SUNDAY... Post Your Thoughts & Opinions- Page 2

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 12:46am

Copy/pasting from my post on ATC. Second act is better than the first.

1. Fantastic acting and singing, from both Evans and Russell. I was very, very moved, especially by "Children and Art" and "Move On". In particular, the STAGING of Move On, with so much of it directed AT the audience, is so haunting. Lots of weeping all around me. (And okay, me too.) Mr. Evans' last moments on stage are beautiful.

2. The CGI concept. A lot of people are going to hate it, especially The Sims on stage in Putting it Together. (Please, someone reserve the Sunday in the Park with Sim parody for me.) I was constantly surprised how enjoyable I found it, the silent soldier in particular. I think it's a dangerous concept for the stage, because I found it rather like watching a movie, and the jokes centered around "look at what we figured out how to do" rather than the actual humorous situation. However, the lightposts on La Grande Jatte in the second act were magical.

3. Slower tempi, different and more interesting orchestrations. Because Russell is hard to understand (to me!) when she's singing fast, I appreciated that some of her tempi are slower.

4. The "stupid Americans" scene. STILL funny.

5. Daniel Evans in the second act. I cannot say more good things about it. I thought he connected too much with Dot in the first act, but that is probably me comparing him to Patinkin's George, who was almost maniacal in his attention to his art.

6. Where the HELL was the Chromolume? This was a big mistake, I thought.

7. If you don't want Dot's dress to open up in the first number, fine, but we need to connect with her somehow, and the way it happens now, with a lame graphic staying put while she dances, ain't it.

8. Finishing the Hat was completely brilliant. Just the way I hoped it would be.

9. Gemignani and the supporting cast are all spectacular. Oddly, some of them seem directed to use British accents (I believe Jessica Grove has a line where she pronounces privacies as prih-vu-sees). That seems unnecessary. I can forget Evans and Russell have accents if you let me.

10. Beautiful lighting job. All the way through.

(Now if they could have found someone to clean up those leaves.)

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 12:49am

It was incredible night..but dare I say, Act 1 did it for me. Jenna Russell gave me chills all night. I thought she was beyond brilliant.

The projections were unlike any Broadway show I've ever seen. They utilized the set very well, particularly at the museum, I thought.

Daniels Evans gave a fantastic performance. Obnoxious as hell in Act 1, and just an all around great guy with charm in Act 2..and oh, great voice! American accent spot on..in fact I seriously forgot he was English at the beginning of Act 2.

The standing ovation must have lasted 5 minutes. They left the stage and came back out again. I am getting chills thinking about the show and the performances.

Looking forward to seeing it for the 2nd time, after it opens. By the way, Studio 54, great theatre, comfortable seats, but NO legroom. This was mezzanine, not sure about Orchestra.

[Revolutionary]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 12:54am

Someone write something more about Alex G. pleeeease.

:p

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 12:54am

Any comments on Molaskey and Peil?

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 12:57am

Spoilers

Gemignani is very good. His boatman is very well thought out, even if it seems he arrived on stage directly following some sort of terrible accident. :) They took out the boatman's line about the Americans walking into the water, though.

I loved him as Dennis in the second act - he gave the small character humanity.

Molaskey and Piel were both good, too, but I need to make another trip to concentrate on them. There's SO much to see in this production that you honestly miss a LOT.

[blaxx]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 1:28am

What do you mean there is no chromolume? Do they just mention it or project it? I don't get it.

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 1:29am

Spoiler, obviously.

You see the light projections and the smoke. No machine.

[blaxx]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 1:30am

Oh, how strange...aghhh, I want to see it SO bad

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 1:53am

I'm confused as to how the second act is better than the first. Often when I'm watching the DVD I'll just watch the first act and pretend like the whole thing is a one act. I mean, I GET the second act, but I just don't care...

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 1:56am

It was out of this world. wow. The projections were amazing, I don't see how some will hate them. They were SOOOOO tastefully produced. VERY clever. Though you don't see the chromolume, the lighting effects were fantastic.

The tempos are pretty slow, which caused some numbers to drag unfortunately. "Move On" was one of the only numbers that sounded on the money tempo wise. They're only using 5 musicians like in London, so it sounds very small.

Daniel and Jenna were sensational. Daniel's voice was just as strong as on the recording. I felt Jenna sounded a little weaker than on the recording, but her character and singing is much more developed now. She broke down perfectly in "We Do Not Belong Together" - not as angry as she sounds on the recording... though she had some problems with breath control during the number. Otherwise she was fabulous. Her Marie was perfectly heartbreaking.

I thought accents were going to be a problem, but it sounded to me they (the cast) are just using minor cockney accents to match Daniel and Jenna.

Jessica Molaskey gave a slightly new take on Yvonne. She was actually less cold than Dana Ivey. "No Life" sounded EXTREMELY slow, I was thinking they wanted to savor Molaskey's great voice for a bit. Mary Beth was a pefect Old Lady, and I REALLY liked her Blair.

Michael Cumpsty was a perfect Jules, and Anne Nathan makes a GREAT impression with her Nurse.

It did seem like act 2 stole the show. "Lesson #8" through the end was unbelievable. I was in tears for that latter part of the show, and it seemed the woman next to me was in tears also. I ALSO loved the 80's costumes for act 2, it really reminded you the whole time that the act was taking place in the 80's and not present day.

The audience was very enthused. Many ovations, we practically begged the cast to come out again at Curtain Call. Sadly I didn't see Sondheim anywhere.

The show was so emotionally satisfying. I loved it.
ps. Jenna Russell is a complete doll.
Updated On: 1/26/08 at 01:56 AM

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 1:58am

Because it is the opinion of several here that the second act is presented in such a personal and affecting way that it exceeds the first. Is it likely to change the opinion of someone who originally disliked it, especially enough not to watch it? Probably not.
I normally love the second act intellectually, in this revival I loved it emotionally as well.

Updated On: 1/26/08 at 01:58 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 2:01am

^ I agree. The second act was intellectually and emotionally perfect in this revival. "Move On" looked absolutely GORGEOUS, I won't give it away. But the projection was breath taking for the number - and very clever. I will say I loved how the doors opened and Dot appeared again for the number, it was also a simply stunning moment and entrance.


Updated On: 1/26/08 at 02:01 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 2:17am

Also they had librettos and vocal scores signed by Sondheim. I heard there were like 10-15 librettos. I had a chance to get one, but unfortunately I didn't and just got a shirt and poster instead. Bad choice, I think.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 2:34am

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your thoughts. I cannot wait to see this in April...but the wait will KILL me. (The origianl preview opening date was a week before and I SO would have been there since I was in NY last weekend.)

I fell in love with this musical with Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette when I was a college student. I remember bawling my eyes out. The impact of Georges journey changed my outlook on life. (sorry for sounding melodramatic...but I was young.) I would listen to the album (yes, ALBUM) and relive the moments and cry...all the time. To me life IS the journey, finding your purpose in the world.

This is going to be a great year for the Great White Way!

[areyoukiddingme]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 2:35am

went back. loved it! Updated On: 1/28/08 at 02:35 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 2:40am

Wow. I thought Evans almost stole the show. The man can SING. I also LOVE how they gave him the traditional Seurat look for act 1 on Broadway. New hair/wig and fake beard. He didn't have that look in the London pictures. I REALLY liked his portrayal though, the way he broke down in "Lesson #8" was heart wrenching.
Updated On: 1/26/08 at 02:40 AM

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 5:32am

I LOVED Jenna & Daniel when I saw it in London. I thought Daniel was WAY WAY WAY better than Mandy in the DVD (keeping in mind Im always annoyed by Mandy's voice). I hope I can come over and watch the show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 7:22am

How long was it?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 10:07am

It was long...probably 2:45 or 2:50, but you get so wrapped up in the music/story/performances that it doesn't even matter. I did not look at my watch once.

...oh and ljay, you didn't see Sondheim in the audience because he was at the invited dress on Thursday evening...

Updated On: 1/26/08 at 10:07 AM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 12:45pm

How are they handling the dialects for the ensemble?

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 12:56pm

Geez, after reading all of these lovely reviews, I'm all the more anxious to make the trek to 54. *shakes fist at April 19th* Hahaha!

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 1:00pm

Also, for those who are interested, the Louise schedule:

Kelsey Fowler - Tuesday, Wednesday night, Friday night, Saturday matinee
Alison Horowitz - Wednesday matinee, Thursday, Saturday night, Sunday matinee

[violet72]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 1:29pm

Thanks for all the reviews...I see it in 15 days and I can not wait...this is one of my favorite shows....so exciting...I am happy I am seeing it in previews and in april

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 1:53pm

Sondheim usually always attends his first previews, oh well.

And I think it lasted 2:50 because it started 5-10 minutes late and because the audience was very enthused - the title number and 'Finishing The Hat' received a VERY long ovation of applause.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 2:07pm

I figure come opening, the approx. running time will be around 2:40-2:50, yeah. I'm beyond stoked to see this on 04.19!