I hope that this encourages Frank Wildhorn to get his two anime musicals staged in the West; they’re written in English and then translated to Japanese for the market that commissioned them.
Having not seen the film, I went in blind and whilst the puppetry was well done, I couldnt abide the rest of it and left at the interval. It was SO slow. That first half was longer than the original film was. The GL seems a very small stage considering the size of it at the Barbican
I don’t know the film. In the shows defense, kids were mesmerized (for a lot of it) and adults, too. But a common criticism I heard was that it is entirely too long at around 2:45, I believe. It just goes on and on and on and on…
TheQuibbler said: "The stage show is available to watch on (HBO) Max. I’m assuming it’s the same production?"
I believe you are mistaken - the proshot of Spirited Away: Live on Stage is streaming on Max (I have it on Blu-Ray... been meaning to watch it). As far as I know, Totoro hasn't been filmed yet.
Jordan Catalano said: "I don’t know the film. In the shows defense, kids were mesmerized (for a lot of it) and adults, too. But a common criticism I heard was that it is entirely too long at around 2:45, I believe. It just goes on and on and on and on…"
The film is only 86 minutes, which helps (the film itself is also slow but not in a bad way, it’s more slice of life and dreamy) - I’m surprised they added over an hour of runtime.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
KevinKlawitter said: "TheQuibbler said: "The stage show is available to watch on (HBO) Max. I’m assuming it’s the same production?"
I believe you are mistaken - the proshot ofSpirited Away: Live on Stageis streaming on Max (I have it on Blu-Ray... been meaning to watch it). As far as I know,Totoro hasn't been filmed yet."
Yes, thank you! I recently watched all of Miyazaki’s films in short succession so I got my Ghiblis mixed up.
Kad said: "Jordan Catalano said: "I don’t know the film. In the shows defense, kids were mesmerized (for a lot of it) and adults, too. But a common criticism I heard was that it is entirely too long at around 2:45, I believe. It just goes on and on and on and on…"
The film is only 86 minutes, which helps (the film itself is also slow but not in a bad way, it’s more slice of life and dreamy) - I’m surprised they added over an hour of runtime."
And I think I said right after that if this were 90 mins straight through, I probably would have really enjoyed it. But as it was it was like watching paint dry.
I also found it a little boring and won’t be returning to see it. Between War Horse, Life of Pi, King Kong, Totoro, the clips I’ve seen of the ITW revival (or even the UK Terry G production I did see with the giant baby as the giant) think the novelty of this kind of stage craft is starting to wear thin for me.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000