Finian's rainbow at Irish Rep.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 11/6/16 at 8:28am

Has anyone seen this yet or planning to? I saw it last night and really enjoyed it. Melissa Errico was wonderful as was the rest of the cast. I just wish they had a bigger space to get a fuller  orchestra. The score sadly does lack with just a piano, harp, violin, and cello. But, I get there is no space there for that. 

And because of space again,  they cut the big dance parts. Like in "If This Isn't Love," they cut the instrumental part. Actually,  most of the dancing in this production was done by Susan. That was fine for me. 

Now, this next thing I'm not sure about.  There is spoilers for those who don't know the show. 

There's the part where the senator gets turned into a black man. If I remember from the 2009 Broadway revival,  they had 2 different people playing him because of that. I was curious how they were going to do that with such a small cast. Well, they had the white actor put a half brown mask on.  Just something to cover his eyes and top of his nose. They did nothing else.  I'm just not sure if this is bad and considered a form of black face. Or is this more acceptable since it is a major  part of the plot and they didn't really do anything else to make you think he was a black man? I'm torn because it was a nice show. I'm just not sure if maybe I'm overreacting to this or it is something that should be frowned upon. Will be interesting to see reviews later as it is opening night.

[After Eight]

Posted: 11/6/16 at 9:21am

I thought it played wonderfully in the small space. I didn't find the score shortchanged by the four instruments. It's glorious, and as fresh today as when it was written. Given the tuneless dirges we have to endure today, it is truly manna from heaven. I was enchanted throughout.

 

Thank you, Irish Rep!

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 11/6/16 at 10:57am

I'm dying to see this - I just need to find time. I adored the 2009 revival from the balcony of the St. James, and I would love to experience the show in a more intimate, stripped-down production. How was Mark Evans as Og? 

[BakerWilliams]

Posted: 11/6/16 at 11:29am

The 2009 revival of this show made me feel like it was a stiff and stuffy old chestnut with a glorious score, but I found this revival to be a superb evening of theatre. 

The Irish Rep always outdoes themselves (thought nothing could possibly be better than their Dancing at Lughnasa).

[Olivia11]

Posted: 11/6/16 at 11:46am

I wish I could see this. Is anyone else going to The Dead 1904?  We are going in Dec and I am really looking forward to it. 

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 11/7/16 at 8:56am

This might be our 4th show for T-day weekend (Ham, Charity, Poets, ???)  as we love the Irish Rep productions.

 

Have there been any discounts?

[Marianne2]

Posted: 11/7/16 at 9:23am

Broadway box now has 1. Tickets are $40-$60 with the code bwaybox. Expires on December 18th. 

Mark Evans as Og was really good. Actually,  the whole cast was fantastic. I do recommend the show if you want to see a stripped down version. 

I wonder if seating makes a difference with the music. I was all the way in the back corner of the orchestra by the wall. There was a weird beam that stuck out too. It did sound lovely.  I guess my initial post made it sound like I didn't enjoy it at all. But, I still love the sound of the 2009 revival better. But, at least in a space like this, they didn't need to amp up the sound. Oh, and the set was gorgeous too.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 11/7/16 at 9:48am

Mark Evans was fantastic. He stole the show, IMO.

I didn't find the brown eye mask offensive. It was the best they could do on that scale.

You can't really cut blackface from Finian's Rainbow, as it is an integral part of the plot, unless you rewrite the whole thing.
Updated On: 11/7/16 at 09:48 AM

[BakerWilliams]

Posted: 11/7/16 at 9:53am

I guess my initial post made it sound like I didn't enjoy it at all. But, I still love the sound of the 2009 revival better. But, at least in a space like this, they didn't need to amp up the sound. Oh, and the set was gorgeous too.

 

"

If you see the show in a vacuum, with no prior experience with the show, it sounds lovely. The 2009 revival had one of the best pit orchestras I've ever heard, so the new revival comes up short when you remember what it sounded like a few years ago.

[Melissa25]

Posted: 11/7/16 at 11:52pm

This sounds wonderful.  Definitely adding this to my busy must see list.

Brantley has made this a Critics pick.

Ms. Errico is, if anything, even more persuasive as Sharon, an Irish lass newly arrived on American soil, than when I saw her in the role a dozen years ago. The character has a new, welcome earthiness that summons Sharon’s proud connections to the land, and Ms. Errico throughout emanates an easy, robust glow of pleasure that illuminates the stage. It goes without saying that she sings divinely.

 

[Tom 2]

Posted: 11/8/16 at 1:04pm

Yes, it will be interesting to see how they accomplish this. My father used to say this show is one of the best because it made the mayor experience the African-American situation from their angle. In other words the show itself is an important statement but it is the "how will they do it" that is the important question.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 12/19/16 at 12:52am

Any opinions on whether it's better to sit in the back of the orchestra or the mezzanine for this production? The price for the tickets is the same but I've never been to this theater before.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 12/19/16 at 8:53am

It's a very small theater.  However,  sitting in the back of the orchestra made me feel a little disconnected. Then again,  if you end up all the way to the right, it's against a wall. I was in row N, the last,  in the back corner.  Maybe it's better if not sitting that close to it.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 12/30/16 at 2:02pm

Does anyone know if there are still any discount codes floating around for this? 

[mar6411]

Posted: 12/30/16 at 2:09pm

The bwaybox code is still working in January even though it shows an expiration date of Dec 31.

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 1/1/17 at 9:23pm

Does anyone know who's going into the extension? It appears Mark Evans is leaving. Who else is gone? 

[Harriet Craig]

Posted: 1/2/17 at 5:50pm

KJ, the Irish Rep's website says Max Sheldon is going to replace Mark Evans. A few other cast changes after January 4 are also mentioned at https://irishrep.org/show/2016-2017-season/finians-rainbow/

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 1/2/17 at 7:10pm

Yea, I saw they added that today. Thanks for the heads-up! 

I do wish there had been a bit more warning but, alas, that seems to be the way of these things. 

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 1/3/17 at 12:22am

Oh, damn. I'd really wanted to see this with Ryan Silverman. Hopefully it's an enjoyable night out anyway.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 1/12/17 at 12:22pm

Everyone should see this revival.   It's a delight in every way.   And Max Sheldon is winning and adorable as the new Og.

The libretto is as creaky as ever, but Moore's staging and the cuts made use this to palpable advantage.   Nothing is taken seriously except pure joy.    What matters here is the gorgeous songs and those immortal lyrics, and the company is singing their hearts out.  Of course, this is an intimate Finian's Rainbow - how could it be otherwise at Irish Rep?  But there is something not just to be said for but cherished about an intimate, pared down Finian's Rainbow.

I may be asking for trouble but I doubt even After Eight could say anything bad about this one.

Updated On: 1/12/17 at 12:22 PM

[BakerWilliams]

Posted: 1/12/17 at 12:41pm

I may be asking for trouble but I doubt even After Eight could say anything bad about this one."

After Eight already replied and said

"I thought it played wonderfully in the small space. I didn't find the score shortchanged by the four instruments. It's glorious, and as fresh today as when it was written. Given the tuneless dirges we have to endure today, it is truly manna from heaven. I was enchanted throughout.

Thank you, Irish Rep!"

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 1/12/17 at 12:43pm

Thanks, Baker.  Sorry, should have checked first. 

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 1/12/17 at 1:08pm

I second these sentiments! 

This was absolutely wonderful with a really necessary and timely message of hope among the beautiful silliness.