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Post by ali973 on Jul 2, 2016 14:06:21 GMT
Surprised no one has talked about the most talked about out of town (US) tryout: War Paint, the musical by Scott Frankel and Michael Korie (Grey Gardens, Far From Heaven, Finding Neverland 1.0) about the rivalry between Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein starring Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole. It's practically every queen's dream come true. My friend in Chicago who has seen it loved it. I heard some cheeky recordings of the big numbers and the boys who wrote it are clearly writing it to display LuPone's and Ebersole's limitless talents. Ebersole's 11 o'clock number "Pink" will be a modern classic. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 6, 2016 9:05:32 GMT
So much a teaser that it doesn't tell you hardly a thing about it!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2016 11:43:21 GMT
 Opening April 2017 at the Nederlander Theatre on Broadway, following its off-Broadway run at the Goodman. A good place to discuss the impending run as well as those who caught it during the original. |
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Post by couldileaveyou on Oct 16, 2016 11:54:54 GMT
We already have a thread (http://www.theatreboard.co.uk/thread/1167/war-paint).
It's cool that it's coming to Broadway even if it didn't get sparkling reviews. Christine Ebersole delivers an outstanding performance and her song "Pink" steals the show. LuPone is doing the usual thing that she has been doing for the past 25 years or so.
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War Paint
Oct 16, 2016 12:04:54 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2016 12:04:54 GMT
Apologies - an oversight. *monkey covering eyes emoji*
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Post by Michael on Oct 17, 2016 1:40:18 GMT
threads merged
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War Paint
Jan 10, 2017 22:32:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2017 22:32:35 GMT
I took a gamble and booked this for two days after press night. I'm slightly apprehensive though as I've only heard two songs and know very little other than a simple synopsis and the two leads. I hope it's a good risk, they say that fortune favours the bold.
Slightly nervous as my confirmation email hasn't yet come through - I don't seem to recall Ticketmaster being this slow before?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2017 7:48:34 GMT
With this having started previews this week, I'm frustrated that we've not heard much music to gauge the sound of this new musical.
It's receiving a mixed bag of reviews from BroadwayWorld users, using words like "lukewarm", "pedestrian" and "repetitive".
Did anyone see it in Chicago?
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Post by ali973 on Mar 9, 2017 9:49:38 GMT
My friend who is a die-hard LuPone fan saw it several times in Chicago. He enjoyed it, though it's not perfect. As far as he's concerned, its got song, LuPone and Ebersole. What else do they gays want in life? His words, not mine.
I'm personally not a fan of the writers. Besides Gray Gardens, I find their music unmelodic and uninspired. But I do like the topic of this, and you get to witness the greatest dames of musical theatre doing what they do best.
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Post by couldileaveyou on Mar 9, 2017 10:56:07 GMT
The score is not very inspired, the book is repetitive as hell and Patti LuPone is delivering the exact same performance she has been delivering for the past 30 years. Christine Ebersole, as always, is on a league of her own and her 11 o'clock number, Pink, is beautiful. |
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Post by ali973 on Mar 9, 2017 12:45:48 GMT
The score is not very inspired, the book is repetitive as hell and Patti LuPone is delivering the exact same performance she has been delivering for the past 30 years. Christine Ebersole, as always, is on a league of her own and her 11 o'clock number, Pink, is beautiful. It's a good thing you live in the UK. Saying this about La LuPone could revoke your membership card and get you seriously hurt by the gay mafia, USA branch. |
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Post by ctas on Mar 10, 2017 7:43:53 GMT
I'm really intrigued about this, I read the book it's based on many years ago and never would have imagined a musical adaptation. In fact when I saw this thread initially I spent a while checking to see if it was some other story.
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War Paint
Mar 12, 2017 15:13:19 GMT
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Post by Kenneth_C on Mar 12, 2017 15:13:19 GMT
I saw this Thursday night.
Although it's an enjoyable evening, due to the star power on display, it's sadly no great shakes as a musical. There are a couple of good numbers, but the book is hobbled by a back-and-forth "ping pong" structure.
For example:
Ping! Rubenstein (LuPone) mounts a WWII war effort/ad campaign. Pong! Arden (Ebersole) mounts a WWII war effort/ad campaign. Ping! Arden turns down a TV advertising sponsorship. Pong! Rubenstein turns down a TV advertising sponsorship. And so on...
Both ladies are pretty terrific, though I give the edge to Ebersole. She gets the best song, "Pink", and is not saddled with a Polish accent that is occasionally incomprehensible.
Costumes were gorgeous, tech credits were solid, and the whole thing was mounted with utmost professionalism. Still, it never really caught fire and, at the end, only about half the house stood in ovation.
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War Paint
Apr 9, 2017 18:46:13 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2017 18:46:13 GMT
As the final show on my trip, I was desperately wanting to like War Paint and end my run on a high. On paper this musical really should work - two wonderful leads with plenty of acumen and a story with plenty of twists. Nevertheless, this really failed to hit the mark with me I'm afraid. I don't think the source material here is an issue, neither are the cast. The biggest disappointment for me was the score. If it was a Dulux paint chart it would be magnolia, followed by more magnolia, followed by more (ironic really, considering Elizabeth's famed colour pallet of pinks).
The only songs of notable worth for me, were Face to Face, Fire and Ice... and at a push, Pink. These women clearly did a lot for theirs and future generations but I can't help but feel this show is a let down. The theatre was full, and the audience lapped it up, so I may be wrong in saying this, but once Patti (and maybe Christine) leave, the Nederlander will be looking to fill its stage again.
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Post by ali973 on Apr 9, 2017 19:29:04 GMT
I doubt this will run beyond the leads' contract. In fact I doubt the leads will finish their contracts before the show stops running. It's full now because it literally just opened, but I don't see it sustaining not unless it wins major awards, and in this competitive season, I don't see it winning anything but costumes, if at all.
I also booked for it but I'm predicting not to enjoy it all that much. From what I've seen/heard of it so far, I feel the score is dire. I like Grey Gardens just okay, but their subsequent scores to other scores sound so bland.
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War Paint
Apr 16, 2017 2:57:31 GMT
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 16, 2017 2:57:31 GMT
Well I saw this this afternoon and LOVED IT! God I laughed with all hose bitchy one liners!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2017 15:37:59 GMT
The score is not very inspired, the book is repetitive as hell and Patti LuPone is delivering the exact same performance she has been delivering for the past 30 years. Christine Ebersole, as always, is on a league of her own and her 11 o'clock number, Pink, is beautiful. It's a good thing you live in the UK. Saying this about La LuPone could revoke your membership card and get you seriously hurt by the gay mafia, USA branch. Quite right too. If I've paid to see Patti LuPone I want to see Patti Flippin' LuPone. Big, brash, belty and brassy. Lazy, shouty, "is she drunk or not?" diction and everything. |
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Post by ali973 on Apr 25, 2017 15:16:54 GMT
Trailer out. Most of it focuses on Patti LuPone's "jawbrato"
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Post by madsonmelo on Apr 30, 2017 21:08:46 GMT
I'm hoping to a cast recording. I don't know if I will see this one.
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Post by ali973 on May 1, 2017 22:36:45 GMT
It comes out in June. It's been recorded already.
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2017 15:26:10 GMT
Is it surprising that War Paint was a bit low in Tony nominations ? It only received nominations for the two actresses, its set and costumes (which are beautiful!). I've heard from some it should of been a fifth nominee for Best Musical. I haven't seen it (but I have seen a bootleg and it is wonderful) but I wouldn't want to throw judgement.
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War Paint
May 3, 2017 15:33:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2017 15:33:56 GMT
Is it surprising that War Paint was a bit low in Tony nominations ? It only received nominations for the two actresses, its set and costumes (which are beautiful!). I've heard from some it should of been a fifth nominee for Best Musical. I haven't seen it (but I have seen a bootleg and it is wonderful) but I wouldn't want to throw judgement. Gosh, no. Set & costume, yes. Patti and Christine, perhaps. Best musical? No chance. The music is a massive let down full of lullabyes. I genuinely regret seeing it, as it was between this and Hello, Dolly. |
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2017 15:36:21 GMT
Is it surprising that War Paint was a bit low in Tony nominations ? It only received nominations for the two actresses, its set and costumes (which are beautiful!). I've heard from some it should of been a fifth nominee for Best Musical. I haven't seen it (but I have seen a bootleg and it is wonderful) but I wouldn't want to throw judgement. Gosh, no. Set & costume, yes. Patti and Christine, perhaps. Best musical? No chance. The music is a massive let down full of lullabyes. I genuinely regret seeing it, as it was between this and Hello, Dolly. What was interesting too, what I have read with peoples views, is that because Actress was such a tough category this year in terms of nominees, the one that would of been bumped out of the two of them would, for most people, of been Patti. And I would of loved to of been in the room when Patti finds out she wasn't nominated.  |
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2017 15:37:57 GMT
I totally concur. Patti's accent was terrible, borderline incomprehensible with some of her lines. Christine however, was divine.
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War Paint
May 3, 2017 15:43:10 GMT
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Post by Scswp on May 3, 2017 15:43:10 GMT
Tbh, no - it is not surprising that the Tony count is lower for this than for other shows. I saw it a few weeks ago not long after its official opening and, whilst I enjoyed it and was glad I'd seen it, nothing about it blew me away, even the two performances of the leading ladies. Their performances, in my opinion, were both good, but not in the category of award-winning. The score itself was ok, but not as strong as Grey Gardens. Like I said, I am glad that I have seen it, but would not return in a hurry for a repeat viewing.
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