Anyone going to the first preview of PROMISES, PROMISES tonight?- Page 2

[pli1018]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 1:05am

Just got home and my main issue was the new Turkey Lurkey Time. Exciting is one of the last things I would use to describe it. It's supposed to be a showstopper but got less applause than Chenoweth's entrance. It didn't even seem inspired by the Bennet choreography. Major major letdown!

As for the rest of the show I enjoyed myself. Sean Hayes was serviceable though I think his performance will (obviously) improve during previews. I thought Chenoweth was great, particularly her "Whoever You Are." "Prayer" fit rather awkwardly in but I felt "House" made contextual sense. I was surprised by her acting, it worked for me. There were moments where she reminded me of Shirley McClain.

Didn't love Tony Goldwyn, mainly due to his weak voice. Dick Latessa looked like he was having a great time, save for when he tripped on the phone chord, which was terrifying! I thought Katie Finneran was hysterical.

Act I ran awfully long. "Where Can You Take A Girl" needs to be trimmed substantially. Choreography wasn't as good as I would expect from Ashford. Sets were nothing special though I agree that the actual apartment was the best. A lot of anticipated first preview prop drops, line flubs and scenery flaws that will be nonexistent by opening.

In general I had fun, but they need to do something about that Turkey Lurkey Time to get me back to the Broadway.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 1:08am

It's supposed to be a showstopper but got less applause than Chenoweth's entrance.

This is an excellent point that is 100% true.

[singtopher]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 1:18am

I was there. Here are some brief though scattered thoughts. Sorry, i'm just really tired.

-While I liked the new Turkey Lurkey Time choreo, I was upset they didn't use the original with a little Ashford finesse.

-Cheno was alright. This was my first time seeing her live, and I was underwhelmed. It may be the role itself. Her singing was good though it tended to go country a lot. Her "i'll never fall in love again" was a highlight for me.

-Sean Hayes was mediocre. While he does possess some fantastic physical comedic chops, and did well in most book scenes, he was either bored or scared stiff during all of his songs. He has a fine voice, but not one that has the power to carry a Broadway show.

-The theatre is way too big for the show. It would come across better in a more intimate house.

-The Ensemble is fabulous.

-Finneran was fantastic. Her's were the only scenes where I didn't find myself nodding off.

-I liked the set. Reminded me of 9 to 5 but not nearly as overwhelming and distracting. Costumes and wigs were wonderful as well. There were a bunch of lighting issues which will get worked out.


-Overall Ashford did a good job, but he needs to fix certain numbers and scenes. The song with Chuck and Sheldrake was high school quality.

-One thing I'm surprised no one mentioned yet is the length. It didn't get out until 10:55 tonight. The first act alone is 1:30.

-I like what someone said about how it just needs to get a little goofier. I felt like there was more comedy in the material that just wasn't completely realized by the actors.

-I'd love to revisit it once it opens. There is a good show there, it's just not good yet.

[bk]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 1:55am

a) the original Michael Bennett choreography for Turkey Lurkey Time doesn't need anyone's "finesse" let along Rob Ashford's.

"but I felt "House" made contextual sense."

How so? It wasn't written for the show, has no business being in the show, nor does Say A Little Prayer. This show did not need these people's help. Trust the damn material or don't do the show - it's pretty simple. There was a reason this show was a hit - it doesn't need lesser talents to "fix" it.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 2:47am

Wow, some of you are vultures. It feels like you went to the first preview expecting opening night. While I appreciate the critiques about the book changes and such, some of the performance thoughts don't seem to be allowing that this is their first audience.

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 3:23am

ljay889 wrote: "Uh oh just got the playbill. There are going to be some unhappy people. A House Is Not a Home is the new act 1 finale! Yikes. Chuck gets a reprise of it in act 2. Grapes of a Roth is the second song in act 1. I don't see the Marge and Fran duet listed.
Some of you will not be happy about this."
____________

"Grapes of Roth" was always in that spot. The cast recording moved it to a different place.

What Marge and Fran duet?

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 3:39am

Oops about Roth. I've never seen the show before tonight. Only familiar with the cast recording.

I was referring to "You've Got It All Wrong" from the Encores! concert. I haven't heard the song, but I assumed it was a Marge and Fran duet. It must have been Fran and a secretary, as Mildred mentioned.


Updated On: 3/28/10 at 03:39 AM

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 4:07am

I was there. Very tired right now, so I'll be brief.

I agree and disagree with what everyone else has said!

Sean Hayes carries the show! He is wonderful! I must admit I was skeptical going in, but he won me over real fast. I'm impressed.

IMO, Chenoweth is miscast. The only song she nails is "I'll Never Fall in Love Again," and by then it's too late. She lacks the quirky vulnerability that made Jill O'Hara so effective in the original. Plus, O'Hara had the right voice for Bacharach. I can't say the same for Cheno. She seemed to be "acting" her numbers instead of singing them.

Adding the extra songs is a mistake. First of all, they do nothing to move the story forward. (In addition to "A House Is Not a Home," there's also "I Say a Little Prayer." WHY???) Second, they prolong the first act, which is something the first act does NOT need. (Intermission began at 9:30!)

Does anyone else think the opening and a few of the other scenes look oddly like 9 TO 5???

I HATED the choreography. I LOVED Katie Finnerman!!! And so did everyone around me. And unlike what someone else said, I heard several people say, after the show, that Finnerman really DID "steal the show." I adored Marian Mercer in the original production, but I think Finnerman does just as good a job...and does not try to mimic Mercer's performance.

Tony Goldwyn is fine. (But I hated the song "Wanting Things" when I first saw the original Bway production and I STILL despise it. It should be cut...along with the additional Bacharach songs.) Brooks Ashmanskas is wasted. AndDick Latessawas missing some lyrics and deliveries (and practically brought down the set when he got tangled in the telephone cord), but he always gives an A+ performance, so he'll do a wonderful job as the doctor in weeks to come.

Overall, I enjoyed the show a lot. But it had more to do with Sean Hayes than anything else. (And I am not a fan of "Will and Grace," so that has nothing to do with it.)

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 4:07am

I was there. Very tired right now, so I'll be brief.

I agree and disagree with what everyone else has said!

Sean Hayes carries the show! He is wonderful! I must admit I was skeptical going in, but he won me over real fast. I'm impressed.

IMO, Chenoweth is miscast. The only song she nails is "I'll Never Fall in Love Again," and by then it's too late. She lacks the quirky vulnerability that made Jill O'Hara so effective in the original. Plus, O'Hara had the right voice for Bacharach. I can't say the same for Cheno. She seemed to be "acting" her numbers instead of singing them.

Adding the extra songs is a mistake. First of all, they do nothing to move the story forward. (In addition to "A House Is Not a Home," there's also "I Say a Little Prayer." WHY???) Second, they prolong the first act, which is something the first act does NOT need. (Intermission began at 9:30!)

Does anyone else think the opening and a few of the other scenes look oddly like 9 TO 5???

I HATED the choreography. I LOVED Katie Finnerman!!! And so did everyone around me. And unlike what someone else said, I heard several people say, after the show, that Finnerman really DID "steal the show." I adored Marian Mercer in the original production, but I think Finnerman does just as good a job...and does not try to mimic Mercer's performance.

Tony Goldwyn is fine. (But I hated the song "Wanting Things" when I first saw the original Bway production and I STILL despise it. It should be cut...along with the additional Bacharach songs.) Brooks Ashmanskas is wasted. AndDick Latessawas missing some lyrics and deliveries (and practically brought down the set when he got tangled in the telephone cord), but he always gives an A+ performance, so he'll do a wonderful job as the doctor in weeks to come.

Overall, I enjoyed the show a lot. But it had more to do with Sean Hayes than anything else. (And I am not a fan of "Will and Grace," so that has nothing to do with it.)

[Heather79]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 6:11am

It wasn't a bad start for a first preview. Now I am looking forward to seeing what their changes will be.

[jamiekennywicked]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 7:04am

Whats the show curtain like?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 8:04am

^So not trying to be snarky, but people ask this a lot, and I've been dying to ask: WHY do so many people care about the freakin' show curtain???? (I WANT to understand)

Mildred --- I think EVERYONE realizes they saw the first preview...but that's what they have to judge and comment on. Most folks can IMAGINE improvement. If an actor is exhibiting some to MOST of the needed qualities and characteristics at this point: then something IS wrong. They didn't sit through a rehearsal, but a PAID performance. I think most have been quite understanding (and relatively kind) to the fact that they just witnessed a performance.

Thanks to all that shared their thoughts...I'm still on the fence about seeing this one...and the mixed reviews haven't helped much!

[singtopher]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 9:21am

The curtain was blue with colored squares all over it. Very retro looking. There is also a huge golden proscenium.

Pennywise- I agree that the staging was eerily familiar to 9 to 5 at times.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 11:04am

"^So not trying to be snarky, but people ask this a lot, and I've been dying to ask: WHY do so many people care about the freakin' show curtain???? (I WANT to understand)"

For some reason I love looking at the curtain, I'm still amazed by it, I'm always curious as to what it's going to be.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 11:10am

Just got home and my main issue was the new Turkey Lurkey Time. Exciting is one of the last things I would use to describe it. It's supposed to be a showstopper but got less applause than Chenoweth's entrance. It didn't even seem inspired by the Bennet choreography. Major major letdown!

Well, while I think the response to it is to be blamed on the audience makeup in addition to the dance itself, it's not the Bennet choreography? I would have thought they'd have to keep it because of estate stuff, but I just assumed that because of the handling of his other work. I'm really disappointed, I was so looking forward to seeing it. Either way, can you tell me who dances it?

[Smaxie]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 11:56am

>Either way, can you tell me who dances it?<

Miss Polansky of Accounts Receivable, Miss Wong of Mimeograph and Miss Della Hoya of Petty Cash.

[morosco]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 11:59am

I would have thought they'd have to keep it because of estate stuff

I wonder if the production approached the estate about using the original choreography but were denied?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 12:44pm

No, smaxie, I know that! I can't count how many times I've watched the video of the original. I wanted to know who was playing the parts. The IBDB entry for the revival is incomplete. I found the answer anyway.

[bk]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 1:09pm

I'm curious about the comment re the opening being like 9 to 5. The opening of the original show was the overture, curtain rises on C.C. Baxter sitting at his desk, alone, at which point he begins speaking to the audience. I gather this is no longer the case?They've now pumped up the opening have they? If so, it's just another example of not trusting material.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 1:33pm

No, the show still opens with an overture, then the curtain comes up on Baxter at his desk. The overture continues to play while he goes about his morning. Without speaking or singing, he interacts with members of the ensemble, who do a dance involving desk chairs and coat racks. Again, all of this is done while the overture plays.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 2:01pm

Getting skeptical about this. Chenowith is at least ten years too old for the role and not much of a lost waif type to begin with. With a Fran that has no broken vulnerability, the show sounds like it loses it's heart and just turns into a dated sixties musical comedy.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 2:05pm

The opening/overture was actually one of the best parts of the production.
P.S they added "Say A Little Prayer" to the overture... of course.

[bundy5000]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 2:14pm

Thumbs down for me

The score is quirky. "I Say A lil Prayer for you" I don't really thought they integrated it well at all. It was more of a , Hey guys lets put in a well known song to attract a wider audience. Regarding the other songs, I love the score some songs are better than others but overall the score is classy and cute .The plot is regular Broadway material, nothing special.

First of all, what in the world is this show doing at the Broadway Theater? I am not as skeptical about the seats filling up, but the stage is HUGE compared to the set. So much empty space in the show. The 2nd act Bar type scene, which was my favorite comedy wise, I know they wanted to make it look like a basement type bar but above and below was just a black void. They made the basement bar scene work very well in Memphis(as much as I disliked it). They could have had two Promises Promises running next to each other on that stage.

As much as I love Sean Hayes, I don't think its possible that he can ever play a true believable straight role. But that what makes him so God dang cute! I sat next to a few Kristin fans and they were very disappointed in how few numbers she has. The choreography was interesting at times and then just dull. The 1st act very much dragged out. They Definitely need to trim a lot out or speed it up.

The whole show reminded me of a classier version of 9 to 5 though. The sets the name of the business "Consolidated something"

Much like the Addams family, PP has a lot of work ahead of them to really shine. But also like the Addams Family, I had very high expectations so factor that it. I am very dissatisfied with this season. Sorry if I sound very critical, I very much wanted to enjoy the show but got played. Then again Previews, Previews

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 2:25pm

I feel like everyone would be so much happier if they just cut Turkey Lurkey. Is that seriously the only "important" number to people?

[bk]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 2:33pm

"No, the show still opens with an overture, then the curtain comes up on Baxter at his desk. The overture continues to play while he goes about his morning. Without speaking or singing, he interacts with members of the ensemble, who do a dance involving desk chairs and coat racks. Again, all of this is done while the overture plays."

Because, heaven forbid, we can just have an overture - you know, an OVERTURE that plays as an OVERTURE, not as some staged thing. And adding Say A Little Prayer to one of the greatest overtures ever written is sickening.