It was very good but needs some work. The first act needs to be tightened. I also thought it needed a stronger opening to draw the audience into the story.
It really comes to life when James Barbour comes in, about halfway through Act 1. He owns this show. He gave me chills and had me tearing up more than once. Natalie Toro is also great. "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" was pretty amazing. Derek Keeling is okay but can't hold a candle to Barbour.
The second act is tighter than the first and moves more quickly. Direction and staging overall are good. The score starts off pretty unmemorably, but strenthens as the show goes on. Overall, I liked it and will probably go back in a few weeks. Not to sound like a broken record, but I can't wait to hear James Barbour's voice again...time to put on my Jane Eyre CD.
BTW I just saw that both opening nights are officially up on the Asolo ticketing site and there are a lot of balcony seats left starting at $55. If you are interested you should call the box office [800-361-8388] or go here.
It is not all sung through. *Edit: Right now the first act is running 1:28 and the second act is running :55. That is straight from people involved in the production.*
My avatar is a reminder to myself. I need lots of reminders...
Tim's well worthy of idolization too! he's very featured in TALE, playing the Attorney General and one of the gravedigger's cronies. He is hysterical in the gravedigger scene.
I'm leaving for Florida a week from tomorrow and I'm VERY excited. Not just to see the show but to get out of Jersey for a few days!
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
We are having our first evening of below freezing weather this Friday, and I can't say I am complaining that I will be in Sarasota instead of freezing my butt off!
My avatar is a reminder to myself. I need lots of reminders...
It's still warm here but it'll be twenty degrees warmer in Florida!
Son, I'm jealous that you're going for opening weekend. Are there any festivities planned that you'll be attending?
I'm also looking forward to your review of the show. As someone who has followed this show for as long and as diligently as you have I know you'll have some interesting insights.
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
I just received a brochure from the Asolo in the mail only minutes ago. I was flipping through it and came across the calendar and for October 26 is says "Press Night 'London'" and for the 27th it says "Press Night 'Paris'". Someone had asked why there were two opening nights and may shed some light on that. Perhaps one night is for local press and the next is for outside press? A theory anyway. I can't find any more information on that in the booklet though.
Also, every Wednesday patrons get a free glass of champagne before the performance. I'll be there on a Wednesday. How fun!
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
For those interested, here are the official running times right now.
First Act is 1:28 Second Act is :55
There was a speech before the show yesterday which caused the show to start late.
Also, at intermission it takes 20 minutes to switch over the scenery drops backstage which adds to intermission time. It won't be a problem when the show hits Broadway. (More fly space.)
So really the show itself is less than 2 1/2 hours.
My avatar is a reminder to myself. I need lots of reminders...
I am posting this from the program, not from memory, so it may have changed slightly:
Act 1 Shadows of the Night It Won't Be Long You'll Never Be Alone Argument Dover The Way It Ought to Be No Honest Way The Trial Reflection Letter from Uncle The Promise Round and Round I Can't Recall Resurrection Man Now at Last If Dreams Came True Out of Sight, Out of Mind I Always Knew Little One Until Tomorrow
Act 2 Everything Stays the Same No Honest Way (Reprise) The Tale If Dreams Came True The Bluff Without a Word Let Her Be a Child The Letter Goodbye Finale - I Can't Recall