It does look really cheap, but from what I've heard, it's really good, so I'm still excited. Better cheap and high quality performances and direction than a confused overblown mess with only intermittently good performances (looking at you Shakespeare in the Park production.)
Scratch and claw for every day you're worth!
Make them drag you screaming from life, keep dreaming
You'll live forever here on earth.
* The production may be minimalist (having seen it in Princeton), but it is incredibly affecting. I'm one of the few here who enjoyed the SITP production two summers ago; but, with that said, I realize that lots of money on a production does not a great show make.
This production will be moderately polarizing, I suspect. But I feel it's one of the most imaginative Sondheim productions I've been fortunate to witness.
* I originally wrote a short sentence (and since deleted) directed to Matt's narrow-mindedness...but it was pretty profane and it would likely have gotten deleted so I'll simply let him read between the lines (assuming he or she is capable...)
Ugh. Is this the ONE PIANO version? I know this isn't a Broadway transfer, but I do wonder if future Sondheim revivals stick with these teeny-tiny bands instead of the full, glorious original orchestrations.
I also saw it at the McCarter and thought it was wonderful. It's a really imaginative and fresh take on the material, and in my opinion it works beautifully. I definitely enjoyed it more than the production in the park a couple of years ago (though I didn't hate that either).
Mixed feelings about this. Definitely looks like an extremely hipster take on the material, but do love the iea of the Stepsisters in drag. Anyone have a way I can hear this?
Watch the DVD if you want to see the original production. Saw this twice at McCarter and it's incredible, even though I went in with hesitations. Can't wait to see it again.
While I've not seen that particular production, I've seen that theatre company recently (with a handful of the cast) in TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA in D.C. It was simple, yes, but completely charming and wonderfully acted (at the very least, by the actresses playing The Baker's Wife and Little Red). Personally, I'm very excited about it. It may not be a monumental production, but I feel confident it will be great fun and well done.
And fyi, the set design is by terrific Broadway designer Derek McLane, he of the lovely Ragtime and Anything Goes revivals. (Ok, his Follies revival set had issues, but still...) So even this chamber-scale production could have great detailing.
I just can't imagine listening to that beautiful score played on one piano. The layering in the orchestrations in every production I've seen has been so key to the emotional impact of the music. I'm sure it'll be an interesting exercise but I wouldn't pay New York prices for this.
I was really happy they were reviving ITTW until I found out it was this version. Now I have 2 of my shows for this subscription year available to anyone that wants them. The other show is On The 20th Century. I cannot sit through a show with KC, she makes my ears bleed.