I can’t deny that my 15 year old daughter was excited when this show was announced and knowing that it had a large fan base, I promptly bought us tickets the day they went on sale. She is not however, a stan (I actually needed to look up the meaning), but is a Joe Iconis fan thanks to her mom. We didn’t make it to the 2015 staging and were instead introcdced to the show after she purchased it on ITunes. We brought a friend of mine and her 18 year old daughter with us and all four of us enjoyed it, but not to the level of other fans that were there last night (we sat behind four teenagers that were very obvious stans). Jason Tam was amazing, as he is in everything I’ve seen him in and I’m the first to admit that I’ve always had a fondness for Gerard Canonico’s voice since his Spring Awakening days. I was actually taken with the sets and felt the “fit” the sci-fi components of the show.
It is however a show that would be a difficult transfer to a larger broadway house. Forgetting That fans will be only be able to fill the seats so much, the show wouldn’t work in a larger space-it would lose some of the intimacy of the story, especially as the squip has a subtle way of bringing the audience into the show. I’ve read the book and I’m much more impressed with the staging of Be More Chill, there’s a deeper understanding of teenagers that the book (which I did enjoy) doesn’t capture.
One of the coolest experiences for us last night was to meet the producer after the show and to avoid the craziness of stage door altogether. My friends daughter is starting NYU-Tisch this fall and was floored to see the cast bios and their connection to her school.
The fans are definitely not enough to push this to Broadway. I feel like this could be an off-Broadway mainstay sort of thing like Avenue Q, but it doesn't have that widening appeal. And they're currently playing in a 294 seat theater. I can't imagine it ever bumping up to something with 1000+ seats since a lot of the scenes focus their attention on 1-2 characters. And none of the characters have a big stage presence.
Saw the show today. The music was the best part for sure book could definitely use work mainly towards the end. Overall enjoyable but not a broadway show. Hope it extends though.
My main issue wasn’t even because of the show itself but the speakers were incredibly loud. Beware if your ears are sensitive I don’t have senestive ears and I still held my ears at points it’s extremely loud.
Almost all the cast came out expect for the actor who plays Jake for the stagedoor.
I was next to a big fan she started to mouth and move along to the words during the first song so I told her to stop and she did. She also said something about how she likes the squip and thinks he’s a good person which is just very wrong and I actually almost began to debate her on that. She called him “precious”. Not sure how an evil super computer that takes your fears and wears you down emotionally is precious but hey what do I know.
Overall it’s worth seeing. There weren’t really any crazy stans and it was enjoyable.
yesraccoons said: "Saw the show today. The music was the best part for sure book could definitely use work mainly towards the end. Overall enjoyable but not a broadway show. Hope it extends though.
My main issue wasn’t even because of the show itself but the speakers were incredibly loud. Beware if your ears are sensitive I don’t have senestive ears and I still held my ears at points it’s extremely loud.
Almost all the cast came out expect for the actor who plays Jake for the stagedoor.
I was next to a big fan she started to mouth and move along to the words during the first song so I told her to stop and she did. She also said something about how she likes the squip and thinks he’s a good person which is just very wrong and I actually almost began to debate her on that. She called him “precious”. Not sure how an evil super computer that takes your fears and wears you down emotionally is precious but hey what do I know.
Overall it’s worth seeing. There weren’t really any crazy stans and it was enjoyable. "
Saw the show Sunday, have to agree about the sound. Very loud. I feel like an old lady saying it but just really thought the music was too loud.
Hey, just a few questions about tickets: 1) is there standing room? 2) anyone have any experience with the cancellation line? What time have people started lining up? What are the prices of tickets people getting on the cancellation line, if any?
3) has anyone had any luck with the lottery?? Just curious!
Frenchbacon said: "Robbie2 said: "An agent friend of mine with a client in the showtold me that producer Jennifer Ashley Tepper is looking to move it but not Broadway!"
Where would it move to?"
I don't know.
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George
Frenchbacon said: "Robbie2 said: "An agent friend of mine with a client in the showtold me that producer Jennifer Ashley Tepper is looking to move it but not Broadway!"
Where would it move to?"
I have an odd feeling that if this is true they would want to be at second stage. Simply because their set is very similar to Hansen, and it would be an easy transfer to there. They'd also take that route because since Hansen and Chill fans are closely linked, the really small few who have been with those shows that long can say they saw both shows at Second Stage. Just a thought.
dearalanaaaa said: "Frenchbacon said: "Robbie2 said: "An agent friend of mine with a client in the showtold me that producer Jennifer Ashley Tepper is looking to move it but not Broadway!"
Where would it move to?"
I have an odd feeling that if this is true they would want to be at second stage. Simply because their set is very similar to Hansen, and it would be an easy transfer to there. They'd also take that route because since Hansen and Chill fans are closely linked, the really small few who have been with those shows that long can say they saw both shows at Second Stage. Just a thought."
It seems like second stage likes to move things in and out though. If it is moving I think it would move to somewhere off broadway (maybe slightly bigger), but it would be able to settle down and stick around for at least a year or two
Just a bit of background info: I have been a big fan of the show for around 2 years now. I know it's not so polished and it's kind of silly, but I really enjoy it. I saw it in its 5 show "revival" at the Exit 82 theater in New Jersey in November of 2017 and loved it. The only complaint I had with that production was that the dancing could've used more work, but considering it's not a dance show and it was a really short run, it was fine. None of the cast members were in the original 2015 production but I still thought they all did a fantastic job. While my sister is right about the stage door being a nightmare, the audience was fine during the show. I am in my 20s and I while I consider myself a fan of the show, I am not a part of the "fandom," since I'm not on tumblr and I have no idea what goes on there. I have no issues with young people being very enthusiastic about the show as long as they are respectful to the actors/creators and understand boundaries.
So, the Off-Broadway show. Overall, I liked it, I had a good time, but I can't deny: I was disappointed.
It was only the 3rd preview so I would like to give the benefit of the doubt and assume that some things will improve with the run. I also wonder how much of my judgyness has to do with loving the other cast I saw so much.
Here's my thoughts, good and bad.
The Good:
-Will Roland as Jeremy was fantastic. I had my doubts, but they were unfounded. Great job.
-In fact, most of the actors did a great job. I loved Christine, Michael, Chloe, Brooke, and Jenna. Rich was also a surprise. He had so much energy! Jeremy's dad isn't super important to the story, but he was fine.
-The stage was really cool and I think they did a good job using it to add to the story.
The Bad:
-I feel like an old lady saying this, but the music was TOO LOUD. Both I and my sister felt this way. The volume was closer to what I'd expect of a concert, not a Broadway show. It was booming in my ears. The theater is small so it wasn't really necessary.
-The Squip. I hate to say this because he seems really nice, and I think he did a good job on the acting. But I'm just surprised this guy was cast in the role when he has such a weak voice. Maybe he was having an off night? The Squip is supposed to be really commanding when he sings "The Squip Song" and "Be More Chill Parts 1 and 2" and "The Pitiful Children". This guy's voice had no power whatsoever, and it seemed like he couldn't even hit half the notes. I was definitely surprised by this.
-Similarly, I thought Jake's voice was weak as well. This was most noticeable in the Halloween song. It seemed like he was struggling to keep up.
-The costumes. They felt very off to me. Jake looked like a dad that was trying too hard to be cool, Brooke looked like a 35 year old mom, Jenna looked like an 80s costume, and the alien outfits in the "play" looked really cheap (although, considering it's a high school play, I'm willing to let that one go). Maybe I'm out of touch, but I just don't think high school kids dress like that. The Squip's outfits were okay, but also had a sort of cheap look about them. I'm surprised the NJ production had better outfits for him.
-The new song. Will performed it well, but it was totally unnecessary and I was bored. I agree with the other poster who said it make the Act I finale too long. The whole song is basically Jeremy explaining how much he hates being a loser and why he's willing to take the upgrade. I think the "I already know what it's like to be a loser" bit showed that, but I guess people thought it made Jeremy seem too callous? So they added a song to make him seem sad and desperate? I don't know; still didn't feel necessary to me.
-As with the NJ production, the dancing felt sloppy to me.
Stage door:
There was a long barrier set up that went down one wall, turned, and went down another wall. There were 2 women telling everyone not to push. I wouldn't call it calm but it was under control. Nobody was shoving and I think it only went around 4 people deep because there was so much space. I was annoyed that I got a spot by the barrier and during the wait for the cast, a girl slowly wedged her way into my spot so I had to hold my Playbill over her when the cast came around. But the cast was really sweet and they all came out.
Overall a good time, but I think there is room for improvement.
I also have a 2nd row ticket for September 20 but I honestly don't think I need to see it again. If anyone wants to buy if off me, please PM me.
Forgot to mention if this goes to broadway somehow they NEED an ensemble. Right now to keep costs low they people who play others characters are the ensemble it’s confusing and a lot of these people aren’t dancers.
Also when did Michael try to kiss Jeremy during two player game? I was watching for it and I still missed it somehow?
yesraccoons said: " Also when did Michael try to kiss Jeremy during two player game? I was watching for it and I still missed it somehow? "
According to a friend who saw it on Tuesday, they removed that part and replaced it with a hug. It's for the better and feels a lot less like fan service.
Well, I guess we now know whether or not this show is commercially viable.
I know they aren't looking at it for the short-term, but I guess now the conversation may begin for a potential transfer in the 2019-2020 season. Thoughts?
As I said before about this selling out, I hope it transfers to somewhere else off Broadway. I would be terrified to see this in a Broadway house, not just because of the issues with the ensemble being confusing, and not filling the house, but the fact that having so many fans in the room at once.
(Insert Clever Name) said: "How did they sell out? Monday they had availability at many price points, and dates but today they are sold out? What happened?"
That usually means that people bought tickets on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
It's the new marketing scheme where they hold back a bunch of tickets to claim it's sold out then trickle them out the week of. It's obvious it's way more than just released house seats. Just look at that Mike Birbiglia show.
Has anything been announced to go into the Barrow Street theatre after Sweeney Todd? Would that be a good fit? Or perhaps one of the stages at New World Theatres?
In theory, if this were looking to Broadway and the exact same amount of people came to see the show, it could play for 20 performances in the smallest house. Do you think they could do a month Broadway special to make everybody lose their minds to get tickets?
I think word of mouth is working here, too. The hardcore fans (and their parents) can only fill so many seats. But there's a lot of buzz around this little musical that became a cult sensation after exactly one short professional run three years ago. People who might have otherwise skipped this are probably buying tickets because they want to see what the big deal's supposed to be. It was already completely sold out through August at the beginning of this week, and there was quite a bit of "hurry and grab a September ticket while you can."
It had one major NY Times write-up back when the production was announced, and it was featured again in this week's Five Shows to See in New York article. Whether people end up liking the show or not is obviously completely subjective, but I can definitely see why even people who aren't familiar with the story or the music would be interested. People always want to see something that's sold out.
joined:3/29/14
joined:
3/29/14
Posted: 8/2/18 at 2:59pm