CSC’s ASSASSINS Revival - Previews- Page 3

[clever2]

Posted: 11/9/21 at 10:49am

TheQuibbler said: "I will echo the sentiment that audiences, in general, have been weird and subdued both at the theater (Assassinson Saturday night) and at concerts I’ve been to in the last few weeks. Even the Halloween parade. Perhaps everyone is still a little nervous? Learning how to be social again? Quieter?

You make a good point. I don’t know what the tourist action is these days, but I’ve been to old Broadway a couple times over the weekend. The houses were full and the people were active and talking. It was…how it always was pretty much. 

CSC’s base audience is people who live here, I’m guessing. It was a surreal difference. Maybe the loud people are hanging out with loud people and the quiet people are hanging out with the quiet people. 

 

Updated On: 11/9/21 at 10:49 AM

[JasonC3]

Posted: 11/9/21 at 11:25am

clever2 said: "JasonC3 said: "Why doe he keep getting hired to direct?

Doyle has had acclaimed productions of Passion, Pacific Overtures, A Color Purple, and Sweeney Todd (which extended multiple times).

He is not for everyone's taste, nor does he get it right every time, but let's not pretend the guy has never directed a well-received show."

He's been not for everyone's taste from the beginning. He's a one trick pony. I never said anything about how he has been received. You must do an awful lot of skimming if THAT was your takeaway."

Not sure why the accusatory response. I read everything you wrote and responded to the question you posed. 

FWIW, most shows I've been to at CSC seem to have quieter houses before the show begins.  I think the intimacy and layout of that space subtly encourages a more low-keyed conversational tone.

Updated On: 11/9/21 at 11:25 AM

[clever2]

Posted: 11/9/21 at 11:35am

JasonC3 said: "Why does he keep getting hired to direct?

Doyle has had acclaimed productions of Passion, Pacific Overtures, A Color Purple, and Sweeney Todd (which extended multiple times).

He is not for everyone's taste, nor does he get it right every time, but let's not pretend the guy has never directed a well-received show."

My original response to this was out of line and unnecessarily aggressive. I apologize. Of course, Doyle has fans. I haven't had much luck with him, but I'm rooting for this production to evolve and be the powerhouse it could be. Either way, I was a jerk and I'm sorry.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 11/9/21 at 11:39am

Since the licensed version of the show is the Broadway production, “Something Just Broke” is not optional; it’s part of the show. Of course, this means nothing for major revivals by directors who know and get permission from the author, but I think it’s safe to expect it in every production of Assassins.

I’m seeing this at the end of the month, so I’m intrigued to see if things have settled by then. I imagine things are changing day by day right now. I’m still sad I didn’t get to see the 2004 production, but I did see and enjoy the Encores production (I still laugh thinking about Victoria Clark as Sara Jane Moore). I know Assassins is kind of a masterpiece, but it’s difficult to execute (no pun intended).

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/9/21 at 3:16pm

Just got an email that the show has been extended through January 29th, With tickets going on sale this Thursday at noon.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 11/9/21 at 3:18pm

Extended!

[JSquared2]

Posted: 11/9/21 at 8:38pm

Honestly there’s not any one seat where you’re going to have a full view of everything —each area has its pluses and minuses— there’s not a bad seat in the house —with parts of the center section possibly being slightly more “centered”. Even there you’ll still have actors with their backs to you at times. 

[BroadwayGuy12]

Posted: 11/9/21 at 10:33pm

I was there tonight and quite enjoyed it. I'm a huge fan of the material and of many in the cast, and was excited to (finally!) see them tackle this show, after initially purchasing my ticket in January 2020.

I loved Doyle's take on Passion at Classic Stage but was underwhelmed and disappointed by his Pacific Overtures, so I was glad that my feelings about Assassins landed more in line with the former. It's true that this production doesn't present some kind of radical reinvention, nor does it necessarily find anything fresh in the text. But it's well cast and well paced, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to see this material shine in an intimate setting. I was also glad that this production didn't lose any of the show's humor - I always forget how damn funny Assassins is whenever I'm just listening to the score.

I did find the few aspects of the production that referenced current events to be somewhat distracting, as I didn't need those parallels drawn out for me so explicitly. Masks have very much been incorporated into the costuming/concept of this production, and there's a moment during the finale that felt a bit too heavy handed for my tastes. It's interesting to wonder how this production could or would have been different had it happened along its original timeline, as there are so many events from the past 18 months that have sharpened its critiques of this country.

I enjoyed the design more than I was expecting; it's certainly more than just the chairs that others have mentioned in this thread. I found the thrust set-up to be used effectively, and had no issues with sight lines/seeing their backs too much/having actors block the action.

So many of these performers seemed like perfect fits for their roles when casting was announced, and all of them deliver. Steven Pasquale is just as good here as he was in the 2017 Encores! production, Will Swenson seems like he's having a ball with Guiteau, Judy Kuhn is a riot as Moore, and Brandon Uranowitz deserves props for the understated rage he brings to Czolgosz. But, really, there's no weak link here. Ethan Slater had one moment during "Another National Anthem" that really impressed me, and was different from anything I've ever seen in that song.

I'm hoping I'll get the chance to see this again before if closes (now more of a possibility, thanks to today's extension announcement), it for no other reason than I find Assassins to be a truly remarkable piece of musical theatre. It's that rare musical that's as hilarious as it is heartbreaking as it is harrowing, and it's not every day that I get to see a high quality production, even if the direction wasn't always up to par with the material.

[RainyAgwe]

Posted: 11/9/21 at 11:48pm

I saw the show last weekend, and as someone who has not consumed the show prior to watching it I left the theatre really impacted by what I saw. I thought the whole thing was incredibly well done from top to bottom, and the cast was stellar.

honestly I’m shocked by how some of the folks here received this production, as if I was from the city I’d probably sign up for the lotto every day. 

[clever2]

Posted: 11/10/21 at 3:41am

HeyMrMusic said: "Since the licensed version of the show is the Broadway production, “Something Just Broke” is not optional; it’s part of the show. Of course, this means nothing for major revivals by directors who know and get permission from the author, but I think it’s safe to expect it in every production ofAssassins.

I’m seeing this at the end of the month, so I’m intrigued to see if things have settled by then. I imagine things are changing day by day right now. I’m still sad I didn’t get to see the 2004 production, but I did see and enjoy the Encores production (I still laugh thinking about Victoria Clark as Sara Jane Moore). I knowAssassinsis kind of a masterpiece, but it’s difficult to execute (no pun intended)."

And there was a licensed version prior to that production which, in fact, provided the option of "Something Just Broke" but in no way required it be done. Assassins has been licensed since the mid 90s. I'm not pulling a rabbit out of my hat here to be told by seventeen thousand people it isn't true.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 11/10/21 at 12:41pm

Wee Thomas2 said: "Agree with the last post. We saw yesterday’s matinee and aren’t sure of the point. Also in third row in the 200s and were blocked by actors from seeing some of the action. Technically the cast is excellent"

Was your entire section blocked by them? Were you in the center? Do you think the 300s are better seats for this? 

 

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 11/10/21 at 4:34pm

“And there was a licensed version prior to that production which, in fact, provided the option of "Something Just Broke" but in no way required it be done. Assassins has been licensed since the mid 90s. I'm not pulling a rabbit out of my hat here to be told by seventeen thousand people it isn't true.”

I believe you, and I also know show licenses change. Take a look at what’s currently being licensed when you do Beauty and the Beast, A Chorus Line, Annie, etc.; those shows don’t license original versions anymore. The Broadway revival of Assassins has been the only version licensed since the mid-2000s. I know because I did the show in the mid-2000s.

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 11/11/21 at 7:43am

Sutton Ross said: "Wee Thomas2 said: "Agree with the last post. We saw yesterday’s matinee and aren’t sure of the point. Also in third row in the 200s and were blocked by actors from seeing some of the action. Technically the cast is excellent"

Was your entire section blocked by them? Were you in the center? Do you think the 300s are better seats for this?

"

Every seat in the theater is likely occasionally blocked by an actor or two at some time in the show, due to the arrangement of the thrust stage.  Perhaps higher up would be less blocked.

 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 11/11/21 at 10:34am

Great, thank you for replying.

[kwoc91]

Posted: 11/11/21 at 12:08pm

Snagged a ticket for end of January!

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 11/11/21 at 12:16pm

They put tickets on sale 6 minutes before 12 noon. When I went there at noon there were barely any seats left for the performance I wanted. So, that was bullsh*t. 

[jakebloke]

Posted: 11/11/21 at 3:20pm

I figured I’d just try my luck with the lottery if I am going to see this.  Well I won the lottery for tonight, but didn’t see the notification until it was too late.  I was 10 minutes too late.  Just fyi they only give you 30 minutes to claim.  

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 11/11/21 at 5:55pm

Thankful for extension. Landed a ticket for Friday, January 28.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/13/21 at 4:27pm

I don’t remember the last time I left an Off-Broadway show feeling like what I’ve just seen DEMANDS a transfer. As someone who is veeeeeery hot and cold when it comes to Doyle and his distinct directorial choices, personally I can’t fault anything in this new production. Anything.

To me, this is the definition of a perfect cast. I could just name check everyone and say how great they were but that’s a waste of time. I can however, single out Will Swenson who, I think, gave a performance I will remember if I’m lucky enough to live to be 100. That’ll live on my “best performances I’ve ever seen” list from here on out. 
 

 

Updated On: 11/14/21 at 04:27 PM

[gleek4114]

Posted: 11/13/21 at 5:10pm

Jordan Catalano said: "I don’t remember the last time I left an Off-Broadway show feeling like what I’ve just DEMANDS a transfer. As someone who is veeeeeery hot and cold when it comes to Doyle and his distinct directorial choices, personally I can’t fault anything in this new production. Anything.

To me, this is the definition of a perfect cast. I could just name check everyone and say how great they were but that’s a waste of time. I can however, single out Will Swenson who, I think, gave a performance I will remember if I’m lucky enough to live to be 100. That’ll live on my “best performances I’ve ever seen” list from here on out.


"

I agree about the cast. I caught the matinee today and my standouts were Swenson, Kuhn, and Pasquale, but the whole cast is phenomenal.

[OuttaTowner]

Posted: 11/13/21 at 5:12pm

Slightly off topic, but agreeing with the Swenson love. A few years back, I saw him play the Pirate King in Penzance and would echo your t sentiments - one of the best performances in a musical that I ever witnessed, and I remember it fondly to this day.
 

I so hoped that production would have transferred from Barrington  

 

[frankiec]

Posted: 11/13/21 at 7:04pm

I ended up getting a ticket to today’s matinee so I have one ticket to sell for Sunday, Jan. 16th at 2:00 p.m. Seat is B201. It’s a “prime” seat so the cost was $127 plus taxes and fees. DM me if interested!

[gleek4114]

Posted: 11/14/21 at 12:00am

Does anyone else feel like this is primed for a transfer? Especially with Chicken and Biscuits closing early, it would be good timing for this to slip in after it closes in January for the Spring season.  

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 11/14/21 at 12:06am

gleek4114 said: "Does anyone else feel like this is primed for a transfer? Especially with Chicken and Biscuits closing early, it would be good timing for this to slip in after it closes in January for the Spring season.”

American Buffalo is already slated to start previews in CITS on March 22. 

 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/14/21 at 12:20am

I’ll be honest, as badly as I’d love a transfer, I’d prefer this on a normal stage if that happened. I suppose it works fine in this setting in a small space like CSC but anything bigger and you want to make sure you see everyone and their faces all the time while they’re on stage.