Ten Million Miles - First Preview

[April Saul]

Posted: 5/12/07 at 10:23am

I grabbed tickets to this Atlantic Theater production on TDF when I saw that Michael Mayer was directing, and Matthew Morrison and Mare Winningham were both in it, and found the first performance last night to be really quite lovely. I wasn't familiar with the music of Patty Griffin, whose songs are used to further the plot of a young couple on a road trip across America--definitely folksy and country. Morrison is as terrific as ever--energetic and sexy and fun--and the rest of the cast was fine, too, particularly Winningham, who morphed into several distinct and memorable characters of the course of the show (which clocked in at 1 hr, 40 min last night, no intermission) An Atlantic Theater rep warned the audience at the beginning that this would be the first time the cast had performed it without stopping, but the disclaimer was hardly necessary, it all went really smoothly. For me, this show doesn't have the weight and originality of a Spring Awakening, but it's a sweet little gem all the same. On the way out I asked about student rush, and it will definitely be available in the area of $20 or so; enjoy!

[ashley0139]

Posted: 5/12/07 at 10:27am

I haven't heard much about this, but it sounds interesting. Could you give a basic plot summary?

[April Saul]

Posted: 5/12/07 at 10:38am

Sure, it's really a love story about two of life's losers who find each other during a cross-country trip. The other two actors portray a multitude of roles, including friends and family the couple encounters across the way. There's a big pick-up truck in the middle of the stage that also becomes a roadside diner, motel room, you name it; stagehands are constantly turning it every which way but it kind of works. Definitely a country feel to it; one way to decide whether to go would be to listen to Patty Griffin's music; even though this is nothing like Mamma Mia, it does do the same thing in terms of using a group of songs that have already been written and recorded and putting a plot to it.

[AC126748]

Posted: 5/12/07 at 11:33am

I'm seeing the matinee today. I'm looking forward to it, but I'm kinda scared that it'll end up like that other (horrible) road trip musical, FLOYD AND CLEA UNDER THE WESTERN SKY. This positive review is good to hear.

[mmajer]

Posted: 5/12/07 at 1:15pm

Would you please post the song list? Patty Griffin is my favorite singer/songwriter. She is absolutely incredible. I hope the show does her music a justice.

[AC126748]

Posted: 5/12/07 at 4:42pm

"Useless Desires"
"We Are Water"
"Be Careful"
"Mad Mission"
"What You Are"
"One Big Love"
"Kite"
"A Couple Fools"
"Love Throw A Line"
"Mary"
"Making Pies"
"Icicles"
"10 Million Miles"
"First Star"
"Don't Come Easy"

[mmajer]

Posted: 5/12/07 at 4:58pm

I.MUST.SEE.THIS.

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 5/12/07 at 4:59pm

I love the Kite song!
Thanks for the news on student rush.

[AC126748]

Posted: 5/12/07 at 5:07pm

I just got back from the matinee, and I wasn't impressed at all. Most of the songs don't serve the plot at all, and the dialogue is hokey and bland. See the link below for my full review.
http://tsnob.blogspot.com/2007/05/10-million-miles.html

[mmajer]

Posted: 5/12/07 at 5:43pm

Thank you for the review. When this was announced I was hesitant because I just didn't see Patty Griffin's music fitting into a linear story for each song is a complete story in itself. Also, her songs are packed full of emotion and I didn't know if the performers could convey the tone and feeling of the songs. Well, they just started previews so hopefully they will settle in...and tweak the book.

[Gelfling]

Posted: 5/14/07 at 5:52am

I so wish I was in NYC to see this! I am surprised at some of the songs listed here and a little disappointed that there are only two original songs written for the show but I'd love to hear it anyway!
I'm glad Making Pies, Icicles, Kite Song and Mad Mission made the list but there are other great Patty songs out there and I wish there had been rarer songs like Night included... oh well.. You Never Get What You Want, right?

So many great songs to choose from...

thanks for the review!

Updated On: 5/14/07 at 05:52 AM

[massofmen]

Posted: 5/14/07 at 10:46am

the show has problems,
mr. morrison is a little bland. ms. malloy is as well. Transitions are off, songs should be more in the background and just make the show a play as the songs don't really further the plot. The show is only in previews and I think they have a few more weeks of them, so things can change. I am sure that mr. morrison will find his character and ms. malloy will as well. They are both talented people, and I am sure changes in the script/score come daily. BUt as of now only one of the 4 talented actors wins over the crowd.
ms. winningham (sp?) is unbelievable. I have seen her one other time on stage, and she is worth the price of admission alone.
A real actress on a NY stage is a rarity in this world of cartoon musicals, and movie reinactments. If you have some loose change, put it together and go pay to see this show ONLY to see this wonderful woman on stage. pay no attention to the plot and/or other actors on stage at this time. When ms. winningham arrives downstage center, open your eyes and ears and hearts. She will fill them all up.

Posted: 5/14/07 at 11:11am

Would this show be appropriate for a tween girl to see? I'm looking at this or In the Heights as possibilities for June.

[AC126748]

Posted: 5/14/07 at 11:27am

Yes. There's nothing overly inappropriate about the show, other than some sexual innuendo. However, it's downright boring.

[Gelfling]

Posted: 5/14/07 at 11:35am

April, you say the songs are folksy and country... can you remember what song you'd qualify as country? Even if Patty has been known to write a countryish song or two here and there, none of the songs listed even come close to country as she interprets them anyway... so I was wondering if they had maybe changed the arrangement to some of them or maybe if it was the two new songs.

If you can't remember, don't worry, it's just Griffinfatuation on my part...

[folkyboy]

Posted: 5/14/07 at 11:45am

can someone tell me where the stagedoor is for this show? do i just stand out front afterward? i have a ticket for the May 26th matinee. i'm SO friggin excited. i have been in love with Patty Griffin for a LONG time and song listing definitely made me REALLY ready for this.

was Patty in the audience any? i'm just curious

[Gelfling]

Posted: 5/15/07 at 3:44am

well, she's not on tour right now so anything's possible but since she starts touring again on June 8th in Texas, I'd say she's probably home... HOWEVER, she will appear on Conan on June 13th and has a June 15th concert appearance in Peekskill, NY with nothing in between sooo it's fair to say she'll be at the Opening on the 14th :)

Glad to see some Griffinsane people in these parts, Folkyboy

[irenegrecco]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 2:45pm

I saw this show last night. I don't know what show some of you saw, but this was easily the best thing I have seen in a long time and I see 100 shows a year. I though Matthew Morrison was incredible. He inhabits that role. I was so impressed with him that I have told eveyrone I know this is a must see show. Mare Winningham has a great voice for these type of songs.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 2:56pm

ooh a positive hope! :) yay! when i see it next weekend i'll hafta report back!

[trickiredhead]

Posted: 5/18/07 at 8:57pm

Ok I am not sure if this is the right board to post this but here goes. I am planning on flying up from Florida to see this play next month and I know nothing about plays or New York. What do you where to the show? Can you meet the actors? Just in General what do I do? Thanks

[April Saul]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 12:46am

Yay! Someone else posted something positive about this show besides me; I am happy. To the poster who said, what's so country about Patty Griffin, I guess it just felt country-tingedjust a bit, I wasn't sure how to quite categorize it, but I did like it! To the posters who want to know about meeting the cast, it's real easy at the Atlantic; after the performance, the actors come out into a little courtyard next to the theater and usually chat with people--some they know, some they don't--for a while. It's a very friendly atmosphere, the actors were all sweet. Patty was not at the first preview I was at, but the poster who has her schedule for NY is probably right about her being at the opening, that makes perfect sense....

[April Saul]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 12:46am

Yay! Someone else posted something positive about this show besides me; I am happy. To the poster who said, what's so country about Patty Griffin, I guess it just felt country-tingedjust a bit, I wasn't sure how to quite categorize it, but I did like it! To the posters who want to know about meeting the cast, it's real easy at the Atlantic; after the performance, the actors come out into a little courtyard next to the theater and usually chat with people--some they know, some they don't--for a while. It's a very friendly atmosphere, the actors were all sweet. Patty was not at the first preview I was at, but the poster who has her schedule for NY is probably right about her being at the opening, that makes perfect sense....

[SarahNYC]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 10:30am

A huge Patty Griffin and Spring Awakening fan, I had to attend a performance of 10 Million Miles. I was intrigued by the idea of Patty Griffin songs in a musical and I was not disappointed (although it did take me a while to be won over as it's pretty slow to start...). I am interested to see what non-Patty enthusiasts will think because I was an admittedly biased audience member.

What was most interesting for me was readjusting for a new context. Patty Griffin's songs are so filled with detail and stories, that I have created backstory and plot and character in my head for many of them over the eight plus years that I have been listening to her music. Now, with the new context of this play, I have been exposed to new characters and plots to accompany music that I love so much and I'm still adjusting.

*Possible Spoilers!*

Matthew Morrison, the male lead, is pretty freaking amazing - and, at the risk of seeming too shallow, a fantastically attractive human being. As others have mentioned, Mare Winningham is tremendous, who knew she could sing? Her performances of "Making Pies" and "Kite" are particularly mesmerizing. The lead actress (Irene Molloy) has an interesting voice, but she needs further direction from Mr. Mayer on what to do with her speaking lines and her character development. Here's hoping they work that all out during previews. Rounding out the cast is Skip Sudduth (who you'll recognize from every cop related 1 hr. drama on NBC) who does a fine job playing the male supporting roles and is particularly enjoyable playing a man obsessed with funny t-shirts.

Tom Hulce was there Saturday night, supporting his new ATC piece, and he seems enthusiastic about it. The set, in the form of a pickup truck, is pretty well done (at times,it reminds me of a transformer robot). For those RENTheads in the crowd, especially those who know the original incarnation of RENT, it's nice to see Michael Grief musical directing from above.

All in all, a good start on creating a throughline through, in my opinion, some of the best songs written in the past 10 years. I may revisit post-opening to see if they've ironed out some of the kinks, but it should be solidly received.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 12:03pm

eee! i'm so excitd! i'm seeing it this weekend!

[Gelfling]

Posted: 5/23/07 at 4:41am

hehe... I know I would be on Top of the World

report back when you've seen it, I'm interested in opinions and although it's not as if I was there, hearing reviews, especially from other Broadway savvy Patty fans, is the next best thing.