E-Mail
 Subscribe

THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread
ABB2357 Profile PhotoABB2357 Profile Photo
ABB2357
Profile
Broadway Star
joined:7/29/09
Broadway Star
joined:
7/29/09
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#1
Posted: 7/12/11 at 7:32pm
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread

Some of you may be too young to remember this, but July 17, 2009 was the date of the first preview of The Old Globe's pre-Broadway (Broadway itself remains to be seen) production of THE FIRST WIVES CLUB starring Karen Ziemba, Barbara Walsh, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.

To commemorate the second anniversary of this groundbreaking American musical, I wanted to start a thread for interested parties to share memories and/or testimonials about what THE FIRST WIVES CLUB means to us.

I'll be posting mine, of course, but first I'd like to open the floor to anyone else who'd like to participate.
"Ready for Change / Jump for Joy" clip

Jordan Catalano Profile PhotoJordan Catalano Profile Photo
Jordan Catalano
Profile
Broadway Legend
joined:10/9/05
Broadway Legend
joined:
10/9/05
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#2
Posted: 7/12/11 at 7:34pm
Has it really been two years already? I guess it's true what they say about healing. The pain never goes away completely but it does get easier to manage.
James885 Profile PhotoJames885 Profile Photo
James885
Profile
Broadway Legend
joined:5/2/05
Broadway Legend
joined:
5/2/05
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#2
Posted: 7/12/11 at 7:38pm
I'm red-day for change!


Seriously though, I never saw the show live but watching The Old Globe's preview videos gave me the impression that it was one of those so-bad-it's-good type shows, like In My Life or Good Vibrations.
"You drank a charm to kill John Proctor's wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor!" - Betty Parris to Abigail Williams in Arthur Miller's The Crucible
CarlosAlberto Profile PhotoCarlosAlberto Profile Photo
CarlosAlberto
Broadway Legend
joined:6/29/10
Broadway Legend
joined:
6/29/10
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#3
Posted: 7/12/11 at 7:40pm
Jennifer North WAS right all along!
ABB2357 Profile PhotoABB2357 Profile Photo
ABB2357
Profile
Broadway Star
joined:7/29/09
Broadway Star
joined:
7/29/09
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#4
Posted: 7/12/11 at 7:42pm
It was, James. It was... (sheds tear)
LegallyBroadway2
Profile
Broadway Star
joined:8/19/10
Broadway Star
joined:
8/19/10
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#5
Posted: 7/12/11 at 9:37pm
It was something else entirely. a beautiful two and a half hours.
AvenueQResident Profile PhotoAvenueQResident Profile Photo
AvenueQResident
Profile
Broadway Star
joined:7/23/07
Broadway Star
joined:
7/23/07
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#6
Posted: 7/12/11 at 9:48pm
Still awaiting a cast recording.
Everything in life...is only for now.
Kalimba Profile PhotoKalimba Profile Photo
Kalimba
Profile
Broadway Legend
joined:4/5/06
Broadway Legend
joined:
4/5/06
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#7
Posted: 7/12/11 at 10:20pm
As if I already didn't have enough reasons to dislike Barbara Walsh as a performer and along comes this mess of a show and video accompaniment.
Updated On: 7/13/11 at 10:20 PM
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Profile
Suspended
joined:9/16/07
Suspended
joined:
9/16/07
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#8
Posted: 7/12/11 at 10:41pm
"Gonna be outrageous! Contagious!"
chewy5000 Profile Photochewy5000 Profile Photo
chewy5000
Profile
Broadway Legend
joined:12/1/09
Broadway Legend
joined:
12/1/09
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#9
Posted: 7/12/11 at 10:43pm
It was red-day for broad-way
IMHO I see Queenie as being more of a brunette...
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Profile
Suspended
joined:9/16/07
Suspended
joined:
9/16/07
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#10
Posted: 7/12/11 at 10:46pm
I remember the video blogs Sam Harris used to do while he was driving.
IdinaBellFoster Profile PhotoIdinaBellFoster Profile Photo
IdinaBellFoster
Profile
Broadway Legend
joined:11/5/06
Broadway Legend
joined:
11/5/06
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#11
Posted: 7/12/11 at 10:54pm
I'm red-day for a revival.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Profile
Suspended
joined:9/16/07
Suspended
joined:
9/16/07
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#12
Posted: 7/12/11 at 10:57pm
Gonna have a remembrance! Dismembermence!
Jordan Catalano Profile PhotoJordan Catalano Profile Photo
Jordan Catalano
Profile
Broadway Legend
joined:10/9/05
Broadway Legend
joined:
10/9/05
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#13
Posted: 7/12/11 at 10:58pm
I sent an email to Jack Viertel asking for him to consider it for Encores next season.
TheatreFan4 Profile PhotoTheatreFan4 Profile Photo
TheatreFan4
Profile
Broadway Legend
joined:8/12/09
Broadway Legend
joined:
8/12/09
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#14
Posted: 7/12/11 at 10:59pm
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread
They couldn't Jump For Joy. THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread
"Hi there, we represent The Broadway Better Business Players for a Better Tomorrow. We're trying to start a petition to get second rate shows taken off the marquee and with your help we can stop Mamma Mia from ever playing again." -Brad Jones in Suburban Knights

"Is it true you have Ralph Jr at the bottom of your purse in a jar of formaldehyde?" - Felicia
"No, but I wish I did so I could shove it down your throat!" - Bernadette

"This play is sh*t! This play is sh*t! F*CK YOU TERRENCE MCNALLY!!"- Patti LuPone as an angry theatre goer at 'Master Class'

"Being normal is VASTLY overrated..."
- Aggie Cromwell
Jordan Catalano Profile PhotoJordan Catalano Profile Photo
Jordan Catalano
Profile
Broadway Legend
joined:10/9/05
Broadway Legend
joined:
10/9/05
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#15
Posted: 7/12/11 at 11:03pm
Coming next year in 3D!
IdinaBellFoster Profile PhotoIdinaBellFoster Profile Photo
IdinaBellFoster
Profile
Broadway Legend
joined:11/5/06
Broadway Legend
joined:
11/5/06
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#16
Posted: 7/12/11 at 11:09pm
I want the revival to star Frank Wildhorn, Bono & Andrew Lloyd Webber.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
hyperbole_and_a_half Profile Photohyperbole_and_a_half Profile Photo
hyperbole_and_a_half
Leading Actor
joined:3/21/11
Leading Actor
joined:
3/21/11
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#17
Posted: 7/12/11 at 11:19pm
"I remember the video blogs Sam Harris used to do while he was driving."

Yes! I remember this too. I had to dig them up.

Sitzprobe & Opening night:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YJE-GrrRYM

Reaction to the first reviews:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghEVEX-cxB4

"WHO THAT IS? MY BABY DADDY!" was like my favorite thing for a good week or two.
Updated On: 7/12/11 at 11:19 PM
ABB2357 Profile PhotoABB2357 Profile Photo
ABB2357
Profile
Broadway Star
joined:7/29/09
Broadway Star
joined:
7/29/09
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#18
Posted: 7/12/11 at 11:28pm
Ladies, gentlemen, and (first) wives,

I give you Barbara Walsh's stirring Act 1 finale. A few highlights:

:40 - Watch her forlornly wipe that counter. This woman is truly in pain.

:45 - "Just keeps hold on..." Wha?

1:23 - Twirls necklace. I bet cheating hubby gave her that necklace! (At least in the backstory she's worked out in her head, no thanks to the script).

1:30 - Reaches out during lyric "I keep reaching out." Literal staging, thy name is Zambello.

1:38 - Clutches heart during "love."

1:44-1:45 - Keyboardist messes up. Listen carefully.

1:54 - I am obsessed with this production's use of chimes.

2:03 - Turns on phone, reaches friend's voicemail without even dialing.

2:27 - Picks up wedding ring. Could she really be ready to try again??

2:37 - Bad ass rock star pose.

2:43 - Vibrato getting intense.

2:50-2:52 - Slips ring on her finger, holds it close. She's willing but still bruised. Heartbreaking!

2:56 - Spreads her arms, ready to fly!

3:01-3:03 - "Annnndddd aaahhhhh wiiiiil..." Vibrato reaches a thrilling crescendo!

3:11 - Those pesky chimes again!

3:25 - Craziest vibrato yet as Zambello rips off the Act 1 finale of DREAMGIRLS.

3:32 - Could the rest of the cast look any less enthused to be back onstage?

3:36-3:38 - Particularly the black female ensemble member. Just look at that swagger!

3:45 - Barbara puts her hand on her heart "one more time" as history is made!
"My Heart Wants To Try One More Time"
LegallyBroadway2
Profile
Broadway Star
joined:8/19/10
Broadway Star
joined:
8/19/10
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#19
Posted: 7/12/11 at 11:58pm
time to play that shaky audio in the honor of First Wives.
LegallyBroadway2
Profile
Broadway Star
joined:8/19/10
Broadway Star
joined:
8/19/10
chewy5000 Profile Photochewy5000 Profile Photo
chewy5000
Profile
Broadway Legend
joined:12/1/09
Broadway Legend
joined:
12/1/09
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#21
Posted: 7/13/11 at 12:22am
Keyboardist messes up. Listen carefully.

That sounded intentional to me.
IMHO I see Queenie as being more of a brunette...
iluvtheatertrash
Broadway Legend
joined:11/9/04
Broadway Legend
joined:
11/9/04
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#22
Posted: 7/13/11 at 12:46am
I love Barbara Walsh, but... yikes.
"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman
blaxx Profile Photoblaxx Profile Photo
blaxx
Broadway Legend
joined:6/28/05
Broadway Legend
joined:
6/28/05
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#23
Posted: 7/13/11 at 1:15am
Not to forget Sam Harris' botox. His forehead could not jump for joy.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
devonian.t Profile Photodevonian.t Profile Photo
devonian.t
Profile
Broadway Legend
joined:7/26/04
Broadway Legend
joined:
7/26/04
THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread#24
Posted: 7/13/11 at 4:21am
I'd rather watch Deliverance the musical!

« Back to the Message Board