Profile for little_sally

Anyway I saw it over the weekend. Curtain went down at 4:02 for a 2pm show. It's not exactly a comedy and it deals with a lot of ideas that need pruning. There's a good play in there somewhere but it's not on stage. 

Primary Trust is one of the best things I've seen all year.

Kad said: "Matt Rogers said: "Did no one see the final dress of OLIVER last night?"

I did.


It’s a very fun and big production for Encores. Cast is uniformly excellent and it’s great to see Esparza onstage again.


It was my first time seeing Oliver onstage, somehow (though we were keenly reminded during the pre show speeches that there hasn’t been a NY production in almost four decades). I was kind of surprised at how dated the show felt compared to its contemporaries. It’s extremely episodic, takes forever to get Oliver in with Fagin, and feels overstuffed with musical numbers that, while tuneful, often don’t go anywhere. The plot really only has stakes well into the second act, and then wraps up so quickly. I’m used to the movie adaptation, which makes very wise cuts and better integrates songs into the action (see: “Oom-Pah-Pah&rdquo.


It was in very good shape for a final dress- and the production numbers are extremely polished, making this feel like a LORT production that blew its set budget on a full orchestra. The final sequence, however, definitely felt like it needed to be worked on (and I’m sure will be today). A lot happens in a short amount of time and it was just somewhat messy in its staging and lacked gravity and weight, and then it all feels anticlimactic.


Debessonet’s seemed to have been reined in a bit with her direction here, which serves the production well. There is a “community ensemble” element in “Consider Yourself,” but it actually works very well and turns the number into a big showstopper.


Benjamin Pajak is an adorable Oliver with a very strong singing voice. Lilli Cooper sounds fantastic as Nancy and has great rapport with the kids. Mary Testa and Brad Oscar wring every drop out of their comic relief roles. There is some excellent singing and dancing from the ensemble.


Esparza is a wonderfully smarmy, effete, weaselly Fagin who nevertheless oozes raggedy charm."

What was the running time?

Yep, it’s still running about 2 hours.

What was the running time?

Colin Quinn's latest show, Small Talk, is currently playing there. It looks like there's been some updating inside the theater as well.

Between Riverside cancelled shows on Wednesday, Thursday, and I think Sunday. I had tickets for one of those shows

I am really surprised Common isn't a bigger draw for Riverside.

for me it's:

Salesman

Topdog

Leopoldstadt

Piano Lesson

But I think they're all quite good!

I have two tickets for Saturday October 29 at 1pm for sale. I paid $174 but I’m willing to take best offer. DM me if interested. 

singer234 said: "I'd love to see Cecily Strong as The Baker's Wife for a stint. I think she could sing it and she is just so so interesting to watch."

Absolutely, I love this idea. I guess SNL starting soon would make this impossible, though. 

I actually really enjoyed it. It's not very deep but it's a very fun comedy. Worth seeing, definitely.

He does date Libby Winter so  that could be why he was there.

Yitzhak in Hedwig doesn't say much

I loved this show but this seems ill-advised.

ljay889 said: "I really enjoyed this! Shockingly, think I enjoyed it more than on Broadway."

I felt the same way!

 

Jordan Catalano said: "I kind of want Encores to do “Funny Girl” because I have a feeling it’s the only way we’ll see a production of it."

That's a great idea for their gala show--that way we can get a big name who may no be able to commit to a long run.

I feel like Encores is the only place I'll ever see Red Head or Take Me Along.

This was the first show I ever fell asleep during. The second act was so so dull. The only song I remember at all is "Follow Me."