WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN begins previews TONIGHT!- Page 9

[Dizzyfromtheheight2]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 5:09am

That was for Kyle, FYI

I seriously don't understand how people are hating this so much?
Were they expecting Lear?




Updated On: 10/10/10 at 05:09 AM

[After Eight]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 8:29am

"I seriously don't understand how people are hating this so much?
Were they expecting Lear?"

Yes, it is hard to understand. I think some people's sense of self-importance has gotten the better of them.

And it's a little disheartening that the readers of these posts now have a negative impression of the show even before they see it. Remember, the same sort of vitriol and derision was heaped upon "Memphis" after the first preview, and yet, it ended up getting some very good reviews, a Tony Award for best musical, and an audience which seems to have liked it.

So no, these authorities from on high are not the arbiters of taste nor the prognosticators of success.

[theaterdrew]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 8:56am

After Eight, thanks for that perspective. I'm newer to this site (brought by my enthusiasm to see this show on an upcoming trip to NYC) and I've been wondering if this reaction is different than other new musicals received from rough first previews. I expect the show has problems to deal with, and I want to hear what works and what doesn't, but then be able to figure out what's realistic criticism.

How was the overall audience reaction?

[Sleeper2]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 9:09am

Reading this thread, one might believe it is a train wreck of CARRIE proportions. It's not. But it's not good either. I'm a huge Bart Sher fan but this show lacks vision -- the direction is really a mess. Gattelli's choreography is even worse. In fact, after seeing his "work" in THE RITZ and SUNDAY IN THE PARK, I'm now kind of convinced he is a seriously sub-par choreographer.

I heard that Lincoln Center, a non-profit, had to use some of its insane profits from South Pacific and sunk more dollars than sense in this production.

This show cannot be fixed without a total overhaul.

[eileen6]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 9:16am

I am going today at 3 and I do apologize to all as I feel by my asking for an honest answer as to how this production was, I started a mess going.

Sorry

[Steve2]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 9:25am

Eileen, go, enjoy, critique, process, form an opinion and let us know your thoughts. That's what makes the experience special!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 9:49am

What is the running time?

[kidbroadway2]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 10:06am

. Updated On: 10/10/10 at 10:06 AM

[canmark]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 10:23am

I have to say that this has been one of the more interesting threads in a while--all 9 pages. It's disappointing to hear that most feel the show is a mess--although frankly, I had my doubts that this movie could be turned into a show. While it has plenty of quirks, it doesn't have a lot of plot. And Almodovar's tone is hard to capture. Sounds like they are trying to make the show too reality-based and not flat-out wacky as it should be.

Further, I hope this doesn't spoil the Broadway market for Almodovar, as I'm hoping the play version of All About My Mother, which was performed at the Old Vic in London in 2007 (which I didn't see), eventually makes it to Broadway. AAMM is my favorite Almodovar film and I could see it working as either a play OR musical. http://www.allaboutmymother.com/

I think some of his other films are possible for stage adaptations, too (Talk to Her or Live Flesh, perhaps), but producers may be scared off if this production of WOTV goes pfft! Too bad. Almodovar needs to be seen by more people.

Anyways, I'm certainly NOT wishing this show bad luck. They've got HUGE Broadway talent on the stage, but may need someone with the proper vision to fix the show. Or at least someone to provide good notes to the current creative team on how to re-jig the show to bring it back to life. At present, it sounds like the gazpacho recipe show curtain is the only thing that's hitting the mark. Now THAT'S the kind of irreverence this show needs. In fact, they should be serving gazpacho during intermission and have the ushers dressed as Shiite terrorists. Seriously.

Updated On: 10/10/10 at 10:23 AM

[Luscious]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 10:34am

"The show will open, you idiot. It's subscriber based theater."

Name calling is so childish and unnecassry.

I don't care if it's subscriber based or not. The producers can choose not to open a show if they feel it will be an embarrasment to all involved. And this show is definitely an embarrasment to all involved! And anyone who can find ANYTHING good to say about this show is just fooling themselves into believing it becasue they been looking forward to it so much or spent their last three pay checks on the tickets. Save your money and your time! It's 2 hours you'll never get back!

[kyle4]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 10:35am

after eight --

no "self importance" here... just my real, honest and true opinion... just little ol' me sharing my feelings... today is a new today, i am glad the experience is behind me... i DO have flashbacks of poor patti in the harness and the lollipop... i hope they diminish... but i'll be ok...

oh... and, um..... is MEMPHIS the new benchmark of quality?

father to son --- "son, don't give up on your dreams! believe in yourself! believe in your talent! and, son, if you work really really hard and all the stars align... one day, you will create a work of art that is as memorable, enchanting and amazing as --- MEMPHIS!!"

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 10:40am

this is like when Young Frankenstein opened. It wasn't a BAD show (there are certainly much worse shows) but the critics slammed this because they were charging $200+ for premium tickets (and, thank to Mel, more producers are doing that now). It's previews. They have them for a reason. Let;s just see what happens.

How did Yazbek's other shows open? Was there an out of town tryout for Full Monty and Scountrels, or did they open cold in NY? And how were they in previews?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 10:44am

I saw the first preview for SCOUNDRELS from front row center and laughed as hard as I did the first time I saw URINETOWN. I believe there were only a few very minimal changes made to the show after that. It was pretty perfect from day one.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 10:46am

Yeah, The Full Monty and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels had productions at the Old Globe. This is the first show of Yazbek's that opening cold.

[Luscious]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 10:47am

They should be handing out refunds at the door. They've got a lot of Goddamn nerve charging these prices for this hot mess!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 10:52am

Who are the understudies?

[once a month]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 10:54am

After yesterdays matinee I was on the street at 4:50...and I got out rather quickly.

Thought the fire was sort of cool, but I have to admit a swell of panic in my gut as I checked the fire exits. It was the first time I ever saw a show burn....

[DRSisLove]

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

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was changed significantly during previews. I believe they changed lyrics in almost every song, reworked the overture, and even changed the curtain, among other things.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 12:17pm

DRS-

Maybe true, but we're not talking lyric changes here. I think we're talking song changes, character changes and complete retooling.

Here's the real hard part for me:

It's THERE.
This could be great. It should be great. It has all the right ingredients to be a knock-out. They just have to get their selves in line and figure it all out. Impossible? Probably. But God can only hope they try.

[jamiekennywicked]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 12:20pm

Can someone give me insight/explain the fire in the show? It's purpose, I mean?

[heo1128]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 12:45pm

Updated On: 1/22/18 at 12:45 PM

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 1:06pm

I think that sounds like a cool effect and it doesn't sound out of place to me. I have not seen the show, but some of the things people are not liking sound great to me.

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 1:36pm

The producers can choose not to open a show if they feel it will be an embarrasment to all involved.

Lincoln Center is producing this musical. Your wish will never ever happen.

[Brick]

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

^ And why would it? They still have time to fix this. Plenty of time.

I get it, the show isn't good yet. Let's give them time, see what they change, and see how it is when it opens. I don't know why people are all surprise a show opening cold is a hot mess.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 2:30pm

Some of you guys are acting like the world is coming to an end.

I think we need to take it down a few notches. If you think it's horrible, then okay, that's your opinion, which you are certainly entitled to (especially having paid $120 for it). I understand being disappointed. I understand that completely. But just because WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN isn't the masterpiece of a musical you wished it would be, it doesn't mean the apocalypse has arrived.

Take a chill pill people.

Updated On: 10/10/10 at 02:30 PM