Company XIV's Snow White

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 1/28/16 at 7:32pm

I saw the first preview last night and really think it was a superb show, beyond their already delightful Nutcracker Rouge. Patrons were encouraged to youtube and instagram away so here are some clips along with a full review:

http://poisonivywalloftext.blogspot.com/2016/01/company-xivs-snow-white-fairest-show-of.html

But if you haven't seen Laura Careless's Queen Mother, you basically haven't lived.

 

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/29/16 at 9:53am

Saw Nutcracker and loved it.  Hope to be able to catch Snow

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 1/29/16 at 10:31am

Mr Roxy said: "Saw Nutcracker and loved it.  Hope to be able to catch Snow

 

"

If you can get in for free, you mean.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/29/16 at 10:38am

I think you know where you can stick it

 

Hate to burst your bubble but we paid to get in.

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 1/29/16 at 10:39am

First of all, I wish there was a LOVE button for Matt's comment.

 

Second of all, I'm very much looking forward to seeing this. I thought CINDERELLA was spectacular but found NUTCRACKER to be a bit boring. Hopefully they'll bounce back with this one. Another problem I had with NUTCRACKER was this whole promotion of taking pictures and videos and sharing them. It's great if you want people to spread the word of your show. It's not so great if you're sitting behind people who feel the need to record the whole thing and you're left watching it through their iPhone. That was a true story btw.

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 1/29/16 at 10:46am

Mr Roxy said: "Hate to burst your bubble but we paid to get in."

 

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 1/29/16 at 7:47pm

ClydeBarrow said: "First of all, I wish there was a LOVE button for Matt's comment.

 

 

 

Second of all, I'm very much looking forward to seeing this. I thought CINDERELLA was spectacular but found NUTCRACKER to be a bit boring. Hopefully they'll bounce back with this one. Another problem I had with NUTCRACKER was this whole promotion of taking pictures and videos and sharing them. It's great if you want people to spread the word of your show. It's not so great if you're sitting behind people who feel the need to record the whole thing and you're left watching it through their iPhone. That was a true story btw.

 

"

I took some amateur videos on my phone. But if you want better views, sit in the balcony where the rows are much steeper. It's such a wonderful small theater.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 1/29/16 at 8:48pm

"Second of all, I'm very much looking forward to seeing this. I thought CINDERELLA was spectacular but found NUTCRACKER to be a bit boring."

 

I didn't find it boring exactly but I agree that Cinderella was better than Nutcracker Rouge. It was more focused and the choreography was better. However, I think Cinderella and Snow White are newer productions so I'm encouraged that this will be closer to Cinderella in quality.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 1/29/16 at 10:06pm

They're not really comparable ... Nutcracker Rouge is definitely a more commercial effort but it takes advantage of NYC's December Nutcracker craze. Snow White is a rather dark and surreal production. Laura Careless's performance as Queen Mother is definitely worth the price of the ticket.

[stevenycguy]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 11:42pm

There are certainly many visually striking elements, an avant-garde burlesque feel, and very talented performers (including a woman in the second act who is spinning around and around in a hoop). 

 

But the show felt overlong (started an embarrassing 11 minutes late, had a very lengthy 20 minute intermission).  The smell of incense permeated the entire theater, and it was making my stomach very unsettled.  (Needed to get fresh air at the intermission.)  The incense smell is way stronger in the orchestra level, so you may want to sit far up in the mezzanine so it won't bother you as much.  However, recognize that the mezzanine seats are VERY uncomfortable and have very restricted legroom.  The show runs 2 hours 5 minutes.  I feel bad for the ushers and everyone who works in that theater who has to smell that nauseating smell every single day.  The show would be far stronger if they eliminated the needless 20 minute intermission - it just drags out what should be a fun show.  (And caused quite a number of people to leave.)

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 3:17pm

If the incense is really that bad, we will just get up and leave. Maybe they have rectified the issue. We shall see.

[Polka Dot2]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 4:19pm

I have seen all of their shows over the past few years and think that Nutcracker Rouge is a masterpiece. It is fun and inventive. Not "commercial" at all. One of my favorite shows of all time, and I look forward to it every year. 

I recently saw Snow White, and while I love everything that Company XIV does, I left a little disappointed. I thought they could have done more with it. For example, in Nutcracker and Cinderella there were absolutely stunning duets between Clara/Nutcracker and Cinderella/prince. I've always thought that their duets are stunning, emotion, and a highlight of the show. Snow White didn't have one, although there was plenty of opportunity for it. I would have loved for a final, epic duet between Snow White and the Queen. 

That being said, the dancer who plays the Queen is amazing in everything she does, and the projections were stunning. 

Worth seeing? Yes, of course! I just wanted a little more. 

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/5/16 at 11:11am

Saw it last night and while entertaining, we preferred Nutcracker much more. No story here. The first act is kind of disjointed and all over the place. The second act is much better. The whole piece is basically a collection of dance and acrobatics. The incense issue was non existent. You smelled it as soon as you came in the lobby. A number of people complained about it. We were seated first row orchestra on the side. The incense was turned off by than as we did not smell it again.

 

Hopefully, their next production will be on par with Nutcracker.

Updated On: 2/5/16 at 11:11 AM

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 2/13/16 at 4:12pm

Of the three offerings this season I'd rank Cinderella first, followed by Snow White, with Nutcracker Rouge last. I think Cinderella had the best choreography and was most connected to the story on an emotional level. Nutcracker Rouge was more of a revue/concert and was all over the place with no plot. If you know the story of the original Snow White fairytale, it follows pretty closely using some nice imagery throughout. The "heart" was a little too obscured for me to get it until they explained it

 

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why was it in ice?

Of the three, I think it might be the most accessible. The level of difficulty in the dancing doesn't seem as high but I think it's the most straightforward and glamorous production. The Snow White (Hilly Bodin) danced beautifully. I kind of wished Devon had been the stepmother again. Laura was a bit too much like Sherie Renee Scott as Ursula channeling Mommie Dearest but not as fun. Her final dance was great but I didn't think the others were nearly as compelling. I did find all the videocamera/projections a bit self indulgent. I'd still recommend checking it out though.

[Polka Dot2]

Posted: 2/14/16 at 9:28am

VintageSnarker - I think you missed the point. Nutcracker Rouge is supposed to be a revue that loosely follows the theme of the sweets presenting themselves to Clara. It is the perfect avenue for Comany XIV to highlight their best circus acts. Everything is beautifully executed and the concept makes sense.

 

I think that the circus acts in Snow White seemed much more random. I would have rather Snow White been all ballet and burlesque. 

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/14/16 at 12:08pm

Agree with Polka and with Snarker re the video and projections .