610 posts
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Post by ncbears on Sept 28, 2022 17:31:45 GMT
Can Liverpool or Glasgow afford Eurovision with y'all's currency in, how shall I write it, a state of flux?
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Post by ncbears on Sept 24, 2022 14:52:36 GMT
"at tonight's performance, the role of the helicopter will be played by _____"
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Post by ncbears on Sept 21, 2022 15:13:29 GMT
This appears to be ending in January to make way for The Unfriend. Is the new cast just now selling? I wonder if 2:22 moves to a different theatre where they can continue the rotating casts.
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610 posts
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Post by ncbears on Sept 21, 2022 15:10:22 GMT
I'd be more interested in a stage production based on 99 Luftballoons (Wasn't this story already sort of told in Flight of the Lawnchair Man?)
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Post by ncbears on Sept 19, 2022 19:16:28 GMT
I'm in the States so was able to watch the Roku proshot. The filming is excellent - a pretty seamless blend of the two performances with audiences and no-audience performances (which were not necessarily filmed in order). I think it captures what it is like to see the show live - and my daughter who saw this in June confirms this. Note: there are breaks for commercials with graphics to break off - and some of the graphics are .... interesting and also laughable.
I like some of the songs - some of the performances - but the musical is not for me. Glad to have seen the proshot - don't need to see it again.
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Post by ncbears on Sept 14, 2022 19:57:24 GMT
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Post by ncbears on Sept 10, 2022 2:35:24 GMT
Sorry, England - you don't stand a chance against Wales, now. (and neither does the US)
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610 posts
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Post by ncbears on Sept 8, 2022 19:30:15 GMT
Question: Is Charles "king" now - or does it await his coronation?
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610 posts
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Post by ncbears on Sept 8, 2022 19:29:04 GMT
From across the pond - Rest in Peace Elizabeth - you have earned it. May her memory be for a blessing.
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610 posts
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Post by ncbears on Sept 7, 2022 16:08:48 GMT
Any thoughts on Rehab, the Musical at The Playground? It just opened, but I don't see any reviews or discussion.
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610 posts
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Post by ncbears on Sept 2, 2022 15:57:26 GMT
Could the show be Next to Normal?
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Post by ncbears on Sept 2, 2022 15:39:59 GMT
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Post by ncbears on Aug 30, 2022 14:34:15 GMT
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Post by ncbears on Aug 25, 2022 11:43:41 GMT
So, Mrs. NCBears will be back in London around September 15 with her two older sisters and they are asking me for what shows should they see. Well, Mrs. NCBears isn't asking because we were just there in late June.
So, I'm reaching out again for suggestions.
I've got 2:22 on the list - even though a production will be opening in Los Angeles (near where the sisters live) but in a big theatre and not the cozy Criterion. I realize that there will be a new cast in September that no one has seen yet. Bad Jews? I've read the play - watched a table read on Zoom with the original Off Broadway cast - but know nothing about the new Londo production other than ticket sales are not great.
All of Us at The National?
The Clinic at Almeida (which hasn't opened yet and is a world premiere so who knows)
The Snail House at Hampstead (another world premiere that hasn't opened yet - I know of Eyre as director but not as a playwright)
Life of Pi - which we didn't see on our June trip.
Amy Lennox and Fra Fee will still be in Cabaret and I think Mrs. NCBears might see that again.
Mrs. NCBears has seen most of the musicals playing. I don't think there is any interest for Drifters Girl, Back to the Future, or Get Up - I'd see &Juliet again, but Mrs. NCBears is unlikely to do so unless her sisters insist. I'm curious how Ride might be - but it is scheduled to close 17 September, and so might not be able to squeeze it in.
And, yes, there always is Six.... (and Les Mis and Phantom and Wicked and Mormon and Mamma Mia)
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Post by ncbears on Aug 15, 2022 17:01:05 GMT
A cousin from Seattle, Washington USA is going to start at the University of Chester in their musical theatre program. I'm hoping this is an excellent program. She originally was going to be at a university in Wales - and I don't know what happened to make the change.
Thoughts? Positive and negative. But, I'll only tell her mother the positives!
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610 posts
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Post by ncbears on Aug 9, 2022 21:58:30 GMT
This did get written up in Christianity Today. Christianity Today And this shows the danger - the article suggests churches copy Door - only, wink wink with permission or license. But, Door claims to have "saved" 30 lives/souls and, to them, I'm sure that was worth it. As the pastor said - that is why they do these shows.
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Post by ncbears on Jul 19, 2022 20:23:18 GMT
Noises Off is a great example of a play that should be left, brilliantly, on stage. Oddly enough, people I know who saw only the film found it hilarious. Many of us who saw it on stage = ok, me - found the film version tedious and the timing for comedy off and, as a consequence, the film just didn't work for me. I haven't seen Sleuth on stage - but the Olivier/Caine film was brilliant and I think the film used with edits and close-ups and directing the audience's viewpoint to its advantage.
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Post by ncbears on Jul 19, 2022 15:48:03 GMT
I was in New York a few weeks ago for my first time and we thought we’d check out the queue for TKTS one morning and it was horrific. I’m sure if you got there early enough you could get in line early and beat the queue but you’ll still be waiting around waiting for it to open. And by the time the time you get to the front of the queue they might not even have tickets left for the show you wanted. Other people may have different experiences but the day I went the queue was ridiculous. I think if there’s a show you definitely want to see then book it before you go. Either through the website or TodayTix. You can often find discount codes for shows that use telecharge. Also try the online lotteries. Both me and friend entered the lottery for Come From Away and we both won. I also entered the lucky seat lotteries for the 4 shows they had available and won both Funny Girl and Moulin Rouge. And even though we lost the Into the Woods lottery they sent us a discount code the next day to get cheaper tickets. It's been a while for us - but it used to be that the Times Square TKTS line gets blocks of tickets throughout the day. So, what was available (and price) changed through the day. It was not always best to be at the front of the line when it opened. If you can wait to the last half hour before curtain, there were more deals. Also, TKTS used to have a second line for plays - that was much much much shorter. And since plays are rarely sold out or even 90% of capacity, there were often deals to be had. But I just checked the TKTS website - and that line is not presently available. The website says that if you are a "repeat" customer - with your prior TKTS ticket - you can get in a "Fast Pass" line - but I know nothing of how that operates other than what is on the site. If you can qualify to be a TDF member - you can get similar deals without dealing with the TKTS line.
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Post by ncbears on Jul 19, 2022 15:40:38 GMT
They say you should have all your windows shut & curtains closed as cooler inside than out. That is working for me. From growing up in the hot/humid midwest US - open windows at night to let cooler air in - and then close them in the morning. Unless you have A/C
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Post by ncbears on Jul 16, 2022 17:50:55 GMT
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Post by ncbears on Jul 14, 2022 16:29:12 GMT
It's when people start cheering when a song begins we'll know it's gone too far. I heard cheering at start of songs at &Juliet .... although this behavior does seem to be more at jukebox musicals where an audience member is trying to show off that they recognize the song.
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Post by ncbears on Jul 3, 2022 8:23:02 GMT
Results: &Juliet Bonnie & Clyde Madhouse Rise and Fall of Little Voice 2:22 Jerusalem Cabaret
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Post by ncbears on Jul 1, 2022 22:42:20 GMT
We sat balcony C13-14. Nominally a clear view except when person in B leaned forward, my view was partially blocked and Rylance was often right in that line. But a little shift solved issue. I font know how my bobbing affected person behind me in D. But for 39.50£, quite a deal for those performances.
Note, balcony access is by 92 steps on stairwell. Then the steep aisles where handrails are helpful. But good legroom! Also no preorder at bar for interval
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Post by ncbears on Jun 30, 2022 11:29:03 GMT
Another question or two {Spoiler - click to view} When was this dinner party set up? I understand that Jen and Lauren are sort of friends - but Lauren is really Ben's friend and she wants Ben's approval, not Jen. So, the party wouldn't be set up with Sam presumed absent. The answer may be in the script - or very early scene. Perhaps, it was set up before Sam's trip to Sark and that compelled his materialization for the party? But, then, of course, why "haunt" the house for four nights before materializing? Too many questions!
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Post by ncbears on Jun 30, 2022 10:19:08 GMT
Saw this on 29 June with full cast. Nice taut piece. Have to agree with others that the scene change "screams" don't really serve a purpose. They are more like a "fun house" scare and don't advance the story. Also agree that the use of an "underscore" at times is cheap - it's one thing to use in a film to manipulate emotions - but the stage is not film. I did not foresee the ending while I was propelled through the story but, upon reflection, the ending is, others have noted, abrupt. The plot holes get larger as you think about the show. {Spoiler - click to view} After the police break the news, I did realize Sam had left the stage. But, there are many unanswered questions. Why does Sam materialize for all to see and interact four days in? I think there may be a line early on about him just showing up from his trip - but why does Jen not ask him "why didn't you borrow a phone to call?" Does Sam know he is a "ghost" throughout the play? Or does he just realize it when the police show up? I can't recall if there was some discussion about ghosts not knowing they were ghosts - during the Sam "question" sequence. And since Sam is wrong about the existence of ghosts - shouldn't Lauren shout out in victory that Sam is wrong! They have set up that that is her motivation multiple times! Or perhaps Sam says "Well, I guess I was wrong about ghosts" or somesuch. Yes, that would put in some levity to the end rather than just the guy punch of the reveal - but, to me, would be a little more satisfactory. Indeed, for me, the number of questions that arise after the show deduct from the experience.
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