I saw it last night, and was blown away by most of the show. Ben Platt really carried the show flawlessly. He was offstage for just a couple of minutes in the entire 2½ hours, and his delivery, characterization and singing were spotless. What starts out as a very funny comedy, smoothly moves into the serious sections through well designed dialogue and music. There was none of the 'let's say something -- stop -- and now we'll sing about it'. The music and the script twined very well. The show is original -- this one is not from any novel, short story movie or tv show that I can think of. There are some similarities with Next to Normal, in the characters of the grieving parents and sister, but the reasons for their grief are somewhat different. [I am trying to avoid filing this with spoilers, because there are a couple of good surprise elements in the script]. Yes, there are weaknesses in the book, especially in the very ending. But last night was the very first public performance of the show, and since it's in DC for six weeks, I have the feeling that there will be changes, additions, and subtractions during this time period. I haven't been going to the "premiere" performances in many years, but I am really happy that I saw this last night! The audience really loved the show. I am sure that a good portion of last night's house was of the family and fiends variety, but where I was sitting it was filled with regular DC theatre patrons who truly liked the show. They only staged a single company bow, but the audience, standing of course, kept clapping for a good three minutes until the company came back out,bowed, and just moved back a little to give Platt the solo bow he definitely deserved.
I saw it last night. Probably not as "friendly" an audience as the first night, but they were completely won over, as was I. Very strong story and characters, very strong score (if a little ballad-heavy) and wonderful performances. It's long at the moment, but I'm sure they'll make it shorter. But it's a really wonderful work, still in gestation. I'd be shocked if it didn't have a secure and fairly swift journey to NY. It's a true original.
Absolutely thrilled to hear that this is a winner, not only because I love Pasek & Paul (they could very well be our next great composer/lyricist team imo) but because a friend of mine is in this. Hoping to see it soon.
Can anybody who has seen it recommend the best place to sit in the theater and also give an estimate of the running time?
It it runs just about 2 1/2 hours. I was sitting on the far stage right, about 3/4 back, and it was very good. It is as a small house, and the show is done in thrust. The orch is above the stage on stage left. The sound design is great.
For those who aren't aware, ArenaStage (the company putting this show on) has a program called "Pay Your Age" where anybody aged 30 or under can buy any seat in the theater (yes, any seat in the theater) with the price being their age plus a $2 facility fee. Very convenient for those of us on a budget.
I saw it last night. Needs work, but it is a promising work..,. IMO, the show does not need to be 2 acts.. I like the trend of 100 minutes - no intermission. The big let down for me, was his confession. It was anticlimactic. it should be the shocking moment, but it just comes to fast and easy - for such a big build up. There needs to be more reaction by characters and a song by the parents. The scene needs to be re-worked and move to the end of the show...
The plot itself is a spoiler and is thus not explicitly advertised. Similar, in some respects, to NEXT TO NORMAL. The "jist" is that it's about a boy who lies and then has to deal with the consequences of that lie.
This is making me so happy to hear! I was hoping this would be a good show. I love and adore Ben Platt and I feel like he's just on this verge of breaking out and setting himself apart and earning some well deserved attention, so I've been really excited about the prospect of him getting to originate a leading role on broadway, but you never know if a show will work or not. I watched a little preview video of rehearsal footage the other day and heard just a tiny bit of the music in it, and the score definitely sounds like one that's in line with styles I like. Fingers crossed it keeps heading in a good direction.
No. It is an unexpected event. He decides to use it his advantage.. Getting drawn further and further into it..The setup is well done. It is the climax that needs attention
No, he doesn't decide to take advantage of this situation. He is surprised, shocked and stunned about the whole picture that has been created. He doesn't know how to get out, and he, along with the others, builds on it until it more or less explodes.
And, I am trying to avoid giving everything away. Spoilers will take away from the show.
Thanks, Actriz2, for the Pay Your Age info! I'd looked into tickets a bit but had totally missed that. Glad I didn't buy them before I knew! I'll be seeing this sometime in the next few weeks. Very much looking forward to it!
Finch and Claudia, to an extent, have nailed the plot without giving away anything. If you're not going to see it and you're just dying to know, you'll need someone to PM you an actual synopsis.
joined:7/19/10
joined:
7/19/10
Posted: 7/11/15 at 12:08pm