Report on NYC Theatre Trip 8/14 - 8/19

[Shubert Alley Cat]

Posted: 8/22/18 at 4:21pm

Well, I am back from a great theater trip last week in NYC.  Now - it didn't start so great as my flight to LaGuardia was cancelled and so it took a lot longer to get to the city. In fact, I missed THE BAND'S VISIT, but I do want to thank Telecharge and the Barrymore box office for allowing me a refund.  I made it to my hotel (CitizenM - loved it BTW) and out to Brooklyn for my first show by 10:30 PM. So here is what I thought of the shows I saw.

8/14 - 10:30 PM - THEN SHE FELL (Grade:  B) - I really enjoyed this interactive experience.  It certainly was more coherent and involving than SLEEP NO MORE, but it all was a little forgettable.  Perhaps that was due to my exhaustion of my airline experience that day and the fact I barely got there on time.

8/15 - 2 PM - MEAN GIRLS (Grade:  B) - I had a great time and got to see the full cast sans Kate Rockwell.  The performances really lifted the material here.  There are tons of laughs and the vocals are outstanding.  I must say I've also found myself humming some of the tunes since I've got home.  The staging was fast-paced and fresh but I am not a huge fan of the set/projection design approach taken here.

8/15 - 8 PM - HAMILTON (Grade:  A) - I've seen this show in Chicago previously but the current cast was also quite formidable - even with understudies/standbys for Hamilton and Burr.  Thayne Jesperson was on for King George and I did not enjoy his performance AT ALL.  But the show is undeniably the star and did not disappoint.  Grade of F for the horribly uncomfortable seats in the Front Mezz of the Rodgers.

8/16 - 2 PM - DESPERATE MEASURES (Grade:  A-) - Well this show was a surprise treat.  Loved the music and the performances.  I could listen to Conor Ryan sing the phone book.

8/16 - 7 PM - CAROUSEL (Grade:  A+) - I will admit this show is one of my all-time favorites.  I must disagree with the negative posts I've read here on BWW.  I loved it - I have never heard the score sung better and J. Henry's "Soliloquy" was just stunning as were all of the other vocals.  The cuts to the score/book did not bother me and the directorial choices, while not nearly on the level of the Hytner-helmed revival, worked for me.  I am so glad I got to see this show and while the theater was probably 70% full, the audience who was there clearly appreciated the show.

8/17 - 8 PM - MY FAIR LADY (Grade:  A) - Totally exceeded my expectations, especially after the Tony performance.  Good lord the acting happening on that stage was just next-level great, particularly from Ms. Ambrose and Mr. Butz.  Thrilling to get to see Diana Rigg live and in person, too.  And that unexpected orchestra appearance at the top of Act 2 - WOW.  Again, felt blessed to be in the company of, well, this company.

8/18 - 2 PM and 7:30 PM - HARRY POTTER (Grade:  A+) - Holy crap this was just unbelievable great - worth all the $$ I paid to see this.  Beyond just the dazzling design and magic elements, I could not believe how incredible the acting was throughout.  My favorites were Mr. Boyle and Ms. Dumezweni - unforgettable.  What a totally special experience!

8/19 - 3 PM - FROZEN (Grade:  C) - What a disappointment!  It started with Patti Murin being out (which seems to be a frequent occurrence) and I just did not enjoy the standby.  Caissie Levy, however, came through with her vocal pyrotechnics.  But that was about all that really stood out here.  The rest of it is just so dull!  And even worse (I knew I should not have chosen a matinees) were the freaking parents and their kids.  I mean, pre-show the parents were encouraging their kids to sing along.  And of course we needed to then sing along with "In Summer" and "Let is Go."  Are you flipping kidding me?  I did not pay to hear your little bitch shriek out these songs.  And don't get me started with the sippy cups full of ice during Act 2.  The only blip on my trip.

8/19 - 7:30 PM - ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (Grade:  A)  Again this was a real surprise.  I just enjoyed it all so much from the "pre-show" element to the creative staging throughout.  Alex Newell just brought down the house with "Mama Will Provide" - it was thrilling - and the only mid-show partial standing 'O" that occurred during my trip.  But truly the whole ensemble was just at the top of their game.  Did not expect to be so moved.

So all in all another great NYC trip.  I appreciate all the recommendations people make here on the boards - this trip I did visit the Donna Bell Bakery and it was fantastic!

Updated On: 8/22/18 at 04:21 PM

[BIG BALONEY]

Posted: 8/22/18 at 4:50pm

I agree with you on Frozen and Patti Murin was out the night I went too.Thanks for your detailed posting.

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 8/22/18 at 5:15pm

" I did not pay to hear your little bitch shriek out these songs."

Yep, you win BWW today with your honest, awesome assessment of the children at Frozen.

Patti was out when my neices went last month.  Unlike a lot of people on here that get infuriated when a certain actor misses a show, I just hope they are ok.  She has talked about taking mental health days due to anxiety which is the healthy choice for her.  

Glad you enjoyed most of your shows!

[adam.peterson44]

Posted: 8/22/18 at 8:41pm

When i saw Frozen last May, Murin was out and Aisha Jackson was on for Anna.  Her performance was charming, well-sung, and well-acted.  I felt lucky to have gotten to see her.  Don't know who the current standby is.

The kids near me on that day were also fairly well-behaved; their parents were trying to encourage them not to talk until intermission and the end, and mostly succeeded except for a few brief requests for their parents to explain something to them in a scene that they didn't understand.  But there was one moment in act 2 that was actually very funny (Spoiler ahead if you haven't seen the film or stage show).  When Hans told the folks in the castle that he tried to save Anna from the cold but he was too late, the kid in front spontaneously yelled at him "Liar!".  It was very cute.  The kid's father immediately turned to him to encourage him to be quiet, but realized both that it was a one-time spontaneous outburst and not an ongoing thing, and also that the people right behind them were chuckling quietly and not annoyed about it.

But it was frustrating when people started screaming towards the end of Let It Go while Caissie was still singing, making it hard to hear the end of the song - very unfortunate indeed. I don't understand the narcissism that makes people think that their screaming is more pleasant to listen to than the performer singing a very powerful final few phrases.  They can always scream once the song is over.

[tomwsjr]

Posted: 8/22/18 at 8:45pm

What’s up with Patti missing all these performances? Is there a story here?

[CPannullo]

Posted: 8/22/18 at 9:12pm

tomwsjr said: "What’s up with Patti missing all these performances? Is there a story here?"

I know that this week she’s on vacation and won’t be back until Tuesday. Not sure about other days she’s missed