Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
#1Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/13/08 at 3:59pm
Special Guest:
Wanna Be A Foster
Without a Trace
Jeffreydog
& Greekmusicalfan.
E36 
Adding Machine
New Musical (Off-Broadway)
Minetta Lane Theater
4/12 3 pm matinee
1 hour and 30 minutes without intermission
Tix Price : $25.00 (thru TDF)
INTRO:
Luckily I was able to meet Greekmusicalfan (Panos) in his 2008 NYC vacation. So I took the Chinatown from Boston again yesterday, to meet him and see this critically acclaimed off-Broadway show called ADDING MACHINE. We (my two best friends here- Without A Trace & Wanna Be A Foster) met him yesterday at the Village. It was a beautiful sunny day spring Day yesterday. On my way to the subway... I saw the cutest cat in Chinatown, I thought I share his picture. I just can't resist - the cutest creature..I have seen!
I actually made a thread about that cute kitty in the Off-Topic Board:
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=962898&boardname=off&dt=12&boardid=2
I had a blast hanging out with Panos, Alberto (Wat) Andy (WBaf) & actually Jeff (jeffrydog) decided to suprise me.. I actually called him in my cellular while in the bus...to give him my Les Liaisons Dangeruese $10.00 tix.. I was glad that he showed up and ate lunch with us. Panos have never had a bagel or a cream cheese, so we all decided to have a bagel for lunch and eat at the nearby park on this beautiful 70 degrees Spring Day! ~ and join Panos in his first bagel experience!
Without a Trace, greekmusicalfan, Me & jeffreydog 
me & greekmusicalfan 
and after our little lunch at the park...we all walked down to the West Village to go see ADDING MACHINE.
Things I LIKE about the Musical (out of 10)
1. The Score by Joshua Schmidt- The music is very similar to Stephen Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD & PASSION, with a little touch of PARADE..& CAROLINE or CHANGE.
- even the counter-melody in the song Office Reverie -when they are counting is very good...I did not realize people still make musical like this.
- you can really tell the music is very well-constructed.
-its almost an- all sung musical. there's dialogue...but mostly its songs.
- I am glad to hear score constructed for the purpose of telling a story...not just some famous catalogue of songs throw in together to make a musical.
2. The Book by Jason Loewith & Joshua Schmidt- this musical is an example of a very well written book and a very well written musical that's both working together in perfect harmony. There's no conflict between them...sometimes... there's almost a thin line between the few dialogues and the score~they flowed in together so perfectly..I think of PASSION all the time during the show...
- the story is very dark...that's why I think of SWEENEY TODD..aside from the very "operatic" in the beggining...
-its a very cerebral show..I would say. Its a story of a man's soul and for 25 yrs doing he is doing same boring job and never missed a day of work and gets replaced for technology, an adding machine. The play is a satirical take on corporation, the evolution of man as the slave, and the afterlife.
-The musical is based on Elmer Rice's expressionist play..."adding machine". I would say the musical adapation is a very surreal experience to me. Up to now I am still thinking about it.
3. Cyrill Baer- as Mrs. Zero- very beatiful operatic voice..very good actress.
4. Joel Hatch as Mr. Zero- very funny specially in the Ham & Eggs number.
5. All the ensembles are excellent> I cant think of any weak link.
6. The Lighting by Keith Parham- excellent!
7. Scenic Design by Takeshi Kata- I never really like it until the ending....The earlier scenes are soo small and confined and last scenes was wow! THE WHOLE stage~something like from Madonna's Express Yourself Video and its inspiration Fritz Lang's german classic movie METROPOLIS. I love it!!!
- I just thought about it now... the reason why the earlier scene was small & confine is bec... its represents our individual life ... the last scene being BIG and the whole stage represents when we die. were seeing now the WHOLE PICTURE of our existence...I thought its very clever... I did not figure it out... till I think about it.
Things I DID NOT LIKE about the Musical (out of 10)
After the show.. I told Wat & WBaF that I dont like the orchestration bec. sometimes I can hear the synthesizer at the background..but as I boarded the bus back to Boston... I looked at the playbill and discovered that there's only three musician -piano, percussion (drums) and a synthesizer...I just wish there's real horn sections and strings...but as I think about it.. Its an OFF-Broadway show and I think they did what they can do... Actually its a fabulous job with the orchestration only using three musicians... so I am not going to fault the show for that...so I gues... I will go with
N O N E.
SUMMARY:
Actually I really love the show... the more and more I think about it... the more it hits me... its a story about existence in this world.
*****NOW INCLUDE SPOILERS*****cant help it!
The main character Mr. Zero is offered a chance to go back to Earth to do it all over again. He learns that the poor souls who arrive there are simply sent back to work; they are used over and over again. At the end of it , we learn through insightful dialogue the evolution of man as the slave in the corporate world.
*********END**************
I like the play bec. it made me think again and again...about our existence.
Reminder: this is not for everyone...this musical is very dark....very bleak... almost a surreal experience.....If you like Stephen Sondheim - you might love the show! I definitely recommend it to people... its a good show and we dont get this kind of musical anymore.....I am afraid that Broadway itself is becoming a slave of corporation too. We are not given choice anymore~ like the character in the musical..Mr. Zero!
Thanks
J*
Score7/0- HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! 
MInetta Lane Theater 
greekmusicalfan, me & Without A Trace 
jeffreydog (meaning jeffrey & his dog) 
Production Photos
(from Playbill.com)
New York : 1920's
The Afterlife:
The Playbill 
Updated On: 5/14/08 at 03:59 PM
#2re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/13/08 at 4:04pm
Those production photos look ferosh!
They are releasing a cast recording, right?
Rant, Wickud, Rant, Wickud, Rant! We're not gonna pay Rant! 'Cause everythink is Wickud!
"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"
lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical
Updated On: 4/13/08 at 04:04 PM
"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"
lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical
#2re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/13/08 at 4:48pm
YAY! Great review, Jay! I had so much fun with you guys yesterday.
lakezurich, I was told that they are recording the the cast album this week!
I'll look forward to it.
Along with Jay, I highly recommend ADDING MACHINE to anyone who is a fan of Sondheim, and likes deep, dark, fresh musicals.
This cast is just magnificent. And the sets were just perfect.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
#3re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/13/08 at 4:51pmhmmm, great review maybe I'll consider this for my next trip.
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#4re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/13/08 at 4:55pm
Looking good, guys 
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
dave1606
Broadway Star Joined: 12/8/07
#5re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/13/08 at 4:55pmgreat review jay! Ill have to check it out now!
#6re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/13/08 at 5:04pm
Sort of off-topic, but am I the only upset that they paved over the cobblestone that used to be on Minetta Lane.
I remember it being there when I saw Last Five Years there back in '02.
It added a lot of charm to that street. Oh well.
Great review though Jay!
-There's the muddle in the middle. There's the puddle where the poodle did the piddle."
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#7re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/13/08 at 5:08pm
I am glad you liked it Jaybird.
I can't believe you didn't mention Amy Warner as Daisy.
I think she is giving perhaps the best performance in a musical in NYC right now.
Her singing and acting broke my heart.
I also loved the design as you mentioned.
Beside the TONYS, which it cannot be nominated I expect many nods in the other awards for NYC theatre this year.
Love the cat.
Also may I recommend a restaurant called, I think, Trartoria Spagatini whic is across 6th Ave by the small park there, delicious food and great wine.
Great pics as usual, interesting to put faces to the names of some of our most famous chatters.
Updated On: 4/13/08 at 05:08 PM
perfectliar
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/1/04
#8re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/13/08 at 5:09pm
lakezurich - They're recording tomorrow and PS Classics is releasing the album to stores on June 3rd (and probably on their website around mid-May).
Is this run open-ended?
#9re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/13/08 at 5:11pmTickets are on sale through June 29th.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#10re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/13/08 at 5:23pmWhy aren't you in the pics, Foster?
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
#11re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/13/08 at 5:34pm
He is the camera man.
J*
Updated On: 4/13/08 at 05:34 PM
#12re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/13/08 at 5:49pm
I actually like Amy Warner as Daisy (oops sorry, I forgot!) - actually she has a great song "Id Rather Watch You"- which I think the only pop standard song in the whole
musical.
J*
#13re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/13/08 at 6:17pmI just wanted to chime in and say I had a fantastic afternoon hanging out with you guys! and yes, Adding Machine was wonderful. The more I think about it, the more I enjoyed it. Looking forward to hearing the cast recording...they are going into the studio tomorrow.
#14re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/13/08 at 6:47pm
Okay... I am getting pm about the cast & creative team.. this is all I have guys...
I've scanned information about the composer>
Updated On: 4/13/08 at 06:47 PM
#15re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/13/08 at 7:06pm
Thanks Jay, another great review.
I sure wish I could see this show, hopefully it will be extended and I will be able to see it this summer...
Here's to hoping.
#16re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/13/08 at 7:13pmGreat to hear that you liked the show jay. Cant wait til Thursday, when I see it!
My blog- http://okayentertainment.blogspot.com/
April Saul
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/06
#17re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/13/08 at 8:22pmHey Jaystarr, I was the one who alerted you to the TDF seats for this! I am SO glad you all liked it, reading your review made me want to hear the score again...so refreshing to see a little show as original as Adding Machine, isn't it?
#18re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/13/08 at 8:27pm
April Saul-Thank you so much for alerting me. I really appreciate it. Yep. Its refreshing to see a little musical with original music created solely for the book yet still give you something to think about afterwards when you left the theater~ 
J*
Updated On: 4/13/08 at 08:27 PM
#19re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/14/08 at 7:56am
Good luck to the cast- they are recording the show today ..... by PS Classics
and the OBCR will be release on June 3, 2008 per PS Classics...
http://www.psclassics.com/new.html
We agreed, and on April 14th, we’ll have the honor of recording the original cast album of ADDING MACHINE: a musical, Joshua Schmidt and Jason Loewith’s darkly comic yet heartbreakingly beautiful adaptation of Elmer Rice’s 1923 play. It’s currently playing off-Broadway at the Minetta Lane Theatre, and it’s a masterful, one-of-a-kind work. Look for a June 3rd CD release, and as always, an exclusive PS Classics webrelease a few weeks prior to that.
*********
Yay!
J*
#20re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/14/08 at 9:00am
Jay - Thanks for the very different & interesting review, and also for including me & my 1dog (Scooter) in your pics. It was wild that everybody was very mixed, but mostly positive on their feelings for the show.
And it was great hanging with you guys & meeting Foster for the 1st time... that made my day... love ya'll
< Patty Duke (the original Neely O'Hara) & me (March 8, 2010)
Updated On: 4/14/08 at 09:00 AM
thatgirl712
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/29/08
#21re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/14/08 at 9:01amGreat review! Glad you enjoyed it.
If I heard the bells and the banjos ring
joe5
Broadway Star Joined: 5/17/06
#22re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/14/08 at 9:17amThanks J, Another great review. Great pictures guys, you look better than the cast of GD. peace
#23re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/14/08 at 9:28amIt was fantastic meeting you guys and I wanna Thank you for a wonderful time ! I was probably the only one who didn't enjoy the show as much, in fact I was bored out of my mind ! But as I explained to the guys, this is probably because first I had to translate the words in my mind and then decpher the hidden meanings and that got very tiring ! The show is deep, it has great messages and is well executed, but... Maybe it's what jay said, if you like Sondheim you'll love this. I was never a big fan of Sondheim. But I still had a great time being around such a great company of friends !
Roscoe
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#24re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on ADDING MACHINE.
Posted: 4/14/08 at 9:33amYeah, it is really tough when a show expects you to think.
"If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about the answers." Thomas Pynchon, GRAVITY'S RAINBOW
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." Philip K. Dick
My blog: http://www.roscoewrites.blogspot.com/
