On The Twentieth Century Previews- Page 15

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/13/15 at 5:21pm

Watching the clips, it (still) seems like a bitch to sing 8 times a week. Chenoweth is using her instrument fully, but to this non-singer's ears, it's as taxing as I recall. Kaye was young and seemed to negotiate it effortlessly. The clips make it seem must-see, certainly.

[nmlhats]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 6:15pm

I saw it on the 10th, and Gallagher was in the lineup. I don't think it's the greatest musical to start with, BUT the performers all gave 110% and as a result, it was a quite enjoyable night at the theater. The porters are delightful and the audience always gave them a big hand. I thought Gallagher did very well--seemed engaged in the part and not like he had been MIA. KC was terrific, of course. The sets and costumes are totally gorgeous. So with all those factors in its favor, we still had fun even if the material itself was not of the tippy-top variety. The cast sold it for everything they're worth.

We stage-doored in the rain and got the four porters plus Gallagher and Chenoweth. Neither of two really spoke (Gallagher just mouthed words and nodded, and KC just about whispered), since they were trying to protect their voices in the crappy weather. I was just glad they took the time at all to sign autographs, given the rain.

One other note: this show is staged close to the front of the proscenium, so our left mezz box "obstructed view" seats were pretty acceptable, in my opinion. There were two or three quick shots we missed when Andy Karl was on the other side of a door, but otherwise it was well worth the reduced ticket price. (We saw Violet from a mezz box and the view for this one is better.)

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 6:25pm

I saw this last night. I liked it, but I can't say that I loved it. My problem is not with the production, but instead with the show itself. I just was not taken with the score and story. Everything about the production was great from the beautiful sets and costumes to the top notch cast. So albeit my less than favorable feelings towards the material, I still enjoyed the show. Andy Karl's performance is worth the price of admission alone. He was really great in this. All in all it was a fun night, but definitely not my favorite.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 7:47pm

If my memory serves, the show was never as beloved as some have been reporting. It arrived when much edgier material was on the boards, at least in terms of contemporaneity (which isn't necessarily a fair yardstick by any means). But it was not a show that was embraced by a large swath fans outside musical theater circles, in no small part because it is an (accomplished) near-operetta, and in an era when such disparate material as CHORUS LINE and AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' created must-play albums, this show's throwback to another time (brilliant as it is) didn't inspire people to put it on the stereo. Yes, it was a moderate success, and toured. But few of the songs have had a full (cabaret and other) life outside the show. So an audience entering today doesn't know most of the melodies. Is that a big factor in how revivals land? I think it is. And it's one of the recurring comments in these threads: the score is nice but doesn't excite everyone, title song and the dancing conductors aside.

I remember seeing the original in a packed Saturday night house at the St. James, the audience hoping to have the time of their lives. I remember: the porters got nice ovations, everyone else not so much. It was a beautiful show to watch, gloriously orchestrated. But did individual scenes and songs catch fire and stop the show? Not in my memory. It's acquired a burnished legendary status in no small part to Kahn's travails. And the score's ambitions (and delivery on same) were such a stylistic departure for Coleman. Yet I don't recall many people talking about it in the ensuing years with much beyond mild fondness.

Updated On: 3/14/15 at 07:47 PM

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 10:42pm

As with the original, I think this is a terrific production of a so-so musical. Beautifully produced, the material never really lifts despite valiant efforts from the talented cast. Cheno does everything but set herself on fire, to considerable effect. Karl was a delightful surprise to me as I'd never seen him play that kind of physical comedy. The others pro all around but, again as with the original, they couldn't disguise the fact that there's just not much "there" there.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 10:48pm

I'm a fan of the score and of Chenoweth, so I come with my own biases, but that "trailer" BWW posted looks awesome. I wonder if Gallagher plays better with a close-up camera because he seems really into the larger-than-life Oscar Jaffe expressions, but it seems he needs to be even bigger on stage. Chenoweth actually surprised me with the extra details and bits she's displaying in the clips. I was sort of afraid she'd just sort do her tried-and-true mannerisms that have worked for her in her concerts and Wicked, but it seems like she is stretching herself out more than I'd expected. Yes, I know the character plays to her strength but to be honest, I wasn't convinced that she'd get the sort of innate natural hilarity that someone like Madelein Kahn was known for because Chenoweth seems a bit more..forced...with her comedy in the past. I mean she was still funny and effective, but there was a difference between what she did and what Kahn seemed born with.

[Peter2]

Posted: 3/15/15 at 2:11pm

I saw it Friday night and had a wonderful time. Chenoweth is charming and funny, channeling Kahn physically and vocally while somehow always remaining herself. Gallagher was terrific, I thought, getting right into the overwrought thespian fun without crossing the line into nonstop tedious thundering. (He seems to be channeling John Barrymore and Peter O'Toole.) The whole cast is first-rate, a joy to watch. Sets and costumes, as others have commented, are beautiful. Staging and direction are fabulous. The title number at the beginning creates a fine bustle that promises well, and for me the show delivers. Plenty of laughter--the whole audience seemed to be having a great time.

After reading some of the comments here, I find I want to defend the score. It's a fast-paced farce and funny because it's all so facetious. To me, the score is exactly what the show calls for. It's not an evening of big tunes or big messages or emotional ballades, it's just light, fleet fun, expertly served up. It's hilarious how at the end of a couple of hours, the thing just ends--OK, we're done now, bye! There really hasn't been much of a story, and nobody cares. What's not to like?

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/11/15 at 11:22pm

I saw this tonight and felt like Act 2 was stronger. Maybe because by then we all sort of understood what the show was. The first 30mins I could feel everyone around me spacing out or sleeping or looking away. But eventually we got somewhat hooked. Honestly, I think Karl stole the show. He really just delivered. The men faired very well. I found Gallagher to be kind of annoying, however. His singing was fine, but his character just got old. And I thought Cheno was just going through the motion. Her voice sounded great, and on paper she totally fits the part, but I just didn't feel like it worked. She wasn't as funny or zany as I wanted her to be. She could have gone full-tilt crazy diva, but she was pretty bland all around. I thought she was a lock for the Tony, but after seeing it tonight I totally get why they went with O'Hara. I think it's a cute show and it will tour well.

[evic]

Posted: 6/12/15 at 12:46am

I totally agree Ripped.  I enjoyed the show- the look, the porters, the orchestra, the performances....but Kristin got on my nerves after a while.  Every movement and every lric or text was schtick.  She is immensely talented, but I remember Judy Kaye's take on the role which was funnier.  But this is different direction (excellent)of course and a different show which really woks.  A great revival.

[evic]

Posted: 6/12/15 at 2:46am

I wonder why she chose to pronounce Belaire....Belare in "I've Got It All".

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 6/12/15 at 3:01am

 

I saw two early previews within eight days of each other. In the first an unrehearsed Moye played Oscar. I was dead front row center and was getting such a kick out of being so close to the actors that I wasn't looking at the show as a whole. At the second preview, Gallagher was just returning from his illness. I had a seat further back and I thought that the show kind of dragged in the second act.

 

When I went back on May 31st, I had some fears that it would disappoint me again. But it didn't. It was a fun time for all. The biggest improvement to me was Oscar, now played by a healthy Gallagher with the bravado that I think the show called for.

 

The cast had tuned the show to get the most laughs. Even the "I have written a play" stuff worked. The audience, like Oscar, was waiting for the line, "I call it Life in ..." and singing along.

 

How good this show is may depend on the energy of the actors. At this Sunday matinee they were really high. The cast seemed to be enjoying itself as much as the audience. At the previews about half the audience stood until Kristin bowed, when most everyone else got up. On Sunday 95 percent of the audience was on their feet at the beginning of curtain calls not just applauding, but cheering.

 

Of course 20th Century will never be a huge hit because the "madcap" humor is not to everyone's taste. My father, a meat and potatoes man, would have gotten through twenty minutes and then gone home to watch the golf on TV. Then again, I know baby boomers will college degrees who still think that The Three Stooges were the height of comedy in the 20th century.

 

The score is also different. Due to its operetta-styled songs, none were really meant to be covered. The actors use them to sing dialog to each other.

 

Sorry that it got shut out of awards. Now it will just close quietly next month and put back in the attic for another thirty or forty years.

 

[ebontoyan]

Posted: 6/12/15 at 5:36am

I enjoyed OTTC the 3x (1x in Feb, 2x in May) have seen it. It is my best musical of the 2014-2015 season!  The cast were full of energy all the times I've seen the show. 

It is sad it went home empty handed from the Tony's. I had wanted Andy Karl to win he was awesome in the role, but comparing with Christian Borle's role, Christian had several songs focused on him, whereas Andy as good as he is only had a duet and bits.

Oh well on to the next season. Hope Kristin doesn't stay away from Broadway too long and Andy will find his next role for the upcoming season'

[ArtMan]

Posted: 6/12/15 at 6:45am

Interesting reading the opinions of this show.  I purposely didn't read until after seeing the show, which I saw last Thursday.  I didn't like it as much as I thought I would.  I was having problems with the people sitting next to me and I thought that may have clouded my opinion.  (I will have to write about that in bad audience behavior).  I just didn't like the score, especially the songs sung by Kristen.  The sets were gorgeous and when they were not singing is when I was more into the show.  (Which is a crazy statement by me for a musical).  I thought Andy Karl stole the show.  I really enjoyed Peter.  I think what I didn't like was Kristen's operatic voice.  (I may be wrong in that term.  Correct me if I am).  Maybe it was because I had high expectations going in. But loved Fun House, King and I, Hand to God and Fish in the Dark.

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 6/12/15 at 9:19am

 

I just didn't like the score, especially the songs sung by Kristen.  The sets were gorgeous and when they were not singing is when I was more into the show.  (Which is a crazy statement by me for a musical).  I thought Andy Karl stole the show.  I really enjoyed Peter. 

 

 I'm kind of with Swing on this. A "madcap, screwball" comedy has to keep moving to work. Can't stop the show to sing a ballad. As in an operetta, the songs lyrics are dialog that advance the plot.

 

Madeline Kahn, according to her new biography, which devotes a whole chapter to 20th Century, quit or was asked to leave because she was missing so many shows. Her problem is that she was "terrified" by the demands of the score. John Cullum, interviewed for this bio, said he tried to encourage her by telling her how good she was, but he noticed that in "Sextet" she was transposing some of her lines downward.

 

Roundabout took a gamble with this one, probably because Cheno's famous vocal instructor Florence Birdwell told her a long time ago that it was a role she should play. It turned out all right for them, but it would have been much better if they hadn't had to run against another Bartlett Sher R&H revival.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 6/12/15 at 9:28am

This is the first time in a long time that I actually saw all of the revivals this season. OTTC was my favorite. I'm seeing it again next weekend.

[SingingChef]

Posted: 7/6/15 at 2:45pm

Caught the evening show on the 4th. 

The show was fantastic. Ensemble sounded very clean. Chenoweth is giving a hell of a performance. She was in prime voice and looked like she was really enjoying the audience's enthusiastic response. Chenoweth is pretty incredible in the role. Definitely one of my favorite performances of the season, if not my favorite.

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Posted: 7/6/15 at 7:54pm

My full review of the production is on my blog

Long story short, I was completely in love with the entire supporting cast, and Act 2 was better than Act 1. And I ran into Robert Creighton in the house on the way out...

Updated On: 7/6/15 at 07:54 PM

[Marlothom]

Posted: 7/6/15 at 8:03pm

I was also there on the 4th - and thought the show was fantastic.   The entire cast was tremendous.  Been listening to other Lilly's (Kahn, Mazzie) and find Cheno to be so right for the vocal demands of this role.  Was lucky enough to snag a front row, center seat and she makes it look so easy. 

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 7/7/15 at 2:33am

I'm going to the last performance on the 19th. Expecting a fun time.

Elaine Paige interviewed Kristin the day before the Tonys and she confirmed that there was talk of transferring the show to the West End, with KC accompanying it.

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Posted: 7/8/15 at 7:29pm

I'd like to just take a moment to thank everyone for reading my review! I checked on my blog's stats page today and saw that this forum referred about 80 hits! Thanks so much...