TORCH SONG final performance

[Wick3]

Posted: 1/6/19 at 11:24pm

Did anyone else here attend the final performance of TORCH SONG this afternoon (Sunday matinee)?

I went with a few friends whose first time watching the show was today and they all loved it. I also got to meet a fellow BWW member miles2go2 who got to sit front row (super jealous here!) I hope you got all the autographs at stage door!

I watched the movie a few days ago and a few minor parts of the play made more sense to me (i.e. how Alan and Arnold met; Arnold's relationship with his mom after his father's death; Alan's death; ending scene Arnold waving goodbye to his Ma; etc.)

I know we've discussed this show in other threads but would be great to hear what others thought of the final performance.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/7/19 at 12:31am

It was great. It was great meeting you, Wick3. The entire cast stagedoored plus Harvey. I was able to tell them I made this trip from Oklahoma when I saw it was closing. I just had to be there for the final performance. All of them signed my windowcard. Cant wait to get it matted and framed!

[Wick3]

Posted: 1/7/19 at 12:19pm

I'm so glad everything worked out! I remember the crappy weather a few days ago in NYC and hoped your plane made it out here ok. Wow and you got to meet Harvey!!!!! Kudos!

 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/7/19 at 12:57pm

Yes. By time I got all their signatures I had like 15 minutes to run to studio 54 for the lifespan of a fact and I didnt have a ticket yet. LOL. Due to some fast walking/running I made it with about five minutes to spare before they started and got my ticket. Everyone was super kind, but I just have to say it again - Michael is not only super talented, but also one of the nicest people Ive ever met. I wont bore you with the details. LOL

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/7/19 at 1:13pm

Any speeches at the end? I'm guessing no, or else we SHOULD have video here from the front row!

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/7/19 at 1:34pm

I had my phone turned off and couldnt get it turned on quick enough for Curtain Call (we had an insert in our playbills saying it was OK to use our cameras for curtain call). However the guy next to me did video Curtain call however there were no speeches. I thought maybe Harvey would come out on stage, but he did not I suppose to give deference to the actors. I asked the guy next to me to text the video to me or email it to me but he said he would be posting the video of curtain call to YouTube but I havent found it yet.

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/7/19 at 1:37pm

 

[EthelMae]

Posted: 1/7/19 at 2:26pm

Wow. That was hard to watch. I missed this production and I hate that I did. This cast, in contrast to what I just watched over at Once on this Island last show curtain call video, looked visibly sad- almost mad- not much joy there. They must feel that the shortened run engagement was not expected.

[Dave13]

Posted: 1/7/19 at 3:58pm

I was there in the first row. I think I was sitting one seat over from Miles2Go2. Unfortunately, I didn't know it at the time. It was great but no speeches at the end. You could see a few tears in their eyes at the end. 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/7/19 at 4:02pm

Aw, Dave which side of me were you on? I agree - I thought the curtain call was poignant and had hoped for a speech, but I suppose its best to let the work speak for itself. I was sad but also so happy that I saw it.

[Dave13]

Posted: 1/7/19 at 4:27pm

I was sitting on the aisle. My girlfriend was sitting in between. I think you complimented her on her hat. Lol.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/7/19 at 4:32pm

Yes, I did! Lol

[OKBroadwayFan]

Posted: 1/7/19 at 5:07pm

Miles,  How could you miss a guy covered in fur with pink hair?  

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/7/19 at 5:15pm

Well, in my defense, there was some pretty riveting stuff going on on the stage as well. Lol

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 1/7/19 at 5:17pm

Miles2Go2, I believe saw you from across the stage door line! Wish I was able to catch you to say hello. I was on the right end next to the door.

It was a wonderful performance (I noticed a few new bits/quick adlibs from the last two times I saw the show). The audience was so energized and supportive! I wish they had done speeches, but the performances speak for themselves. I adore this show and am eternally grateful for this production, as it introduced TST to a whole new generation. I could tell there were a few people around me (of all ages) experiencing this show for the first time and that only added to the experience.

I was stunned silent when Harvey came out of the stage door but I was able to get out a quick “thank you for writing this and I love all of your work” before he signed my playbill. Check that off my bucket list!

I had to head back to Brooklyn, but impulsively decided to stick around and have my first experience stage door experience. The entire cast was so kind! Each of them looked me in the eye and engaged in a quick conversation when I gave them some love, which I wasnt expecting since they had SO many people wanting autographs and pictures. Both Michael and Ward asked me questions (I mentioned seeing the show multiple times and plan to see the tour) - overall a really enjoyable first experience at the stage door. There were some wonderful guys around me who had seen the original run with Harvey and that was really neat as well.

Sorry for the ramble. Yesterday was just great. :) 

Updated On: 1/7/19 at 05:17 PM

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/7/19 at 5:49pm

I love your ramble. The cast and Harvey were gracious and took the heartfelt comments from the people at stage door to heart. When I told Michael Hsu Rosen (Alan) that I thought I had until a work trip next month to see the show and then read it was closing, I booked a trip so I could see the final performance, he started tearing up.

When I told Michael, he actually grabbed my hand and thanked me. I also thanked him for being so gracious to me when I stagedoored (aka lurking in the lobby for an hour until I was only one left) at Barrow Street after Buyer and Cellar. He said he should thank me. Some might say its just an act and that he is just rolling his eyes later but it never seems that way with him. He seems like the nicest guy I have ever met. He also wondered who had signed on his area of the windowcard and when I said it was Harvey, he laughed and showed Mercedes.

I also got to tell Harvey about seeing the the movie version on VHS at a friends place five or six years before I finally came out to my parents and that I had to be here this weekend for the closing performance and flew in special because of it. We had a good chuckle about my reference to VHS.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/7/19 at 5:50pm

Now who’s rambling...LOL

Updated On: 1/8/19 at 05:50 PM

[natashalost]

Posted: 1/7/19 at 5:53pm

I was there closing night, my first time seeing the show, and I loved it. I sat in the orchestra, I believe I was in row G, but I'll have to check my ticket. Everyone was spectacular! Of course Michael Urie was revelatory, however, I particularly liked Michael Hsu Rosen. He was so perfect in that role.

Some observations: I noticed Harvey Fierstein sneak in at the last moment, sitting in the back of the right side of the orchestra, in the last row on the aisle. I also saw Jordan Roth and Erich Bergen too!

Plus, I have never seen the line for the men's room as long as the one at Torch Song last night! It was really crazy. At one point they moved all the women to a one-stall bathroom, and let the men use the women room, which was a bit annoying for the women. 

Going back to the Hayes, made me realize just how small that theatre really is! Even more devastating to think they couldn't sell it until the end of their scheduled run. 

[ArtMan]

Posted: 1/7/19 at 6:05pm

It's great that all of you got to see Harvey.  When I saw the show back at the end of October, I got all kind of excited because I thought I saw Harvey come out of the stage door.  It was not Harvey, but the Director Moises Kaufman.  He was extremely nice.  They kind of....favor each other. Maybe?  I'll blame it on my contact lenses.

[Wick3]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 8:09am

So glad you got everyone's autograph, miles2go2!!!! I stage doored back in October when I saw it in previews and everyone was kind and gracious (didn't recognize Roxane at first since we didn't realize that was a blonde wig she was wearing during the show!) lol

My friends and I went to merch and bought a torch song bowtie (proceeds go to Jesse Tyler Ferguson's charity), a magnet, and a t-shirt. I normally don't buy merch but liked what they were offering.

@EthelMae, I was at both final performances and I always feel they're bittersweet moments. They're happy to be doing what they love to do in front of their most passionate fans/family yet each line of each scene of each act is the last time they'll be performing it on Broadway... :/ I also think the staging of the Hayes and Circle in the Square are quite different where CITS made it easier for the creative team to simply go on stage and hug the cast members whereas in the Hayes, most of the creative team and family members were sitting in the audience. 

[ren598]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 11:04am

haterobics, thanks for posting my final curtain call video on this thread.  I was the guy next to Miles2Go2 in the front row.  Sunday's performance was my fourth time seeing this cast.  I saw it twice when it was at 2nd Stage and twice at the Helen Hayes.  It's the only play that I've seen more than once.  It really is that good and I'm sorry to see it end sooner than expected.  It deserves a much longer run.  I will try to catch the tour if it comes anywhere near Boston.

I can also attest that this is the nicest cast.  They're very generous with their time signing playbills/window cards and taking photos at the stage door.  I have two playbills, one from 2nd Stage and one from the Broadway run signed by the complete cast.  I will treasure those forever.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 11:18am

Im happy to report that my signed window card made it home in Oklahoma in pristine condition. Cant wait to get this baby framed and matted and hung.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 11:34am

Saw the second to last Sat. night.  It blew me away.  

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 12:08pm

I just hope Ward Horton doesn't abandon Broadway.

[EthelMae]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 1:06pm

Thx, Wick3. Youre right about the configuration of CITS being more conducive to people having access to the stage. So lucky to see both closing shows!