22 posts
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Post by mistertonymac on Nov 15, 2018 14:56:28 GMT
I get what you're saying but if I had a choice, the score with a large orchestra wins out.
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1,904 posts
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Post by sf on Nov 15, 2018 17:50:08 GMT
I get what you're saying but if I had a choice, the score with a large orchestra wins out.
I'll certainly see it, and the orchestra is what is selling me on it, but it was originally written and orchestrated for a very small band. The premiere production in Seattle used just five musicians (violin, cello, bass, piano, harp).
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572 posts
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Post by princeton on Nov 15, 2018 19:37:47 GMT
A long post - apologies
I love this show - I'm a huge Adam Guettel fan. I saw it in Seattle with Victoria Clark playing Margaret, Celia Keenan-Bolger as Clara, Stephen Pasquale - Fabrizio and Kelli O'Hara - Franca. It was in a 400 seat theatre with, as noted above, a 5 piece orchestra. It was a small, beautiful mess - there was clearly much work to be done - but there was lots which was very good - most notably key elements of the score. I saw it at the Goodman where Wayne Wilcox had taken over as Fabrizio and Bart Sher assumed director duties. It was bigger, it was better - it still needed work. And then of course at Lincoln Centre where Kelli O'Hara moved over to play Clara and the orchestra increased to around 12 I think. It was, and is, a flawed masterpiece - and, in my opinion, just about managing, thanks to the marvellous Michael Yeargan set, to fill a fairly large space. Central to all three productions was Victoria Clark giving one of the best performances I've ever seen by a singing actress. I didn't see the US tour as reports were that too often it was swallowed up by the huge touring theatres (some around 2,500 seats). I enjoyed the Curve production - though it didn't erase memories of Lincoln Centre - though in fairness nothing will.
So am I looking forward to upcoming production? Yes, of course - the score is wonderful and it will undoubtedly be well played and well sung. But is a 40 piece onstage orchestra, a leading lady better known for her vocal prowess than subtly of acting (her recent recording of Fable is fine - but no more - there's no goosebumps moment), and a venue which has limited staging facilities (it's difficult to think that we will be transported to sun-drenched Italy despite what it may say on the press release) going to mean that everything is too big, too broad, too Broadway with a capital B? And the fact that they mention neither Guettel nor Craig Lucas on the SBS website annoys the hell out of me.
I'm glad it's not going down the full reductive Menier route - the score is definitely better with the New York orchestrations that in Seattle. I've always thought it would be a good fit for Chichester, possibly because it's not dissimilar to the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, so there's a certain irony that the AD is directing it - though not on home territory. And where's Audra McDonald when you need her - imagine her performance of Fable.
I know I'll love bits of it - I know I'll loathe others - but ultimately I'm glad it's finally here.
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3,738 posts
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 7, 2019 19:38:37 GMT
Sorry to bump up this tread but saw my first poster for this tonight on the underground at Oxford Circus.
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Post by raiseitup on Feb 18, 2019 9:18:34 GMT
Cast includes Rob Houchen, Celinde Schoenmaker, Liam Tamne, Marie McLaughlin and Malcolm Sinclair
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2,557 posts
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Post by viserys on Feb 18, 2019 9:20:19 GMT
Who's Rob Houchen playing then? Looks-wise I'd think Liam Tamne would probably be playing the Italian Romeo?
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2,557 posts
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Post by viserys on Feb 18, 2019 9:27:41 GMT
nm, read the news myself now!
Can anyone enlighten me why front stalls are cheaper than back stalls at the Royal Festival Hall?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2019 9:36:10 GMT
No Signor Naccarelli yet? Intriguing...
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6,310 posts
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Post by danb on Feb 18, 2019 11:13:43 GMT
nm, read the news myself now! Can anyone enlighten me why front stalls are cheaper than back stalls at the Royal Festival Hall? Possibly because it’s flat whereas the rear stalls is stepped and a perfect view. Odd venue if it’s going to actually be staged though. Great accoustics.
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2,805 posts
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Post by couldileaveyou on Feb 18, 2019 13:49:12 GMT
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1,186 posts
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Post by theatrelover123 on Feb 18, 2019 20:42:47 GMT
📣 CASTING NEWS 📣 Joining Renée Fleming and Dove Cameron will be acclaimed West End star and 2019 Off West End award-winner, Rob Houchen, as Clara’s suitor, Fabrizio Naccarelli.
Celinde Schoenmaker will play the role of Franca Naccarelli. Previously Celinda has starred as Christine Daaé in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, and played the role of Fantine in the West End production of Les Misérables. She is well-known for her YouTube and podcast collaborations with Carrie Hope-Fletcher.
Liam Tamne will play Guiseppe Naccarelli. Previously Liam has taken the roles of Raoul in Phantom of the Opera, Enjolras in Les Misérables and Fiyero in Wicked as well as being a member of Will.i.am’s team on The Voice Season 2.
Fabrizio’s mother Signora Naccarelli will be played by Olivier-nominated international soprano, Marie McLaughlin, who has performed at many of the world’s leading opera houses including Covent Garden, The Metropolitan Opera, New York and Munich Opera.
Malcolm Sinclair will make a welcome return to the London stage as Margaret’s husband and Clara’s father, Roy Johnson. Malcolm’s career spans more than three decades and encompasses a vast array of West End, National Theatre and RSC productions alongside roles in films such as Casino Royale and V for Vendetta.
The rich singing talent in the company includes Matthew Woodyatt, Rhona McGregor, Tom Partridge, Molly Lynch, Nicholas Duncan, Chlöe Hart, Danny Becker, Monica Swayne and Simbi Akande.
20 SHOWS ONLY - From 14th June 🎟️ lightinthepiazzathemusical.com 🎟️
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418 posts
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Post by carmella1 on Feb 18, 2019 21:39:58 GMT
Goodness isnt Liam Tamne too young to be the father of a 26 year old. He is only I think 33.
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2,557 posts
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Post by viserys on Feb 18, 2019 21:41:47 GMT
He plays Romeo's older brother, not the father.
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Post by talkingheads on Feb 20, 2019 0:11:54 GMT
Wanted to see this, Dove Cameron was delightful on that Disney Channel show. £150? I laughed and closed the website. It could be Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr playing a Beatles medley, I still wouldn't pay that much for a single ticket. Disgusting cash grab.
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Post by secretcritic on Feb 20, 2019 0:39:54 GMT
This honestly looks like it’s going be quite spectacular. I’m sure it will start to discount eventually. I’m very excited about this show.
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248 posts
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Post by gmoneyoutlaw on Feb 20, 2019 1:53:10 GMT
I get what you're saying but if I had a choice, the score with a large orchestra wins out. Light in the Piazza wouldn't be good in a small house. It needs the orchestra and the larger stage. I saw it years ago in NY at Lincoln Center.
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418 posts
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Post by carmella1 on Feb 20, 2019 3:43:14 GMT
He plays Romeo's older brother, not the father. Thank you.
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Post by sagiirl on Feb 20, 2019 8:26:11 GMT
Wanted to see this, Dove Cameron was delightful on that Disney Channel show. £150? I laughed and closed the website. It could be Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr playing a Beatles medley, I still wouldn't pay that much for a single ticket. Disgusting cash grab. I too want to see this but can't justify the prices unfortunately. Really hope at some stage there will be discounts.
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3,926 posts
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Post by Dawnstar on Feb 20, 2019 19:49:52 GMT
Wanted to see this, Dove Cameron was delightful on that Disney Channel show. £150? I laughed and closed the website. It could be Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr playing a Beatles medley, I still wouldn't pay that much for a single ticket. Disgusting cash grab. I had a look at the ticket prices yesterday, out of curiosity, & couldn't believe how high they were. Not only £150 top price but the entire front stalls is £90 or more. I've seen several shows at the RFH, both complete musicals & compilation shows, & have usually paid about £30 for front row stalls. While I wouldn't mind hearing the piece again there is absolutely no way I'll be going at those prices, especially as neither of the 2 leading ladies are how I envisage their roles.
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2,379 posts
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Post by robertb213 on Feb 20, 2019 22:49:16 GMT
For anyone in the WhatsOnStage Theatre Club, there is a members' night on 20th June, £45 tickets including drink and cast Q&A 😀
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4,588 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Feb 25, 2019 14:14:30 GMT
The discount for Universal Credit is such an insult. An absolute joke. Its making me angry.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2019 16:26:03 GMT
I am not sure there is anything about typical staging for The Light in The Piazza that requires a big house. I saw it several times at Lincoln Center and in some regional production houses that were much smaller. They all worked.
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4,588 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Mar 20, 2019 20:32:57 GMT
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559 posts
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Post by danieljohnson14 on Apr 4, 2019 9:16:59 GMT
Alex Jennings has joined the cast!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2019 9:24:22 GMT
I love Alex Jennings, I love the score, I have nothing particular against Renee Fleming, I'm even fairly fond of Dove Cameron, but the prices for this show are obscene and Adam Guettel is not a nice person to a degree that I'm uncomfortable following him as an artist anymore because of his personal politics (which SUCKS because I love his music but I can only go so far when it comes to separating the art from the artist). Why would they make this harder for me than it is by casting Alex Jennings for heaven's sake?
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Post by winonaforever on Apr 4, 2019 9:24:24 GMT
I'm looking forward to seeing this in June. I shall have to listen to the music first because I can't imagine it as a musical (I really like the film)
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Post by QueerTheatre on Apr 4, 2019 10:10:16 GMT
I love Alex Jennings, I love the score, I have nothing particular against Renee Fleming, I'm even fairly fond of Dove Cameron, but the prices for this show are obscene and Adam Guettel is not a nice person to a degree that I'm uncomfortable following him as an artist anymore because of his personal politics (which SUCKS because I love his music but I can only go so far when it comes to separating the art from the artist). Why would they make this harder for me than it is by casting Alex Jennings for heaven's sake? Oh no. What don't i know?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2019 10:27:37 GMT
He seems to believe that anti-white racism is a thing, he came out in favour of Brett Kavanaugh stating that Dr Christine Blasey Ford lacked credibility, and by his own admission he has been - at the VERY least - unkind to women over the years. So he's probably been not-great for years but I just can't get past his thinking that "Christine Blasey Ford's timing is very suspicious" is a take worth not only having but also worth stating in public, that was a very difficult period for a lot of us. EDIT: this link possibly worth a read on the subject: www.theintervalny.com/editorial/2018/09/on-adam-guettel-silence-and-the-fear-of-nothingness/
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Post by learfan on Apr 4, 2019 10:32:34 GMT
I too love Alex Jennings and would be tempted by this but the prices!!! Surely there will be some deals, they cant have sold too many?
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Post by QueerTheatre on Apr 4, 2019 10:47:26 GMT
Oh god. Yup trashbag. Thank you for letting me know!
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