Pirates of Penzance - Will Swenson

[Valentina3]

Posted: 7/20/16 at 10:20am

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo-Flash-First-Look-at-Will-Swenson-Kyle-Dean-Massey-and-More-in-PIRATES-OF-PENZANCE-at-Barrington-Stage-20160720

Has anyone here been involved in/seen this show in any capacity? The photos make me not want to go at all, but I love Will Swenson and to a certain extent Kyle Dean Massey (even after that torturous 2+ Pippin Revival hours). Was wondering is it's worth a visit.

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 7/20/16 at 10:30am

I just bought tickets yesterday, but I won't be going until August. I'm really excited about the talent involved - besides Swenson and Massey, I'm also really looking forward to seeing Phillip Boykin, Jane Carr, and Scarlett Strallen. 

With that kind of cast, I have to wonder if there's any weight to the rumor from a while back that they're considering a Broadway transfer. With how much money the producers of On the Town had to throw around, I wouldn't be surprised assuming they'd be the ones attached.  

[macnyc]

Posted: 7/20/16 at 10:39am

I bought tickets yesterday too, and a friend and I are looking forward to driving up in August. If you're thinking of going, though, don't delay. My performance (on a Thursday) was very well sold, and choice spots like first-row mezzanine were completely sold out. What a cast and creative team!

 

[ren598]

Posted: 7/20/16 at 11:35am

I took the drive to Barrington (2 hours from Boston) and caught the 3rd preview performance this past Sunday.  Since it was still in previews, the tickets were only $25.00 for 4th row seats.  The theater wasn't very big and the stage extended out so people sitting in the first 6 rows were hugging the side of the extended stage.  You could really get up close with the actors.

Not really familiar with the musical.  I'd heard of it, but never been to any productions of it.  So I have no point of reference to compare it to.  I went because of Will Swenson and Kyle Dean Massey, but was surprised to see so many other actors I recognized from TV and other Broadway shows in this.  Overall, a very enjoyable show although the sets could have been better.  Will and Kyle Dean did not disappoint.

 

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/20/16 at 11:44am

Seeing it next week. The pictures look great!

[macnyc]

Posted: 7/20/16 at 11:49am

Thanks for your comments, ren! I'm curious about the stage. I'm in Row A. Will that be too close?

[ren598]

Posted: 7/20/16 at 12:11pm

For this production, I think it may be too close.  You'll have to turn your head back to see the extended stage and everything that happens on that.

I think the best seats to see everything are those on stage or seats that are beyond the extended stage.  Kind nit-picking here.  The place is so small that every seat should be OK.

[macnyc]

Posted: 7/20/16 at 12:41pm

How is the on-stage seating arranged? Is it on regular theater seats, or something else? Maybe I could exchange for those. Thanks!

[ren598]

Posted: 7/20/16 at 1:22pm

The on-stage seating are 4 on each side of the stage, sort of diagonally facing the audience.  I believe they are not regular theater seats.  Looks to be wooden or wooden stool seat.   Hard to tell since there was a barricade in front of them to make them look like part of the scenery.  If you're short, I would not recommend the stage seats.

[macnyc]

Posted: 7/20/16 at 1:35pm

Thanks for that info! Because my friend is petite, I'll keep the Row A seats we have and hope for the best!

 

I was also worried about the rake in the theater. It looked pretty gradual, so I was worried about sitting behind someone tall. So that's why I took the seats in A. My friend and I usually enjoy sitting close.

[NJGUY]

Posted: 7/20/16 at 2:52pm

Saw it Saturday-second preview.  The show is in great shape.  Have seen the 1980/81 Delacorte- Public performance with the original cast.  This follows that exact text with the added songs and all.  Zanier direction than I remember  and the choreography is lot energetic than Graciella Danielle's 1980's version,.  Highly recommended.  Get row G or further back to see the entire stage

[NJGUY]

Posted: 7/20/16 at 2:53pm

Saw it Saturday-second preview.  The show is in great shape.  Have seen the 1980/81 Delacorte- Public performance with the original cast.  This follows that exact text with the added songs and all.  Zanier direction than I remember  and the choreography is lot energetic than Graciella Danielle's 1980's version,.  Highly recommended.  Get row G or further back to see the entire stage

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 7/20/16 at 3:07pm

While purists may object, I'm glad they went with the Papp text and interpolations.  I have no doubt the staging and choreo is fun--though I expected basic sets but the costume choices seem a bit odd--still it beats the Pirates of the Caribbean rip off a lot of recent productions have gone with.

[Whateverjsays]

Posted: 8/7/16 at 9:31pm

Just saw this today, Will Swenson is a force to be reckoned with. His vocals were soaring and his comedic timing really blew me away. Kyle Dean was wonderful, had a very naive boyish quality that gave his character more depth. The only complaint I have is that when the girls ensemble sings they sort of sound muffled and it's very hard to understand what they're singing. 

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 8/8/16 at 11:50pm

I saw this over the weekend as well and wanted to echo the praise here. The show was absolutely delightful from start to finish. The performances were all top notch, and to borrow a term used earlier in this thread, I loved the zaniness of the direction. The bits of audience interaction (that I assume) were added for this production were hysterical. If you can, definitely get to Pittsfield to catch this before the run ends on Saturday. 

[HeatherHaroldHill]

Posted: 8/11/16 at 12:30pm

I drove up from NYC this passed weekend to Barrington to see this and boy am I glad I did!  The show is so funny and well done. The direction is impeccable and Will and Kyle and Scarlett are a dream!  This deserves to be on Broadway and with the reviews I'm sure it's getting a lot of buzz. Does anyone know if this is gonna follow in the footsteps of ON THE TOWN?  I would love to see it on Broadway just to see it again. I think it closes this weekend. It would be perfect in the music box. 

[darquegk]

Posted: 8/11/16 at 3:13pm

The Papp "Pirates" is actually licensed now, because it's proven so popular over time.

[jayinchelsea]

Posted: 8/11/16 at 3:59pm

A lot of fun, extremely well sung, everyone was really good, and the Papp version can't be beat. Totally worth the trip to Barrington, where Rando and Bergasse last gave us the spectacular ON THE TOWN.

[dev101]

Posted: 8/11/16 at 6:07pm

So jealous of everyone who got to see it. I couldn't get anyone to drive to Barrington with me to see it. I'm hoping it transfers because I'm a fan of Will Swenson.  

[ddenoff2]

Posted: 8/12/16 at 7:32pm

Two remaining shows tomorrow 8/13 at 2PM and 8PM - last chance to see an amazing production…before it hopefully comes to Broadway!

[macnyc]

Posted: 8/12/16 at 9:07pm

A friend and I saw the show last night and really enjoyed it. It's a very high-spirited, fast moving and funny rendition. Will Swenson owned the stage but didn't hog the limelight. I am a Bergasse fan and thought the choreography, particularly for the police officers, was great. Alex Gibson as the sergeant was hilarious with moves so sinuous it seems he doesn't have a bone in his body.

I liked the breaking of the fourth wall at the end with some topical (theater related) jokes, and Swenson looked to be having fun with it.

The only aspect of the production I felt fell a bit short was with enunciation. As previously stated, the women's chorus was not easily understood, and I also didn't think David Garrison as the major general got the words out well enough. I am hardly a Gilbert and Sullivan expert, but I did see the 1980 version at the Delacorte and have seen another production in the years intervening. I don't remember missing as much of the text as I did last night.

I know Jane Carr is a highly respected professional, but I thought she played up the comedy at the expense of the sound she was producing. (She was very funny.) I saw her in Gentleman's Guide and thought she sounded better singing that music.

The crowd was quite enthusiastic overall, so it must just be me!

I thought Scarlett Strallen did a nice job as Mabel.

On-stage seats looked as though they would give a good view, although of course from the extreme sides, and the cast members interacted often with the eight people sitting there. They seem to having a lot of fun. That seating is not for introverts though! My friend and I were happy in Row J in the orchestra. Nice theater.

We stayed at the Hotel on North, a boutique hotel about a half block away. The hotel is lovely, recently renovated/constructed, and filled with charm and interesting bits of the past. We liked the comfortable beds and welcoming staff. We ate all our meals there too. After the show, quite a few audience members and a few cast members repaired to the spacious bar area and it was a nice, laid-back scene. Highly recommended!

Pittsfield has a long way to go before it's gentrified, but in a few years it might be a hot spot. I bet the Barrington Stage is helping the city along. We were very glad we made the trip!

 

 

Updated On: 8/12/16 at 09:07 PM

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 8/12/16 at 10:13pm

macnyc said: "The only aspect of the production I felt fell a bit short was with enunciation. As previously stated, the women's chorus was not easily understood, and I also didn't think David Garrison as the major general got the words out well enough. I am hardly a Gilbert and Sullivan expert, but I did see the 1980 version at the Delacorte and have seen another production in the years intervening. I don't remember missing as much of the text as I did last night."

I agree with this. I didn't know if it was just me, which is why I didn't mention it in my original post. However, I was often straining to make out lyrics during any ensemble singing. 

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/12/16 at 11:11pm

 

I saw this a few weeks ago, and absolutely adored it. Will Swenson was terrific and Kyle Dean Massey was even better. Jane Carr and Scarlet Strallen and the girls who played the sisters were all pitch perfect.

And the direction and choreography were flawless--and fun!

The whole thing was completely enjoyable--and a very pregnant Audra was there lovingly watching her handsome and talented husband.

 

 

[Rhoda4]

Posted: 8/13/16 at 10:13pm

Saw the show this afternoon (Tonight is the last show),   T E R R I F I C.   It's ready for a Broadway transfer.   A complete delight of an afternoon.

Updated On: 8/13/16 at 10:13 PM

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 8/13/16 at 10:18pm

So it seems as though it's transferring, right?  Taylor Frey posted something about it and Kyle Dean Massey retweeted.