, which this show screamed for. As for the ensemble replacements, one person they had to replace was Keala Settle (her casting in Les Mis was announced during the La Jolla run). Half expected that David St. Louis might be replaced as well, although I suspect he may have been fighting a respiratory virus in La Jolla as his voice did get stronger as the production went on (saw it four times, paying myself twice)

[DottieD'Luscia]

Well I just bought a discount on Goldstar with a Goldstar gift certificate I had, so technically I didn't pay anything!

[morosco]

Will this production have a full orchestra in the pit? Anyone know how many musicians?

[breathyfemalevocal]

Does Goldstar allow you to pick specific seats other than orch vs balcony? If not, do you find your seat number after payment or only once at the perfornance? Thanks. If you know, mind giving your seat info purchased thru Goldstar as an example of what they have?

[DottieD'Luscia]

You are not given your choice of seats through Goldstar. I will say in the several years I've been using them, my seats have been quite good.

[Brian07663NJ]

I hope you enjoy it Dottie!

I've honestly seen MUCH worse. I don't know why this was so terribly received when it originally premiered on Broadway.

Time will tell for me. I'm actually interested in finding out if after seeing SO many more shows over the years if this will still stand strong for me.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Brian, a friend of mine saw it at La Jolla and enjoyed it a lot, so I'm not afraid about quality. There are some shows I'm just not in the mood (for lack of a better word) to see. I did see the original production on Broadway. From what I recall there weren't more than 100 people in the audience that night (seriously). I had a great orchestra seat from TKTS. Emily Skinner was out the night I saw it.

[ggersten]

Sounds like some major changes since San Diego in the book and score.
Side Show Changes Again

[Demitri2]

The costumes and makeup look fantastic. I loved the original but this production looks even grittier and truer to the period. Love the twins sausage curls:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EgMILpqtqg&list=FL3URD8CIoFDPHDaKm-YAfyg&index=2

I thought I had waited too long to purchase tickets but noticed there were a lot of excellent seats available throughout July. I was able to get two seats in the center orchestra, second row. Here's a recent special sale reduction on ticket prices on certain dates coming up in the next three weeks ($98 orchestra seats for only $59). Just scroll down.

http://www.theatermania.com/washington-dc-theater/discount-tickets/side-show_303185/?utm_source=coop&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06jun2014

[Susanswerphone]

Very excited to see this! Spending almost the entire weekend at KC. Saturday matinee "An American Soldier" (Washington National Opera), Saturday evening, Bruckner's Symphony No. 8 (Nat'l Symphony Orch.) and then Side Show on Sunday night. I loooved the original production and a subsequent phenomenal production at Emerson College. Very much looking forward again! Have to second earlier post about Goldstar tix. I've purchased many and have never been disappointed. Sometimes, very much surprised at just how good the seat really was!

[Mr. Nowack]

Wow, I love the look of the costumes & makeup! I love the period this show is set in, though I'm not crazy about the show itself.