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Post by ali973 on Nov 23, 2017 10:03:36 GMT
They should be okay as long as the action is taking place stage front. Not sure, but it's possible you may lose some of the action that happens deeper in the stage.
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Chess
Nov 23, 2017 0:07:19 GMT
Post by ali973 on Nov 23, 2017 0:07:19 GMT
I beg of them not to have any dancers move as Chess pieces. It's been done- and it looks awful.
Just saw the video of the Swedish production. Very well done. They should just re-stage that in English.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 22, 2017 23:45:24 GMT
I just booked again for Sat evening and taking a friend with me.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 22, 2017 22:47:15 GMT
I'm rephrasing, but Hal Prince once said that in order to have a good musical, you need to have a musical you'd want to look at. To top that- one of the golden rules of musicals is to introduce your song as soon as possible, and not have to wait over 20 minutes for someone to sing. I suppose the singing is delayed to cram in as much "comedy" and material as possible for Kelsey Grammar. Luckily for him, the audience is on his side from the beginning and were happy to laugh along. When we finally get the number, it's Mr. Grammar, one of the weakest singers in the cast, who gets the first jab at a e terrific score (the only good thing about this production).
The entire piece is drab with no sense of excitement or theatre magic in the tales Edward Blooms shares. The entire set is a hospital room and emergency ward that is repurposed to accommodate to Edward's supposedly wild imagination, that only takes shape and form through Microsoft office screensaver. Not sure what the director did during development, because the entire thing was imagination free and with blocking that could be topped by high school productions. Some of the costumes were painful, especially the green ones that looked like Wicked's Emerald City costumes.
Kelsey Grammer was pretty good, though unnecessarily paired with the Jamie Muscato, who has a great voice and will get bigger and better roles in the future. I feel that the entire book was rewritten and split into old/story characters to accommodate to a star. Clare Burt is a fabulous actress, and her "I Don't Need A Roof" was wonderfully performed, if not well sung. Keeping my eyes on Tanisha Spring (Young Jenny). She's cute, got a voice, and killer abs. Forbes Masson was terrific and a standout comedian that made the most with the little he had to work with.
Missed opportunity.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 22, 2017 18:03:09 GMT
I've been listening to the concept album of Everybody's Talking About Jamie, which I didn't pay much attention to earlier when it was released. Been keeping it old school camp and listening to Liza's Carnegie Hall concert.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 22, 2017 16:07:00 GMT
No offene, but he sounds like a shallow and a show off.
Having said that, I know people who a) hate musicals b) don't know anything about musicals c) hate musicals and don't know anything about them, but who are greatly interested. The same happened when Book of Mormon came out. It was the perfect "Bro musical" or the musical for people who aren't into musicals.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 21, 2017 11:57:06 GMT
^ I don't know about that. I haven't seen it before, but didn't have issues. You really need to be zoning out, not speak English or thick not to be able to figure out this pretty basic piece of musical theatre?
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Post by ali973 on Nov 21, 2017 10:21:51 GMT
And later she received an email where they just refunded her and took these tickets away, and now they say that nothing could be done. I feel like I've been stabbed As I already had to return 2 other tickets for June because of my leave cancelled, and this was my first ticket and the best one... That's BS. I would have raised hell. TBH I feel that I would have lost my tickets should I have not raised hell and continuous barraged them with complaints and "I would like to express my concerns" and "I am seriously disappointed" phone calls with them. These things are recorded, you know. Now to be more productive, are there tickets on sale at all? I bought a new set of tickets for May when they went on resale again, and I have to say it was a pretty straightforward process. No queue, no delays, and with okay availability. Good luck.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 20, 2017 23:13:34 GMT
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Post by ali973 on Nov 20, 2017 23:07:25 GMT
Ditto. Thowwy.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 20, 2017 23:06:12 GMT
Nice. But I really never knew how people were capable of doing this "whaaaaw" sound at the end of songs or curtain calls. I just can't do that kind of sh*t with my voice.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 20, 2017 22:56:18 GMT
Just came back from the first preview. I haven't seen the original Palace Theatre version, besides the clips that are/were floating on YouTube. I can reassure everyone that this is a projection/video free zone. Thom Southerland made an introductory speech on how this is the first preview and how things might look strange at times because it's a first performance, or just not work altogether. Luckily, the latter never happened, but there were instances when things did look half-cooked and not quite finished. It's a unit sit, just like the design miniature shows.. There's a fireplace downstage, and in the middle of the stage, a wall structure that glides into the wings and back in various points on the stage while scene changes happen behind it. Though overused, it's pretty well done and is put into dramatic use quite effectively. Otherwise, the actors shift furniture, book cases or doorways to change the scenery. Carolyn Maitland gives it her all as Marianne, although I thought they didn't do such a great job making her the less attractive homey sister. I also feel that she didn't have the awkwardness or wallflower quality at the beginning, which would have been interesting for an audience to see her change into a stronger character throughout the piece because of the trauma and violence in her life. But she delivers her "All For Laura" pretty nicely, and that's half the work. She struggled a lot with her costumes towards the beginning and needed to be zipped up on stage. Anna O'Brien (Laura) and Sophie Reeves (Anne) look nothing alike, so it wasn't too believable that they'd be confused by anyone. Chris Peluso (Percival Glyde) is a boring villain, but Greg Castiglioni (Count Fosco) is a scene stealer. It's funny how I never realized that "You Can Get Away with Anything" is an ode to "La donna è mobile". No fat suit, and the mice are now replaced with cash. The music is pretty much the star of the show given it's ALW, and the lyrics are quite witty and fun. I've always thought that Love Never Dies borrowed so many motifs from Woman in White, but sitting through tonight I just thought that Woman in White is the first draft of Love Never Dies altogether. Orchestrations were very good: I'd say a piano keyboard, a synth keyboard, a flute, a string or two or three, and drums/percussion. It sounds like the string quartets and arrangements they put together for shows at the Menier. The scene where Marianne is snooping on Glyde and Fosco is very clunky and needs to be restaged. She's standing on tables as though she's listening from the outside while it's raining. Didn't work at all. The final scene {Spoiler - click to view} where Glyde is run over by the train felt like a fly-less Defying Gravity. Glyde just drops on the stage in spread-eagle and there's a lot of smoke. I don't know (but hope) that there was an effect in there that they weren't quite able to pull off by this first performance. I thought All For Laura was performed in the interior of the mansion, but once the song ended they talk about how Marianne is outside, but the staging did not look like it was set in the outdoors (though they've done the interior/exterior scenes quite clearly in other scenes), so that needs to be redone. Poor attendance in this rather shabby theatre that is in desperate need of carpet replacement and paint. Surprisingly, the bathroom is in mint condition and looks new. There was absolutely no buzz despite it being a first preview, though from what I can see, serious ALW fans sporting their Phantom t-shirts. There are times that I dozed off and started thinking about work during some of the overdone recitatives, but it's an overall good show if you like the music, ALW, any of the cast, or if you just want to tick it off your list.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 19, 2017 16:23:14 GMT
The humour just connected with me. As i said, it takes a bit to make me laugh at shows and this really made me lol. I thought the book was actually really good for this Can't agree more. I'm rarely making any sound. At most I'd smile. Some bits actually made me LOL. I'm leaving London on Saturday and am mostly fully booked but I'm going to find a time to see it again just in case it doesn't last until March when I'm back again. I've been listening to the concept album this afternoon. I hope they do a cast recording.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 19, 2017 16:19:54 GMT
I don't like her at all and thought she pretty much sucked from the beginning..BUT..she is also a full ensemble member throughout the show before she becomes Michelle in the final scene of Act I.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 19, 2017 8:28:07 GMT
Has anyone seen this from the front row stalls? I want to see it and there are tickets for next Saturday matinee. Monkey? Any clue what it's like and how high the stage is?
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Post by ali973 on Nov 19, 2017 8:12:48 GMT
mmm...Daniel Dae Kim. SO. HOT.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 18, 2017 23:43:54 GMT
Does anyone know who was the girl wearing a black suit (and maybe purple blazer?) who was also in the curtain calls? She was out of costume. I saw her earlier during intermission in the sound booth on my way to the boys room. The sound engineer was full on weeping and was being comforted by his co-worker, as was this girl who was in the curtain calls.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 18, 2017 23:24:04 GMT
Did I just say that? Yikes. Mildly racist. Adam J Bernard.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 18, 2017 23:22:47 GMT
Tyrone did.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 18, 2017 23:00:13 GMT
Cast excellent, glad to see Landi Oshinowo back on stage, just wish she'd had more to do! Loved Jamie Muscato as Young Edward. ^ This. I was very happy to see her name listed when they first announced the entire cast. Anyone recall her And I Am Telling You at the Dress Circle benefit gala (circa 2012?)?
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Post by ali973 on Nov 18, 2017 22:56:09 GMT
The book writer does scripts in Hollywood. Maybe he knows/works with/wrote for ZE and invited him?
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Post by ali973 on Nov 18, 2017 22:54:06 GMT
Bonnie Langford was in the audience too.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 18, 2017 22:50:26 GMT
So, I think I'm over Dreamgirls.
This reminded me of the first preview. I sat in practically the same chair. I sat in K29 tonight, I think I must have sat in either J or K29 on the first preview just about a year from now. Sonia Friedman sat in the same box on the far right, and behaved erratically. Mid-standing ovations galore. Been there done that.
The singing is still flawless, despite Amber's very Disney Channel Jr. acting. Yes, new CC is noticeably weak. The staging is very clunky- despite a very fierce Steppin into the Bad Side.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 18, 2017 17:32:59 GMT
It’s totally in the wrong place It’s not a commercial show It has a good message and heart Unfortunately that would have been much audible If this show had been at the YV or NT Yet Again I don’t know who these stupid And misguided producers are meow..I agree.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 18, 2017 17:31:29 GMT
Okay peeps, I'm getting ready to head out and heading to the Savoy. Who's there tonight? I'm in K29 in the stalls. I'll try to find my TheatreBoard button!
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Post by ali973 on Nov 18, 2017 17:29:35 GMT
I mean, I love Kinky Boots, so this should be a winner! Not necessarily. I hated KB- but really liked this. Overall, KB is by far a more finished enterprise than Jamie, but I thought this has what it takes to make it a better show than KB with some doctoring and probably a bigger budget.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 18, 2017 12:38:46 GMT
let them be!!!
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Post by ali973 on Nov 18, 2017 0:28:22 GMT
I don't think the book is weak. I think some of the content is truly fantastic. It does need some doctoring. You can tell the creative team are young and inexperienced. But it was such a gem. I loved it. I do agree with you, much to my dismay, that I think it won't make it. Whoever produced it definitely does not have the cash to roll it out and keep it afloat if it doesn't sell well.
Hate to be a stickler, btw but Hairspray is technically not a West End.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 17, 2017 23:19:08 GMT
Completely original, relevant, edgy and woke.
A fantastic British musical written and produced by a young team who are in touch with the times. Kudos for representation and inclusion. The music was catchy, humorous and the book scenes were witty and full of Easter eggs.
Cast is superb. A star is born and his name is John McCrea. Josie Walker spares no tears or snot. Mina Anwar and Lucie Shorthouse are scene stealers as non conventional side kick and fag hag prototypes.
Directorially, I think it’s really there. A few pacing tweaks could make moments land better: actors can catch a breath and wait a moment before starting a song following a co-actor’s exit; the ending of act one could land better if the music is indicative of the scene’s conclusion. Currently the moment ended abruptly and the audience didn’t know what to do. I started applauding to end the awkwardness. Lighting design isn’t quite as sharp and the stage seems a bit too lit for the majority of the show without much room for lighting to be evocative or give a sense of the drama. Scene changes in the second can be quicker and smoother. The sound during chorus number isn’t crisp, ironically even in the pre-recorded numbers.
This show cannot compete with the spare no expense Sonia Friedman or Cam Mac musical that dominate London- not the finishing or promotional efforts, but my does it deserve the recognition and support. Go see it.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 17, 2017 7:58:21 GMT
I wouldn't be surprised if the cast recording producers reissue the OBC with bonus tracks that include the cut material. I personally want an alternative version of Waving Through A Window with all the dialogue. Sometimes I feel like I have crystal ball. Dear Evan Hansen to Release Special Edition Vinyl with Never-Before-Heard Track The 2017 Tony-winning Best Musical Dear Evan Hansen has announced the release of a limited-edition 12" vinyl picture disc (and accompanying digital track) including one of the show’s most popular songs, “Waving Through a Window,” paired with the previously unreleased, never-before-heard track “In the Bedroom Down the Hall.” The song is written by Tony winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and performed by Tony winner Rachel Bay Jones and Tony nominee Jennifer Laura Thompson. “In the Bedroom Down the Hall” will also be released digitally and will be available for streaming and download. This news comes just as Dear Evan Hansen's behind-the-scenes book Through the Window preps for a November 21 release. www.broadway.com/buzz/190406/odds-ends-dear-evan-hansen-to-release-vinyl-with-never-before-heard-track-more/
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