"Caroline or Change" in Boston

[LuminousBeing]

Posted: 5/9/19 at 2:07am

I meant to post this earlier, but I'm finishing up school and forgot. There's a wonderful little production of "Caroline or Change" playing at the Calderwood Pavillion in Boston. There are only a few performances left until the end of the run, but for anyone in Boston (or elsewhere who can get to Boston on short notice) who would like to see it, definitely go! Very talented leads, streamlined direction, tiny house with no bad views. It's a gem of a show, and this production by Moonbox is solid.

[Susanswerphone]

Posted: 5/9/19 at 9:59am

Wholeheartedly agree! Saw the first preview and returned last week with friends. It's available on Goldstar and BosTix.

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 5/9/19 at 10:18am

Was debating seeing it then the review stated something like "it seemed longer than the 2 hours which is probably the book" and it may me rethink it.  Have never seen the show so i'm rethinking of it again.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/9/19 at 10:29am

Thanks for the tip!  Going to be in town (Boston) on Sat to see Indecent.....I might just add this to my day!

[theaterdarling]

Posted: 5/9/19 at 11:48am

Would like to echo the enthusiasm expressed by others  for this production of CAROLINE OR CHANGE. Was always so curious about this show and was not able to catch any performances in NY and, unfortunately, could not swing the trip to London to see the recent production. Had low expectations going in as I knew it was a difficult chamber-like piece. The singing and performances are uneven (and I think a few missteps exist in Kushner's work) but the young boy, Ben Choi-Harris as Noah, Yewande Odetoyinbo and Sarah Kornfeld as Rose are terrific (honorable mention to paternal grandparents), I would even say Odetoyinbo was outstanding and these three together were enough to engender my love and respect and, luckily, strong enough to carry the show.  Loved the music--tight, effective band and was mostly enthralled from start to finish. Thought about it for days after. I am sure it was magic with Pinkins and Rose, but this was very satisfying. As others have stated, only plays this weekend and deserves a look.

[Susanswerphone]

Posted: 5/9/19 at 11:02pm

BuddyStarr said: "Was debating seeing it then the review stated something like "it seemed longer than the 2 hours which is probably the book" and it may me rethink it. Have never seen the show so i'm rethinking of it again."

Here's a different take:

https://artsfuse.org/183946/theater-review-caroline-or-change-in-purgatory-all-souls-are-tested/

GO!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/10/19 at 8:45am

And we did, very excited as I have never seen this.  (Was able to grab $30 goldstar tix, too.)

 

 

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 5/10/19 at 9:19am

Saw this last night.  I have mixed feelings.  I saw this company's production of Cabaret last year and didn't stay for Act 2.  The talent was very uneven.  Caroline and Noah WAS very good.  Although I really didn't get from their acting that they were very close, they didn't seem to mix well together but both of their voices were wonderful and you could understand them which is a lot more than I can say for the trio.  Wasn't sure if it was their diction or the sound quality but I could barely make out anything they sang.  Additionally, I enjoyed the stepmother who had a lot of nice moments vocally but again didn't seem to have chemistry with anyone.  

The standout in this production for me was Lyndsay Allyn Cox as Dotty.  She was always in the moment and her scenes with Caroline were fresh and always interesting.

Since I have never seen a production of Caroline, or Change before I couldn't tell if it was the direction or the book.  The "Washer" and "Dryer" thing just seemed odd to me as well as the "Moon".  I also didn't like how the orchestra was always part of the action.  This wasn't a concert setting yet the conductor seemed like part of the cast.

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 5/11/19 at 6:45pm

Just found out that there is another production of Caroline or change at Astoria performing arts center in long island city. Has anyone seen it yet? 

[LuminousBeing]

Posted: 5/11/19 at 6:52pm

Just saw "Caroline" again - the third-to-last performance of the run. It was very much improved since the 2nd preview! There were still some uneven moments, but the show felt tighter and sharper as well as more moving than early in the run. I'm so happy I returned. Plenty of $30 fix left on Goldstsr if anyone wants to see its closing performance tomorrow! I'd go back again if I could, but I have a paper due tomorrow at midnight.

[LuminousBeing]

Posted: 5/12/19 at 12:46am

spicemonkey said: "Just found out that there is another production of Caroline or change at Astoria performing arts center in long island city. Has anyone seen it yet?"

A friend of mine did - twice - and gives it the highest possible recommendation! The show website is here if people want to see it:

http://www.apacny.org/shows-events/current-season-2018-2019/2018-2019-upcoming-shows/caroline-or-change/

It is on TDF for $11.

(And side bar, the director is an alumnus of my alma mater!)

 

 

[Julie Yard]

Posted: 5/12/19 at 7:48am

I saw the Astoria production yesterday and thought it was terrific. I'd never seen the show before, and it seems to pop up a lot on people's top 10 shows. It runs for a couple/few weeks and it's worth the trip to Queens.

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 5/12/19 at 10:16am

LuminousBeing said: "spicemonkey said: "Just found out that there is another production of Caroline or change at Astoria performing arts center in long island city. Has anyone seen it yet?"

A friend of mine did - twice - and gives it the highest possible recommendation!The show website is here if people want to see it:

http://www.apacny.org/shows-events/current-season-2018-2019/2018-2019-upcoming-shows/caroline-or-change/

It is on TDF for $11.

(And side bar, the director is an alumnus of my alma mater!)



"

THANK YOU!! 

Got my ticket and going to see it next weekend. Very excited!

(Good luck to your paper)

 

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 5/12/19 at 10:17am

Julie Yard said: "I saw the Astoria production yesterday and thought it was terrific. I'd never seen the show before, and it seems to pop up a lot on people's top 10 shows. It runs for a couple/few weeks and it's worth the trip to Queens."

Wow, thank you. Sounds like it's really good. 

Just bought my ticket and seeing it next weekend!!

[LuminousBeing]

Posted: 5/12/19 at 10:47am

THANK YOU!!

Got my ticket and going to see it next weekend. Very excited!

(Good luck to your paper)

"

Thanks! I'm so happy you're going to see it - let us know how you find it!

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/12/19 at 10:57am

Well...we saw it, and REALLY didnt care for it. Other than the lead having a terrific voice, I am having problems finding anything to praise. I thought the costumes and the set were ugly and unflattering, the blocking was perfunctory at the most basic level, and characterization/acting choices were nil.

Even done with better talent, I suspect this just wouldnt be for me.

[Impossible2]

Posted: 5/12/19 at 6:45pm

dramamama611 said: "Well...we saw it, and REALLY didnt care for it. Other than the lead having a terrific voice, I am having problems finding anything to praise. I thought the costumes and the set were ugly and unflattering, the blocking was perfunctory at the most basic level, and characterization/acting choices were nil.

Even done with better talent, I suspect this just wouldnt be for me. "

I saw the West end production last year and flat out hated it, I am shocked it is so well regarded. While I greatly admired what it was trying to do & say, I thought it failed miserably on every level. It was awful.

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 5/13/19 at 11:29am

dramamama611 said: "Well...we saw it, and REALLY didnt care for it. Other than the lead having a terrific voice, I am having problems finding anything to praise. I thought the costumes and the set were ugly and unflattering, the blocking was perfunctory at the most basic level, and characterization/acting choices were nil.

Even done with better talent, I suspect this just wouldnt be for me."

I've been waiting to hear what you thought of it.  Although I think with better talent and a better director it could be more interesting but I was really pulling for positive comments about this show.  I still can't get out of my head how the orchestra and conductor were so prominently featured when it wasn't a concert version.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/13/19 at 1:08pm

^And being oh, so unprofessional pre-show.  Walking on the set, drinking coffee, looking for people in the house!