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Post by ali973 on Nov 17, 2017 7:52:05 GMT
Outside this forum no one knows who Kelli O'Hara is. Now that I think of it, many people on this forum wouldn't even know who Madam O'Hara is.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 17, 2017 7:43:42 GMT
That's it?! It's running from late June until early August? Why even bother? No wonder prices are so high. They'd be more profitable making it a longer run and adding a better mix of ticket prices.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 17, 2017 7:16:16 GMT
Tonight (Friday)-Everyone's Talking About Jamie Saturday-Amber Riley's last Dreamgirls Monday-Venus in Fur Tuesday-Woman in White Weds-Big Fish Thurs-Oslo & The Exorcist
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Post by ali973 on Nov 17, 2017 7:12:14 GMT
^ Can you share that tweet with me?
And does anyone know who will go on NEXT Saturday on Lisii's final night?
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Post by ali973 on Nov 17, 2017 7:09:28 GMT
I think most of the issues highlighted here are correct, but one of the biggest complications is what is called "first class rights", which viserys alluded to. When you option a play, you pretty much get its rights for each domestic market, which is why producers who own the rights for a Broadway show will also have the rights to tour it in the USA. The UK is another option, which needs to be negotiated separately.
I also think that in order to tour, you need to have a very capable team that is knowledgable of the tour circuit in each market can has the ability to set up and run the show across the country. These people aren't necessarily familiar with the ins and outs of doing it in the UK, you'll need a local time to hand hold them. This is exactly why the American producers of Hamilton team up with someone like Cameron Mackintosh: they need someone to help them put it together in the UK (despite many of the original creative members and crew from various productions in America being flown over to set it up with a local crew).
But sometimes random stops in the UK are added to a US leg.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 15, 2017 18:49:21 GMT
Wonder what will replace it.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 15, 2017 16:31:36 GMT
Someone ask Marisha and Karen if they are on Weds! I can see a Weds matinee and am happy to see either Karen or Moya!
BTW-- who is going to Amber's last on Saturday?
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Post by ali973 on Nov 13, 2017 8:58:57 GMT
Finding Neverland, Hedwig..the list goes on and on.
I'm not sure where people are getting producers' sentiment about this, considering they haven't been publicly quoted on this, let alone made an announcement. But, whatever.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 13, 2017 3:41:01 GMT
Kulen is on to something. The whole reason Effie is sidelined (besides her physical attributes) is that her voice was too pop to crossover. Amber can belt her face off, but yes- she's still pop and has a silky smooth voice. The other two ladies have an edge and a raw quality to their voices that is what the character is all about. But..let's face it, as audiences we just want to hear someone sing the living daylights out of these numbers.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 13, 2017 3:38:06 GMT
I wouldn't hold my breath. They announced a US tour in cities but went quiet afterwards and didn't even announce dates. So I think that must be on their priority list right now before expanding overseas. Hamilton took nearly three years to crossover, and Hamilton is by far a pubic draw than DEH. So I'd wait. These transfers take time to happen, if at all. I'd say if you don't hear about it by Feb, then you won't hear about it until fall because Tony Awards season will take over and they wouldn't want their announcement to get lost in the middle of that buzz.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 11, 2017 20:10:01 GMT
Thanks for sharing. It's not listed on YouTube or on their channel. I wonder if they will once Amber leaves.
Watching this is impressive, but I have a feeling she does not quite hit those notes in an actual performance. Ditto to Marisha, who struggles with the more ambitious parts of the song.
I'd love to see Karen or Moya.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 11, 2017 18:05:26 GMT
Siobhan McCarthy as Norma.
I also didn't care for Ria's singing. Her acting was cartoonish and a disaster. Very surface. The final scene, she was a clown.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 11, 2017 13:57:54 GMT
The announcement of her doing Kiss Me Kate was SO meh. So is she only doing revivals now?
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Post by ali973 on Nov 11, 2017 6:01:08 GMT
I don't know, man. I really liked it. Visually I thought it worked well, despite the projections that were practically the set throughout the show, I thought they worked especially well during Once Upon a December where the ghosts would even fly into the audience. I also loved the Paris background during Journey to the Past.
I feel that it was really good at keeping the simplicity of the animated film but expanding it as a more family musical.
To each his own, and I hear what you are saying, nevertheless, I found it quite satisfying despite it not being the most remarkable piece of musical theatre on Broadway.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 10, 2017 4:19:16 GMT
Some pictures of the model set...Looks pretty.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 10, 2017 3:53:20 GMT
It opened last night and pretty much got raves across all the press.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 9, 2017 19:19:11 GMT
I was so unbelievably bored. Every song sounded the same to me. The scenes went on an on. The set was terrible - the projections made me cringe. I hated the direction but I suppose it might be due to the fact I'm not a huge Disney fan (I also dislike Aladdin and Lion King from an acting point of view.) I will say the cast were talented and the costumes were gorgeous! Hit the nail on the head. This could and should be so much better. With a rewrite (change Gleb), a new book and a new set this could go places as a musical. The set is basic because stage ents thought it would flop and created scenery that they could tour with! Yea..none of this would be necessary, and none of this will happen. It's a commercial success, and quite a hit. It will run on Broadway, and will be replicated on tour. The Asian markets will love it and will franchise it all over the Far East. It's not perfect, and there are parts that are absolutely clumsy and could be better. But people forget that this was originally a cartoon with a bat that talks. Growing up watching the cartoon and loving it, I really enjoyed the stage adaptation and loved the fact that it didn't ask too much from me.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 9, 2017 14:23:20 GMT
No one cares about reviews in the UK. It's not a deal breaker.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 9, 2017 4:00:08 GMT
^ I personally don't think reviews in the British press amount to much anymore. In New York, yes. I honestly think in London, most of the shows are driven by the audience and word of mouth.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 7, 2017 20:38:01 GMT
I don't know the plot of Company or any of the songs bar Patti's solo which, lets face it, will probably be the main highlight (based on what @ryan tells me!). Yes, Patti's song is great and it will be a riot, but it's a great score and has a lot of great standalone big sings.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 7, 2017 19:19:56 GMT
Yikes! That didn't look good. For some reason I get a Time Out when I try to edit on this machine, even after posting a minute earlier.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 7, 2017 19:18:57 GMT
Trailer on Playbill
<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fplaybill%2Fvideos%2F10155064718920418%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe>
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Post by ali973 on Nov 6, 2017 10:07:05 GMT
Considering that this could easily be the Tony winner for at least Best Musical and Best Actress, I feel that we need to have a thread to talk about this gem of a musical.
I saw this at the Atlantic Theatre Company last December before it transferred to Broadway, and it was beautiful. The 11 o'clock number "Answer Me" is gorgeous.
"In 1996, an Egyptian Police Band arrives in Israel to play a concert at the Arab Culture Center in Petah Tikvah. However, they inadvertently buy bus tickets to Bet Hatikvah, an isolated village in the desert rather than their concert venue. The band is welcomed by the Israeli villagers, since they have no transportation until the next day. The band members are given rooms to stay in by the villagers. The local cafe owner, Dina, and the band leader, Colonel Zakaria Tewfiq, dine together."
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Post by ali973 on Nov 6, 2017 6:05:04 GMT
Great actress. Not a good enough singer or dancer. You don't need to be a great singer to play Roxy- even the dancing is not a huge part as long as you can "move". Roxy (the song) is all about style, which can be taught. Me and My Baby has two modified versions for less than capable dancers. Hot Honey Rag has a modified version for those who can't cartwheel. I can't BELIEVE I'm defending a case for Sheridan, but I think considering they need a name to sell it, she could be a good fit. I find her much MUCH suitable for this than the crime that was Funny Girl.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 5, 2017 19:46:58 GMT
Strangely I was only considering today how I’d happily revisit Chicago again soon, as when I saw it in London during its Garrick run I enjoyed it very much. As for Sheridan, I agree she could play Roxy in this well, I’d love to see Natasha Barnes opposite her as Velma though, that would be a hoot! Dream Mama Morton: Ruth Jones. There, I’ve said it. They're both too much of a similar type to play opposite each other, and Natasha doesn't come across as dangerous. Velma needs to be a total vamp, and someone who has been around the block and then back. I also think that Chicago has always been a great show that gave great opportunities for minorities, so I really would like to see a POC play someone like Velma if Sheridan Smith plays Roxy. Okay, fine, if not, Caroline O'Connor again, please. I know she played Velma on Broadway, Australia and world tour, but I don't remember if she was ever in London.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 5, 2017 19:20:25 GMT
I've said some pretty foul things about her in the Performers Board, and I still stand by them, but I think this is a pretty okay gig for her. She'd probably do a good Roxy (versus the awfulness that was Funny Girl).
Chicago is a masterpiece. I feel that this gorgeous version of it that premiered in '99 in London has been way exploited to a new level of commercial low (as is its current Broadway run), but when it's done right, it's very very good and an excellent and timeless musical.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 4, 2017 9:18:03 GMT
If you're asking ME- then my answer is I don't know, because II cannot tell from an audio bootleg.
But based on audience reaction on the BroadwayWorld forum, yes, just about everyone has been very positive.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 4, 2017 8:07:44 GMT
Many reviews on BroadwayWorld.
There are pictures of the unit set on Instagram.
The internet is already flooded with audio bootlegs.
I've sampled some but didn't listen from beginning to end...I can't really place the music. It doesn't specifically sound like anything I can classify. It's slightly contemporary, but sort of pastiche sounding. I also couldn't really tell who sings what- they all sound like young Sutton Fosters. There also seems to be a lot of tribal drumming, alluding to Katie's upbringing in Africa and the jungle that is highschool school. Lines are directly lifted from the film. There are a few new ones, and I specifically chuckled when I came across this one..I think it's Karen who says it.
"Sometimes i feel like an iPhone without a case..Like, I'm worth a lot, and have a lot of functions, but I could just fall and shatter"
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Post by ali973 on Nov 4, 2017 4:47:27 GMT
It makes sense. The Lawrence O'Connor version is touring the US, so I could see Cam Mac touring it in the UK again given that the last time it did was in 2010.
Having said that- I would like to publicly announce that it's time for John Owen Jones to move on.
He was good in London back in the '90s, he was passable in the UK tour..But I saw him as Valjean in Dubai last year and he was stiff and without any stamina. Someone new, please.
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Post by ali973 on Nov 3, 2017 16:33:46 GMT
^ It certainly wouldn't have been Kelsey if they'd go with the one man route.
I'm only being picky - I generally really really dislike Kelsey, that's why.
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