LizzieCurry said: "I was in the mid-balcony. I hadn't been to the Golden Gate in about a decade, and I last saw Dolly from the third row in the orchestra at the Oriental (now Nederlander) in Chicago and front mezz at the Shubert."
That's a big difference. I sat in the rear mezzanine for Come From Away in January and it's a fair distance, and I agree that it's probably steeper than the Orpheum. And you were further back, in the balcon
My guess all along, given that the show is being co-produced by the Public Theater and Berkeley Rep, is that it would start in Berkeley.
schubox's question made sense. Malloy was probably being coy because nothing is official yet, and you never know when things get delayed. It's obviously an ambitious project, with a director who's busy at the moment getting a musical ready for Broadway.
But the Berkeley Rep is debuting two musicals this season, one of which started
I saw Hamilton for the 4th time Saturday night. It's hard to avoid comparing performances, even if that can sometimes be unfair. But I also hadn't seen it, or played the cast recording, in a while - so there were some things about the show that hit me again.
Julius Thomas III is an engaging, likeable Alexander Hamilton in the first act, though I liked his performance as the more confident Hamilton in the second act (he's especially good in the rap battles
First off, I had never seen Hello, Dolly! before Tuesday. (I had seen the movie a couple of years ago, so I did have some idea about the plot, songs and tone.)
So Kitsune, don't worry about doing any preparation. There's a history of how this show became a Broadway musical, which is interesting enough, but it's not going to interfere with your enjoyment (or lack thereof).
I don't have other theatrical productions or Dollys to compare, only my own reactio
Come From Away with kids? Feb 22
2019, 03:53:18 PM
Based on your description of your children, I think it would be fine. The show moves quickly, so I don't think they will get bored. (I didn't love the musical myself, but I can understand why others do, and it really did feel more like a family-friendly show.)
I've got a ridiculously long list of possible choices for four slots (probably). I'm trying to figure out a first-choice play, which is hard to do when several options haven't opened.
Network extends to June 8 Feb 20
2019, 10:24:58 PM
This extension adds a complication to my May trip, which is none of your concerns. But my question is this: Most of the comments and reviews I have seen basically say Cranston is fantastic but the play, overall, is nothing special aside from a few directorial flourishes.
Is that a fair assessment? And if it's unfair to the play, why is it worth choosing aside from Cranston?
IYHO please convince me why I should see it. It was just here touring in Buffalo and didn’t even think about going.
I don’t understand the hype. Maybe your words can fully explain what I may be missing."
I have been amused by this whole thread, because I think the OP is long gone, and indicated in the first post (before it was edited) that he/she had no interest in the musical.
I saw the Tuesday night performance on the first day of the San Francisco leg of the tour. Betty Buckley was in the show. My wife and I had never seen Hello, Dolly! before (not counting the movie) and we enjoyed it. I certainly can't compare Buckley to anyone else who's played Dolly on stage, but she displayed plenty of wry charm and her performance of Before the Parade Passes By was emotional and nicely done. As with many musicals that have a loyal fanbase
I'm going in May as well, and I must say this is the most difficult trip to plan in terms of shows. (The only good thing about The Band's Visit closing in April is that it eliminates an option.)
My wife and daughter are more musical-inclined, although we have seen plenty of plays locally and regionally.
We've probably got four open slots (May 18, May 19, May 21, May 22).
Here's my tentative list, just off the top of my head:
Hamilton San Francisco Feb 16
2019, 12:27:33 PM
Notalwaysontime, during the final song, did you hear a fire alarm or anyone yelling 'gun,' or did you hear a lot of screaming that didn't stop followed by people racing for any exit they could find? (I assume there was no announcement.) How did you leave?
I am very sorry about your experience, and those others have recounted.
I wasn't there Friday night. Here's a news account. It sounds like there was a medical emergency, and then someone yelled "gun" for whatever reason. Panic and confusion followed. There were several injuries as people evacuated (not including the woman who had the medical emergency, who is in critical condition, according to the story). The story says people were jumping into police cars outside the theater, fearing an active shooter.
Practical question: As I'm most likely going in May with my wife and one of my daughters, is this something that I should get in advance at full price, or are there bargains (TKTS et cetera) to be had if I wait? I would probably be going on a Saturday night or the Sunday matinee.
Yes, I know the musical isn't selling all that well now ($115 average ticket price) and it will face competition from all the new shows opening this spring. So it seems like I ought to be able to
I saw it Saturday afternoon and it was an excellent production, and I also had been disappointed by the last show I'd seen at Hillbarn. Keith Pinto, who was great last summer as Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch at the San Jose Stage, is a compelling Todd. Heather Orth, though, is his match as a very funny Mrs. Lovett. The leads were consistently good, and I agree in particular about Samuel Nachison as Beadle. I didn't mind Jesse Cortez's flamboyant take as Pi
THE BAND'S VISIT sets closing Feb 4
2019, 09:09:26 PM
This is the first time a show I planned to see is closing just weeks before I arrive. I can see it on tour next spring, but I am a bit bummed.
Lena Hall has done this one-woman show (with a pianist) before, but I had never seen it, and Hall was terrific in her Art of the Audition performance in San Francisco, which my wife and I saw last night. She will be doing the same show in New York on Saturday, Feb. 9. And there's topical updates, including her take on the Rent special and the upcoming Cats movie. (She sang songs from both, but nothing from Hedwig - although she recounts her audition for tha
The one thing that may help this play draw is the reduced number of seats. A 600-seat theater makes it comparable to the Berkeley Rep, which sells pretty well with less commerical fare (although the Berkeley Rep has season ticket holders). Since the Curran reopened, it has sold well for two shows - Fun Home and Dear Evan Hansen. It's almost impossible for those musicals not to do well. I've been there for most of the other Curran shows, and they haven't draw
