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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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Post by AddisonMizner on Feb 11, 2023 21:06:24 GMT
As I have said before on here, I remember seeing the recording of NEWSIES and loving it. Today, I saw this new production in the flesh, and I adored the piece all over again. The time absolutely flew by!
The staging is magnificent - the use of the space was excellent (although, I’m not quite sure that I would call it immersive), and the dancing and choreography were stunning! The energy coming from the stage was off the charts, and the audience lapped it up.
The score is a marvel. Song after song hits it out of the park (with the exception of ‘The Bottom Line’, which doesn’t quite land, and I found my mind wondering). I’ve had the ear worm of ‘Something to Believe In’ stuck in my head since seeing the show!
That is not to say that I didn’t have some slight reservations. As some have said on here, the sound is hit and miss, making some of the lyrics and dialogue unintelligible. The band were too loud at points, but then at other points, I thought the whole thing was too quiet.
The singing was not great for me either. There were some audibly bum notes, and Jack Kelly was clearly vocally tired near the end. Understandably though, they went for dancers first over everything else.
Overall, an electric experience. Glad to have finally seen this live and ticked it off my list. A great way to start my theatre-going of 2023!
4 stars.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Feb 11, 2023 9:10:48 GMT
Unexpected news, but exciting. I would love to see this!
Thanks also for the info on Jackson’s new musical. I didn’t know about it, so will have to look into it now.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Feb 8, 2023 19:06:28 GMT
I hated GHOST unfortunately - I just thought it was terrible on almost every level.
I am interested in this though because of the novel. Am I going to hate it? What is the score like?
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Post by AddisonMizner on Dec 29, 2022 11:46:32 GMT
Here is my top 5. The top 3 are the ones that really wowed me:
1. It’s A Wonderful Life (ENO) 2. Prima Facie (Harold Pinter) 3. South Pacific (UK Tour - Theatre Royal, Nottingham) 4. La Belle Sauvage (Bridge Theatre) 5. The Band’s Visit (Donmar)
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Post by AddisonMizner on Dec 23, 2022 18:26:29 GMT
Count me excited too! Really looking forward to it.
Hoping for the announcement of the West End run soon too!
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Post by AddisonMizner on Dec 23, 2022 18:20:39 GMT
I’ve just finished watching this, and adored it.
A clever twist on the overdone tale, with a sense of self-referential humour, and as said above, pathos and emotional pay-off.
The songs are wonderful - probably Pasek and Paul’s best in my opinion. They don’t just stick to their generic pop sound (although this is very much still in evidence), but there are some other welcome styles depending on which direction the story takes (such as the Leslie Bricusse/Lionel Bart pastiche).
It looks gorgeous, and the musical numbers practically leap from the screen so much is the energy of the cast.
It does slightly out-stay its welcome. There are one-too-many musical numbers, so it gets a little flabby. I also agree about some of the CGI.
Overall, very much worth a watch.
4 stars.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Dec 12, 2022 21:48:10 GMT
I think that this is quite exciting - especially with that sized orchestra in that space. Any chance of Sierra Boggess do we think? She was due to do it when originally announced years ago.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Dec 3, 2022 19:48:05 GMT
I have just seen IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE at ENO this afternoon. Well, if this opera and production doesn’t explain why the Arts Council decision needs to be reversed, I don’t know what does! By far the best thing I have EVER seen at ENO by a country mile!
I love opera with all of my heart, and it is one of my deepest passions, but I have never been as moved or emotional at the opera as I was this afternoon. I had tears streaming by the end, and was welling up throughout - at a musical figure, a dramatic moment, a combination of voices or the chorus singing full throttle.
The music is GLORIOUS! Lyrical and singable (I can see why singers love performing his music), but attached to time and place in a way few operas are, and dramatic. The decision to have the scene where Clara shows George what life would have been like without him to be all dialogue, without music was a masterstroke, and I am still moved when even thinking about it to write this. I remember years ago hearing Joyce DiDonato sing a song cycle of Jake Heggie’s, and I enjoyed it. I have followed his music since then. I hope we get to see more of his work done in the UK.
The production is beautiful. There is wonderful use of projection throughout, but the physical elements are also impressive.
The cast did an excellent job.
Please go and see this if you can during its run (I believe it finishes next Saturday, 10th December). It will be an acquired taste - some will think it is a bit schmaltzy, but I am a sucker for that!
5 stars from me!
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Post by AddisonMizner on Nov 29, 2022 18:28:44 GMT
Any idea what theatre they are looking at for it?
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Post by AddisonMizner on Nov 29, 2022 18:06:54 GMT
They are also planning on bringing the concert back for a 6-8 week run.. led by Bernadette Peters. Please god let this happen. Please let this be true!
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Post by AddisonMizner on Nov 26, 2022 23:55:45 GMT
Does anyone know if this show is getting a further life?
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Post by AddisonMizner on Nov 26, 2022 23:53:17 GMT
I searched for a thread, but couldn't find one. Apologies if there is.
I finally watched DISENCHANTED tonight. Whilst it has had mixed reviews, I have to say that I absolutely LOVED it! I would even go as far to say that it was better than the original.
The two hour running time zipped along. I laughed and I cried. The story is good. The new songs by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz are excellent. 'Love Power' is the obvious big one, but there are so many others. 'Badder', the duet between Amy Adams and Maya Rudolph is an absolute bop, and I also enjoyed 'Fairytale Life' and 'Perfect' sung by Gabriella Baldacchino.
I loved all of the references to older Disney films peppered throughout in the direction, visuals and even the music (there were references to the original 'Enchanted' in some of the underscoring, but I am sure songs from 'Beauty and the Beast' etc). It looked visually stunning too!
Absolutely worth a few hours of your time.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Nov 23, 2022 21:27:15 GMT
Thank you.
All booked for April. Really looking forward to it, and with a great cast too!
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Post by AddisonMizner on Nov 23, 2022 20:38:21 GMT
When is press night?
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Post by AddisonMizner on Nov 16, 2022 19:18:53 GMT
Thanks for the info!
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Post by AddisonMizner on Nov 12, 2022 21:02:35 GMT
I’ve been to today’s matinee. I had followed the show online when it initially opened in New York, and had listened to the cast recording. I was excited when it was announced for the Donmar and knew that I had to book.
Not much happens in terms of plot - that most certainly is true. However, a lot happens in terms of character development and relationships, and the book does an excellent job of unveiling these to the audience. The use of silence, movement, gesture and the unsaid is also stunning, and rare in a musical.
It is a quietly beautiful and moving show. I had shivers down my spine and tears in my eyes at various points (‘The Beat of Your Heart’, ‘Omar Sharif’, ‘Answer Me’ and some of the book scenes instantly spring to mind). It deals with very similar themes to that of COME FROM AWAY (although that show packs a much bigger emotional punch in my opinion) - ultimately looking at the idea of connection.
What also struck me was how funny the show was, which I was not expecting. I did laugh out loud at times.
The cast did a uniformly excellent job, and the band were stunning. I also enjoyed the direction.
I need to seek out the film now.
4 stars
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Post by AddisonMizner on Nov 12, 2022 20:39:03 GMT
Does anyone know when this is due to be announced officially?
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Post by AddisonMizner on Nov 10, 2022 18:29:06 GMT
I LOVE Candide, so disappointed that I won’t be able to get to this. As said above, there is no matinee and no weekend show in Birmingham (probably my closest venue).
I really enjoyed the Menier production too. It was a really inventive staging. However, my favourite was the LSO concert for the Bernstein centenary. The memory of ‘Make Our Garden Grow’ with a full orchestra and being sung full throttle still puts tears in my eyes and gives me goosebumps at the memory.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Nov 9, 2022 20:18:12 GMT
I was thinking about this not long ago. Really looking forward to it.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Nov 4, 2022 19:12:53 GMT
Do we think this has any chance of a Broadway transfer a la INTO THE WOODS? I'm thinking of possibly making a trip to New York next year to see the SWEENEY TODD revival, and it would be ideal if this transferred for then. I've never seen a production of PARADE, but I love it! One of JRB's best scores alongside THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. It's rumored to have a Spring transfer and the reviews are encouraging Sounds like perfect timing for me!
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Post by AddisonMizner on Nov 3, 2022 22:32:24 GMT
Do we think this has any chance of a Broadway transfer a la INTO THE WOODS? I'm thinking of possibly making a trip to New York next year to see the SWEENEY TODD revival, and it would be ideal if this transferred for then. I've never seen a production of PARADE, but I love it! One of JRB's best scores alongside THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Oct 25, 2022 12:25:54 GMT
I really would love this to transfer, extend or announce another season at the Barbican, as I probably am not going to get a chance to see it otherwise.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Oct 25, 2022 9:12:35 GMT
How exciting! Hoping that A LITTLE LIFE is officially announced soon. I would also like to know if it is a new English translation or in Dutch. Not that surtitles bother me - I’m use to them in opera.
Maybe we should start a new A LITTLE LIFE thread so as not to hijack Tammy Faye.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Oct 24, 2022 7:41:10 GMT
I hope it's not A Little Life I hope it is! Consider me booked if it is A LITTLE LIFE!
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Post by AddisonMizner on Oct 17, 2022 20:50:39 GMT
Got my tickets too for a matinee in September. Really surprised by how easy it was to get tickets, but am very excited!
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Post by AddisonMizner on Oct 17, 2022 20:49:33 GMT
Another exciting announcement! I only know 'A Human Heart' from this show, but this may finally get me to the Open Air.
When do tickets go on sale?
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