In a quick search, I'm showing Los Angeles as the only city on the "tour"...and we now know that's not happening. Other than that, everything I'm seeing relates to the 2012 tour of the scaled down production.
I saw the original production. The sets were so cheesy I thought this is what a stripped down road version looked like. The sets looked like they were constructed in someone's garage.
Caught the show when it came to Toronto. I enjoyed the production, and thought the set was a good use of the space. My only issue comes with the book, when the characters then broke the the fourth wall, and became giving what seemed like documentary commentary to explain the survivor situation/aftermath. Too bad it not going to appear in LA.
"Ok ok ok ok ok ok ok. Have you guys heard about fidget spinners!?" ~Patti LuPone
"My only issue comes with the book, when the characters then broke the the fourth wall, and became giving what seemed like documentary commentary to explain the survivor situation/aftermath."
that was my only problem with the show, as well. (Well aside from the characterization of Bruce Ismay but I'll accept it because it's theater and they needed to make the 'this is why the ship sank' narrative more cohesive.)
It was truly bizarre and took me from being extremely emotional to thinking: "Huh?" It's such a long sequence, too, making it harder to get back into the show after it finally ends. It would have made more sense to have some sort of conceit like the survivors being hounded by reporters, anything other than bringing down the victim list and having them break the fourth wall.
The score is very good. In addition,since you know how it comes out before you go in, you can exit early to beat the crowds.
I do agree that The Life was an all around better show . It is a shame that due to its subject matter it would be hard to revive. Some of the characters would definitely not be pc and would offend many people. I have both the cast CD and the concept album.
It's a glorious score and one of my favorites. Why not update the book? They do it all the time with other revivals. It's a shame we'd have to scale the show back because I'd have loved to have seen the original. But, I'd love to see the show done period.
I agree, I think the score is incredibly stunning and emotional. That incredible 12 minute opening (or however long)! Amazing choral work and beautiful orchestrations. I can totally understand how it might not be up everyone's alley though. But, for me, I think it's pretty amazing how the score gets you involved in the emotional lives of the characters in a story we already know the ending to. I also think the book is relatively well constructed, that's just me though. Love this show, hope the newer production happens.
Before this, I was wondering if the relatively low ticket sales in Toronto made them decide not to host the production again and ultimately cancel the plans for Ahmanson, but clearly that's not the case.
I'm crossing my fingers that they might decide to film this production at some point, though it's not likely. It's really a beautiful version of the show and I wish it was recorded for posterity.