KING KONG - Previews

[Wick3]

I just checked on telecharge and it looks sold out for tonight except for 1 premium seat at $200 in 3rd row center orchestra. 

[Lot666]

SweetLips22 said: "This piece really belongs to ALW--the beast, the girl--should be operatic in it's format...the music had better be better than good or the whole thing will end up in a pile of gorilla poo."

This is indeed the kind of drama that ALW excels at, and a weak or inappropriate score could be its undoing.

[sciencegirl]

Surprised it's sold out online
Probably too soon, but was thinking of trying for Rush tix at the box office. If anyone going to the BO today? Rush reports?

[Dollypop]

It's available on TDF for several performances.

[Bwayfan292]

Tonights the night! So excited to hear reports.

[John Adams]

Wick3 said: "Just saw this youtube video more about Ann and it looks like this show will focus more on Ann's perspective."

I have my doubts about how effectively that will be accomplished (although it's a laudable goal).

I'm not taken in by the hype about how "the piece has taken on another level of meaning again in terms of what's in the zeitgeist right now". It's just rhetoric that's trying to take advantage of current public sentiments. 

As the actress was singing in the background, I made an effort to hear her lyrics. Personally, I don't find writing the character to sing in sweeping generalities and over-used cliches to demonstrate that she's an example for women and young girls to admire. I don't find that singing generalized cliches demonstrates depth of character. Perhaps the book molds her in a less superficial way.

Still, there's that big monkey puppet to look forward to... 

[Famebroadway2]

I was going to wait until after previews began to grab a ticket, but because of TDF I couldn’t resist. I’ll be there next Saturday.

[Dan6]

Wick3 said: "I just checked on telecharge and it looks sold out for tonight except for 1 premium seat at $200 in 3rd row center orchestra."

I got that ticket! Will report in after. 

[BalconyClub]

Merch Report, first preview

$40 T shirt, 4 styles
$20 Tote bag
$70 Four poster set
$20 Single poster
$25 Baseball cap
$15 Four piece button set
$10 Lapel pin
$20 Mug
$20 Socks
$70 Zippered Hoodie
$30 Four magnet set
$10 Single magnet
$25 Water bottle
$10 Keychain
$10 Set of four postcards
$20 Notebook

[n2nbaby]

Those better be some cool looking socks for $20.

Anyone there have a song list?

[Dan6]

28 musical numbers listed (14 in each act), of which 10 are orchestra only. Looks like Ann Darrow, Carl Denham, and Captain Englehorn are the only solo singing roles.

[broadwayboy222]

Any word on rush for this? I know the Broadway usually has had rush for most all the shows that have played there the past several years, so would be odd if they didn't for this?

[Bwayfan292]

and suddenly I'm not feeling too confident about this anymore...

[Scarlet Leigh]

Dan6 said: "28 musical numbers listed (14 in each act), of which 10 are orchestra only. Looks like Ann Darrow, Carl Denham, and Captain Englehorn are the only solo singing roles."

Sooooo I know math and I don't know how I like these numbers. Intermission reports should be coming soon....

[BalconyClub]

Concessions is offering a Kongopolitan and a Skull Island Iced Tea.

So far the show is a slow moving IMAX spectacle with music.

[Rainbowhigh23]

Intermission now. The songs work well, they're very theatrical and dramatic; nothing trendy at all. Kong is truly a sight to behold. This show is worth every penny you'd pay for premium seats.

[Dan6]

Intermission report: weak songs, pedestrian script, adequate performances...but yeah, the puppet is spectacular, and has maybe the greatest stage entrance ever. It is just thrilling to watch every time Kong is on stage. And that actually might be enough to make this worth seeing.

[Bwayfan292]

So far social media reports, are only praising the puppet.

[Scarlet Leigh]

Yeah TONS of puppet praise. I saw two people comment on liking Christian. More puppet love. And on person that said "overchoreographed" and that at least 2 songs in Act 1 should be junk.... and then praised the puppet.

[Bwayfan292]

Based on reports, the puppet might win best actor at the tonys this year!

[Bwayfan292]

Show just finished.

[joanntom]

My friend texted me during intermission and said that The mez is probably the best place to watch the show.  and "that's no puppet. that's true brilliance. And, yes he can can act." and so far it seems that there's one carry over song from Melbourne. She liked the cast, loved the opening number and says that there is a show there and that a they need to trim trim trim...At least they didn't have the Spiderman delays. Can;t lie/. I'm still intrigued.

[Dancingthrulife2]

Please let me know how much stage time the dinosaurs get!

[Smeds2]

joanntom said: "So far it seems that there's one carry over song from Melbourne."

Was it the Full Moon Lullaby one? At the time back in 2013, that was the closest one to being the "breakout" song.

[Dan6]

Okay, here goes.

The good:

The puppet, the puppet, the puppet.  It's almost insulting to call it a puppet...it's the most emotive, moving, REAL performance in the show. It is also possibly the best piece of technical stagecraft I have ever seen. Watching the operators fly around on their cables as they bring it to life is thrilling; watching its extraordinarily expressive face and eyes is breathtaking; watching it lean out over the front rows before rearing up to full height is jaw-dropping. Kong justly received the final curtain call, and a well-deserved standing ovation. Some of the related stagecraft, including use of projections, is also very effective.

The bad:

Pretty much everything else.

Oh, the costumes are lovely, and the choreography is energetic and athletic (if at times weirdly placed), and the performers are in fine voice and try to do their best with the material they are given.  But Jack Thorne's book makes his script of Cursed Child (hated the book, loved the production) look like Pulitzer material. Cliches everywhere, clunky exposition, "jokes" that fall dead, and a complete absence of real character development or pathos. The songs are unmemorable...any one or more of them could be deleted and I probably wouldn't notice on a second viewing...and often end oddly and abruptly. And the lyrics are generally painful ("I watched you fall out of the sky/I am not prepared to say goodbye" - really?). 

Am I glad I saw it and sprang for a premium seat? Actually yes...that's how effective the technical wizardry is, and I'll remember it for a long time. I just wish it were all in service of a better show.