I actually like Rannells better in some ways. He is darker and more dangerous and the show itself is now more grown up (I said it reminded me of the Jane more). It's raunchier-which I kind of like.
Re: Accent: None of the actors (including JCM) had a consistent accent-I don't hold it against the actors. (Michael Cerveris came the closest to keeping it consistent-he's still the best I've seen, but Rannells reminds me of him in a lot of ways.)
I didn't expect to like him as much as I did. I loved his performance.
I saw NPH only once, back in May, so it's hard for me to remember every detail. But as much as I enjoyed Rannells in the role, and I agree with dreaming's comments, I think NPH played to the audience a bit more. I'm not articulating it too well, but you know the saying, "He had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand," that's the feeling I got watching NPH, and not quite as much with Rannells. Maybe to say that NPH is a bit more of a showman? But considering it was Rannells' third time performing, he may evolve in the role. And he's wonderful as is.
I think with the audience it has more to do with how famous Neil Patrick Harris is. Watch another A-lister come in and the audience will be like that. Sure, it's a strike against Rannells, but I kind of felt more invested in HEDWIG rather than the actor playing the role.
Those are great seats!! I sat there two months ago and loved it! If you're on the left side, you don't see the drums but that's pretty much it. Think of it as a rock concert. In my opinion, the closer the better (even if partial view.) there are strobe lights and if you're close to the front on the sides, it won't bother you as much.
I plan to watch Rannells again in Sept after he has settled in more. Have a great time!
" I think NPH played to the audience a bit more. I'm not articulating it too well, but you know the saying, "He had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand,"
And that's my problem with NPH as Hedwig. It was more like the NPH show, and not the story of Hedwig. Neil did not lose himself in the role, and that's a negative. An actor is supposed to become a different character than himself. The audience should not be eating out of the palm of his hand, IMO.
I just saw this and thought I would post it. Its got a few seconds where you can see him in full makeup and costume from the front. Also today was his birthday!
Yeah I just found out about it technically this morning at 1 am. I went to the store and bought him some cards. So I finally saw the show and it was amazing! I would definitely go again! Andrew's entrance was amazing! I expected him to go through the aisles like JCM. Are Neil and Andrew's entrances the same? I have been listening to the album for months and I was shocked when they performed. It is somehow 200% better and that made me so happy. If you get the chance to see it go! I could hear what some of you guys were saying his accent did go in and out especially when he was yelling. He also paused alot which I guess was for effect. It worked I really felt something when he did that.It also turned out I had a pretty great seat except the balcony is litterally freezing and I spent most of the show shivering.the lighting was beautiful too. When it ended Andrew ended up not coming out but the stage door manager was really nice about giving him the cards and letters. Lena did come out and I got a picture with her!(she is so nice!) Other band members came out too. Overall a great experience even though I didnt get to met Andrew (which I doubted from the start) as long as my gifts got to him I am happy!!
I have to disagree about it being the NPH show. When I was watching the show I didn't feel like I was watching NPH at all. I was watching Hedwig and her sadness, sassiness, anger and hurt. I just think NPH is that good. He made it enjoyable and sarcastic but then sad and you felt for her at the right moments.
I just listened to Andrew's Sugar Daddy and Wicked Little Town Reprise and I was not impressed. Lena drowns him out, especially during Sugar Daddy. Maybe it was nerves because it was his first night but I hope it gets better.
"I have to disagree about it being the NPH show. When I was watching the show I didn't feel like I was watching NPH at all. I was watching Hedwig and her sadness, sassiness, anger and hurt. I just think NPH is that good. He made it enjoyable and sarcastic but then sad and you felt for her at the right moments. "
It's good that you saw and felt all that emotion from NPH. It certainly makes for much more enjoyment of the show.
A couple of friends who were at Andrew's first show went a few days later and said the difference was incredible, and all for the better. Really looking forward to seeing him again myself!
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
I never had the opportunity to see NPH in the role, but at Saturday night's performance (yesterday), Rannells was amazing. I basically never stopped cheering.
As a side note, the lady in the front row who got spit on clearly was not prepared for it, and I appreciated how Rannells took a moment to joke with her afterward (and how Lena tossed her some paper towels!).