212 posts
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Post by sprampster on May 13, 2019 10:37:07 GMT
Jenna Russell confirmed as Francesca !!
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1,089 posts
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Post by andrew on May 13, 2019 11:48:45 GMT
Jenna Russell confirmed as Francesca !! That was discussed a few posts up, some not happy, some happy. I love her as a performer to bits, so even if it's not the most obvious move I'm very keen to see what she can do with the role. |
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2019 11:54:05 GMT
Goodness. They're going to have to Madonna the score a bit for Jenna aren't they?
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1,103 posts
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Post by mallardo on May 13, 2019 12:48:19 GMT
Goodness. They're going to have to Madonna the score a bit for Jenna aren't they? Indeed. Both Kelli O'Hara and Elizabeth Stanley, who played the role on tour (and who was wonderful) have quasi-operatic soprano voices, which is what is required. |
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Post by FrontrowverPaul on May 13, 2019 13:10:50 GMT
On the one hand, I had no problem getting on to the site, picking a seat, or paying. Granted, it was about 1am when I booked so I wouldn't have expected the site to be busy. On the other, I haven't had a confirmation email, although the transaction has appeared in my bank account already. I booked at a very similar time and did get the confirmation email immediately with ticket download I do get a buzz from reading about a show here, booking my seat and getting the ticket printed and filed all in under 10 minutes. Wish all venues and shows offered Print at Home. |
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4,179 posts
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Post by HereForTheatre on May 13, 2019 13:12:57 GMT
To be fair she did say in the What's On Stage article that it's a different type of music and singing that she normally does so she's clearly going to try and sing it as it should be. If she's never had to sing this sort of style before how do we know she can't  |
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Post by theatre241 on May 13, 2019 13:33:31 GMT
Do the Menier do any discounts for under26? Is Bridges worth seeing??
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888 posts
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Post by longinthetooth on May 13, 2019 14:57:03 GMT
Don't you just love it when you have chosen your ticket, then the system tells you your login information is invalid. You go to re-do your account and it promptly tells you those details are already in use. I know, they are mine! Grrr. Anyway, perseverance finally paid off and I have my ticket. Just have to remember new user name and password now. All Saturday matinee concessions seem to be sold out now, so had to go for standard.
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Post by missthelma on May 13, 2019 18:23:24 GMT
You know that feeling when they cast someone you like in a show you'd like to see but it's at the Chocolate Starfish and until they drop their prices for their dreadful seating or cast Hugh Jackman in the male part, you ain't buying!
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Post by FrontrowverPaul on May 13, 2019 23:14:47 GMT
You know that feeling when they cast someone you like in a show you'd like to see but it's at the Chocolate Starfish and until they drop their prices for their dreadful seating or cast Hugh Jackman in the male part, you ain't buying! I've never had a problem myself with Menier pricing or seating though I do always book a preview performance and a front row seat. I love the proximity to the action there and similar venues like Southwark Playhouse. Also most Fiddler On The Roof tickets cost significantly more at The Playhouse than was charged at Menier as did Funny Girl at The Savoy. I understand why they start evening performances at 8 pm but wish they could make it 7.30 like most other theatres. |
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256 posts
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Post by frankubelik on May 14, 2019 5:55:56 GMT
Booked for this just before Jenna Russell announced - how stupid am I? I REALLY want to like her but find always find her oddly underpowered.....Very disappointing casting.
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1,287 posts
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Post by theatrefan77 on May 14, 2019 8:06:58 GMT
Not a fan either, although I liked her in Merrily We Roll Along. I think I’ll give this one a miss since Jasón Robert Brown is not really my cup of tea
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Post by craig on May 14, 2019 9:08:24 GMT
Oh, I really didn't like her in Merrily... and I don't see her as being right for Francesca. I'll leave it until the reviews come in. Very disappointed in that casting.  |
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Post by apubleed on May 14, 2019 11:02:41 GMT
Surprised at all the Jenna hate. I saw this show in NYC and think there is absolutely no way that this cast is going to be able to compete with the OBC, but keeping my expectations moderate I think she has the right level of acting skill, vulnerability and unique timbre in her voice to pull the role off. Missing this show seems very foolish in my opinion - this is not just an average show but a very very strong score and perhaps the most romantic/intimate show I've ever seen. I could not stop thinking about it after I saw it on a whim (the original marketing was awful it made the show look boring - I can't say this production is helping either). I'm so glad I am able to revisit the show in a high-profile manner with this intimate venue and casting.
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Post by craig on May 14, 2019 11:45:28 GMT
I certainly don't hate her, by any stretch. I just don't think she's right for Francesca which, vocally, seems like a role completely out of her reach. Happy to be proven wrong.
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256 posts
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Post by frankubelik on May 14, 2019 16:41:45 GMT
Likewise, no hate at all but after seeing her by default in so many productions (Follies - second cast 1987/8, On A Clear Day, Guys & Dolls, Sunday, Merrily, Grey Gardens, Fun Home) she simply has never impressed me with her acting or singing. Sorry.
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2019 16:47:14 GMT
Jenna always seems to me like a safe pair of hands. Someone solid you call when someone else has turned the job down but you just know she'll get the job done for you.
A bit like Marti Webb hoovering up the stuff Elaine Paige couldn't be faffed with in the 80s.
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93 posts
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Post by bobbybaby on May 14, 2019 17:07:03 GMT
I always love a bit of Jenna. Beautifully understated. Loved her in Menier Merrily and Sunday in the park with George. Happy to book for this with Jenna on board.
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4,993 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on May 16, 2019 15:27:52 GMT
Booked but what a funny system? Diners have to sit one area and so do folk who get a concession*... I love a theatrical apartheid
Concession is all on the front row. What if you don't like sitting there /allergic to greasepaint?
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328 posts
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Post by barrowside on May 16, 2019 16:08:30 GMT
I've always liked Jenna. I really loved her the first time I saw her in Sunday in the Park with George. I thought she was very impressive in Merrily and Grey Gardens too. She's lovely in concert too - we get to see her quite a bit in Dublin.
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1,503 posts
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Post by foxa on May 23, 2019 13:11:55 GMT
I keep going back and forth about booking for this. My son was the photographer at the Williamstown Theatre Festival where they did an early tryout of this. When I saw the video of the sitzprobe (for which he took the still photos) I thought it sounded good. But then I look at the Menier pricing....how restricted do you reckon the £25 are? They mention a pillar....
(Here's the sitzprobe in case you're interested - Jason Robert Brown can be seen...)
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364 posts
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Post by dazzerlump on May 30, 2019 8:56:20 GMT
do we have any idea yet as to who will be playing Robert? apparently they were looking for some one in Jenna's age range. I cant bring any actor to mind in his late 40's early 50's who can sing this score?... any thoughts?
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8,162 posts
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Post by alece10 on May 30, 2019 9:30:05 GMT
do we have any idea yet as to who will be playing Robert? apparently they were looking for some one in Jenna's age range. I cant bring any actor to mind in his late 40's early 50's who can sing this score?... any thoughts? Alex Hanson, Damian Humbley? |
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1,103 posts
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Post by mallardo on May 30, 2019 10:01:40 GMT
do we have any idea yet as to who will be playing Robert? apparently they were looking for some one in Jenna's age range. I cant bring any actor to mind in his late 40's early 50's who can sing this score?... any thoughts? Alex Hanson, Damian Humbley? Hanson could never sing it. But Humbley certainly could. |
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Post by singularsensation10 on May 30, 2019 10:14:39 GMT
I called Damian Humbley and Michael Xavier a few pages back. Sticking to my guns.
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