Witches of Eastwick- Signature Theatre

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 10:14am

I saw Witches of Eastwick last night at Signature. It is still in previews but in quite good shape. There was only one very apparent technical problem (Emily Skinner didn't fly- the flying ropes were twisted, from what I could see), but the casting is near perfection- especially Mark Kudisch, Emily Skinner, and Christianne Noll, and one of my DC favorites, Erin Driscoll. The new songs or rearranged ones worked pretty well.

I can only imagine it will get better and tighter. Audience was very responsive- partial standing ovation which is rare for DC.

[LeaGirl]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 11:31am

Do you have a song list? I'm interested in seeing what was cut/what is new.

[gymdudeva]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 11:33am

I heard that they had to cancel one performance because of technical problems....

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 11:38am

Act 1:

Opening

Eastwick Knows (Company)

Make Him Mine (Alexandra, Jane, Sukie)

Darryl Van Horne (Darryl, Ensemble)

Waiting for the Music to Begin (Jane, Darryl)

Words, Words, Words (Sukie, Darryl)

Your Wildest Dreams (Alexandra, Darryl)

Something (Jennifer, Michael)

Dirty Laudry (Felicia, Ensemble)

I Wish I May (Alexandra, Jane, Sukie)

Finale Act One (Darryl, Alexandra, Jane, Sukie)

Act 2:

Another Night at Darryl's (Alexandra, Jane, Sukie)

Dance with the Devil (Darryl, Michael, Ensemble)

Evil (Felicia, Clyde)

Dirty Laundry (Reprise) (Darryl, Jane, Alexandra, Sukie, Ensemble)

Darryl Van Horne (Darryl, Jennifer, Ensemble)

The Wedding (Company)

Look at Me (Alexandra, Jane, Sukie)

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 11:41am

It is a pretty technical show, especially for this theatre. I think the first preview was cancelled. But the non-flying from Emily was covered well by all involved when I saw it in the 2nd preview. Sukie said, "Alex never dreamt that," and Darryl and Alexandra kissed on stage and Emily sang from there.

I am sure they will work out the kinks. I will probably see it again later in the run.

Updated On: 6/12/07 at 11:41 AM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 11:48am

I'm very curious to hear "Darryl Van Horne" ("I Love the Little Town" was a wonderful number, though) and "Your Wildest Dreams" (I never liked "Eye of the Beholder", so I'm optimistic about this change).

When I finally got the see the show in London, none of the Witches flew. It was really awkward and confusing. The just saw on the sofa and waved their arms. The orchestra skipped ahead to the end and there was a rather sudden blackout. The audience was stone silent as we heard the actors leave the stage and the house lights came up. There was an announcement that basically said, "We're sorry, but the Witches of Eastwick were unable to fly at today's matinee". People just sort of looked around in confusion and slowly realized it was meant to be the intermission.

Other than that, the show was mostly wonderful. "Dance With the Devil" is the only song they kept that I still feel should be replaced with something stronger.

[LeaGirl]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 11:59am

I'm kind of sorry to hear "I love a Little Town" is gone but I too am curious about the new number.

I loved "Loose Ends" too but I never saw the show and even on the CD it made me feel like it was grinding everything to a halt, so I guess I understand why that is gone.

[itsahopi]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 12:16pm

I saw it in London and "Loose Ends" was one of my favorite songs. It really stuck with me and did not bring the show to a hault at all. It was a very nice and emotional moment to help further develop Sukie and Jennifer's characters. I am sad to see that it is no longer part of the show.

I am seeing the show this weekend and am excited to see how the show has changed!

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 12:36pm

I missed "I love the Little Town" too. That change, I don't think was for the best.

I liked the fact that Alex had her own song now. It showcased Emily's talents nicely.

[Minnely]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 12:55pm

FYI it wasn't Jane that said "Alex never dreampt that". It was Sukie. I saw the show last night too...LOVED IT! With some time, it will be incredible. Loved all three ladies...Piro was my favorite! So different from "110 in the Shade" (which she won the Helen Hayes for in 2004). Loved seeing how funny she is...I had no idea. I highly recommend the show...I think once they open it will be hard to get tickets.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 1:01pm

Got to see this in London years ago and really enjoyed it, im interested to see what changes have been made

[broadwaybaby221]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 4:22pm

Thanks for your review. I'm going to see it next week and I can't wait!

[Ftworthguy]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 4:55pm

I would KILL to see this -- has been one of my favorite recordings for years. Any word/indication that it was live on past it's DC run?

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 4:59pm

You are right, it was Sukie. Typo, sorry.

Piro was good too- I just have a pretty specific preference for voice types...

[Minnely]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 5:14pm

wow...different strokes I guess. I LOVE her voice! Every time I see her in something different, she has brought a different color to her voice to match the character. In Witches, she is always on the top part of the vocals...so she has used a more soprano light mixing sound. I wish you had seen her in 110...her voice was all over the map. Have you ever seen her in anything else?
I was so excited to hear these 3 actresses sing together. Their blend is so much better than the three in London...saw it years ago. Anyway, I highly recommend it to all those reading...

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 7:18pm

Songs cut from London:

I Love A Little Town
Eye Of The Beholder
Loose Ends
Who's The Man ?

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 6/9/07 at 11:07am

I have seen Piro in Les Mis though I did not see her in 110 in the shade. She had the character of Sukie down though. Very good acting and choices appropriate to the character.

You are right that the three Witches in this production blend together than on the OLCR. The vocal strengths are better matched.

I will be anxious to see how it improves when I see it again later in the run. I usually don't do this, but I have a weakness for this show and the casting involves a few of my favorites.

Updated On: 6/18/07 at 11:07 AM

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 6/9/07 at 11:23am

Wish i could see this, one of my favorite shows.

Pity they cut, "I Love A Little Town"

Lets hope there might be a new cast recording, well i can dream!

[Reed63297]

Posted: 6/9/07 at 8:18pm

I have a weakness for the show as well and was ECSTATIC to get the chance to see it last night. I think it is has serious potential and I hope to get a chance to attend it later in the run.

I felt that pretty much everyone was dead on. The three women really do have a marvelous blend. I have always been a huge fan of the voices belonging to Noll, Skinner, and especially Piro, that it was so exciting to hear them all together! Kudisch is fantastic (why shouldn't he be? He has made his career out of playing roles like this).

I did see the show in London, right after it transfered to Prince of Wales, I think. This production has a much clearer focus and the design does not look like a scaled down Non Union tour as it did in my memory.

I think the changes are mostly for the better...I do not quite understand why Alex is now being seduced last as she was usually Darryl's first conquest. I like it better when the audience sees how powerful the devil is, being that he could win over the "strongest" personality first.

I really miss "Loose Ends." I remember it being such a beautiful moment in the show that brought a lot of heart and demension to the characters involved. There is nothing else like it in the score or sript and I feel that the writers are cutting themselves short by getting rid of it. I also feel Jennifer, as well as Michael could use a little more development, as their plot line falls a little flat to me.

Overall, I think this is an extremely strong cast that I would love to see go futher with this production, if it is allowed the chance.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 6/10/07 at 2:08am

Could some please post the reviews after opening night for me...thanks

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 6/10/07 at 11:44am

Yes, it is in previews until the 15th. The Washington Post will have a review and the Baltimore Sun probably will too, along with some smaller papers. I venture that Peter Marks won't be a fan though he will appreciate the vocals. He did write a piece about the planning/thought that went into the production, which can be found: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/08/AR2007060800712.html

Updated On: 6/10/07 at 11:44 AM

[Blonde]

Posted: 6/10/07 at 11:54am

I need to get my tickets for this soon. I really want to see it.

[Eastwickian]

Posted: 6/11/07 at 5:41am

Thanks for the review, I'm going in July and will be interested to see what changes have been made. It looks like they've also cut 'The Glory of Me' (which replaced 'Who's the Man' half way through the London run) which is a shame, but anything that steamlines and focuses the show (like cutting 'Loose Ends', a lovely song but it did stop the second act dead) can only be a good thing.

Slightly nerdy question, but how was the orchestra? A lot of the 'zip' in the show depends on the energy coming from the pit...

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 6/11/07 at 8:16am

Has anyone done student rush for it yet? Details?

[iluvny04]

Posted: 6/11/07 at 10:41am

If the show does well enough, do you think it might trnsfer to Broadway????