Flying Over Sunset or Kimberly Akimbo?

[Dan6]

Posted: 12/14/21 at 3:09am

I have Flying Over Sunset tix for my NY trip next month and - despite some of the preview postings on this board - have really been looking forward to it since initially getting tickets for March 2020. I can certainly appreciate aspects of a show without loving the entire thing. But after reading the mixed-to-poor opening reviews, I’m wondering if there’s enough there to warrant filling one of my limited slots, or if I should refund the tickets and see Kimberly Akimbo instead. All thoughts and feedback welcome, particularly from those who’ve seen both. (Also seeing JLP, Caroline, Assassins, Clyde’s, and Girl From the North Country on this trip.) Thanks!

Updated On: 12/14/21 at 03:09 AM

[JasonC3]

Posted: 12/14/21 at 4:38am

I found Akimbo to be a completely enjoyable production, albeit it one that didn't bowl me over in any way. And Victoria Clark is always worth seeing on stage.

Sunset had moments of delight and some beautiful stage pictures, but the transitions between them were long and often somewhat dull.

In short, with Flying I would prefer to watch just the highlights reel whereas with Akimbo I want to see the whole thing.

 

[binau]

Posted: 12/14/21 at 6:55am

That is a good summary! I had a much better time at Akimbo, even though I’ll probably take the ‘highlights’ of Flying Over Sunset and listen to “flying over sunset” and “how?” much more than anything in Akimbo. Also I think it depends on your taste of show - if you like shows that others sometimes find boring and pretentious you might enjoy Flying Over Sunset whereas if you like to genuinely have a fun time in the theatre you will much prefer Akimbo. I know that doesn’t sound like a compliment but I don’t mean it to sound so bad. I enjoy pretentious and intellectual shows and find myself thinking about Sunset much more than Akimbo (even if it doesn’t have the artistry as some other pretentious shows). Akimbo is just a great night at the theatre though. 

[Aroberts3]

Posted: 12/14/21 at 10:06am

I wanted to walk out of Flying Over Sunset at intermission.  I really enjoyed Akimbo.

[Zion24]

Posted: 12/14/21 at 11:03am

Dan6 said: "I have Flying Over Sunset tix for my NY trip next month and - despite some of the preview postings on this board - have really been looking forward to it since initially getting tickets for March 2020. I can certainly appreciate aspects of a show without loving the entire thing. But after reading the mixed-to-poor opening reviews, I’m wondering if there’s enough there to warrant filling one of my limited slots, or if I should refund the tickets and see Kimberly Akimbo instead. All thoughts and feedback welcome, particularly from those who’ve seen both. (Also seeing JLP, Caroline, Assassins, Clyde’s, and Girl From the North Country on this trip.) Thanks!"

Flying Over Sunset is visually gorgeous. I was bored out of my mind and then angry at the production's disregard for any semblance of an original plot/idea. The NYT quotes some of the lyrics-- thats what you will hear throughout. 

Akimbo doesn't try to achieve the grandness or beauty of Flying Over Sunset, but its charming, funny and has brilliant performances. Its book is creaky but its overcomes that flaw beautifully.  Definitely go see it if you can.

[52889j]

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

binau said: "That is a good summary! I had a much better time at Akimbo, even though I’ll probably take the ‘highlights’ of Flying Over Sunset and listen to “flying over sunset” and “how?” much more than anything in Akimbo. Also I think it depends on your taste of show - if you like shows that others sometimes find boring and pretentious you might enjoy Flying Over Sunset whereas if you like to genuinely have a fun time in the theatre you will much prefer Akimbo. I know that doesn’t sound like a compliment but I don’t mean it to sound so bad. I enjoy pretentious and intellectual shows and find myself thinking about Sunset much more than Akimbo (even if it doesn’t have the artistry as some other pretentious shows). Akimbo is just a great night at the theatre though."

 

I feel almost exactly the same way. Flying Over Sunset is epic in scope and I'll remember a lot of its imagery and music forever, but as a whole, it wasn't nearly as enjoyable as Akimbo. Akimbo is much more successful in its execution, Sunset is more ambitious, but fails.

 

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 12/14/21 at 12:11pm

It's both an obvious choice and a tough call! 

Kimberly Akimbo is BY FAR the better choice. Hilarious, sweet and touching. Flying just doesn't add up to much, despite some gorgeous elements. 

That said. Do you get to New York often? I have a strong suspicion that we'll be seeing a lot more of Kimberly Akimbo. We won't ever see Flying Over Sunset at this scale ever again. AND I think the cast album will likely make a great case for the show. The kind of show that's talked about as better than it really was. And you have an opportunity to see the original production and tell people the cast album is gorgeous but the show didn't come together. Does that appeal to you the way it does me? Haha. 

Otherwise. Kimberly Akimbo. No question. 

[Dan6]

Posted: 12/14/21 at 3:23pm

Thanks so much for all of your thoughtful responses.  While I know I'll be sorry to miss the performances and design of Sunset, I think I'll settle for the OBC recording and make a date with Kimberly instead. Now if you don't mind answering one more question...seating advice? I expect there's not a bad seat in the house at Atlantic, but looks like choice for my night is between Row C (too close?) and Row H. 

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 12/14/21 at 6:52pm

Dan6 said: "Thanks so much for all of your thoughtful responses. While I know I'll be sorry to miss the performances and design of Sunset, I think I'll settle for the OBC recording and make a date with Kimberly instead. Now if you don't mind answering one more question...seating advice? I expect there's not a bad seat in the house at Atlantic, but looks like choice for my night is between Row C (too close?) and Row H."

I was row B. It depends what you're looking for. You're up close to the actors for those dramatic moments and it's good for the scenes staged a little farther back (mostly at Kimberly's house). But if you want a full picture of the stage and everything going on for the ensemble scenes and you'd prefer not looking up so much when the actors are right at the edge of the stage, I'd go with H.

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 12/14/21 at 7:35pm

It's a very intimate show without many sweeping stage pictures. Up close is probably best... though there are lovely images in the last few minutes that I imagine would have been much lovelier and more impactful from further back. You get a sense of them, even right in the front, that I don't think it matters... but... you should be aware that's what you might be missing. 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 12/14/21 at 7:43pm

I was in row A, which was great, but if I had known ahead of time that the stage was high-ish and there would be a lot of looking up, I would have gone with row C. The actors are at the very front of the stage quite a bit.

Updated On: 12/14/21 at 07:43 PM