FROZEN Previews

[KathyNYC2]

BwayLB said: "CT2NYC said: "Trish2 said: "Can someone please tell me the running time of the show? I have some relatives coming in from Long Island and they're catching a train at Penn Station after the Saturday evening show. Thanks in advance!"

Including intermission, it was 2 hours and 20 minutes."

That's it. The length doesn't show much effort being put into the show."

Length has nothing to do with quality or effort AT ALL. Once On This Island is shorter. Fun Home was shorter. It could be short and fabulous (or dreadful).... or long and dreadful (or fabulous).  You cannot equate length of the production with effort.

 

[Great Dame]

JennH said: "azleafcat said: "boonanas said: "Is this the type of show, similar to Spongebob, attracts tons of loud kids and obnoxious parents taking photos while the show is going on? I do not want another experience like Spongebob or Chocolate Factory."

I saw the closingin Denver and I don’t think the children in the audience were loud. And taking videos or photos during the show is not allowed.

"

Yeah, but since when did that deter non regular theater goers who have no idea what theatre etiquette is? The more I hear about this, the less excited I am. It just doesn't sound smartly done. Of course, I don't know why I expected/hoping for anything else...Broadwaystar26 I understand where that's coming from but high standards are a thing. Many of us have standards. It doesn't have to be Bard level to be good, but it does have tobe good, period. None of the new music seems any good, maybe with an exception or two that are better than the rest, but none are great. Of course thefilm itself isn't great, it misses a lot of marks, but this could have been what themovie wasn't. Epic. It doesn't seemto be. But as has been said, it'll run a while, because most audiences will eat it up anyway, regardless of how bad it is. Yay formediocrity."

A show like Frozen is meant to bring in everyone, not just regular theater goers, that's what makes it wonderful. I occasionally saw shows in the past, in Denver not NYC, but after seeing Frozen a few times I am on a fricking theater going rampage. I've seen 9 things already this year, from local high school shows to full Broadway tours like Hamilton. I think it would be beneficial to recognize the inclusiveness of a show like Frozen and the type of work Disney specifically tries to do. They are creating and teaching new audience members to love live theater. I had no idea what "stage dooring" meant 6 months ago, or that it was actually against the rules to photograph the stage/curtain for some shows because of set copyrights until an usher politely informed me. Most people have good intentions, just may really not know. If you didn't like the movie, you definitely won't like the musical. But if you enjoyed the movie I think you will enjoy the musical. I liked it more than the movie and thought it was very well done. 

That said, there are definitely idiots in the world that I shall never understand. A week ago I saw Hamilton and 20 minutes in the two people in front of us finally arrived, disrupting everyone around them so they could get to their seats. About 10 minutes later one lady go up to pee... WTF?! I can't understand how true idiots that show up to shows drunk or arrive really late justify paying a Broadway price point. Makes no sense to me. Can we all agree that no theater should ever sell packaged snacks though? Inevitably I end up with the hungriest and most clueless person behind me rattling away. I am a really good non-verbal communicator now based on reactions to my death stare. Seriously, of all irritating behaviors wrapper rattling is the WORST hahaha!

[wolfwriter]

Just back from the Frozen Light Show at the St. James Theatre and I'd be surprised if critics are kind, when this opens Thursday evening.

A light show, designed by humans and run by a computer is a perfect metaphor for the show. It’s all mechanical and lacks heart. The show doesn't know what it wants to be, but most of all, it's a light show that back in the 80s would have been at the Hayden Planetarium set to the music of Pink Floyd.

Frozen is obviously now frozen, and what a missed opportunity. I was so looking forward to this, so my disappointment is palpable and actually started to make me mad as the show dragged along.

Cassie Levy and Patti Murin are perfectly cast as Elsa and Anna, and there is a lot of talent on stage, but it’s mostly wasted. The fault belongs to Michael Grandage, who was the wrong director for this. I also blame Jennifer Lee, the book writer. The book is weak and sloppy and, yes, it’s Disney, but at $200 a ticket, it should be good.

The show screams for attention to detail, but it’s messy and seems to take for granted that the audience will ask no questions. I don’t want to give it away, but the fate of Olaf isn’t even considered. Just one example of many.

This is a 90 minute show, padded to 2hr15min. ?Hygge’, for example, is a pointless and absurd scene and the naked sauna people are as bad as they sound.

The music is entirely forgettable. The choreography is serviceable but unmemorable and the costumes are downright ugly.

I also disliked the new ending of 'Let It Go.' The original song ending is better, but it doesn't beg the audience to go wild (which, I think they would have, anyway).

I think this will run for a while, but eventually, it will limp to its finish line.

If you can swing it, front row mezzanine toward the center are incredible seats. I just wish I had loved what I was watching from them.

[BwayLB]

KathyNYC2 said: "BwayLB said: "CT2NYC said: "Trish2 said: "Can someone please tell me the running time of the show? I have some relatives coming in from Long Island and they're catching a train at Penn Station after the Saturday evening show. Thanks in advance!"

Including intermission, it was 2 hours and 20 minutes."

That's it. The length doesn't show much effort being put into the show."

Length has nothing to do with quality or effort AT ALL. Once On This Island is shorter. Fun Home was shorter. It could be short and fabulous (or dreadful).... or long and dreadful (or fabulous). You cannot equate length of the production with effort.

"

At least I didn't have a problem with A Chorus Line being 2 hours with no intermission.

 

[BJR]

Completely agree with wolfwriter here.

Obviously lots of talent here but they can't seem to decide what story they are telling, swinging from moody quasi nordic fairy tale and pandering theme park show. Nearly every character is as two-dimensional as in the film and the crowd only seems to care about the next high belt or not-even-that-impressive stage effect. (Literally heard "wow" said out loud several times to a projection covering the stage.)

Turned to my friend after Act One and said, "Well, that was a 70 minute costume change."

[wish i were here2]

My friend gave me a free ticket to the show last Thursday and it was okay. Not great, not good, just okay. I left the show thinking I just watched the extended director's cut of the movie where they added back the "meh" things that were supposed to be in the movie. The set was serviceable but could've been A LOT more. It felt a lot of the time the characters were standing on an empty stage, with some random set pieces. This worked for shows like Angels in America and other shows like that, but Frozen needed that wow factor of something aside from cool ice projections here and there. I think the only reason I could say I liked it is Caissie Levy, she was sensational. IDK I'm happy I saw it, but I'm also happy I saw it for free, not sure how I would've felt if I paid. 

[mailhandler777]

I saw the final preview last night. No screaming kids this time like last Wed matinee but a guy aside of me talking very loudly to his girlfriend.

Audience was very alive and gave every one entrance applause. They were a bit too loud for the dress change in Let It Go. Caissie did her big riff during "perfect girl is gone" and the claps and cheers drowned her out. My jaw was on the floor since I got to hear that done live.

[LesWickedly]

https://youtu.be/sKLREPyI-dY

Broadway Trailer. Well holy crap that just made it look fantastic. Whoever filmed/edited must’ve been paid the big bucks. That was simply beautiful, but wish the song choice would’ve been more exciting or at least with some singing.

[dmwnc1959]

Great Dame said: "Can we all agree that no theater should ever sell packaged snacks though?”

YES! Where’s the petition!?!?!

 

[SarahNYC2]

I was there on Tuesday evening. There was a baby wailing. The baby wasn’t that close to me so I guess an usher made them go out. This happened twice. I get this is a show geared to young children but I’m sorry a baby should not be allowed in the theater. It’s still a Broadway show.

I thought it was well done. I loved the Let It Go scene at the end of Part 1. But I wasn’t wowed ot blown away. I have a 10 year old daughter. She studies theater and has seen a lot of shows. In June we will be doing a NYC/Broadway week. She was ADAMENT she didn’t want to see this. I was worried I’d see it and think she should be seeing it. But no. It’s good, I enjoyed it, but I don’t think it’s amazing theater.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

The new staircase in the ice castle (fake or not) has made all of the difference in the world! I’m just so damn excited for June and I’m relieved with the changes!

[bwayphreak234]

That video is beautiful. Flawlessly edited.

[MyLife]

Saw the final preview last night as well and missed all of the riffs due to the audience's cheers after the dress reveal. It was pretty ridiculous and left me laughing through the blackout and then enraged that I missed the part I was most looking forward to. I also didn't love the child behind me talking at full volume: "Which one is Anna? Is that Olaf??" Where are the parents to say "hush, we'll talk later?"

Honestly, I've followed this thread and thought a lot of the comments were harsh. I wasn't expecting anything amazing but thought it would be enjoyable and done well. Because, how could it not? I was wrong.

All I felt was boredom, watching the clock tick by until there was a song I recognized and wanted to see. Nothing new is worth seeing, everything the audience seemed amazed by was something replicated from the movie - seriously this audience last night was floored by every costume they recognized with oohs and aahs. The only positive for me was Sven. Patti and Caissie are great but it's not enough to save this thankless show.

[Lot666]

LesWickedly said: "https://youtu.be/sKLREPyI-dY

Broadway Trailer. Well holy crap that just made it look fantastic. Whoever filmed/edited must’ve been paid the big bucks. That was simply beautiful, but wish the song choice would’ve been more exciting or at least with some singing."

I was impressed by the trailer as well; it's very well done. Can anyone identify the "buildup" music that begins at about :42 and ends the clip?

[rjm516]

god that absolutely ENRAGES me, that people want to hear themselves cheer so much that they block out the actor singing. jfc.

[JennH]

Lot666 said: "LesWickedly said: "https://youtu.be/sKLREPyI-dY

Broadway Trailer. Well holy crap that just made it look fantastic. Whoever filmed/edited must’ve been paid the big bucks. That was simply beautiful, but wish the song choice would’ve been more exciting or at least with some singing."

I was impressed by the trailer as well; it's very well done. Can anyone identifythe "buildup" music that begins at about :42 and ends the clip?"

You mean what song is it? It’s Monster...it’s playing the whole clip.

And I thought the same about the trailer. It seems to make it it look pretty good, at least better than Denver. I still would rather have physical sets for Caissie to play around with/on, and lighting shenanigans everywhere for her “magic”. That had been said so many times, that I wonder how the creatives missed that, using light magic seems such an obvious choice and now it’s just a missed opportunity. Also shocked that we finally got the first official trailer the day it opens...Disney never seems to put out trailers very much until super close to opening, and you’ll never find them on other websites, or at least they’re reposted in other places. Just something I noticed. 

[GuyfromGermany]

Not having "Let it go" or "Love is an open door" as the trailer's music seems a pretty weird choice... why choose a song no one knows yet instead of THE song EVERYONE knows?

But still... beautiful trailer and "Monster" actually works great as the backgound music!

[Lot666]

JennH said: "Lot666 said: "Can anyone identifythe "buildup" music that begins at about :42 and ends the clip?"

You mean what song is it? It’s Monster...it’s playing the whole clip."

Thanks - do I understand you correctly that all of the music in the trailer comprises just that one song? I'm not very familiar with the new songs, so didn't recognize it.

[JennH]

Lot666 said: "JennH said: "Lot666 said: "Can anyone identifythe "buildup" music that begins at about :42 and ends the clip?"

You mean what song is it? It’s Monster...it’s playing the whole clip."

Thanks - do I understand you correctly that all of the music in the trailer comprises just that one song? I'm not very familiar with the new songs, so didn't recognize it."

Correct. It’s all Monster. I didn’t recognize it for a second or two at first myself, but when the beat dropped, I was like “Yep, it’s Monster”. It doesn’t help that I didn’t sleep a wink last night and Monster is what was stuck in my head...

[a-mad]

I think the trailer is terrific and I love the use of "Monster" in it.  The creatives have confidence in the new music - particularly this song - and I like how they're integrating it into the promotional materials.  I think the video would have worked well with any of the more familiar songs as well... but I'm glad they used Monster.  I think it sets the show apart from the movie enough that it really feels like a different piece of art as you view/listen to it.

If they used "Let it Go" or "Love is an Open Door" - as some have suggested -  I'm sure we would get complaints from this board that they're just trying to use the overplayed songs from the movie to promote the show...

Can't win no matter what... 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Fantastic show clips trailer. Not like they need it to boost ticket sales or anything (lol), but I'm glad they put it together so perfectly.

[stlrod]

I noticed they put the partial view seats which have been held back for the lottery up for sale at least through May today.  Wonder if that's a sign of confidence or if they are expecting to get slammed tonight.  Will probably go ahead and buy a couple.  Anyone have an opinion on whether extreme side of orchestra vs. extreme side of second row mezzanine would be better? Thanks.

[CurtainPullDowner]

The score is just abysmal, the lyrics just repeating, repeating the same phrases till you want to rush the stage and quiet them. The book unbelievably bad and the staging just horrible. So much talent on the stage being wasted. I can't believe there wasn't one wise eye or ear telling them how wrong it all is. 

I wonder if the reviews will acknowledge how miserable this all is?

But there is an audience willing to pay for this crap out there, such a shame. 

[Luminaire2]

Is the staircase just on a screen? In the video it looks very 3 dimensional or real.

[Fosse76]

disneybroadwayfan22 said: "The photos are sospectacular. Patti and Caissie look perfect. But, where is Olaf?!"

Look perfect? They look old enough to be Anna and Elsa's mothers!