WAR PAINT - Pre-Broadway Thread

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Is the music in the same vein as Grey Gardens or Far From Heaven - or something completely different?

[Almira]

Different.  This is a more aggressive score.

[gypsy101]

I'm seeing it late in the run (August 5th I think I got tickets the day it went onsale) and Whizzer has made me even more excited! 

[pc1145N]

I agree that the show needs to be tightened but as usual, Whizzer got it right. It's fantastic!

For a first ever performance, it was great. I can't wait to see what it's going to look like in a few weeks.

[Mr. Nowack]

Ugh

I. Need. To. See. This.

[devonian.t]

Sounds thrilling!

[BwayGeek2]

Totally agree with Whizzer. We had an amazing time.  Patti and Christine were phenomenal - both were in great voice and both have gorgeous numbers, especially in the second act. Christine's "Pink" made me tear up.  They're in great shape for a first preview.  Going to go back in a few weeks hopefully to see what changes they've made.

[adamgreer]

This sounds so exciting!

[WhizzerMarvin]

Some more thoughts this morning:

I think Frankel, Korie and Wright have done a good job balancing the writing of a double star vehicle, allowing the leading ladies to show off and send their fans into estatic states of diva worship with presenting a serious, adult entertainment that examines powerful business women, economics, the role women's beauty in society, etc. 

 

For example, the show begins with a blackout and then lights up on LuPone and Ebersole in spotlights, seated at their vanities, applying make up. A skrim rises slowly, allowing for the entrance applause to play out before they start in on their Prologue duet.

The following scene takes place in 1937 at Arden's boutique. The shopgirls are singing "Behind the Red Door" while they assist customers. All of a sudden...Miss Arden is coming! Miss Arden is coming! And here! She! Is! Ebersole appears at the top of the staircase, decked to the nines and shouts out, "I'm Here!" before proceeding to walk down the staircase taking "Behind the Red Door" home to an exciting finish. She got massive re-entrance applause with this old fashioned star entrance. 

Not to be left out in the cold, the next scene takes place in New York Harbor where a gangplank rolls onstage. LuPone, equally decked out, steps out at the top of the plank and exclaims, "It's good to be in New York!" She then sings "Back on Top" as makes her way down the plank and around the Harbor. Another thrilling star entrance with re-entrance applause and LuPone dazzling on a tricky vocal line. 

By this point we're 12 minutes into the show and my poor little gay heart might not be able to handle much more of this without the smelling salts, but all of this isn't indulgence for indulgence's sake. These women are larger than life and Titans of industry. Of course they could behave this way and the audience can worship them the way all their clients worship their makeup products. The songs work as both vocal show off set pieces as well as character-enriching moments that establish mood, time and place. The creators walk a fine line, and for me they succeeded.  

[ErinDillyFan]

Have had my tickets for July 30 for months and just booked the hotel yesterday...  Can't wait!

[adamgreer]

These posts have me looking at flights. 

[Kad]

Wow, this has gotten me very excited. When was the last time we had a real diva star vehicle like this?

[macnyc]

Kad said: "Wow, this has gotten me very excited. When was the last time we had a real diva star vehicle like this?

Buyer and Cellar maybe? 

 

[Theatreboy49]

So exciting to hear strong buzz coming from the first preview. I am sure with David Stone attached it will be transferring.  Ill be there July 13 and this has only built my anticipation. Thanks for all the early details Whizzer!

[Hum a tune]

 Saw the show last night… It is a great showcase for two divas. Patti's Eastern European accent make it difficult to understand some lyrics until you get accustomed to it. I do think,  as a previous poster mentioned, that they should cut the scene at the end where the two ladies meet. It may be challenging for the audience but the scene, as is, seems contrived.  Especially since the women purposely avoided each other in the rest of the show.  I enjoyed act 2 more than act one.  Also interesting,  but not mentioned in the show, is the fact that earlier this month Revlon bought out Elizabeth Arden,  putting an intriguing twist on the end of the show.

[Hum a tune]

Double post

[LightsOut90]

how long was the first preview?

[Hum a tune]

2 hr. 30min. With 15 minute intermission 

[givesmevoice]

Hum a tune said: " Saw the show last night… It is a great showcase for two divas. Patti's Eastern European accent make it difficult to understand some lyrics until you get accustomed to it. I do think,  as a previous poster mentioned, that they should cut the scene at the end where the two ladies meet. It may be challenging for the audience but the scene, as is, seems contrived.  Especially since the women purposely avoided each other in the rest of the show.  I enjoyed act 2 more than act one.  Also interesting,  but not mentioned in the show, is the fact that earlier this month Revlon bought out Elizabeth Arden,  putting an intriguing twist on the end of the show."

The two women never met in real life (which has been mentioned in several of the features on the show), so I'm surprised there's a scene where they DO meet.

 

There's an amazing anecdote in Lindy Woodhead's book about how Miss Arden took some friends/associates for a stroll past Helena Rubinstein's salon on Fifth Avenue right after Rubinstein died. She looked at the store, sighed "Poor Helena," and then they went to lunch. (I actually laughed out loud when I read that on the subway.)

[Liza's Headband]

Theatreboy49 said: "So exciting to hear strong buzz coming from the first preview. IT will definitely be transferring and it hasnt been confirmed but a close friend at the goodman has alluded that they may even have a theatre lined up. It is the largest show in budget that Goodman has done in recent history, if ever. Ill be there July 13 and this has only built my anticipation. Thanks for all the early details Whizzer!

 

"

Correct. They've had one tentatively lined up for at least a month now, if not longer. For those who are patient enough, I'd hold off on going all the way to Chicago and wait for it to come here in Spring 2017. 

[Valentina3]

The 2016-17 award season is so so exciting already

Just got my tickets to see this during it's closing weekend in Chicgao. 

[Auggie27]

Your sharp comment on the score being more aggressive made me think of both "Daddy's Girl" from GREY GARDENS and Pasquale's stunningly performed "I Never Knew" from FAR FROM HEAVEN.  Am I in the ballpark?  They are songs with great energy and driving purpose, even if the purpose is to clarify feelings.

[PalJoey]

 

If Friedrich Schiller could get away with writing a scene in his 1800 play "Mary Stuart" in which a final confrontation takes place between Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth I, who never met in real life, then surely Frankel, Korie & Wright can write a scene in which Helena Queen of Rubinstein and Queen Elizabeth Arden square off. I think it's a regal idea.

I'm of half a mind to pop off to Chicago.

 

[Almira]

Auggie27, the score is closer to GOING PLACES  in  energy  and drive. ..not surprising given these are two driven women  in  running corporations in Manhattan. 

[Mr. Nowack]

Those first 12 minutes alone sound worth the price of admission. Just hearing descriptions I am reeling.

[Fantod]

God, the number of interesting things that will be playing by the time I go to New York in April is just ridiculous. You've got

Hello, Dolly!

The Glass Menagerie

The Antipodes

Pacific Overtures

The Profane

The New Mamet

Samara

Vanity Fair

The Price

Rhinoceros

The Little Foxes

Gently Down the Stream

Daniel's Husband

Significant Other

 

and now probably War Paint. Too many options!