Saw this over the weekend. It was awful. I've seen hundreds of shows, and this was the first time I've ever left at Intermission. No chance this will ever see Broadway. My turds have more charisma than the guy in this show. Emily was fine. Score was forgettable.
Oh, no, GobiasIndustries! I was very interested in this after reading the premise/synopsis. I didn't find Emily's voice that strong in Side Show but presumably this show could have been better adjusted to her strengths.
I'm seeing it closing night. I wouldn't trust reviews on this production because it still has their Seattle run, and Broadway previews. A lot can change in a year. Bie definitely seems like the overall problem despite some negative reviews for the lyrics. I'm really seeing this show because of Padgett, of whom I'm a big fan. It'll definitely make it to Broadway. LA audiences and New York audiences are very different. It's aiming for a spring opening which is helpful for Padgett. She is getting rave reviews, and when she isn't, it's because of the writing of Katharine as a character. I can't wait to hear her explore her soprano range.
They/them.
"Get up the nerve to be all you deserve to be."
I just saw it. I'll post about it in depth tomorrow. You can tell that they took the notes from the reviews and spruced up a lot. This show can only get better. It's funny, heartbreaking, alluring, and gorgeous.
They/them.
"Get up the nerve to be all you deserve to be."
The house was full, and I'd say it was about 95% capacity. The audience loved it. I went alone, and during intermission I tried to talk to as many people as I could. One problem people kept talking about was Katharine as a superficial character in act one. And I agree, although in act two you find why she puts on that front. You see her as some kind of sugar baby debutante, and the Thai students gossip about how she is always engaged but never married. However, Katharine is a deep and layered character. Her motives are revealed in the second act, and it gives you such an understanding of Katharine. The costumes were also gorgeous and for the most part, Katharine's wigs were top notch. Padgett was a knockout, Surkit - not so much.
They/them.
"Get up the nerve to be all you deserve to be."
Cinders, what I mean by writing "the problems are in its DNA" is that I don't think the show is fixable. The conceit and structure are undramatic. The score is sweet but has little impact. The characters ineffectively developed. These issues can be ameliorated a bit but not fundamentally changed. As for your comment that "the audience loved it," all I can say is I'm glad you're so passionate about the show.
Looks like Emily Padgett is no longer attached. Not a fan of Broadway.com's attempt at being shady, either. I don't know if she was replaced, or if she left, but if she was replaced, they definitely replaced the wrong lead.
They/them.
"Get up the nerve to be all you deserve to be."
CindersGolightly said: "Looks like Emily Padgett is no longer attached. Not a fan of Broadway.com's attempt at being shady, either. I don't know if she was replaced, or if she left, but if she was replaced, they definitely replaced the wrong lead.
She bailed cause it's clear to almost everyone, the show is going nowhere after the Seattle run. It's never getting to Broadway. Sorry to have to introduce a note of reality.
A few Thai sites had clips from the show... the set looks interesting. Interesting that the reviews all seem to say that they are trying too hard for an old school musical.