Becoming Nancy Previews/Performances Atlanta

[broadwayboy222]

Havent seen a thread on this yet, previews for Becoming Nancy at the Alliance Theatre began tonight. Did anyone go? Post reviews here! Very anxious and excited to hear about this one!

[BWAY Baby2]

Seeing it Sept. 27- and will write a review. I missed The Prom when it was here- and am not gonna let another one pass me by. 

[Mark_E]

I am going next weekend. Absolutely loved the book, a really touching story, and I'm a big fan of Stiles & Drewe so very excited. The initial feedback on twitter is very positive!

[Clyde15]

Has anyone seen the first couple of previews? I love the music I’ve heard so far but dying to hear how the show is as a whole

[Hope Lombardo]

Oh I went to this play last night and managed to scam a 5th row center ticket!  :)

My reaction is mixed. A couple of years ago, I walked out of the Atlanta performance of The Prom and thought, "now that show is going to win every Tony in the book once it opens on Broadway" and I was sort of right.  This one was harder to judge. On the good side, very charming leads (particularly calling out Zachary Sayle and Stephen Ashfield),  a few terrific songs (including one called Waiting for the Night Bus), strong choreography. But it also had themes that are done frequently in theater but they weren't uniquely portrayed this time around. It didn't feel fresh enough to me.  But it was only night 3....I plan to go back next week to see how it evolves. 

[Mark_E]

https://www.broadwayworld.com/videoplay/VIDEO-First-Look-At-The-World-Premiere-of-BECOMING-NANCY-At-Alliance-Theatre-20190913

First Look! I can't wait to see this tomorrow.

[ClumsyDude15]

From both the teaser clips and the video of Jessica and Lizzie singing On The Night Bus, I really like what I've seen and heard. I sadly can't make it down to Atlanta to see it down there, so I'm hopeful this has a life in New York or somewhere a little closer in the future. 

[Mark_E]

Top top top notch all around. If you’ve read the book, you will just love how the characters come to life in this. Everything comes together and works so well as a true “book musical”. It’s VERY British, It almost has that feeling of Billy Elliot to it.
There’s no song titles listed so I’ll do my best to describe some, but there were some real standout moments
There’s a lot of musical numbers. Great opening “East Dulwich”, and the big “I want” title number follows not long after.
“Night Bus” I really loved
“Abigail Henson” - great number!
“Putting a twist in Oliver” is a blitz through act one of the “show within a show” - very well done.
“You matter” - Stephen Ashfield made me cry, very touching and it’s reprised at the end of the show.

Sally Ann Triplett I really loved, and Stephen Ashfield and Lizzie Bea. Zachary Sayle was also a great leading man, exactly how I imagined David Starr.

There was already people at the stage door who’d been 2-3+ times, I feel this one could really take off if they market it right.

Also, what a gorgeous venue the Alliance Theatre is!

 

[HugoP]

Saw it last Saturday night and loved it.    Yes, it has some of the same themes as THE PROM, and it echoes BILLY ELLIOTT a lot, but it has a fantastic energy all its own.   I really liked the score a lot (the songs called out by the other folks on this thread are all indeed strong--  lovely and funny), and the show is staged beautifully.  The lead performers are wonderful (The young lead is particularly fantastic).     I will go back before the end of the run.  Was not at all familiar with the book it's based on, but it's not necessary to be familiar with it.     I do wonder if a familiarity with OLIVER is required, though.    But no matter, this was a terrific surprise.

[BWAY Baby2]

Saw it last night- and thought it will never make it to Broadway. It is a rip off of so many musicals and themes that have already been done. This will appeal to teenagers and people unfamiliar with theater. The dialogue is not witty- and the music fell flat for most of it., Very disappointed- though the youngsters in the audience clapped and gasped when the predictable gay romance began. Written at an eighth grade level- predictable, unoriginal, plot lines unbelievable- music forgettable. Okay for a night at regional theater- but this will never make it on Broadway. Saw Jamie in London and it was eons better than this- and not sure that Jamie could make it on Broadway. But, anyway- my advice for a seasoned theater-goer- and anyone above the age to 25- AVOID.

[fashionguru_23]

To be honest, I am a big fan of Jessica Vosk. I really like and her body of work. One thing comes into mind, remember when she was casted in Wicked, and there were people that we saying that she was casted for her large presence on social media? I wonder if that is the case, without her in the cast, would this show be on everyone's radar as loud as it is?

[SouthernCakes]

Well, Jerry Mitchell is directing, so yeah...

[CurtainPullDowner]

Do they sing songs from OLIVER!?

[Mark_E]

CurtainPullDowner said: "Do they sing songs from OLIVER!?"

The title number very cleverly uses some of the "As Long As He Needs Me" lyrics.

The second act number "putting a twist in Oliver" is a kind of blitz through the Oliver! show to a "consider yourself"-esque melody.

And you see the very end of "As Long as He Needs Me" along with the (very altered) scene on the bridge between Bill and Nancy.

 

[VotePeron]

fashionguru_23 said: "To be honest, I am a big fan of Jessica Vosk. I really like and her body of work. One thing comes into mind, remember when she was casted in Wicked, and there were people that we saying that she was casted for her large presence on social media? I wonder if that is the case, without her in the cast, would this show be on everyone's radar as loud as it is?"

I’ve been a Vosk fan since way before her Wicked days, and it looks like she’s using social media to really push the idea that she is done with Elphaba, and doesn’t want to to be associated with that role forever, or even now, in hopes of getting new work. 

That being said - no, I would not care about this show even a little if she wasn’t in it. Shame it’s DOA. Hope she finds a new project soon. 

[BroadwayBen]

I saw this last night and it really surprised me how funny and moving it was.  I loved the music and the performances were fantastic.   When the show started I thought it was headed one way, but it sort of went another, and I was really moved,  A couple of the songs really soar.   I will probably go back.   

[bwayrose7]

VotePeron said: "fashionguru_23 said: "To be honest, I am a big fan of Jessica Vosk. I really like and her body of work. One thing comes into mind, remember when she was casted in Wicked, and there were people that we saying that she was casted for her large presence on social media? I wonder if that is the case, without her in the cast, would this show be on everyone's radar as loud as it is?"

I’ve been a Vosk fan since way before her Wicked days, and it looks like she’s using social media to really push the idea that she is done with Elphaba, and doesn’t want to to be associated with that role forever, or even now, in hopes of getting new work.

That being said - no, I would not care about this show even a little if she wasn’t in it. Shame it’s DOA. Hope she finds a new project soon."

Not sure why you're saying it's DOA - on these boards, there's been a couple positive reviews and one negative, and critical reviews haven't come out yet. It doesn't sound like the next Hamilton, but it seems a bit premature to decide its fate too.

[mailhandler777]

fashionguru_23 said: "To be honest, I am a big fan of Jessica Vosk. I really like and her body of work. One thing comes into mind, remember when she was casted in Wicked, and there were people that we saying that she was casted for her large presence on social media? I wonder if that is the case, without her in the cast, would this show be on everyone's radar as loud as it is?"

It's cast and not casted. 

[Clyde15]

I haven’t been able to find any professional reviews. Anyone know where to find them?

[BWAY Baby2]

Reviews for the show that I have read are very positive. I saw the show and really do not understand why. Maybe it is me- I do like serious theater.

[theaterdude2]

Thank you for the spoiler. BWAY Baby2. Next time, you might want to toggle anything that reveals plot points so you don't ruin it for the rest of us. 

[jpbran]

They were too busy posting negative reviews twice, to REALLY drive the point home... 

[BWAY Baby2]

I must add- though I did not care for the show- Jessica Vosk as the aunt- and the woman who portrayed the mother- were excellent- and were, for me, the stand out performers in the show. 

I will be more careful in the future about spoilers- I do not want to ruin the show for anyone who does see it. Sorry.

[NYCblurb]

Hope Lombardo said:

"now that show is going to win every Tony in the book once it opens on Broadway" and I was sort of right. 

 

NOT REALLY. YOU WERE WRONG. IT DIDN'T SELL. IT DIDN'T WIN. IT LOST ALL INVESTOR MONEY. 

 

[ClumsyDude15]