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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2016 13:42:52 GMT
Why don't they give Amber two shows a week off (Monday and Wednesday night) like Beverley gets in The Bodyguard then two alternates can play each week? That way the alternates get more show time and Amber can rest more? Never heard of a show having 3 alternates though.....very surprising as they have an understudy too?! Oooooor... just have one alternate and two understudies, like a normal show.  I get that it is a big role and a big sing, but using a recent example, Imelda didn't have an alternate for Gypsy and that is arguably one of the toughest roles out there! |
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Post by princeton on Dec 22, 2016 15:08:22 GMT
So a new alternate who has played the role before and has a couple of Broadway appearances as well as a major US tour - all directed by Casey Nicholaw. Sounds a bit fishy to me - I bet I can guess who will be the first cover - and it won't be either of the current alternates.
No doubt Sonia F and co will spin it into a big story - bringing over someone from Broadway hand picked by Casey - after he saw her perform the role at a regional theatre. Possibly to coincide with the change of performance schedule so that those who have already booked for a Monday (on the basis that that was a scheduled Amber Riley performance) are seeing an experience broadway performer rather than someone raw and untested. Of course if this happens it's a bummer for Karen Mav and Ruth Brown - the show tells how cruel the business is - and I fear that it's going to play out in real life too.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2016 15:32:17 GMT
So a new alternate who has played the role before and has a couple of Broadway appearances as well as a major US tour - all directed by Casey Nicholaw. Sounds a bit fishy to me - I bet I can guess who will be the first cover - and it won't be either of the current alternates. No doubt Sonia F and co will spin it into a big story - bringing over someone from Broadway hand picked by Casey - after he saw her perform the role at a regional theatre. Possibly to coincide with the change of performance schedule so that those who have already booked for a Monday (on the basis that that was a scheduled Amber Riley performance) are seeing an experience broadway performer rather than someone raw and untested. Of course if this happens it's a bummer for Karen Mav and Ruth Brown - the show tells how cruel the business is - and I fear that it's going to play out in real life too. Well that is another point, after there was a bit of backlash over Karen not being as good as Amber (I haven't seen it so can't judge, just going on what I have read here and other places) and it evidently bothering Karen based on that tweet saying she is "only human" maybe they are looking to bring someone different in, maybe who alreafy had stellar reviews in the role? Horrible as it sounds, it wouldn't surprise me. |
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Post by HereForTheatre on Dec 22, 2016 15:36:11 GMT
To be honest, it always felt to me they had to be seen to have some British performers for the role. I never understood their casting really because are you telling me that there were no MT performers who were better for the role than two obscure reality tv participants who didn't even do that well and aren't known and haven't ever done anything like this before?
The whole thing was/is fishy to me, even before this new casting.
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Post by princeton on Dec 22, 2016 16:20:10 GMT
Let's not forget that they did open auditions to find the leads - yet somehow cast an Effie who had sung that song on American network television!! (indeed i wonder whether anyone was cast via the open auditions- or whether they were just a PR stunt)
Worth noting that there was no alternate Effie in the original Broadway company - but Jennifer Holliday had a very patchy attendance record (as did some of her replacements) so they had a whole pool of standbys and understudies who could go on. Of course Holliday wasn't really well know before she did this show - and although it made her a star - it wasn't as though she was a household name to most of the audience.
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Post by Mark on Dec 22, 2016 18:19:15 GMT
Feeling mega lucky, won the lottery for a second time tonight! Perfect way to end my theatre going year.
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Post by dazzerlump on Dec 22, 2016 19:22:09 GMT
do they have any memorabilia for sale at the Theatre yet? From memory, they have posters, tote bags and possibly key rings... Aww I wanted a T-Shirt! |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2016 22:02:47 GMT
There may well be tees, but I don't tend to pay attention to apparel as I never buy it.
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Post by talkstageytome on Dec 22, 2016 22:08:31 GMT
There are tshirts and hoodie type things too I think...
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Post by anthony40 on Dec 22, 2016 22:17:43 GMT
Feeling mega lucky, won the lottery for a second time tonight! Perfect way to end my theatre going year. Sorry, can I just clarify? Are they doing a lottery at the theatre for each performance? |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2016 22:20:30 GMT
Feeling mega lucky, won the lottery for a second time tonight! Perfect way to end my theatre going year. Sorry, can I just clarify? Are they doing a lottery at the theatre for each performance? Lottery is just done via TodayTix.  |
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Post by anthony40 on Dec 22, 2016 22:30:18 GMT
Sorry, can I just clarify? Are they doing a lottery at the theatre for each performance? Lottery is just done via TodayTix. Ah, thanks danieljohnson14. Thought this might have been the case, which is why I asked. |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 22, 2016 22:33:40 GMT
That's a lot of people hanging around praying someone gets ill.
This could go into a certain Xmas song..
On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me.. 18 standby Effies..
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2016 22:37:17 GMT
This will surely win big at the Oliviers next year!!
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Post by HereForTheatre on Dec 22, 2016 22:41:49 GMT
I've heard there is a new category. Best Alternate Effie White in Dreamgirls. Crowded category. Could go to anyone.
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Post by Mark on Dec 22, 2016 22:51:44 GMT
This hasn't gotten a lot tighter!
Step into the bad side is so slick now - absolutely amazing to watch. Amber still on fire, Joe was the strongest he has been too.
Understudy on for Lorrell (I didn't catch the name unfortunately)- fit in very nicely and did a really great job.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2016 23:24:14 GMT
This hasn't gotten a lot tighter! Step into the bad side is so slick now - absolutely amazing to watch. Amber still on fire, Joe was the strongest he has been too. Understudy on for Lorrell (I didn't catch the name unfortunately)- fit in very nicely and did a really great job. Jocasta Algmill is currently on as Lorell |
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Post by westendwendy on Dec 23, 2016 5:49:55 GMT
A 3rd alternate for Effie has been cast.....Marisha Wallace How many alternates?! Considering the 2nd one hasn't even been on yet... The whole alternate situation is a joke at this show. Its only one performance a week and even then only Karen has been on. I doubt the 2nd will go on much, let alone this girl. Talented as they are, what a joke! The only upside is she can put on her CV she was cast as Alternate Effie White. I don't think it's a joke at all. It's a new show, they are testing the waters and Karen obviously isn't good enough so they are bringing another cover in. As proven with Matilda this week you need back ups for sickness, cover shows and holidays. 2nd and 3rd covers do go on. Marisha is amazing and it's a great idea - plus this show is going nowhere, it will run and run. Word of mouth will make sure of it. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2016 12:46:18 GMT
3 Alternates is ridiculous. The Matilda situation is completely different; in Dreamgirls they are all adults. Doesn't Effie also have understudies?
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Post by Michael on Dec 23, 2016 12:48:37 GMT
I do wonder when the first alternate gets her own understudy  |
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Post by westendwendy on Dec 23, 2016 12:53:21 GMT
What's the issue? Elpheba has the same. Rachel in the Bodyguard also has an alternate and understudies. It's one of the biggest sings in a show ever.
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Post by theatre-turtle on Dec 23, 2016 12:58:23 GMT
Does anyone know who is on this afternoon for Effie?
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Post by Michael on Dec 23, 2016 13:01:56 GMT
What's the issue? Elpheba has the same. Rachel in the Bodyguard also has an alternate and understudies. It's one of the biggest sings in a show ever. Apart from the German (and maybe Dutch) production(s), Elphaba did not have an alternate but rather a standby who, unlike the alternate, doesn't have a guaranteed show per week. Usually, the main Elphaba is performing all eight weekly shows herself. Having an alternate is not the issue - having more than one alternate is. At least in my definition, an alternate has one or two guaranteed shows per week, and I doubt they have. What's wrong with having one alternate and two understudies? |
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Post by theatre-turtle on Dec 23, 2016 14:09:48 GMT
Booked a last minute ticket for the matinee. Amber is on  |
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Post by theatre-turtle on Dec 23, 2016 15:54:21 GMT
Interval thoughts:
- production values absolutely outstanding. It's visually incredible and the staging is very clever. Sonia and co really didn't disappoint with this one
- understudy Lorrell is struggling a bit and her voice has cracked a few times. Understudy Jimmy is excellent though. Wouldn't have guessed he was understudy
- do I spot one of the guys from Stage School in the ensemble? He has quite a distinctive smile
- for all the praise Amber has gotten (deserved), for me Deena has stolen the show (ironic). Her performance is pitched really well and she achieves the timidity that Beyoncé failed to in the movie
- the volume is too loud. Everything is LOUD and you don't get the crescendo of the dramatic moments
- crowd is not well behaved. Russian lady next to me is clearly drunk and going on her phone the whole time. Lots of talking, singing along and screaming randomly during the songs. The last half of I am telling you was barely audible despite the volume being very very high
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