The New Group: Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice

[magictodo123]

Posted: 10/13/19 at 5:22pm

I know The New Group tends to be hit or miss (and lately, miss) in terms of shows, but I have to admit I'm intrigued by this?

https://thenewgroup.org/production/bob-carol-ted-alice-the-new-group/

[LunaFairy]

Posted: 10/13/19 at 5:40pm

How has the show been a hit or miss lately?

[magictodo123]

Posted: 10/13/19 at 5:45pm

LunaFairy said: "How has the show been a hit or miss lately?"

I didn't mean this show-it hasn't even opened yet. I mean the company itself hasn't had a lot of hits recently. Or am I wrong? 

[ggersten]

Posted: 10/13/19 at 6:01pm

I know nothing of Sheik's version of Bob&Carol&Ted&Alice, but I think I'm still going to prefer Cy Coleman's I Love My Wife - and that was not a great show, but was a lot of fun to watch The Smothers Brothers in.

I also know nothing of Jackie Hoffman's version: David and Jodi and David and Jackie.

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 10/14/19 at 10:03am

New Group has been very disappointing recently.  I'm not getting sucked into this one until I see casting, but the creative looks good. 

Here is my list of underwhelming shows of theirs we have seen.  Sweet Charity was really good, but not:

Whirlygig

All the Fine Boys

Daddy

Clueless

Happy Talk

 

 

[magictodo123]

Posted: 10/14/19 at 11:47am

Wee Thomas2 said: "New Group has been very disappointing recently. I'm not getting sucked into this one until I see casting, but the creative looks good.

Here is my list of underwhelming shows of theirs we have seen. Sweet Charity was really good, but not:

Whirlygig

All the Fine Boys

Daddy

Clueless

Happy Talk



"

Clueless...oh man. I thought it was fun, but that's really it. But I actually liked Happy Talk! 

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 10:53am

TodayTix is having a flash sale for the first few performances of this today - $30-45 + fees. Tempting.

Previews start Thursday. Has anyone heard anything more about this?

[magictodo123]

Posted: 1/14/20 at 11:03am

GreasedLightning said: "TodayTix is having a flash sale for the first few performances of this today - $30-45 + fees. Tempting.

Previews start Thursday. Has anyone heard anything more about this?"

Apart from the plot (which I'm intrigued by) absolutely nothing. But I am tempted to see it...maybe....

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 1/15/20 at 2:20pm

Is there ANY buzz on this...?

For a world premiere musical with a relatively high-profile cast and creative team, I’m baffled by the lack of buzz.

[Huss417]

Posted: 1/15/20 at 2:40pm

I'm assuming some of you are familiar with this theatre and wondering if there are any sections to avoid sitting in?

 

 

[HBBrock]

Posted: 1/15/20 at 2:47pm

Zero buzz at all, I do plan to see it. Alice by Heart was a massive bomb, so hopefully Duncan can redeem himself with this.

[little_sally]

Posted: 1/15/20 at 2:51pm

Huss417 said: "I'm assuming some of you are familiar with this theatre and wondering if there are any sections to avoid sitting in?

Since the configuration of this theater changes based on show, it really depends on the show/set. But in my experience, the mezzanine seats are usually awful.

"

 

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 1/15/20 at 5:32pm

It’s usually a thrust stage configuration with seating on three sides, never more than 6-7 rows deep. Based on the seating chart for this show, I assume it’s the same! I’ve never had trouble (I’ve sat in all 3 sections) but I’d agree with little_sally and avoid the mezzanine.

It’s funny, after the conversation of this thread about zero buzz I’m now getting slammed with ads. Someone’s listening......

[SFFrontRow]

Posted: 1/15/20 at 5:46pm

Totally agree about Alice by Heart - but it was in a new theater so I got to experience that. I thought that the musical had its moments, but not enough of them. But, I am intrigued by this show. More contemporary setting and subject matter may make a big difference.

As for the theater, I echo the prior postings - there aren't that many rows in this configuration, all seats are pretty close, and mezzanine is not very good.

[HBBrock]

Posted: 1/16/20 at 1:34pm

Use code 2for1 for 2 for 1 tickets on https://thenewgroup.org/production/bob-carol-ted-alice-the-new-group/tickets/

Purchases made by Jan 26th only. The lower prices are in previews. I got 2 tickets for $91 after fees.

Updated On: 1/16/20 at 01:34 PM

[missthemountains]

Posted: 2/1/20 at 6:45pm

Has anyone seen it yet? Eager to hear any thoughts.

Posted: 2/1/20 at 6:48pm

missthemountains said: "Has anyone seen it yet? Eager to hear any thoughts."

Some reviews are in this thread:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1120919

[Owen22]

Posted: 2/1/20 at 7:24pm

The show was enjoyable with a cute late 60s easy listening pastiche sound. I really appreciate it when writers take the source material and reimagine it as a music theater piece, as opposed to just throwing some songs at the screenplay.

The show starts off really slow but I'm not sure if it's the writing or that Joel Perez and Jennifer Damiano just aren't very good yet. But the show comes alive when Michael Zegen and especially Anna Nogueira appear. Anna is the MVP of the cast. Never seen her before now I want to see her again and again! Luv huh!!!!

Suzanne Vega as the band/play's leader takes on a multitude of different roles, all in NPR voice. But when she sings I remember Luka lived on the second floor.

I guess my basic problem with the show is why. Just so Duncan Sheik can play with that particular type of sound? The 60's suburban mores and their derived comedy (the original reason the film was a success) is so outdated it's neither funny nor titillating.

Putting the band on stage only makes the show see more like I Love My Wife than it already does. And I Love My Wife has a way better score. It's sort of made me think I'd love to see a revival of that.

[Susanswerphone]

Posted: 2/2/20 at 11:06pm

Agree with Owen about Ms. Nogueira: she really shines here!
I actually enjoyed this much more than anticipated. Beautiful score, sets perfect to the era without being garish,some of Zegen's outfits were a bit much.
I'm glad I went and think it's absolutely worth seeing.

[InTheBathroom1]

Posted: 2/2/20 at 11:10pm

I think the piece requires 4 great actors who only need to sing semi-well. And instead we got two really great actors and two “musical theatre” actors for lack of a better term.