The Last Ship - Chicago - Page 2

[coolboi952]

Posted: 6/15/14 at 9:59pm

I tried rushing the first preview, i couldn't get there till one and all the tickets were already claimed by then. So if u really want them i would get there when they open. They guy did tell me they were obstructed view in the rear orch.which after seeing it i see why as you would miss anything on the catwalks. He also tried to tell me it was only a student/senior/military rush. Even though the BIC site says nothing about the rush being limited to these groups. So as usual seems there is some confusion at the box office about the rush.I ended up going through hottix and got a great seat for the most part. Updated On: 6/15/14 at 09:59 PM

Posted: 6/16/14 at 12:22am

I did student rush for the first show on Tuesday. I was first in line (my two friends came later) and got there at 9. No one showed up until about 9:45. Anyway, they gave us Row ZZZ. The seats were HORRIBLE! The person who designed the theatre did not pay close attention to how the dress circle obstructs the last few rows. Thankfully the seats in front of us and we moved up to about 4 rows until the dress circle ended. Then, at Act two we moved up again to about 10th(ish) row and the seats were then perfect!

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 6/16/14 at 12:07pm

Rear orchestra on the sides is terrible in the BofA Theatre…saw “Kinky” from there and anytime anyone was on the higher level of the set, I couldn’t see them. It wasn’t worth it for me (and I’m someone who usually doesn’t mind limited view, but this was exceptional). Can’t speak to how they would be for “The Last Ship,” but I would suggest spending a little more to get better seats.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 6/16/14 at 12:08pm

For those who have seen it, are there understudies listed for the leads in the Playbill? They're not on the website yet.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/16/14 at 4:03pm

I checked Hottix a few days ago, just out of curiosity (I couldn't actually go this weekend), and what I was getting were those same seats. I'd much rather pay $25 than $70, which is what you're looking at by the time you pay all the fees -- and upwards of $90 for better than that, unless there's something I don't know.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 6/23/14 at 10:26am

Has anyone else seen it? Curious if any changes are being made.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/23/14 at 11:31am

I'm seeing it on Saturday. Is there anything in particular you're wondering about? (Since I won't know what's new and what's not!)

[MartyO49]

Posted: 6/23/14 at 12:15pm

I saw it on 06/13/14 PM performance. The cast was good, the music solid but the story still needed some fleshing out as to the motivations....I was very disappointed by the set design in the finale. I went with a group of friends and others had similar reservations. Not nearly as good as the wonderful performance of Juno I saw in the Timeline theater....However, Chicago theater is always excellent

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/23/14 at 2:02pm

However, Chicago theater is always excellent

I wish that were true. I have seen some wonderful productions, but given the quantity of companies and productions in Chicago, I've found excellence in few and far between. It certainly wasn't what I expected when I moved here.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 6/23/14 at 2:06pm

I guess I'm wondering about the book specifically. Like what Marty posted about it needing to be fleshed out, I've heard that it's a little simple and low stakes. I wonder if that's something they will fix.

[MartyO49]

Posted: 6/24/14 at 1:13pm

A friend whom I went with saw the show again with her sister and said the motivations in the story were clarified in two specific areas (without spoilers) and she enjoyed it more the second time. They are working on it. BYW, Jimmy Nail, the movie Magaldi in Evita is in it as the foreman.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 6/26/14 at 8:36am

Two different perspectives from the major reviewers

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/reviews/chi-last-ship-sting-review,0,1690622.column

http://voices.suntimes.com/arts-entertainment/the-daily-sizzle/stings-the-last-ship-gets-magnificent-chicago-launch/

[jon5202]

Posted: 6/26/14 at 12:16pm

Additional reviews:

http://www.theatreinchicago.com/the-last-ship/reviews/6629/

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/26/14 at 1:16pm

Watching that preview video, I was pretty bored, but reading the Tribune review I'm actually quite excited for this.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 6/26/14 at 2:52pm

Variety:
http://variety.com/2014/legit/reviews/the-last-ship-review-sting-musical-chicago-1201251268/#

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/28/14 at 10:52am

Saw this last night. Reading that Hedy Weiss review, she is certainly staying true to form. Woman in batsh*t crazy. This show is two things: dreary and dull. A ballad-heavy cliche-stuffed parade of moody bitterness that tries to be the next Billy Elliot, but with no Billy, no balance, little humor and little warmth. There are a few pretty tunes and a couple of them work, but most really aren't written for musical theatre and the lyrics lie clumsily on slow melodies that drone at a deadly pace. The first act alone is almost entirely ballads with the title song repeated often enough for may of the audience around me in line for drinks at intermission to share the common wish to NEVER HEAR IT AGAIN. There is one character carrying the sole burden of slight comic relief and the only character of interest, though not used often enough or consistently. But due to the entirely predictable book, you can pretty much gauge exactly when he'll be on stage and for how long. The one good thing about the book is that it is so predeictable, you don't have to worry about trying to navigate the frequent sharp turns in the characters' emotions and motivations. They make little sense and don't really add up, but you accept them because you know precisely where the story has to go.

The staging is not as dull as the book or score. It's just sort of ugly and confusing. I don't mind the ugliness because of the setting, which is appropriate. But when the set changes, it's not really clear what it's supposed to be. No matter. There's a 75% chance whatever it is will have a plaintive ballad with lyrics like "beyond all measure, you're a pirate's treasure" and you start wondering what you'll be cooking for breakfast in the morning.

But if all of that doesn't strike your fancy, there is plenty of non-dancing choreographed "movement" to catch your eye. You know, the sort of stuff you see at the beginning of If/Then? Walk around and sort of stop and move an arm or lean only because there is music so there has to be something even if it looks awkward and trite. Sometimes they stomp! And there is something of pyrotechnics. Used appropriately with purpose about half the time. The other half just to be there. Maybe to wake you up? And then a pretty stage picture at the end. It doesn't really resemble what it's supposed to be, but you knew at the beginning of the show what it would be, so you marvel that something is happening and the volume increases and what felt like 5 hours in two-and-a-half is finally over.

Updated On: 6/28/14 at 10:52 AM

[skylight2]

Posted: 6/28/14 at 11:27am

I kinda expected this to be dull. Maybe they'll change it up for Broadway.

[evic]

Posted: 6/28/14 at 11:34am

Sure- they can open the show, end the first act and close the show with a Riverdance remix.....why does everything Irish have to be sooooooo dreary. The clips look like the show is a major snoozefest. I christen thee....The Last SH*T.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/28/14 at 11:48am

Maybe they'll change it up for Broadway.

With previews starting Sep 30, I don't see how it's possible to do what needs to be done to make this show work. Perhaps Sting's name is all it will need and maybe it can even pull a Kinky Boots come awards season.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/28/14 at 1:22pm

"a couple of them work, but most really aren't written for musical theatre and the lyrics lie clumsily on slow melodies that drone at a deadly pace."

If this were What's My Line and I had the Mystery Guest blindfolds on, I would ask: "Is it Sting?"

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 6/28/14 at 3:31pm

"With previews starting Sep 30, I don't see how it's possible to do what needs to be done to make this show work. Perhaps Sting's name is all it will need and maybe it can even pull a Kinky Boots come awards season."

I'm not arguing against that--but between Boston and New York, Company repositioned a big song (Side by Side,) cut and re-wrote a number (Have I Got a Girl For You,) re-wrote about 25% of the dialogue, re-conceived the big dance number, changed the final song, and changed the whole scenic concept. Unfortunately such big changes don't seem to be made anymore with earlier productions of shows.

Updated On: 6/28/14 at 03:31 PM

[evic]

Posted: 6/28/14 at 3:51pm

My One And Only was another musical that drastically changed after their out of town disaster. Fired the director, started all over again and became a hit- all within a couple of months. Well- they had Tommy Tune, and Thommie Walsh to work their magic. It can be done, but this sounds like it is far from a musical comedy.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/28/14 at 8:45pm

Eric - Last Ship needs way more work than that and from what I've seen of Broadway transfers from Chicago tryouts, massive changes to overhaul a show are decidedly out of fashion.

evic - At least My One and Only did not have to worry about score composition.

Namo - Ding! Ding! Ding! Two numbers are even orchestrated and sung as if lifted straight off any Sting album in the last 20 years. Deadly. And I didn't even mention the menage-a-trois memory/thought sequence. Even my mother wanted the two men to toss the woman aside and start making out just to add something interesting to the evening.

Updated On: 6/28/14 at 08:45 PM

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 7/2/14 at 1:46pm

Riedel's column today. Sounds like they're making good changes.

http://nypost.com/2014/07/02/stings-the-last-ship-sails-smoothly-but-main-character-needs-back-story/

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/2/14 at 3:51pm

From Chicago comes word — and reviews — that “The Last Ship,” a new musical by Sting, is much better than anyone expected.

And the Chicago critics RAVED over Desire Under the Elms.

Hedy Weiss, in the Chicago Sun-Times, went so far as to pronounce it a “true masterwork,” praising Sting’s “beautiful, fluid melodies” and “poetic” lyrics.

*snicker* He's obviously not familiar with her work. At all.

I do hope they are making changes. Lots and lots and lots and lots of changes. Like at least two-thirds of the score, all the choreography, half the staging and set design, and most of the book. Stuff like the motivation of the lead character for the action that initially drives the entire plot. When asked, "Why did you come back?!?!", I thought, "I've been wondering that the entire show. And why does he stay?". Oh, there's a line or two that specifically tells the audience, but not enough to justify anyone's actions in the cliche-riddled boilerplate plot. Two of the show's most rousing and energetic numbers are delivered by undefined peripheral characters. And one of the numbers really doesn't add anything to the plot at all. Just an amusing song for the gals, statically staged, to open the second act. Sorta like the pre-show entertainment for Once, but with only about 10% of the creativity.

I'm not going to add any spoilers, but there is a particularly baffling bit of choreography during the exposition that is a true blue WTF moment. That bit was so bad it was hilarious.