THE UNDERCLASSMAN at The Duke

[themysteriousgrowl]

Has anyone seen it? I'm so curious.

[indytallguy]

Some positive reactions to it over at Talkin' Broadway in case you didn't see this thread:


The Underclassmen

[musikman]

Working on the show :)

PM if you'd like some more specific details. I'm very proud of the show.

We run until November 30th, for now.

Oh, and it's Underclassm*A*n. Don't worry, most people think it's plural.

[themysteriousgrowl]

I did see that, indy. Thank you.

And I've amended the thread title, musikman. Thank you, too.

I'm more interested in reviews from audience members than details about the production.

So far I've heard all good things, and I hope it does very well!

[musikman]

I suppose I'm biased, but I really do think it's a wonderful piece of theatre with a really strong score.

[macnyc]

musikman, congrats! Does the Duke do rush? Thanks!

[musikman]

Thanks, macnyc!! It's been a pleasure being able to work on a new, original musical - something that's very close to my heart.

Yes, the Duke does! It's $25 for general rush, and $20 for student rush. They're available an hour before each performance, if tickets are available. We also have some nice discount codes to get tickets in advance.

[temms]

I saw it several years ago when it was called "The Pursuit of Persephone" and I loved it. I'm hoping to get over to see it again, but in my opinion it's some of Peter Mills' best work, and he's one of the best "undiscovered" writers out there. It's intelligent and well-crafted but with a lot of heart, and does a wonderful job of evoking the Princeton of Fitzgerald's days and the Triangle Club productions they did.

The cast this time around is also remarkably good. I'd highly recommend it to anyone interested in serious new musical theatre.

[musikman]

Temms - You're absolutely right about Pete. His work here - and also the orchestrator Dan Feyer - is top notch. The music is really evocative of the era, with some nice hints of a contemporary sound here and there. I had the same feeling hearing the show for the first time that I did hearing Bridges and Light in the Piazza for the first time. It's something really special. The cast does a great job with the material as well.

Hopefully you can come out to see this latest version. The music is mostly the same, but the framing/book of the show has been very much revised.

[JailyardGuy]

I'm also in the production, and I cannot say enough great things about this show. Of all the shows I've ever done with Prospect, this one is by far not only my favorite, but the most well-performed. This cast is incredible, and Pete has outdone himself with this score. Every time I play it, I love it more :)

Come see us!

[lightguy06222]

The music was beautiful at times.... The lyrics were often witty, and smart, and often evoked the actual writing of F. Scott Fitzgerald.

My biggest problem with the show, was it felt like a college production, not a professional off-broadway show...

Almost felt like it was striving to be like UNNATURAL ACTS at classic stage company. Which was brilliant. And the MEN played MEN and I believed it.

All of these actors felt like 21st century BOYS playing dress up. The actors struggled embodying the movement, posture, and prose of 1914.

The set was bulky and in the way. The small furniture pieces they brought on were nice.

Costumes were beautiful. Lighting was unbalanced and no subtle at all. Choreography was good at times... But it felt cluttered and messy around the set which was just in the way. And everyone was always doing different things. It was distracting.

The cast did their best, and were all very talented... as were all the boys in my graduating senior class..... But it just felt like a showcase for young actors.

Hope I wasnt harsh.

The boy who played Fitzgerald has a wonderful voice. But he was such a boy.

And the lead woman had PIPES. She was the standout for me.

[Skip2]

Damn. I was hoping this would be the production to put PERSEPHONE over the top but I guess it isn't.

That was the problem with TPOP - the actors weren't good enough.

Except for Grove - who was perfection.

Someday...

[macnyc]

I loved the show and the production. Such a lush production! The large cast sang and danced their hearts out. Wonderful period costumes and choreography. Sure, the performers are young, but they're playing college students and debutants! How old do you want them to be? The casting seemed age appropriate to me.

The show's a bit long and could stand to have 20 minutes or so trimmed, even be turned into a nice one-act. But the songs are all so lovely and beautifully sung, you'd hate to lose any of them. The musicians sound great too. It's an eight-piece band, and they sit above the stage behind a scrim.

The leads are all standouts, and I really liked Billy Hepfinger, who played Edmund Wilson.

I understand the show extended to Nov. 30, so there's still time to catch it. There's a $25 general rush, $20 for students. Tonight's show was sold out, but I waited around and they found a seat for me. I'm glad they did.

(Edited to add more specifics.)

[15minutecall]

I have an extra, great seat for tonight, Friday 11/22 at 8. I have no time to do more inviting - my friend's back is out - so will take $30 obo. We can meet in the theater lobby on 42nd St. PM me.

[RippedMan]

When do the reviews come out?