Beardo

[willep]

Posted: 2/15/17 at 11:24pm

Had anyone else here seen Pipeline's production of Beardo? I saw it tonight and absolutely loved it. I didn't know much going it, but what a wild and fun ride.

 

[slumdogdelaware]

Posted: 2/16/17 at 1:21am

I'm going next week! Pretty excited! 

[little_sally]

Posted: 2/16/17 at 9:42am

I'll be there next week and I am so excited!

[willep]

Posted: 2/16/17 at 12:47pm

I can't say that I had much more than a vague knowledge of Rasputin going in and I didn't have any issues.

 

I'm hoping to make a return visit and bring some friends along. 

[theatregoer3]

Posted: 2/16/17 at 8:29pm

Also saw this recently. It's super weird and I mean that as a compliment!

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 2/16/17 at 8:41pm

I've seen some production shots and the design looks absolutely gorgeous, especially the costumes.  I think I might grab a ticket.  Can anyone elaborate some more on what they thought of the production?

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 2/16/17 at 10:41pm

What is the content of this show? I see no warnings on the website. (Violence, drugs, nudity, etc.) I also wonder what the premium seating vs. "peasantry seating" is like. It's in a church, no?

[willep]

Posted: 2/17/17 at 12:01am

Lots of language and sexual situations, but no nudity.

 

As for the seating, yes, it is in a church with a center aisle. Most of the action happens at the front of the church, with a good bit also happening on scaffolding along the left side. I recommend sitting on the right side of the aisle so you don't have to crane your neck as much.

 

The three seating options are Peasantry (the back rows), Nobility (in front of them, but also the front two rows), and Royalty (in the middle, what would be considered "house seats" in a theatre I suppose). I had Nobility and sat in the front row and loved it. To be clear, the very front row is not used for audience seating, the actors are stand on it a couple times, so the second row is the first row of seating. If I go back, I would do Nobility again and sit in the front on the right side of the aisle.

[yknot]

Posted: 2/17/17 at 11:56am

When did you see it/how did they distinguish the seating sections? When I went I wasn't aware of there being any sections, and it seemed to be general, first-come first served.

[RestingOtter]

Posted: 2/17/17 at 12:09pm

I don't think seating was specified during previews.  

I saw this and loved it by the way.  The last 30 minutes was amazing.

[willep]

Posted: 2/17/17 at 12:30pm

Yeah, I believe it was standard General Admission during previews. I went this past Wednesday and the rows were labeled on the end.

 

Otter - I agree! I was curious how they were going to depict his demise, and that was staged so wonderfully.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/19/17 at 11:01pm

Kind of interested in this, but is it a pain to get to? I live uptown.

[RestingOtter]

Posted: 2/19/17 at 11:34pm

It's not far from a stop on the g line if you can get to there easily.  There are nice coffee shops and restaurants nearby too.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 2/21/17 at 5:46pm

I have an extra reservation for tomorrow night. PM me if you want to come.

[Theatricality]

Posted: 2/22/17 at 1:34pm

Is there a playbill or program for this? If anyone can take a picture and upload it I would appreciate it!

Also, does anyone else know if this will come to off-Broadway or any place else, or should I try to see this before it closes?

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 2/23/17 at 12:59pm

Does anyone know if there's any chance this might extend?

[ALittleFallofRain]

Posted: 2/23/17 at 1:54pm

Seeing it Friday and really excited. Dave Malloy is on fire and Elena Heyman (the director) has done some really visceral, exciting work. More to come!

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 2/23/17 at 5:14pm

I know a fair bit about Russian history but I think you could go in not knowing anything and be fine. It's one of those shows where they tell you everything you need to know and it's also the situations are fairly simplified. The son is a hemophile... this is the bad guy... these are the stakes as we've defined them... the revolution is coming... I think within that the messages are kind of muddled but that's a writing issue and not a comprehension issue. 

It's hard to take everything in fully because so much is happening. For the most part, I liked the costumes. Some of them look a little cheaper but there's thought there. The "stage" is very small but they make use of the scaffolding and a lot is accomplished with props and physicality. You don't feel like you're watching a low budget thing with just the actors. It feels like they intentionally kept things sparse, whether or not that's true. I also think they did a nice job with the lighting. I don't know enough about lighting to really comment but it gave the production a more professional feel.

Content... I would not recommend this if you're seriously religious. It's not even like Jesus Christ Superstar where they explore religion. They're very casual about it here. I don't remember any drug use. There is violence and murder but it's treated humorously. Not exactly Gentleman's Guide but a kind of dark humor. Nothing gory though. I will say the bucket of water thing made me a little nervous and the flagellation seemed a little unnecessary and went on too long. No drug use. Nudity? The main character is shirtless and unbuttons his pants and the women are in various states of undress but you mostly just see their legs. There is sexual content though. There's some language.  

The seating is church pews so there's not a bad seat unless you're short and seated behind someone tall. The one time I'd say it's really better to sit closer to the front is for the scene at the end of act 1. They use the upstairs level and if you're sitting too far back, you won't be able to see up to the second floor from where you're sitting. I could hear it but I had no idea what was going on up there. 

[willep]

Posted: 2/23/17 at 8:32pm

Spoiler (?)

 

You didn't really miss anything that was happening up there, it was just a choir, no action.

[little_sally]

Posted: 2/26/17 at 12:16pm

I saw this last night and really liked it. It certainly has some major book issues but I don't think you need any knowledge of history to get/enjoy it. The cast all has great singing voices, and I love Damon Daunno has Beardo. 

[MadonnaMusical]

Posted: 2/28/17 at 11:50pm

Saw this Saturday and absolutely loved it. My only feedback is that I wish there was no spoken dialogue. I think the show would be much better if it were completely sung through like the great comet. The direction is superb, and the music is magnificent. Dave Malloy is quickly becoming one of the most important composers of our generation.

[little_sally]

Posted: 3/1/17 at 4:26pm

I was surprised it wasn't sung through too. I wish it had been.