Lempicka at WTF

[cb2addict2]

Posted: 7/23/18 at 10:47am

Anybody going? Hoping to get up there next week!

[somecheapfrenchthing]

Posted: 7/23/18 at 10:55am

I’ll be there this upcoming Sunday! Can’t wait!

[Rhoda4]

Posted: 7/23/18 at 11:23am

Going this Saturday.  Can't wait to see Carmen.  Going to plan on wearing my "Bright Star" t-shirt. 

Updated On: 7/23/18 at 11:23 AM

[charles91]

Posted: 7/23/18 at 7:14pm

They've been posting some song clips on their Youtube channel. The music sounds really good! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5VzyePaoBA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7baE59u2U9w

[lucillefrank]

Posted: 7/23/18 at 8:11pm

I was there on Saturday evening. I love love loved it. One of the best scores I’ve ever heard. Rachel Chavkin is a genius director. If this comes, this could be the role that gets Carmen Cusack her Tony; Eden Espinosa could get one too. My only complaint is that Rachel Tucker was severely underused. Her one solo is beautiful though. And the 11 o’clock number with Carmen and Eden (which Carmen said is called “The Time I Didn’t Love You” as there’s no song list in the program) gave me chills.

Updated On: 7/24/18 at 08:11 PM

[JoeyEvans1206]

Posted: 7/23/18 at 8:45pm

Excited to see this on Sunday!

[Rhoda4]

Posted: 7/27/18 at 11:21am

Nice review in the NY Times (sorry unable to provide a link).  Looks like I am in for a treat tomorrow.  So excited.   I will plan to report back.

[AC126748]

Posted: 7/27/18 at 11:39am

From the NYT review:

“Lempicka” might be called a woke throwback. It’s an old-fashioned musical, at least if you think of “Evita” and “Les Miserables,” the blockbusters that ruled Broadway three decades ago, as old-fashioned. These were period shows of epic sweep, with propulsive electronic scores that force-marched you across decades of political struggle and strife.

That kind of costume behemoth hasn’t been fashionable for a while, for perfectly good reasons: It’s loud, it’s expensive, it’s exhausting. The closest thing to it in recent years was “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812,” Dave Molloy’s rollicking adaptation of a hunk of “War and Peace,” directed most inventively by Ms. Chavkin.

But “Great Comet” had an intellectual wryness and an immersive, do-it-yourself presentation that made it both funky and thoroughly modern. “Lempicka” is as earnest a work of storytelling as “Les Miserables.” And it aspires to bigness in many of the same ways.

The surprise is how close “Lempicka” comes to realizing those goals — especially with limited rehearsal time in a sylvan summer theater. Ms. Chavkin and her ace design team espouse a style of rich minimalism, as we follow Tamara from Revolutionary Russia (where she is the bride of the aristocrat Tadeusz Lempicki, nicely embodied as a charming weakling by Andrew Samonsky), to very gay Paree (where she finds herself as a painter), to sun-soaked California (where she broods in later-life exile).

Link to full review

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 7/27/18 at 1:11pm

This sounds very promising. I wonder if they'll try an off-Broadway run in the fall. 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 7/27/18 at 3:13pm

Updated On: 7/27/18 at 03:13 PM

[quietguy2]

Posted: 7/27/18 at 3:15pm

Photos look great!

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/28/18 at 12:21am

Those 3 ladies? Roundabout get about it!!! 

[JVJ93]

Posted: 7/28/18 at 1:22am

RippedMan said: "Those 3 ladies? Roundabout get about it!!!"

I sincerely Hope this does get an opportunity to come into NY just for the sheer fact we need more original work with artistic substance. But there’s no way Roundabout will pick this up becaus 

1. Todd Haimes wouldn’t know quality theatre if it smacked him in the face and..

2. Roundabout won’t take a chance on an original musical since the disaster that was “The People in the Picture.” 

Agaun, really hope this show has a life outside of the Berkshires. 

[Valentina3]

Posted: 7/28/18 at 1:45pm

Okay I'll keep asking till someone gives me a good answer - whatever happened to Cynthia Erivo? I thought she was attached with the WTF production originally. If she was back on board, with her upcoming four(!) movies, she's bound to be a large draw for a producer to bring this show to Bway.

 

* - I love Cussack, but I don't think she's a financially bankable lead yet

[JVJ93]

Posted: 7/28/18 at 2:47pm

Cynthia was attached in previous workshops but she’s been replaced by Espinosa and after the raves for her and Cusacks performances, I don’t see it changing if/when they move the project forward

[raddersons]

Posted: 7/28/18 at 3:25pm

I wish more than anything I could see this.

If broadway isn’t the track for this, maybe Ars Nova, St Ann’s Warehouse, or NYTW? Most of the off-bway theaters have already announced their seasons, so I doubt it’ll be here soon.

[Rhoda4]

Posted: 7/29/18 at 9:39am

I saw the show yesterday and loved it.  I felt the first act needs to be trimmed and tightened a bit and the use of the ensemble was distracting at times.   The second act was on fire. The score is wonderful and Eden and Carmen sell it all (as well as all the cast).  Sure hope this finds a life in NY.

Updated On: 7/29/18 at 09:39 AM

[LarryD2]

Posted: 7/29/18 at 11:21am

JVJ93 said: "Cynthia was attached in previous workshops but she’s been replaced by Espinosa and after the raves for her and Cusacks performances, I don’t see it changing if/when they move the project forward"

Although Cynthia Erivo did a public reading of the show at Williamstown last summer, Eden Espinosa has been attached to the project off and on for several years, so it makes sense that she would do it once it got to the point of a full production. I believe Carmen Cusack is the only person who participated in last summer's reading who moved on to do the full production this summer.

The rest of last summer's cast included Steve Pasquale, Bob Cuccioli, Mykal Kilgore, Jessica Phillips and David Pittu, among others.

Updated On: 7/29/18 at 11:21 AM

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 7/29/18 at 12:09pm

raddersons said: "If broadway isn’t the track for this, maybe Ars Nova, St Ann’s Warehouse, or NYTW? Most of the off-bway theaters have already announced their seasons, so I doubt it’ll be here soon."


The Williamstown production looks like it has some young "Broadway money" behind it (By special arrangement with Seaview Productions, Marathon Live Entertainment and Jenny Niederhoffer Productions) so I'm sure they are at least HOPING to bring it to Broadway. Brantley's review is really encouraging, even if he does compare it to EVITA so much.

They should probably go Off-Broadway or to another regional theatre (ART? La Jolla? Papermill?) to build up more buzz and refine the production while they wait for a Broadway theatre.

[somecheapfrenchthing]

Posted: 7/30/18 at 12:30pm

Prefacing this rave with the understanding that, as with any piece in development, there is still work to be done... but I saw this yesterday (7/30) and was totally amazed. I can't stop thinking about it and would definitely encourage anyone at a reasonable distance to spontaneously make a trip and catch one of the final performances. My boyfriend and I had to return to NYC yesterday evening, but we're turning around after work today and heading back to Williamstown to see it one more time (and will definitely travel to wherever it pops up next).

It's hard to describe what feels so new, but the comparisons to Evita make sense as far as the structure/flow and the central powerful woman. I also might compare it in certain ways to Here Lies Love, to Great Comet (makes sense w/ Rachel Chavkin) in terms of its contemporary score and direction. The book is very simple, very straightforward/easy, which at first surprised me, but proved helpful considering the magnitude of the story and score (many locations, role doubling, spanning many years, covering various episodes in history). It might be argued that the book is not as original as the show as a whole, but for me it definitely worked and I was never once disengaged. 


Eden is astounding. Needless to say, her voice is a force on its own, but her acting is the real treat of this performance, IMO. Her evolution is so nuanced and her act one finale was one of the most electric things I've seen live - every beat of her songs were packed with intention and her solo moments escalated so effectively/realistically - her movements in the songs, simple as the way she'd frame herself in a doorway, had me in tears.

Stating more of the obvious, Carmen Cusack is triumphant. Having such a diverse resume (Wicked, Sunday in the Park, Les Miz, Bright Star, Carrie, Phantom of the Opera etc.) I was blown away by her ability to deliver ANOTHER completely unique performance. Her range as an actress is incredible, and this score allows her to use her beautiful soprano, her smoky jazz voice, and, of course, her distinctive belt. She moves SO well in her numbers - her allure is effortless. She gives an evenly powerful performance, but I would single out "Stillness" and her act 2 duet with Eden as spine-chilling standouts.

I was also pleased to see that Rachel Tucker gets to shine and show off her singing chops in Act 2 - her talent is definitely not wasted (don't want to give away too much of the story, so won't go into detail). Most of the musical numbers are "BIG" but somehow it didn't feel too rote... others may disagree, but the story felt conducive to intense/ballady numbers. Maybe a few more breather moments could benefit a show that from start to finish is notably intense? 

There are certainly areas for polishing (very minor cliches here and there/some ensemble issues/maybe some trimming could be helpful?), but I don't want to get into that considering the fine-tuning phase its in - anything I didn't enjoy (which were very few things) felt easily fixable. I could touch on the scenes between Eden and Andrew Samonsky which are juxtaposed SO effectively with the Carmen scenes, but I think I'll leave it at this for now! Go see it!!!!

I hope it transfers. No matter where it ends up, I'll be trekking to see it multiple times. It has SO much heart.

Updated On: 7/30/18 at 12:30 PM

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 7/30/18 at 12:57pm

Was in Williamstown for this and Seared over the weekend.  While I agree with much of the praise, this pieces needs work before it comes to NYC.  First and foremost: it's almost three hours long!  Many supportive characters have songs but, to be frank, they hardly advance the show.  I would start the trimming process there and see what's left to trim.

The principals were all very good, and while I am happy that Espinosa has finally found a good vehicle to ride back to New York, she needs a lot time with the score and conductor.  While she rose to the occasion of taking on this mammoth role, she was noticeably flat throughout the performance.  I don't think this is an issue that can't be corrected, but it should not be ignored.  Carmen, as expected, was pure delight.  Her's is the only role I wish had another song or two.  

This could work incredibly well at the Roundabout, MTC or at Playwright's Horizons or perhaps Lincoln Center.  It would have a very difficult time commercially unless one of the leads was substituted for a bigger name.  I'm not suggesting that's what the producers should do, but I could imagine some great casting for these very juicy roles.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/30/18 at 5:30pm

Maybe it could work in LTC's smaller space?

I don't think being almost 3 hrs is a bad thing...I mean Angels was, what, 8 hrs and that flew by.

[DCS]

Posted: 7/30/18 at 7:05pm

Interesting news story this afternoon.....Reprise 2.0 in Los Angeles had scheduled Carmen Cusack starring in Victor/Victoria this Sept, but today announced that the production has been postponed and replaced with And The World Goes 'Round....HMMMM.....makes you wonder, don't it???

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 7/31/18 at 7:52pm

I saw the show this weekend and absolutely fell in love with it. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this moved and excited by a new musical.

Eden is magnificent. Obviously, her voice is stellar and sounds better than ever, but her acting performance was what really did it for me. Her journey throughout the musical was natural, raw, and so well developed – every moment felt earned. I saw the reading last summer with Cynthia and, while I love Cynthia and her voice is fantastic (and, obviously, that was only a reading with minimal rehearsal), I think Eden much better fits the role. If this transfers, I really hope they don’t replace Eden with a bigger name. I think Eden’s performance could attract a following, once word of mouth spread.

Carmen is also excellent. She is really perfect for the part and it’s hard to picture anyone else in her role, as well. It’s really a joy to see two fully-realized, complex women characters depicted onstage. Eden and Carmen’s chemistry is great and anytime they were onstage together, it was a joy to watch them play off of each other.

The score is absolutely gorgeous. I would pay a lot of money for a cast recording of this cast.

I honestly don’t feel much work needs to be done on this. It flows extremely well and really felt like a solid, complete piece to me. Perhaps some slight trimming in the beginning (I think they could cut the first scenes/songs down just a little bit – I think we could get to their move to Paris a bit quicker), but the show didn’t feel long to me at all. I’d also like to see some of the ensemble staging reworked. Rachel Chavkin is one of my favorite directors, but I do notice a tendency in her musical work to keep the ensemble moving, even when it’s not necessarily needed. When this is called for (like in many moments in “Great Comet”), no one can stage it better than her. However, at other moments it becomes a little distracting and feels unneeded. There were times where ensemble members were cutting in front of the leads/characters the scene is focusing on, and it felt distracting.

But, honestly, those are all very small complaints and, if nothing changed, I would still find this Broadway-ready and a stellar production.

It’s hard for me to picture this in a smaller off-Broadway house. It feels “big” and I think it’s needs a Broadway-sized theatre. I do hope this has a life after this production (it’s hard to imagine it wouldn’t) and I would be extremely happy to see it make a transfer directly to Broadway with this cast intact.

[AC126748]

Posted: 7/31/18 at 8:09pm

To anyone who’s seen the show recently, what is the current running time? Thinking of trying to catch one of the final performances tomorrow.