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The Last Ship - Chicago - Page 3

The Last Ship - Chicago

neonlightsxo
#50The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/2/14 at 3:55pm

Matt you seem to be the only one who hates the score. I haven't seen it yet, I live in New York, but I really do like what I've heard. But you seem to be in the minority on the music, are you aware of that?

HoundDoggydog
#51The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/2/14 at 4:00pm

I am visiting Chicago over the weekend, and am going to try and see it! Excited to report back.

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Mister Matt
#52The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/2/14 at 4:07pm

But you seem to be in the minority on the music, are you aware of that?

Not sure there's been a huge consensus, but perhaps I am in the minority of those you've read about. The people I was with hated the score and the people I met during intermission were openly complaining about it. There was only one bartender available on the mezzanine level, so during intermission, we had a LOOOOOOOOONG time to discuss the show and hear the opinions of others.

If you're a huge fan of recent Sting ballads, then clearly you will love the score. If you're a fan of musical theatre, you may feel otherwise. Whether I'm in the minority or not, it has nothing to do with how I felt about what I heard.

HoundDoggydog - You should have no problem getting a ticket. I went on a Friday night, got half price tickets that day and the mezzanine was less than half full. Everyone moved to the front.


"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
Updated On: 7/2/14 at 04:07 PM

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pc1145N2
#53The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/2/14 at 5:33pm

I can't really add anything to what Mister Matt has said. The show is dreary and dull. I'm not sure how they're going to change something that fundamental before it opens on Broadway. I saw the show in it's second preview and have tickets to go again next week. I always try to see an out of town tryout show once in the beginning and once before it leaves.....just to see the process. Good or bad, it's really fascinating to me. However, this one is going to be tough. My biggest issue is that the 2 male leads sound exactly like Sting. You just can't get away from hearing Sting. It's all Sting.....all the time.

At any rate, well said Mister Matt....well said!

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Mister Matt
#54The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/2/14 at 5:55pm

OMG that song Gideon sings (in a spot-on Sting impersonation) when he arrives in the town even had the typical Sting orchestrations. And then that "choreography". After the show, my 68 year-old mother turned to me and said, "It was really bad, but at least it's fun to talk about." I think my favorite moment was when we were waiting for drink during intermission and as two ladies got behind us in line, one said to the other, "If I have to hear 'the laaaaaaast shiiiiip saiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiils' one more time, I'm going to kill myself". It was the first thing my mother said to me when the lights came up at the end of the first act, so we just burst out laughing.


"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

njohn
#55The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/2/14 at 7:11pm

I'm thinking of seeing this with my sibling, but I'm hesitant. I wasn't too keen on this given it's Sting's first attempt at a musical (nothing necessarily wrong with that), and given one review said that it's like Billy Elliot w/o the goods - a musical I didn't care much for besides a couple of songs and sets - makes my indecisiveness even more stubborn.

The only real reason that's pulling the wallet out is that I found tickets for orchestra seats at a discounted price. My first world problems ...

@ Mister_Matt:
"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."

Where did you move from, if you don't mind me asking, and what were your expectations?

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ErinDillyFan
#56The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/3/14 at 9:03am

Not sure I should have read this before seeing it on Saturday. Bummer that I bought tickets a month ago and they are now discounted.

Oh, well, I am also seeing "Myths & Hymns" while I'm there...

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newintown
#57The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/3/14 at 9:26am

"...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."

Company had Hal Prince, a producer/director with 20+ years of stage experience and 8 hits and many more critical successes; Stephen Sondheim, a composer lyricist with 14+ years stage experience, training from Oscar Hammerstein, and 3 major hits; Michael Bennett, a choreographer with around 10 years of stage experience and only 1 hit thus far, but with an exceptionally brilliant grasp of theatrical staging and movement.

The Last Ship has Joe Mantello, a terrific director with 20 years stage experience, but mostly in plays, with only 1 successful musical credit in all that time; Sting, a complete theatre neophyte; Stephen Hoggett, a relatively new-to-theatre choreographer with what has thus far appeared to be a moodily limited choreographic language.

And, as pointed out, significant changes out of town don't seem to happen much anymore; songs might be replaced, but usually by similar songs. I think Company may have had a better time of it, with a more experienced creative team and the opportunities to really overhaul what was needed.

The Last Ship may be rather hog-tied by that old need to shoehorn a pop star's existing songs into a jerry-rigged book that can do little more than try to make sense out of the song portfolio (like Chess).

Updated On: 7/3/14 at 09:26 AM

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Mike3
#58The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/5/14 at 2:31pm

Saw this last night. I found it beautiful and engaging.

Isn't it fascinating how we experience things so differently? I could use lots of words to describe what I thought and felt during this show; dreary and dull would never be among them.

I was particularly taken with Rachel Tucker's performance, and I found the ensemble pieces stirring.

My $0.02

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perfectlymarvelous
#59The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/5/14 at 3:43pm

For what it's worth, I know they were making a lot of changes throughout the rehearsal process in New York before they left for Chicago (including to the score). So I wouldn't rule out changes between Chicago and Broadway just yet. They seem to be trying to fix things, at the very least.

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jon5202
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KJisgroovy
#61The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/6/14 at 10:15am

I hate to be a naysayer, but I also found it to be somewhat dull. There are also lots of simple issues of motivation that probably should have been addressed by this point in the process. The main character just seems to do things because, and I wish there was a clearer sense of why. I liked some of songs very much, and thought many of them were very effective, but I do wish there were one or two more songs that really soared. It did feel like very much of the same. I think it's salvageable... and i really liked the dancing.

I too am interested in Mister Matt's expectations of Chicago theater before he moved here. I've seem him politely bash chicago theater frequently, and I'm always mystified. The things he bashes are often terrible, but I'm not sure how he makes the leap to criticizing the entire Chicago theater company. Just in the last few weeks I've seen the soaringly beautiful new musical, Days Like Today at the Writers Theatre, the devastating, hilarious and shockingly current Exit Strategy at Jackalope Theatre, the world premiere of Bruce Norris' The Qualms in a perfectly cast Steppenwolf production, an extremely well acted/sung small production of Carrie: The Musical at the Bailiwick, and a delightfully honest production of This Is Our Youth with Michael Cera. My tickets to Days Like Today was 35$, but everything else costs 20$ or less. Chicago is not New York, they don't really even play in the same leagues, but I'm not sure how someone can be let down by Chicago theater if they're giving it a chance. I don't say this as a provocation, I'm just genuinely curious as to Matt's expectations and his experience.


Jesus saves. I spend.

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Mister Matt
#62The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/6/14 at 11:11am

I've explained it before and I'm not saying I haven't seen great theatre in Chicago. Just not to the extent that I've seen and heard so many rave about. I'm originally from Houston and spent about 11 years working professionally as an actor and director in Houston theatre. I had an opportunity to choose between moving to NYC and Chicago and given the amount of savings I had to work with and no job lined up, I chose Chicago based on its reputation for theatre. Then I moved to Chicago and like anywhere else, there is good theatre and bad theatre. The difference was, Chicago has SO MUCH theatre, you really do have to wade through reviews and what word of mouth you can get to try and choose where to spend your time and money. I was just surprised at the amount of raves and awards heaped upon what I found to be really bad productions. Then I worked on some shows and attended auditions and experienced the worst in inflated egos to the point where I simply did not want to be involved any more. And I would say perhaps it's just me, but when comparing notes with other friends of mine from Houston who moved to Chicago, they all felt the same. Only one of them continues to work in theatre, and she's doing well, but she's getting increasingly unhappy.

I've discussed with many people the reasons why I may have felt this way or made these particular observations and the only logical explanation I could find was that while Chicago is a theatre town and it's such a huge part of the culture here, it's not as difficult to get people to attend. The theatre scene is over-saturated (with a plethora of ambitious fledgling companies created by idealistic drama majors who attended college together, including friends of mine from years ago, and "comedy" troupes who ironically satirize any film that "shouldn't" be a musical spoof) and while it seems like the high competition might increase the quality, there are more critics, and they tend to be more generous. As a result, there is generally a positive buzz over 90% of the productions in Chicago at any given time and I can't gauge the bar for quality to be set anywhere except maybe around waist high.

Perhaps I seem excessively harsh, but I come from a city with a rather vibrant, if understated, theatre scene and the second largest theatre district (n terms of seats) in the country. It is also the home of both good and bad theatre like anywhere else in the US (and the recent scandal with TUTS did not surprise me in the least, knowing the type of company it is and the people who run it), but the main difference is, you have to work a LOT harder to get people to go to the theatre. And if you're a repertory company (and God forbid, not-for-profit), work twice as hard again to get them to return or subscribe.

I guess what I'm saying is, it's not just the quality of theatre, but the proportion of good productions to bad and the reaction to those productions that are the key differences. I've seen shows I truly loved in Chicago and I'm sure I'll see more. I just approach them all with a lot more caution than I did when I moved here.


"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
Updated On: 7/6/14 at 11:11 AM

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ErinDillyFan
#63The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/6/14 at 11:21pm

Saw "The Last Ship" yesterday with my wife and we both loved it.

We are both folkies for 50 yrs so the music styles are very familar and comfortable to our ears. The story is very reminiscent of british movies of the late 90s focused on the closures of coal mines and the effect on the communities. The Full Monty, Billy Elliot and Brassed off. There more similarities to Brassed Off than the other two. You have a dying community leader that finds a rallying point from the traditions of the past to help the community to be get over the mental hurdle and come to terms with their new future. Someone who is an early adopter that joins the company that represents the futre and attempts to help his friends change to the new ecomonic realities and a new interloper that disrupts the relationships. (in the case of The Last Ship, the new person is actually someone who returns after 15 yrs)

I found the story of a failed shipbuilding company and its employees very compelling and the music very emotional and very professionally presented from the sets, lighting, sound , costumes, acting and singing.

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YouWantitWhen????
#64The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/7/14 at 1:14am

I am glad that I am not the only one who just does not get the supposed musical genius of Sting. To me, he comes off as a pretentious bore. The only music of his I really liked was early Police.

chicagotheater
#65The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/8/14 at 3:44pm

I don't comment on here a lot but Matt you make me very angry on how you seem to not enjoy different types of theater and yet you are an actor. I am sure if you were chosen for The Last Ship you would have a different view.
In seeing the show Sunday, because of all the negative remarks like yours, I was afraid I would fall asleep and hate it.
I LOVED IT. The music was refreshing and beautiful. The sets were AMAZNG. Sometimes making you use your mind and imagination, the way theater use to be. Everything was great for a DRAMA Musical.

I love to meet the cast by the stage door and in doing so was told by many. We don't claim to be anything but a DRAMA MUSICAL. As far as having actual dancing one actor responded during learning the show, they were told many times, don't dance this is not that type of musical.
It is a shame Matt since you cannot seem to get into a lot of theater you take a harsh tone with the theater here. Not every show is for everyone. That is the reason we have different types of theater. You should give your opinion and say it is not for you, but may be for other people. Not that it is a bad show for everyone.
I know so many actors that are out of work in New York, California, Chicago etc. But I know many that moved back here because of the many theaters here and the work they can get. Now also with many TV shows being filmed here, the have a better chance than New York..
Please Matt don't spoil it for other people. Just add on your comments, for me this is not good.
I believe this show will go far. Everything about it is great. Of course everything can use a tweak. Even after it has been running for 20 years, it can be tweaked.
GO SEE THIS SHOW, NEW YORK YOU WILL LOVE IT. The cast said Sunday that the response of the audience here in Chicago has been wonderful. Go see for yourself do not listen to people. Reminds me of Movie Critics. I go see what I want to see , not what someone tells me they like.
I do agree that they should of had the cast promote this show more using their voices, not just Stings singing. Stings singing did nothing for me for this show.

neonlightsxo
#66The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/8/14 at 3:58pm

Glad to hear you enjoyed it. What do you mean by "Drama Musical"? Like, as opposed to a musical comedy?

chicagotheater
#67The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/8/14 at 4:22pm

A Drama that is set to music.

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Mister Matt
#68The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/8/14 at 4:30pm

I don't comment on here a lot but Matt you make me very angry on how you seem to not enjoy different types of theater and yet you are an actor.

What on earth are you talking about? I didn't say anything like that at all. I have enjoyed many many different types of theatre. People asked me about my view on Chicago theatre and I replied honestly. I never said a word about different types of theatre or any particular type that I prefer or dislike.

I am sure if you were chosen for The Last Ship you would have a different view.

I've performed in good shows and bad shows and I recognized them for what they were. And my performing in them had nothing to do with the direction, staging or the material. Many a Broadway actor has commented on performing in a show they felt was poorly written or directed. And many books have been written on the subject, quoted by those in the business.

It is a shame Matt since you cannot seem to get into a lot of theater you take a harsh tone with the theater here.

Again, that's not what I said. At all.

You should give your opinion and say it is not for you, but may be for other people. Not that it is a bad show for everyone.

I gave my opinion on what I saw. Just like the others who posted their opinions. You may disagree with my opinion, but don't single me out for my negative opinion, tell me how I should word my response not to influence others, and then say "GO SEE THIS SHOW, NEW YORK YOU WILL LOVE IT."

Please Matt don't spoil it for other people. Just add on your comments, for me this is not good.

Every show has positive and negative feedback. Every. Show. You liked it and that's great. Share your opinion just as I have shared mine.


"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
Updated On: 7/8/14 at 04:30 PM

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KJisgroovy
#69The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/8/14 at 5:07pm

I think Matt did a good job explaining himself, not that he owed any of us an explanation.

Thanks, Matt!


Jesus saves. I spend.

chicagotheater
#70The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/8/14 at 5:22pm

Just like Matt said. "I GIVE MY OPINOIN" The reason I do not go on this site a lot is that it is a one sided conversation. There are certain people on here who seem to run the message board. Anytime someone gives what they think they get cut down.
Like for instance about the $25.00 tickets. WHAT THEY DON'T WANT TO MAKE MONEY AND LEAVE EMPTY SEATS? . I work in the theater business and there are many many people who come at the last min. and buy tickets. YES even high price ones. Just like an airline they would rather let the seats empty than try to sell them for almost nothing.
You have to know a show cannot run long with low prices because of the cost of everything that makes up a show.

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Mister Matt
#71The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/8/14 at 6:16pm

The reason I do not go on this site a lot is that it is a one sided conversation. There are certain people on here who seem to run the message board. Anytime someone gives what they think they get cut down.

But...that's what you were doing. I gave my opinion and did not attack anyone for their opinion or try to shut them down. I did not ridicule anyone who posted a positive review. I did not try to change anyone's opinion, insult their taste, or accuse them of having a narrow interest in theatre.

As for the low prices and empty seats, I did work box office for the largest theatres in Houston (between 1,100 and 3,000 seats) and while the daily grosses matter, so do dressing a house and maximizing sales. Yes, there is occasional walk-up business but every theatre knows the effects of a half-empty house on the audience, possible critics, and the cast. They also can usually gauge the amount of walk-up business within a week, two at most, and they are aware of advance sales. Not offering discount tickets on the day of the show to a half empty house in the hopes of a rush of walk-up sales paying full price to a show that is not selling out is not a great business strategy.

Just like an airline they would rather let the seats empty than try to sell them for almost nothing.

And look how many airlines file bankruptcy and try to recoup losses through new fees tacked on to those who already purchased seats. 90% of the people buying $25 tickets on the day of the show are doing so because they either cannot afford the full price or will see something else for $25. The $25 ticket people do not represent a huge potential loss in full price tickets unless the show is a smash hit and a hard ticket to get. And even those shows on Broadway have lotteries.


"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

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GilmoreGirlO2
#72The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/9/14 at 12:56pm

I saw the show last night and really enjoyed it. I think there is a really special show in there and that it just needs a few cuts and a bit more focusing.

First, to answer a few questions I saw posed in this thread:

How were Sally Ann Triplett and Leah Hocking?

Sally Ann Triplett is wonderful and gets some great moments to shine (in fact, I think she may have gotten the loudest audience reception at curtain call last night). Leah Hocking truly doesn’t have much to do – she is purely an ensemble member and, if I remember correctly, never has a solo line (something I was disappointed by, as I have very much enjoyed her in the past).

Can anybody make any mention of production values for this show? Set, costumes, etc.

I think the production values are top-notch. I believe Matt mentioned that he had a hard time deciphering what the sets were supposed to be, but I had no problem with that. I do agree that the final set/stage picture doesn’t necessarily resemble what it’s supposed to be (it felt like there was just one piece of the puzzle missing that, if added, could pull it all together), but I think that it still invoked in the audience what it needed to. Otherwise, I thought it was an aesthetically beautiful show that used the space very well. (Costumes are perfectly fitting – my one complaint is that, no matter how regionally accurate it is, I wish they would change out Esper’s dark, long coat. I couldn’t help but feel like he was J.D. in “Heathers” and worried that he was about to pull out a gun at any moment when he had his coat on.)

Not sure if a more detailed summary of the plot has been written yet, so to give a bit more of an overview: To escape an abusive father (and his insistence on his son following in his footsteps and becoming a ship builder), the lead character, Gideon, leaves his hometown (and girlfriend, who he promises to be back for) behind to sail. He doesn’t return until 15 years later when his father has died and Gideon is forced to come back to take care of his belongings and sell the house. At the time he has returned, the ship building yard has been shut down and, as nearly all of the men in the town were employed there, they have now lost their jobs. Guided by the words of a dying (and beloved, by the town) priest, the men decide to rise up and build one last ship for themselves (an effort met with some struggle as they must illegally break into the ship building yard). Meanwhile, Gideon is trying to win back his teenage girlfriend, who now has a son and is with another man (and, despite the insistence of the community, Gideon still rejects becoming a part of the ship building). As he is waiting for his father’s house to sell, he finds himself having to confront the choices he made in the past, his relationship with his father, and his relationship with the hometown that he wanted to desperately to get away from.

The story and events are pretty simplistic and laid out pretty plainly. However, I actually think this is to the show’s benefit: it’s a simple story that can then spend time focusing on human emotion and relationships as opposed to multiple plot changes. Objectively, it may seem like low stakes, but it certainly doesn’t feel that way for each of the characters and I, at least, as an audience member felt their struggles.

I enjoyed the score, but found that there were hardly any songs that I loved as whole, but rather I really loved many little parts of songs (the exception being Meg’s “If You Ever See Me Talking to a Sailor,” which I fully adored). I think simply cutting a couple of songs and shortening a few others would do wonders to tighten up the show. There were also many moments where the audience wasn’t sure when it was time to clap after a song – just adding some buttons (or, conversely, making an active choice to move on to the next scene immediately to not even give the audience a moment to clap) would easily fix this (I found that, as a result, some songs were met with tentatively clapping that I think were more reflective of a confusion at whether it was the appropriate time to clap as opposed to feeling tentatively about the song itself).

The cast is all-around great, but I’m surprised at the lack of discussion of Rachel Tucker’s performance, which I found to outshine all of the others. I thought she was fantastic and found a lot of emotional depth and, to me, was the character I felt the most emotionally invested in. I wish she was given another solo late into the show to fully tie-up her emotional journey since Gideon’s arrival.

One wish I have for the show is to slightly shift the focus. Take a little of the limelight (and stage time) off of Gideon (who, while likable, is not necessarily who I, at least, cared the most about) and put some more on each of the members of the community. The show, at its core, really is about the community and I think, by taking a little focus off of Gideon and letting more focus fall onto the townies, it would, in turn, focus Gideon’s arc (right now he has so many things he is dealing with as he returns to the town – his relationship with his father, his relationship with Meg, atoning for his actions, his resistance to join the men in ship building, etc. – that, by cutting some of the focus on him, it would bring the most important of those issues to the forefront). *SPOILERS* I think the writers are right on target at the end in terms of what the focus should be (the success of building the ship and sailing it and Gideon’s relationship with his son), so I think that it is these two things that should be given more focus throughout the show. So much focus is put on Gideon’s trying to win Meg back throughout much of the show. And, while I completely agree with the choice for them to not end up together, it seems like too much time and effort is put toward it for it to then be resolved three-quarters of the way through and then it just feels like it’s immediately dropped and Gideon shrugs it off. I do think it’s an important storyline to include, but not for it to drive much of Gideon’s action throughout the show. I’d love if this was resolved by the beginning of the second act and then more of Gideon’s storyline can be focused on the relationship with his son (and dealing with fatherhood) and his renewed sense of feeling a part of the community he never did as a child. *END SPOILERS*

(SPOILER: One small, random thing that I hope they cut is late into the second act when Meg and Gideon have their final talk and the actor who plays Tom, as young Gideon, comes and sings to Meg. It works fine to have this actor play young Gideon at the beginning, but by this point in the show we have already established him too much as Tom in our minds and all I could see in this moment was Tom singingly romantically to his mother. This whole beginning part of this song can easily be cut and only begin when it’s the present-day Meg and Gideon. END SPOILER)

I very much enjoyed the movement in the show and felt like it was very natural (much more natural to these characters than traditional choreography would be). Granted, I always love Steven Hogget’s choreography/movement as I find it comes from a more emotion-based place that I can easily connect to.

Everything said, I think the show is in great shape and I was very moved and impressed. I think it could really just use a few song cuts (and, perhaps one addition with a later song for Meg) and it would significantly tighten everything up. There were some really magical theatrical moments where everything came together perfectly that I would love to experience again (the last moment of the first act was one of those times) – I am thinking about snatching up a ticket to catch it again this weekend before it leaves just for these moments, they were so strong.

I truly don’t know how it will do in New York. I think it’s a solid show that will have at least a fairly warm reception, but in terms of sales, I think it’s often risky to open any new musical in the fall without the help that Tony buzz offers to shows that open in March/April (also, opening in the spring is right before a long tourist time in the summer, whereas shows that open in the fall will have to get through the dead months of the beginning of the year to try to make it to Tony time).

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.

Curious as to what this moment you are referring to is? I can’t think of what it might be.

chicagotheater
#73The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/9/14 at 1:55pm

This is my way of reviewing a show. I spend a lot of money to sit very close. First I can and second at my age I am able to. I love to see the sweat and spit of the actors showing they are really giving all they have to give for a great performance.

If I come out of the show Happy and not feeling it was a waste of money I loved the show. It gave me an evening of entertainment which is what we all go for, is it not? To be entertained. To laugh, cry and feel excited.
I just do not like when people nit pick every song and scene. Look at the whole show. Did you have a good time. Was your money well spent?
This is a great show and you will love it if you love different types of theater.
By the way, I feel most of the time is given to Gideon because this is suppose to be Sting. Who wrote it Sting. To me he was great.
thank you for taking the time to read this.

Owen22
#74The Last Ship - Chicago
Posted: 7/9/14 at 1:55pm

I'm glad Rachel Tucker is a standout. Remember her from "I'd Do Anything" the Brit Andrew Lloyd Webber casting show for the West End's recent "Oliver" revival? The same show that gave us Samantha Barks (and a whole slew of constantly working Brit actresses).