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Post by AddisonMizner on May 15, 2023 20:22:29 GMT
I have to say that, with the exception of Cate Blanchet, none of the other names particularly excite me!
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Post by AddisonMizner on May 15, 2023 19:50:01 GMT
This is exciting! One of Lloyd Webber's best scores and shows in my opinion. (He needs to go back to writing a big sweeping, romantic score like that, and do what he does best).
Intrigued to see who the 'huge star' will be. Any genuine insider info on this?
The ENO/Glenn Close production will take some beating, even though I didn't particularly rate her. The memory of the spotlight hitting her just as the orchestra swelled in 'As If We Never Said Goodbye' still gives me goosebumps at the thought.
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Post by AddisonMizner on May 15, 2023 17:49:14 GMT
Do we think that these concerts may lead to a full production? I would really love to see this, but couldn’t go to either concert. Give me a new production of THE SECRET GARDEN too whilst we’re at it!
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Post by AddisonMizner on May 15, 2023 17:47:28 GMT
Bit disappointed that Jodie isnt going to be in the movie adaptation of the play. Same here! I’m really not interested seeing this with Cynthia Erivo. It is a shame that Jodie’s performance won’t be immortalised on film (NT Live aside).
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Post by AddisonMizner on May 13, 2023 17:38:57 GMT
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Post by AddisonMizner on May 13, 2023 17:33:54 GMT
This new Adam Guettel show has just started in New York at the Atlantic Theatre Company, with Kelli O'Hara and Brian d'Arcy James. Has anyone seen this or planning on doing so? I won't get to see this as in the UK, but very excited to hear about a new Guettel project. Demos from the show are on his website here: www.adamguettel.com/days-of-wine-and-rosesHere's hoping that it will get a future life on Broadway, and then we may get a cast recording, and also get to see it over here! So many projects of Adam's are announced, but very few seem to come to fruition. What ever happened to MILLIONS? Wasn't Sonia Friedman developing this?
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Post by AddisonMizner on Apr 26, 2023 17:58:03 GMT
Having just read through what is on next season, it looks like a bit of a damp squib to me. Only two opera productions that are a must see:
- Handel: JEPTHA - Bizet: CARMEN with Piotr Beczala (VERY exciting!)
I may go and see TOSCA with Sonya Yoncheva too, as I would really like to hear her sing live. Possibly the LUCIA with Nadine Sierra too.
I’m just sad that there seems to be no Benjamin Bernheim or Javier Camarena again. I would love to hear those two, so may have to travel further afield.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Apr 23, 2023 18:46:58 GMT
I went to see the BLUE matinee today, and also really enjoyed it. There really is some lovely lyrical music in it - the theme that the Mother sings when she is talking about being pregnant with her child in the first scene that is then repeated throughout in the orchestra is gorgeous! The church scene in Act Two was also a particular highlight, and the one time I got shivers down my spine. There is a plethora of different musical styles, typical of Tesori, such as spirituals and gospel, but otherwise it is so different from her musical theatre work, and is very impressive.
The subject of the opera is important, and it is good to see a modern opera tackling pertinent societal themes. It was incredibly moving, and seemed to hit home with the diverse crowd that was at the Coliseum today. It has a strong dramatic structure - I liked the mirroring of scenes in the first act, where the audience get the differing opinions of the two friendship groups about whether it is a good thing to bring a black boy into the world.
My only gripe would be that I didn’t feel that some of the singing was particularly strong.
Go and see if you can.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Apr 15, 2023 22:12:42 GMT
The matinee of this was stunning today! Incredible performances across the board - I think I actually forgot I was watching actors at points, I was so engrossed in the world that was created. The four hour running time absolutely flew by, and despite not being an easy watch, I could have sat through the whole thing again this evening had I not had a train to catch. James Norton is a tour-de-force, will probably win the Olivier next year, and deservedly so. What he is doing is so brave, emotionally raw and physical, I am not sure how he is doing it night after night, let alone on two-show days.
The direction is excellent, and there are moments from the staging that will stay with me for a long time, such as the use of lighting, although I do think some of the mise-en-scene is a little too busy at points, particularly in the first act.
The adaptation is very good and faithful to the book, even though moments are jumbled around and seen out of order. The play has to cover a lot of ground over its relatively short running time however, and therefore a lot of the detail and nuance is missed - the lives of the other characters surrounding Jude, their work, their relationships etc. Sex for example becomes such a focus in the second act of the play, but within the novel there is so much more to it than that. It is totally understandable though why dramatically it is the way that it is. I do wonder if a longer format, such as a TV miniseries, or even two-part play a la HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD would do more justice to the source material.
I surprisingly didn't really get emotional watching this, save for a few moments where I could feel my eyes welling up. The way everything is done is indeed very graphic - the most graphic and realistic depictions of anything like this I ever thought possible in a theatre. Not that the self-harm etc really bothered me etc. I think it is so much (and more so on stage) that I became numb watching it. It was clearly a lot for some people though, including the lady sat next to me who seemingly left at the interval.
With all of that being said, it is the best thing I have seen so far this year, and probably the hottest ticket in town.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Apr 14, 2023 22:10:44 GMT
I saw this at Her Majesty’s for the first time in years tonight. It was very much on a whim - I was in town with nothing to see as the Carmen at the Royal Albert Hall I was meant to be seeing had been cancelled. After trying and failing to get day seats for other shows, I picked up a cheap £40 ticket for this.
Overall, really enjoyed it - a solid 3 star production. I thought the leads were good, including Jon Robyns as the Phantom. The voice is maybe a bit too ‘pop’ for me for Phantom, but that is a personal preference. Paige was Christine, and I enjoyed her also.
Last time I saw this here, it was old, creaky and in need of an update. Obviously, this has happened now, but I actually think it has lost something. There are set pieces that clearly impressed the audience - ‘Masquerade’ at the top of Act 2 made people gasp tonight, the horse was impressive, as was the chandelier (actually falling at speed and giving that sense of peril), but otherwise it is just missing the something that gives it that ‘wow’ factor, that extra oomph that really lifts it.
The reduced orchestra actually sounded okay, but the music doesn’t have the shivers down the spine reaction that it used to. Whether that is just because I have slightly outgrown Phantom though it is hard to say.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Apr 13, 2023 5:41:44 GMT
Does anyone know when the new season is announced?
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Post by AddisonMizner on Apr 13, 2023 5:40:43 GMT
Does anyone know when the new season is announced?
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Post by AddisonMizner on Apr 12, 2023 18:50:12 GMT
I know they do the lottery for this (which I’m signed up for), but do they do day seats as well?
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Post by AddisonMizner on Apr 4, 2023 9:57:27 GMT
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Post by AddisonMizner on Mar 26, 2023 19:35:42 GMT
Opening today! I’m looking forward to reading the reviews, and wish I was in New York to see it.
Do you think there will be a cast recording?
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Post by AddisonMizner on Mar 16, 2023 18:28:07 GMT
This is incredibly exciting! I would be off to New York like a shot if I can get a ticket. I’ve signed up to their newsletter, but will probably need a membership to get a ticket. This would be a perfect combination with the Broadway MERRILY.
I’m not sure about the title - I think I prefer Sondheim’s original SQUARE ONE. I’m also not sure how I would feel about someone finishing his work.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Mar 15, 2023 19:35:22 GMT
I know this is in the round, but do they tend to face one side more than another? What is the view like generally in the seated areas?
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Post by AddisonMizner on Mar 15, 2023 19:27:33 GMT
Gif I hope so. What they are using is absolutely woeful. My hope is they are waiting to announce the leading lady I hear an opera singer is cast in one of the smaller female roles That’s exciting! I think I know who it is. Would certainly make sense based on projects she has pulled out of recently.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Mar 5, 2023 21:13:05 GMT
Do we think that this will transfer to the West End eventually?
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Post by AddisonMizner on Mar 1, 2023 5:35:13 GMT
Below is who should win it for me. Just my opinion, but I should preface it by saying that I haven't seen all of the nominees: Best New Play: Prima Facie at Harold Pinter Theatre Best New Musical: The Band’s Visit at Donmar Warehouse Best Musical Revival: I loved Oklahoma and South Pacific equally, but for different reasons. South Pacific because it was a glorious, traditional revival with some of the best singing I have heard in a long time on the musical theatre stage. Oklahoma for doing something radically different with the piece, mining the text for new meaning. I thought I would hate it, but didn't. Overall, I would say Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! at Young Vic. Best Actress: Jodie Comer for Prima Facie at Harold Pinter Theatre (already has it in the bag!) Best Actor in a Musical: Julian Ovenden for South Pacific at Sadler’s Wells (just stunning! I still think about that opt up at the end of 'This Nearly Was Mine'). Best Actress in a Musical: Miri Mesika for The Band’s Visit at Donmar Warehouse Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical: Marisha Wallace for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! at Young Vic Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical: Peter Polycarpou for The Band’s Visit at Donmar Warehouse Best Theatre Choreographer: Matt Cole for Newsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre (no competition) Really surprised that NEWSIES did not get nominated for Best New Musical though! Out of interest, did you see Tammy Faye? No, unfortunately I did not see Tammy Faye. I am hoping to though if it transfers.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Feb 28, 2023 22:07:30 GMT
Below is who should win it for me. Just my opinion, but I should preface it by saying that I haven't seen all of the nominees:
Best New Play: Prima Facie at Harold Pinter Theatre
Best New Musical: The Band’s Visit at Donmar Warehouse
Best Musical Revival: I loved Oklahoma and South Pacific equally, but for different reasons. South Pacific because it was a glorious, traditional revival with some of the best singing I have heard in a long time on the musical theatre stage. Oklahoma for doing something radically different with the piece, mining the text for new meaning. I thought I would hate it, but didn't. Overall, I would say Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! at Young Vic.
Best Actress: Jodie Comer for Prima Facie at Harold Pinter Theatre (already has it in the bag!)
Best Actor in a Musical: Julian Ovenden for South Pacific at Sadler’s Wells (just stunning! I still think about that opt up at the end of 'This Nearly Was Mine').
Best Actress in a Musical: Miri Mesika for The Band’s Visit at Donmar Warehouse
Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical: Marisha Wallace for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! at Young Vic
Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical: Peter Polycarpou for The Band’s Visit at Donmar Warehouse
Best Theatre Choreographer: Matt Cole for Newsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre (no competition)
Really surprised that NEWSIES did not get nominated for Best New Musical though!
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Post by AddisonMizner on Feb 28, 2023 21:53:32 GMT
This looks interesting:
Set to premiere on Hulu, so I imagine we will get this over here on Disney Plus.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Feb 28, 2023 21:48:15 GMT
I do not know the original material, but will certainly now seek it out. Love any new JRB show! He has quite a few new ones on the go now, what with this, THE CONNECTOR and FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Feb 28, 2023 21:04:44 GMT
Exciting!
Is this going to be like the initial rush for HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD though, which was impossible to get tickets for?
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Post by AddisonMizner on Feb 25, 2023 15:31:16 GMT
I came across this video of the song "My Dad" yesterday and really enjoyed it. The young child actress is brilliant - I reckon she could easily be a Matilda after this performance.
This song made me well up!
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Post by AddisonMizner on Feb 24, 2023 19:06:09 GMT
I really do love the songs from this that have been released so far. The casting is also a massive plus - I just hope there is an opportunity for Damian Humbley and John Owen Jones to show off their amazing voices! Very tempted to book!
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Post by AddisonMizner on Feb 19, 2023 18:53:58 GMT
I finally saw this last night, and LOVED it - the best film I have seen so far this year (perhaps with the exception of ELVIS). The long running time flew by!
I can totally understand why people would dislike it, as it is quite cerebral and verbose in its discussion of music, and hits you over the head with its commentary about cancel culture and whether we can separate the composer from their work. However, this ticks so many boxes for me. Classical music is another love of mine, having studied Music at university. I also adore the music of Mahler having studied it in depth and even presented on it again at university. Anything set in this world is going to be something that I am drawn to.
Cate Blanchett is not just totally believable as a conductor, but embodies it and gives a stunning performance.
5 stars.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Feb 18, 2023 12:05:03 GMT
Do we think that there will be a new cast recording released? I have been reading that there are quite a few changes from the London production.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Feb 16, 2023 13:42:55 GMT
Random question - How long is Samantha Barks currently scheduled to be in FROZEN for? Are there any performances she is scheduled to be off? As far as I know she's in it till it closes, it got extended to mid October but I'd be very surprised if it closes then, they'll probably extend it again to at least January. And in terms of holidays it's best to keep an eye on Instagram, she posts her upcoming holidays every so often on her Stories 🙂 Thank you.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Feb 16, 2023 11:39:25 GMT
Random question - How long is Samantha Barks currently scheduled to be in FROZEN for?
Are there any performances she is scheduled to be off?
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