Almost Famous: Any early reviews from the Left Coast?

[OuttaTowner]

Not sure what to expect, so very curious about audience opinions on this one.

[persephone88]

Loved the movie so much and would like to hear any impressions of the musical. Anyone out there seen it? Particularly interested in if the actors playing Russell and Penny hold up to the great film performances by Billy Crudup and Kate Hudson, and if Tiny Dancer is indeed still part of the musical?

[GobiasIndustries]

Saw the first performance on Friday night.  Didn’t really do it for me.  The score wasn’t very strong, and the book was just a copy of the movie.  Drew Gehling was weak, definitely not a good fit for him.  Anika Larsen was a strong point, very good in the role.  Solea Pfeiffer was good, but the material she was given wasn’t that great.  Her big song (“Morocco&rdquo wasn’t spectacular, but maybe it’ll grow on me with further listening.  That brings us to Colin Donnell.  I had one big problem with him in this role.  With his 1970’s hair and mustache he looks exactly (EXACTLY) like Paul Rudd in Achorman.  I kept expecting him to do something goofy, and it kind of took me out of the moment.  (Not necessarily a problem with the show, more a problem with the retardation that is me.)  Other than that, he was perfectly serviceable in the role.  Good, not great.  (Sorry, Patti.)  Overall, it just didn’t feel like it would be received well.  It felt like a bunch of Broadway talent pretending to be rock stars.  Drew singing “Ramble On” by Led Zeppelin was cringe worthy.  Maybe it’s the small venue, or the band pretending to play their instruments on stage, or the fact that it was the first performance... but it wasn’t great.  Kitt’s weakest score, for sure.  Superhero was 10x better.  Listened to the music on my way back to LA the next morning, and it didn’t grow on me at all.

 

[GreasedLightning]

This might be a stupid question, but how did you listen to the music the next morning? Have they released anything?

[RippedMan]

No offense to cast but I wouldn't consider any of those men to be "rock singers" so why they'd be cast in this I don't know? 

[GobiasIndustries]

RippedMan said: "No offense to cast but I wouldn't consider any of those men to be "rock singers" so why they'd be cast in this I don't know?"

EXACTLY.  This show would be better served with legitimate rock singers.

 

[VotePeron]

If you consider Superhero to be "10x better", I literally never want to hear this score, then.

[JBroadway]

VotePeron said: "If you consider Superhero to be "10x better", I literally never want to hear this score, then."

 

Amen! 

[VernonGersch]

Going to see this in a few weeks and really looking forward.  

I'd imagine they will have worked out some kinks (not the band) by then

[Pose2]

Colin Donnell is a very average singer. He is good looking but not much else. I was really hoping for great reviews with this one, I hope they make the necessary changes to bring to the East Coast. 

[LizzieCurry]

GreasedLightning, do you know about the voice memo app?

[GreasedLightning]

LizzieCurry said: "GreasedLightning, do you know about the voice memo app?"

My comment was mostly facetious, trying to make the OP admit to illegally recording the show. But, thanks. 

[Pose2]

The OP simply asked a question.

[GreasedLightning]

Pose2 said: "The OP simply asked a question."

I’m not talking about the OP of the thread, but the original poster of which my post was referencing. Again, thanks for your valueless input.