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The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?- Page 3

The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?

bwayphreak234 Profile Photo
bwayphreak234
#50The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 12:34am

Soooooo thrilled to read these wonderful reports! Glad those of you who went tonight enjoyed the show! The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?


"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "

LimelightMike Profile Photo
LimelightMike
#51The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 12:36am

RE: The playbill song list...

In the original production, I'm pretty sure the songs stopped after "Don't Quit..." -- as that's where the show 'stops'. Is it the same here?

WhizzerMarvin Profile Photo
WhizzerMarvin
#52The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 12:41am

Yes, Mike. Don't Quit is the last song, followed by The Solution. If that's the way it's always done then let it stand. I guess I'm used to the OBCR track list and didn't like not seeing Garden Path!


Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco. Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!

Michael Bennett Profile Photo
Michael Bennett
#53The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 12:41am

I was offered a last minute ticket to tonight's performance, so I did a double header after last nights' dress rehearsal. It was a delight seeing the show really come to life in front of a full audience.

I am not as cross the board in love with the production as Whizzer and Lee, but agree it is a lot of fun and that the cast is uniformly excellent. I doubt you will ever hear a production of DROOD sung so well!

My minor issues are with the direction and the choreography which I think at times aren't quite as clever as they could be (and pale in comparison to the original work by Wilford Leach and Graciela Danielle, though Scott Ellis and Warren Carlyle are very much following their blueprint). While this is a great production by Roundabout standards, it still has tinges of that summer stock recreation vibe that often permeates their productions. Since it can't really compete with memories of the original. I wish they had gone with a little more of a daring and unique reinvention of the material.

But as it is, a very straight forward retread of a somewhat mediocre musical (that I do indeed have a soft spot in my heart for), its in quite good shape. Minor quibbles about staging, etc. will hopefully (and no doubt) improve throughout the run.

I do think most people seeing it are going to be coming at it with totally fresh eyes (most probably having never seen a production of it before) so keep my old jaded perspective on it with a grain of salt. I probably know the material too well for my own good. Some moments which felt like a faded xerox of the original to me, are no doubt going to be surprising and wonderful to those having never experienced it, and that is as it should be.

For those wondering, this production utilizes the revised script from the London production with a few changes.

The Moonfall quartet has been restored
Ceylon/British Subject are combined as one song
England Reigns has been replaced by An English Music Hall (cut from the Delacorte production)
Settling Up the Score replaces Private Investigation in Act 2.

As in the London production Off to the Races now closes Act 1 and Moonfall Reprise is in Act 2 before Dont Quit While You're Ahead.

The show also features a number of new jokes which are a hoot.






Updated On: 10/20/12 at 12:41 AM

Lefou Profile Photo
Lefou
#54The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 12:45am

Correct Limelight. It cuts off in the middle of a chorus.

After the show tonight all I could think "holy sh*t, that was a FIRST PREVIEW?!" It felt really polished, fresh and was just so light. A beautiful production...everything from the set (so nice to see those good old fashioned hand painted backdrops) to those Ivey Long costumes that are just impeccable to that ensemble of actors! Though we never "dig deep" into any of their roles, this musical allows you to really interact with a host of characters that are just plain fun to watch!

Huge accolades to Betsy Wolfe on her performance. She is a true star in the making. SJB had some really solid moments as well (and that voice...jeeze), and the rest of the gang was really great. The voting went much smoother than I anticipated, and was probably my most enjoyable moment of the show, because about 3 minutes into it I realized all the actors were still in "character" on stage and having the time of their lives.

Here's to a nice long run!

LimelightMike Profile Photo
LimelightMike
#55The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 12:49am

Do the Music Hall Royale performers greet you and take you to your seats, or do they mingle about once you're seated?

CurtainPullDowner Profile Photo
CurtainPullDowner
#56The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 12:50am

I had a feeling this was gonna work.

WhizzerMarvinetc.... Did you mean to say you "would belt" about Steph? Very clever if you did.

After Eight
#57The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 9:07am

The cast was excellent, the staging apt, the design expert. There were some sound issues, but overall, the production is fine.

The problem is the show itself. The narrative itself is airless, and fails to engage. Really, one doesn't care about the plot, whether there was a murder or not, or who may have or may not have done it. The score is mediocre, but some of the music-hall numbers come off well. That's when the show comes to life.

MKunkel Profile Photo
MKunkel
#58The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 9:25am

I'll be there at 2 PM today! Anyone who was there last night, how long did it run?

tazber Profile Photo
tazber
#59The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 9:27am

I assuming that A Man Could Go Quite Mad is in, correct?

This is one of my favorite shows. I was excited to see it before, but now I CAN NOT WAIT!!!!

Whizzer, I always trust (and usually agree) with your critiques. So your rave has me chomping at the bit.

I mean, even After Eight didn't hate it. How rare is that?

Also, just a side note: I have a playbill from the original production and the song list does stop after Don't Quit While You're Ahead.


....but the world goes 'round

Michael Bennett Profile Photo
Michael Bennett
#60The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 9:36am

After Eight, I actually do agree with you on the base assessment of the material; the thing the show has always had going for it is its conceit: the gimmick that this is a somewhat second rate music hall presenting a production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

The original production really had fun with that; the secondary personalities of the 'actors' playing the characters (in the show within a show) seemed a little more defined and the original staging and design allowed the audience to always witness what was going on 'in the wings' of the music hall which made the entire thing a lot more interesting and atmospheric.

While the design here is indeed lovely, its also like the nicest cleanest music hall you've ever seen. Scott Ellis would be wise to make better use of the boxes on the stage, in my opinion and of the entire theatre as an environment. As you say, the actual story and 'who killed Edwin Drood' are almost secondary in what is really just a fun excuse to recreate a 19th Century Vaudevillian experience. They should take that and run with it!



Updated On: 10/20/12 at 09:36 AM

WhizzerMarvin Profile Photo
WhizzerMarvin
#61The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 9:55am

After Eight, I agree with you that the plot is totally unengaging, but I think that's on purpose and contributes to the strangeness of the show.

The only reason I can see a production existing is for a cast to show off their talents. If the cast had been merely good or fine I think Drood would have become quite a chore to get through. Luckily, and shockingly, Roundabout has assembled the perfect cast and they're already firing on all cylinders.

I think Drood has more in common with [tos] than Kiss Me Kate to be honest. Though it's a show-within-a-show, it's all about the nerdy love of theater and the egos/eccentricities of performers.


Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco. Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!

After Eight
#62The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 10:00am

Michael Bennett,

I found your comments to be the most astute of any here. In truth, they always are.

I wish you would post more often. We need more thoughtful, insightul, intelligent assessments like yours to counterbalance snarky sniping and mindless effusions.

jacobsnchz14 Profile Photo
jacobsnchz14
#63The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 10:02am

This makes me want to see this so much more!! Hope audiences like the show; I really want this recorded and extended into mid-May, at least. Is this show worth calling my "first Broadway show", if so? The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?

WiCkEDrOcKS Profile Photo
WiCkEDrOcKS
#64The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 10:05am

I agree about the show itself. It's definitely enjoyable, but I've never really LOVED it. I am thrilled, however, to read these reports! Can't wait to go tomorrow!

Luv2goToShows
#65The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 10:23am

MKunkel, I was out the door at 10:45, it did start about 7 minutes late, so I would say the run time was about 2:35.

As always, great reviews by the veteran posters. I never saw this and really enjoyed it, my only complaint, at times I had a hard time hearing some of the words. Could have been just where I was sitting.

WhizzerMarvin Profile Photo
WhizzerMarvin
#66The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 10:27am

No, luv2go, it wasn't just you with the sound problems. That's just typical first preview stuff though and they'll clean all that up in a week I bet. There were several times when I thought, "I'm glad I know these lyrics because they'd be lost to me right now otherwise." It just takes a moment to balance the orchestra with the singers in that space, especially since the orchestra is divided across the theater.


Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco. Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!

Michael Bennett Profile Photo
Michael Bennett
#67The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 10:40am

There were definitely sound balance issues last night, but audiences have always had a hard time hearing the lyrics to DROOD. Most think that's really more due to the way Holmes structures his lyrics, often accenting syllables contrary to the way the same word would be spoken in conversation, etc.

I've been involved in various productions of the show: some miked, some not, and one that was a complete recreation of the original production with the Broadway sets and costumes- and audiences mentioned not being able to understand the lyrics every time.

Updated On: 10/20/12 at 10:40 AM

Luv2goToShows
#68The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 10:56am

Thanks, I am glad it was not just me, l have to see it again later in the run.

The more I think about this show, the more I want to see it again.

Michael Bennett Profile Photo
Michael Bennett
#69The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 11:02am

Some if the tempos in this revival are also a little faster than usual, in particular all the Reprises of Moonfall which are probably the most difficult lyrics to make out in any production. I think the production team is aware of the length of the show and are rushing some of the musical material which I wish they wouldn't do because of that lyric issue.

Broadway Bob* Profile Photo
Broadway Bob*
#70The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 1:48pm

Even more excited now for next Saturday!!! I couldn't really tell from the pics...

Are those two extra front rows I was complaining about there and do they crowd the front of the orchestra?


<-- Tevye, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, March 2018

SondheimFan5 Profile Photo
SondheimFan5
#71The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 2:18pm

How large is the orchestra, and how does it sound? Holmes did new orchestrations for this if I recall, right? (The original sounds very synth-heavy).

Is the orchestra in the balcony boxes like in some other Roundabout shows?

LimelightMike Profile Photo
LimelightMike
#72The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 2:27pm

Per running time -- It's DROOD. If you're going to see it, you're going to make an evening of it. It's intended to run approx. 2 hours and 45 minutes. It's all dependent upon the voting sequence(s), of course where the book is 'thrown out', and the variables are, in fact, unknown.

ENJOY! The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?

henrikegerman Profile Photo
henrikegerman
#73The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 4:39pm

"Edwin Drood is a pretentious piece of musical theatre that is too clever for its own good. "Oh my God.. the audience picks the killer." BFD."

Goldenboy, I'm curious. Can you think of a better way to end a musical based on an unfinished mystery novel?

TheresaG Profile Photo
TheresaG
#74The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Excitement Level?
Posted: 10/20/12 at 8:38pm

I was at the matinee this afternoon. Never expected to have as much fun as I did at this show. I laughed out loud a lot! Never saw it before so I have nothing to say about songs in, songs out etc.

The cast is first rate; each and everyone one of them is terrific. But I especially was impressed by Betsy Wolfe. Wow, that woman can sing. And Chita, she is fantastic. And her legs still look fantastic! Was very taken with the scene where Jasper has his drug induced sleep/dream because of the dancing which was first rate.

I liked everything about this show. I'm still chuckling the way the butler says "the goose is cooked." The audience really went town laughing at that line. When you look at this in print, you might figure what?? but put it into the context and timing of the moment in the show and its hysterical.

Was very lucky to have gotten a $10 ticket. I was in the last row but didn't feel out of it at all. There were a few minor sound issues but for the most part all was well. Looked like a sell out minus a few seats here and there on the sides up at the top. Running time - we were just starting to leave at 4:45. Not sure exactly how close to 2:00 it started. This is a good fun show to see.