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Post by Mr Snow on Sept 15, 2016 5:35:35 GMT
I take it not many of you will be coming to Der Rosenkavalier with Rennee Fleming at the ROH then? I'm dithering over that one because I swore never again to see Alice Coote in a trouser role after being disappointed by her Octavian, Ruggiero & Xerxes all within a few months in 2014. On the other hand I found Rachel Willis-Sorensen a very bland Countess at the ROH in 2012 so the B cast doesn't appeal much either. If only I could have the A cast Marschallin with the B cast Octavian. A premium friend! I will be trying for a package this morning. Fingers crossed.
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Post by Mr Snow on Sept 15, 2016 5:29:59 GMT
Love Showboat one of the very best musicals withone golden moment after another. However when we saw this production in June we were disappointed.
Firstly whoever sang Old Man River was not up to the standard of a school production and secondly
We had seats in the back row of the Stalls and there were definitely sound problems, a sort of echo. This really marred our enjoyment. We should have complained and afterwards my wife and I thought we'd experienced exactly the same at another production some years ago.
I wonder if there is room on here for a separate forum on here where each thread is just to talk about a different Theater? I know for example not to book an Amphitheater ticket at the ROH beyond the first 5 rows as the sound is dead. While the Upper Slips offer great sound but limited visibility at a great price. At the Coliseum I think the best sound is in the Dress Circle. It would be great if this kind of information was easy to access. Many WE theaters suffer form lack of legroom (among many other problems). I can't recall off hand the worst offenders so to share this would be invaluable. ( instantly the pain of watching Wolf Hall from the gods comes back to me). We could also add positive news like best local bars and eateries. Just a thought.
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Post by Mr Snow on Sept 14, 2016 13:39:24 GMT
Just wondering would anyone know what a 'Hollywoood' name would add to the weekly bill if someone was putting on a big show in the west end.
Glen Close? (not for this part, I know she's brilliant actress but...) Rebel Wilson (I know, I know..)
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Post by Mr Snow on Sept 14, 2016 11:10:21 GMT
at Norma Monday Night. NO time to say anything but .. WONDERFUL. Go see for yourself.
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Post by Mr Snow on Sept 14, 2016 10:03:49 GMT
With my basic understanding of economics I would expect tickets to a small venue with a good well rehearsed cast etc to be MORE expensive than for a larger venue? As I age I prefer intimate venues for all forms of entertainment. You are 'closer' to the action than top price ina the stalls can ever get you.
Loved it at the Savoy where Ruthie Henshall (if memory serves) was amazing and love Scarlett so much I saw Candide twice.
Time to stop posting and get buying!
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Post by Mr Snow on Sept 9, 2016 10:00:30 GMT
...there's just something amazing about seeing THAT scene on stage with actual rain. To be fair, it wasn't "actual" rain! I've seen a number of screen to stage musicals: Singing' in the Rain, Wizard of Oz, Top Hat, High Society, 42nd Street, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Dr Doolittle etc. I've enjoyed them all; I think it's because it's interesting to see how they tackle the challenge of reproducing cinematic effects within the limitations of a stage show. And the stories and songs are usually wonderful, which is why I assume they make the effort to transfer them in the first place. I knew I'd be hoisted on my own something or other 42nd Street on stage - Loved it. Pretty sure we saw the first change of cast with someone called Catherine Zeta Jones. Wonder whatever..... Spoiler alert. the curtain rising just enough to see the tapping feet and the BANG with the I'm in the money props. Fantastic Theater. Didn't feel like it was trying to recreate Busby Berkeley at all.
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Post by Mr Snow on Sept 9, 2016 7:35:44 GMT
She's at the Union Chapel next April, One of my favorite venue's and will suit her down to the ground. Though I do wonder if they've told her not to bring any 'Altar' wine. www.seetickets.com/event/camille-o-sullivan/union-chapel/996052Have seen her many times and she doesn't disappoint. Taps into an older vibne where a singer could take anyone's material and make it their own. (PS Don't you just love giving people your money upto a year ahead before you can see the act! To get my wife and daughter Christmas Present ofHappy Potter tickets with both shows on on one day,I had to pay out November 2015 for tickets May 2017!!!)
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Post by Mr Snow on Sept 9, 2016 7:24:40 GMT
I'm highly resistant to the whole affair.
Top Hat without Fred and Ginger? Singing in The Rain without Gene? I just haven't been able to bring myself to go.
Loved Groundhog Day, but they were making a musical of a story. Something new and fresh out of old material.
Next years An American in Paris? Non Merci.
Another thing, I've been to a few Musicals where they 'impersonate' famous singers. EG Billie Holiday or Cash/Presley/Perkins/Orbison and I hated them. HATED!!!! No interest in seeing that type either.
Has anyone here gone to one of these shows with the same reservation that perfection can't be bettered, and been converted?
Better to stick with my originals?
(Funny but I have no problems watching a film that was based on a Musical. There's no explaining that.)
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Post by Mr Snow on Sept 7, 2016 12:46:19 GMT
IF I were to say anything to them it would be.
I enjoyed the hell out of this ….but…
You need more than one quieter moment where a big song can win us over. I loved the pace it’s all set at, but would like to care a little more for the protagonist. Would it be so awful to let him have a moments reflection? Perhaps he could compose a song?
And… We saw this the week before we saw Allegro and that was as sexist as hell and the women were just stereotypes…but was Groundhog Day that different? It’s a while since I’ve seen it but in the film Andie McDowell didn’t seem to be so …weak? She was more attractive because of it. In the play the music where we meet her character and the thoughts she ran through were so predictable I found myself wanting her to sing something strong like “I’ll Know” from Guys and Dolls. She was going through the exact same feelings but with no conviction. If you can strengthen her role you will create more interest.
I also wonder what the set will look like if you have more budget. The small town locale meant a low key bedroom set worked well, but with a big budget some dazzling changes could be possible.
So good luck on improving a really good night out into an unforgettable one.
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Post by Mr Snow on Sept 7, 2016 10:18:57 GMT
I love the idea of this.
Pretty sure someone did a show at the Edinburgh Festival in recent years but we couldn't fit it in.
When you get o know his songs you can hear how important he was to modern songs, including for the great Broadway writers who grew up hearing them
In recent years the McGarrigle sisters helped keep the flame alive.
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Post by Mr Snow on Sept 1, 2016 11:35:44 GMT
First Post. So pleased to have found this forum
Delighted that the chance to see this came up but almost lost the will to live by the time he got to college. Thankfully second act much better.
Can’t help but think Sondheim learnt the most from this and as for an earlier poster, Merrily came to mind.
Finally did no one else wonder who R&H thought their audience would be? It’s not the stay at home on the farm types it’s the badass city dwellers who want fun and not a lecture!
Pleased to have the opportunity to be there and great Kudos to everyone involved with this production, but it’s a rarity for a reason. The plot stinks and time has not been kind.
Ps Is it to much to point out it was Hammerstein who loved life back on the farm and Rogers who kept a flat in the city for his philandering? Was the former trying to get a message over to the latter?
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