WORKING London - First Preview

[LinSuperFan]

Posted: 6/2/17 at 8:20pm

I just got in from one of the best nights at the theatre I've had in a long while.  Obviously as a massive Lin Manuel Miranda fan, I went to the first preview night to see the new pieces he added to the show and how it all works with the original material.  I was blown away.  The actors, the direction, the choreo, were all absolutely brilliant and at moments breath taking.  I feel knowing that this was the first preview, it will only get better and better.  I can't wait to see it again, and I've already booked my tickets in a few weeks.   I highly recommend every one go see it if you're near London this summer.  I hope they extend it or move it to a different theatre.  I want to see it again and again.

Love Lin for LIFE! 

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 6/2/17 at 9:23pm

Does anyone know if this is exactly the same as the 2011 Chicago version, or if Lin has added anymore additional material?

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 6/2/17 at 9:28pm

I sang "Delivery" in a production of Working once. That song kicked my butt! 

[myplaybills]

Posted: 6/3/17 at 1:41am

Kinda on topic, but I'm in working the musical from the 1990s, and the company that I working with ( pun not intended), looked in to the new one but they didn't enjoy what that saw, also they where trying to find the original version because it is the best version ( in my opinion) because there's a story line and there are more amazing songs,so I always get flustered when I here about the new version, but all to there own! 

 

 

 

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 6/3/17 at 4:57am

If there was a "story" in the 1970s version, I missed it. I mean I saw the show, just didn't pick up on anything I'd call a story. It's possible a character turned up in somebody else's monologue, but it was very much a revue. The score was of mixed quality, but the performances were great! I've seen a college production since and it worked better without all the trappings like a firetruck on stage.

[myplaybills]

Posted: 6/3/17 at 5:10am

GavestonPS said: "If there was a "story" in the 1970s version, I missed it. I mean I saw the show, just didn't pick up on anything I'd call a story. It's possible a character turned up in somebody else's monologue, but it was very much a revue. The score was of mixed quality, but the performances were great! I've seen a college production since and it worked better without all the trappings like a firetruck on stage.

 

I didn't mean a full story, I mean for example the news boys mother was the millworker basic ideas like that that tie everything together 

"

 

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 6/3/17 at 5:37am

^^^ Right. Got it. They don't tie things together as much as one might think.

But while we're on the subject, I have never been able to forget Patti LuPone's monologue as The Streetwalker. Incredibly moving and she didn't sing a note.

[rjm516]

Posted: 6/3/17 at 1:44pm

I just saw it this afternoon and I have to disagree. Lin's songs were great, and everything that the older man (who kind of looked like Bob Hoskins!) did was great,  but everything and everyone else felt boring and lackluster. For such a short show it dragged on and on. I'm glad I saw it but it definitely doesn't rank very high on my list. Considering everything the Southwark does is usually absolutely stellar, I'm surprised at how amateur it felt.

 

edit: oh and unless I really missed some subtle cues, there's nothing tying the story/monologues/songs/various characters together, aside from the fact that they are people with jobs. It's presented just as a showcase of songs and monologues. And one actress messed up her lines 4 times.

Updated On: 6/3/17 at 01:44 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/3/17 at 2:56pm

If it wasn't mediocre and forgettable, then it sounds better than the Chicago production.  I enjoyed Miranda's numbers and there were a few nice songs, but in Chicago, the show was pretty bland and left no impression.  Personally, I think the show itself just hasn't aged well.  I really think it needs to be a folksy period piece and not attempt to pretend it's currently relevant in any way.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 6/4/17 at 5:24am

Mister Matt said: "If it wasn't mediocre and forgettable, then it sounds better than the Chicago production.  I enjoyed Miranda's numbers and there were a few nice songs, but in Chicago, the show was pretty bland and left no impression.  Personally, I think the show itself just hasn't aged well.  I really think it needs to be a folksy period piece and not attempt to pretend it's currently relevant in any way.

 

"

I don't think the problem is aging. It was always mediocre and mostly forgettable. As I said, it worked a little better as a chamber musical, but the original Broadway production was over-produced to the nth degree. James Taylor's "Millwork" is done beautifully by Bette Midler on one of her albums, but I don't even remember it on Broadway. Lenora Nemetz stopped the show with her waitress number at the top of Act II.

But in another Taylor number, as soon as you heard the phrase "brother trucker", you knew what was coming next. Every single time.

The whole thing was really an evening of "What were they thinking?!" 

[DAME]

Posted: 6/4/17 at 1:51pm

This was  bad show when it started.  And a bad show now.