Thinking of seeing If/Then before it closes. I've never seen it before, and I've heard mixed things. I need your input. Should I see it? Or see another show? Reason I'm asking is because I come home for spring break next Friday and my mother and I usually go into NYC to see a show when I'm home over break.
I really like the show and would definitely recommend it. If for nothing else than it's an opportunity to see a lot of fantastic performers (Idina Menzel, LaChanze, Anthony Rapp, Jenn Colella and more) on stage at the same time.
I also like that it's an original piece and I enjoy both the storyline and music. I've been listening to the recording a lot. I've seen it twice and am going to the final show.
The primary source of "mixed" things is people not paying attention and getting confused. So pay attention (literally everything is laid out in the opening number). A secondary source is "objectionable" subject matter like, uh...well, I don't expect very conservative people to enjoy it. It's a very contemporary piece set in NYC. It's not perfect, but it's a challenging (relatively) piece of theater where there aren't many contemporary nor original shows.
I enjoyed it, and did not find it too hard to follow -there are some shortcuts for changes in story lines (color schemes, glasses) that help you follow along.
It is not for the young, as it has adult content in terms of subject matter and some of the words used, but if you are interested in a contemporary adult musical that basically says the smallest of choices can change your life, with a pretty amazing cast, then go - especially if you are a fan of Idina LaChanze or Rapp.
I saw If/Then and liked it a lot more than I had anticipated, based primarily on the mixed comments on this board. I would give it a solid 7 out of 10. The other show that I felt was better than I expected is Honeymoon In Vegas. That is a second one that is probably on its way out soon that I enjoyed ... a solid 8 out of 10 for me personally. If you have not seen Gentleman's Guide, please consider that as well.
I don't like the show, I think there are better things to see (like JCM in Hedwig... hell, just Hedwig), but like elfuhbuh said, the show is closing soon and I imagine you'd really like to see it, otherwise you wouldn't have created a thread. Having said that, I say: go for it. Otherwise, it will always be your if...then. (cliché, I know, but I still can't believe nobody's said it).
I actually saw Hedwig when NPH was in it, and then saw it when Andrew Rannells took over. Very good show, but I don't have any interest in seeing it again. Thanks for your recommendation though, helvizz.
I've seen If/Then twice. Once with Idina and once with Jackie. I did enjoy the show. I think the people who were confused just didn't pay attention. But it's not the best show I've seen. Hedwig was much better I'd give that show and 8.5 out of 10. If/Then I'd give a 6 out of 10. I don't think the show really ever hits the way it's supposed to. Idina's acting is great, but I was constantly in fear of her voice going out at any moment. Plus she screams the high notes. Not pleasing to the ear. Jackie has a much more pleasant voice to listen to, but her acting was flat. The best part of the show is Jason Tam's performance, but he's a tertiary character. If you really want to see the show then go, but I think your money is better spent elsewhere. Broadway has much better things to offer than If/Then.
"I don't think the show really ever hits the way it's supposed to."
This really depends a lot on the target audience. Some of the rave reviews I've seen, for example, are from viewers with military family. Or women in that 40 age range, so on. I think the reason why IF/THEN isn't going to hit an emotional cord with the entire audience is because it's less symbolic than character specific, and Liz/Beth aren't going to appeal to everyone the way a symbolically "underdog" character might.
High belting will always be controversial for silly reasons, but clearly Menzel has a strong enough following that says otherwise about being grating to the ears. To yours, certainly. Menzel has been in this show since winter 2013 and has yet to lose her voice outside illness, even recording an album between shows, so your "fears" are unfounded. Just say you don't enjoy her voice type and vocal style, but there's nothing objective beyond that.
I agree that the show "hitting where it is supposed to" can be audience specific. Personally it hits me where it counts and hard. As a female in my early 30's I can relate to a lot of Liz/Beth's character traits and experiences. That being said I don't think you need to be in a specific demographic to feel something when you are in that theater. You certainly hear lots of emotion from laughter to tears throughout.
I won't argue that it's the best thing on Broadway, but it has a talented cast, is well-acted and perhaps most importantly given the timing of your trip, it will be gone very soon.
I think the target audience for If/Then is anyone who's had to make a decision in life. Whether you're a woman or not, young or old. I saw If/Then just weeks after I moved to New York City. So I was very much in the throes of a big life change. It didn't hit where it is supposed to because the writing is lacking. The show lacks an urgency that is said to be there, but isn't in actuality. I think if they had done some more work on the show it would have been amazing. But I feel like the brought an unfinished product to Broadway.
Pootie, I actually enjoy belting, but when it's done right and healthily. If you ask almost anyone with vocal training, they feel the same way. You can hear how unsupported Idina is when she's belting. For those without vocal training, it may still sound good, but from a Broadway actor more is expected. I do enjoy Idina's voice and style, Wicked is one of my favorite albums and I still listen to Let It Go all of the time. But here voice was in a much different state back then for Wicked and was digitally smoothed for Frozen.
Of course everything I say if subjective. MoDance asked for input, so that's my opinion.
I also thought that the belting in If/Then was there specifically for Idina to show that she could do it and not to provoke an emotional response from an audience.
I don't recommend it at all. I was mostly bored -- and I totally "got it". There really isn't that much TO get.
If you are a big fan of her, go for it. If not, I'd choose something you would be excited about. Curious Incident (by all accounts) is fabulous.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
I would definitely listen to the album first (it's free on Spotify) if you're on the fence. There aren't huge plot spoilers, at least none that make much sense without the context of the show. I did prep before seeing the show but I don't think it's hard to follow the interweaving storylines. It does keep you at a distance though, and I think the Liz storyline ends up being much stronger with the Beth storyline only working as a mirror image of it. I won the lottery and for that price I was happy with the show but I wouldn't shell out for a full price ticket. If you can get a discounted ticket and you like the performers, I think it's worth it to see the show. Otherwise, it is flawed.
If you want to see this particular star do exactly what she does, and well, do not miss it. You may not have an opportunity like this for a long time. The show was written for Menzel, and though the supporting company has moments to shine, she carries it, particularly the second act. I saw it very early, and then went back in January, at a Sunday matinee. If anything, she was playing it with more nuance. I appreciated that she plays with an awareness that it's a vehicle, yet still gives in the scenes and hasn't in any way resorted to the sort of late-in-the-run presentational style to merely play to the fan base. She is present in every scene, invested emotionally. The voice was just there, effortlessly (and I saw it two weeks after she was trash-talked globally for her 12/31 note.) If you enjoy this performer, there is no question. If you are not already a fan, or if you have negative impressions, choose again.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
It's not required to be an Idina Menzel fan to see or enjoy the show, as long as one doesn't actively dislike her voice and style. Though certainly there are a lot of fans present, and one would get more out of it if also a fan ("fanzel" not necessary).
Great point about the later-run performances Auggie! I've seen it twice since they announced closing, including last week, and you would never get the sense that anyone isn't emotionally invested in the piece, especially Idina.