WAR PAINT - Pre-Broadway Thread

[theaterdrew]

There's not much in terms of choreography.  The ensemble of younger "clerks" and four less young society women do most of it and it's pretty basic stuff.  One dance hall scene but again, nothing too thrilling.  Choreo is not the star(s) of this show.

[gleek4114]

I attended the second preview last night, and I knew from the moment the lights came up, we were in for a treat. I must echo what others have said, this show is in amazing shape. Patti and Christine are both in amazing voice, and each are giving a masterclass performance. My favorite song of the night had to be 

 

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Christine's Act 2 ballad "Pink". In this scene she is told that the company is insisting on finding her predecessor, as she is no longer the face of a woman who sells beauty products. She's told that they would keep her the name of the company, and her signature color, pink. 

I did find Act 1 a bit slow moving it times, but I think once everyone gets settled in and finds their rhythm it will lock in fairly well. 

 

As another poster mentioned it was a night of flying props. I too almost though Patti dropping the bracelet was a part of the show. She was so calm and natural, and the music picked right back up as soon as she retrieved it. 

 

All in all, I CAN'T wait for this show to transfer so everyone can bask in its glory. It really is something special. 

[gleek4114]

Double post

[carolinaguy]

Good Lord, if this does transfer this season, this will be one of the juiciest Best Actress Tony smackdowns ever.

[bigbelterbaby]

For anyone who has seen the show - are there other female characters besides Helena and Elizabeth - for instance it says Steffanie Leigh is credited as Dorian Leigh - a model from the 40s and 50s,does she have anything to do? 

[bigbelterbaby]

For anyone who has seen the show - are there other female characters besides Helena and Elizabeth - for instance it says Steffanie Leigh is credited as Dorian Leigh - a model from the 40s and 50s,does she have anything to do? 

[KnewItWhenIWasInFron]

I'm not seeing it for a couple weeks but the cast lists quite a few women. Obviously, I don't know how much they have to do in the show but Mary Ernster is featured prominently in the rehearsal shots.

http://www.goodmantheatre.org/warpaint

[tgrabon2]

" Can anyone recommend seating for this show? I enjoy sitting close but is the stage very tall/built up? "

kellem7

 My preferred seats at the Goodman (and Broadway) are first row center Mezz. My friend got second row center orchestra for War Paint and they were great seats too. The details in the costumes, jewelry, props, etc. are truly impressive from the second row. The set is tall but a wide molding defines and frames the top of the set. I saw the first preview and can't get the show out of my head. The costumes alone are worth the ticket price. Not only are they beautiful but flattering on the actresses. The oversized stage bill (not Playbill) has many pages of info, photos, and sketches from the show with most in color and a real nice companion to the show. I remember the Goodman providing similar info at Brigadoon which I really enjoyed.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

The show really succeeds. I know the project has been a few years in the making, but the entire creative team has sent a very high quality show. It, like any show in it's first days if previews, has some flaws, but if this suddenly transferred to Broadway next week, they'd honestly be in good shape. Doug Wright has done a very solid job on the book; I'm glad to see him back.

The biggest problem I had with show has already been mentioned

 

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The show crashes a bit in the second act when the women meet up and discuss their impact on other women and society. It just isn't needed because it just makes the momentum of the show stop. If they want the scene, they need to find a different way to present it. As it stands, it's just kind of awkward and hokey.

The show doesn't have much choreography, especially considering it's done by a big name choreographer. Right now, it's purposeful movement set to music. It plays a major second fiddle to the music and acting. I'd like to see it brought up a little when it transfers.

I loved Patti. She just wins in this role. As soon as she entered, I got a huge smile on my face that didn't leave the entire night. The other cast is entirely supporting Ebersole and her...as it should be with this story.

[Bettyboy72]

I'm going tomorrow but decided to go tonight too. The box office girl said that mezz seats are half price the day of the show. That's a steal. I believe it's in person only. A woman got seats for $32 and $22.50. It's a very small house. 

[macnyc]

Such a deal! Worth the plane fare from NY. What did you think of the show?

[Bettyboy72]

At intermission. It's glorious. I found it a little slow to start, but the stakes were raised nicely. I find the score quite close to Grey Gardens-jazzy and swinging numbers mixed with moving ballads. I like this score more than Far From Heaven. 

Ebersole and LuPone are cast perfectly. There's no way they'd recast either lady. I have some trouble understanding lyrics at times due to LuPones accent, but she's inspired. Ebersole balances the light and the dark of Arden beautifully. 

I'm glad to return tomorrow and see it from front row. The costumes are stunning and I want to see up close. 

[qolbinau]

I've just bought a flight to NYC next spring - this season seems irresistible. I hope that you're right re: transfer, Liza. 

"Pink" sounds like an amazing song.

[Bettyboy72]

I just got back from the show. It's a stunner. It's completely a star vehicle for Patti and Christine-as it should be. It's it great shape. Each woman gets her moments and songs and Patti has some Evita-esque moments that are thrilling. 

To me, the standout songs were "If I'd Been A Man" (Patti and Christine duet), Pink (Christine) and "Forever Young" (Patti). 

Again, this score feels very reminiscent of Grey Gardens and Pink feels very much like "Around The World" in its primal emotion. 

The show is ready for Broadway and with Hamilton out of the way it could be a very good year for the sublime War Paint. 

[ljay889]

This is soooo exciting. Best Actress is already going to be the category to watch with LuPone, Ebersole, and Midler. 

[ljay889]

This is soooo exciting. Best Actress is already going to be the category to watch with LuPone, Ebersole, and Midler. 

[Valentina3]

ljay889 said: "This is soooo exciting. Best Actress is already going to be the category to watch with LuPone, Ebersole, and Midler. "

Don't forget Phillipa Soo for Amelie, and hopefully Sutton if Sweet Charity transfers. There's a chance that Kristin Chenoweth will stir the pot with Best Little Whorehouse...looking at Bway bow. I doubt Kelli's My Fair Lady will show up, since she's rumored to originate The King & I in London.

From ex Elphabas, there's a possibility of best supporting actress noms for Lindsey Mendez (if she sticks with In Transit instead of Significant Other - which would likely get her the nod too in the Play category); and Stephanie J Block for Falsettos.
 

So much new stuff! I'm almost getting over Shuffle Along closing. Not quite, but almost.

[buhbuhbilly]

Sorry if this has been addressed, but I thought Donna Murphy was set to do this and replace Ebersole after Chicago? 

[givesmevoice]

buhbuhbilly said: "Sorry if this has been addressed, but I thought Donna Murphy was set to do this and replace Ebersole after Chicago? "

She was involved in workshops, but since there hasn't been any official word (from producers) about the life of the show after Chicago, that particular detail has never been mentioned.

[adamgreer]

Given these early reviews of the two leading ladies' performances, it would seem foolish to recast either of them before Broadway (assuming it transfers, as has been rumored). 

[gypsy101]

Liza has confirmed it and Liza's word is law.

Each day of previews has made me more and more excited for this show. I was 16 when she was in Gypsy and live in Michigan so I couldn't see Patti, this will be my first time and I'm so excited. only 5 weeks from today!

[Kad]

Replacing Ebersole with Murphy seems at the very most a sideways casting change. As far as marquee power goes, Ebersole and Murphy are pretty much equal.

[givesmevoice]

Kad said: "Replacing Ebersole with Murphy seems at the very most a sideways casting change. As far as marquee power goes, Ebersole and Murphy are pretty much equal."

Speaking of marquee power, am I wrong to be surprised that LuPone is billed before Ebersole? I would've assumed alphabetical billing in this instance. (They're still billed on the same line, of course.)

[wonderfulwizard11]

Not to mention, if the songs have been tailored to Ebersole, Murphy isn't a good fit. Their vocals are nothing alike- Murphy is closer to LuPone than Ebersole. 

[Kad]

Oh, I'm not at all surprised LuPone is first. As great as Ebersole is, LuPone is a bonafide Broadway icon at this point.

[BroadwayConcierge]