Broadway Banter: A New "Season of Savings" offer to kick off a new thread
Mar 27th, 2013, 06:47 PM
#43
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I saw Assembled Parties tonight - really enjoyed it. I would suggest to others to see it after it opens since I've heard from a reliable source that there might be some rewrites.
Rhea - I've heard only good things about Ann and look forward to seeing it soon. Worse than Breakfast was The Lying Lesson with Carol Kane - we left during intermission!
Rhea - I've heard only good things about Ann and look forward to seeing it soon. Worse than Breakfast was The Lying Lesson with Carol Kane - we left during intermission!
Mar 28th, 2013, 04:05 AM
#44
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OH wow, CPG, I was so looking forward to The Lying Lesson, and thought I'd see it yesterday but managed a returned ticket to The Last Five Years instead, thinking I'd see The Lying Lesson next week, but then realized it closes this week (as planned). So, you're saying I didn't miss much?
Mar 28th, 2013, 10:15 AM
#46
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While standing in line at TKTS a few weeks ago, I was chatting with the man in front of me -- a retired Broadway stage manager in fact. I mentioned I was thinking of The Madrid and he rolled his eyes then said it was one of the dullest things he had ever seen. Checking on some blogs, I found many similar remarks, and except for some people who say "I LOVE Edie Falco" I have yet to read much good about this play itself or the production.
here's a review you might want to read:
http://www.backstage.com/review/ny-t...-theatre-club/
and the NYTimes review:
http://theater.nytimes.com/2013/02/2...ge-i.html?_r=0
here's a review you might want to read:
http://www.backstage.com/review/ny-t...-theatre-club/
and the NYTimes review:
http://theater.nytimes.com/2013/02/2...ge-i.html?_r=0
Mar 28th, 2013, 11:08 AM
#47
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Thank you Patrick, I am going to pass on it. Was going to fill in a Wed afternoon w/a play but will just leave that time open. Seeing Motown, Kinky Boots, and Once on this trip (and Dan Hicks and the Hotlicks at City Winery).
Mar 28th, 2013, 11:55 AM
#48
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How about Tally's Folly?
Here's the Times review, just one of many very good ones.
I find it a delightful play and am looking forward to seeing it soon.
http://theater.nytimes.com/2013/03/0...anted=all&_r=0
Here's the Times review, just one of many very good ones.
I find it a delightful play and am looking forward to seeing it soon.
http://theater.nytimes.com/2013/03/0...anted=all&_r=0
Mar 28th, 2013, 11:55 AM
#49
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Re Pippen:
The person ahead of us at the box office commented that the balcony would be a preferred location due to the verticality (my word, not hers) of the show. So we followed her logic and purchased tickets in the same area. They were in row E, the fifth, and were good seats, close enough to see facial expressions, but far enough to get an overview of the action.
The mezzanine appeared to be almost entirely filled with high school students, well-dressed and full of excitement at seeing a Broadway show during their spring break trip to NYC.
The kids had also apparently done their homework because they greeted the major actors with cheers and loud applause.
During the first act, I pondered whether this story of Pippen son of Charlemagne was based at all on true events. During the second act, I surmised that it was not. However, I haven't googled yet to find out. At intermission, the man next to me asked if the play was what I was expecting. I concurred that it was not. However, I think my surprise was the plotline (I think I was expecting something about an actual circus) whole his was at its Cirque du Soleil meets Broadway emphasis. I was also surprised that the show-stopping mid-play ovation (that I'd heard about and which recurred) for an actor's song was probably earned more for her trapeze courage than for her singing.
The end of the play found me struggling to stay awake. I'm not sure whether this was due to the East Coast time zone and the long days finally catching up to me or whether it did drag on a little too long.
The students loved the show and, if it had been the only show I'd seen this season, I would have loved it too. Instead, I liked it. Love was reserved this time for Once and Vanya.
The person ahead of us at the box office commented that the balcony would be a preferred location due to the verticality (my word, not hers) of the show. So we followed her logic and purchased tickets in the same area. They were in row E, the fifth, and were good seats, close enough to see facial expressions, but far enough to get an overview of the action.
The mezzanine appeared to be almost entirely filled with high school students, well-dressed and full of excitement at seeing a Broadway show during their spring break trip to NYC.
The kids had also apparently done their homework because they greeted the major actors with cheers and loud applause.
During the first act, I pondered whether this story of Pippen son of Charlemagne was based at all on true events. During the second act, I surmised that it was not. However, I haven't googled yet to find out. At intermission, the man next to me asked if the play was what I was expecting. I concurred that it was not. However, I think my surprise was the plotline (I think I was expecting something about an actual circus) whole his was at its Cirque du Soleil meets Broadway emphasis. I was also surprised that the show-stopping mid-play ovation (that I'd heard about and which recurred) for an actor's song was probably earned more for her trapeze courage than for her singing.
The end of the play found me struggling to stay awake. I'm not sure whether this was due to the East Coast time zone and the long days finally catching up to me or whether it did drag on a little too long.
The students loved the show and, if it had been the only show I'd seen this season, I would have loved it too. Instead, I liked it. Love was reserved this time for Once and Vanya.
Apr 1st, 2013, 09:10 AM
#52
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Has anyone seen Motown yet? (It's still in previews for two more weeks.) I think I'd like it but I'm not finding too many reviews -- and the ones I do see are polarized. Berry Gordy was on CBS Sunday Morning yesterday:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162...end-of-motown/
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162...end-of-motown/
Apr 1st, 2013, 09:56 AM
#53
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You won't find any real reviews for Motown until after it officially opens two weeks from now.
I have yet to figure if this is essentially the same Motown I saw in London several years ago -- it sounds like it is. Regardless, what's not to like -- it's Motown music, a real juke box musical. Some people hate jukebox musicals, some love them. If you like the sounds of Motown, and you enjoy musical reviews with a bit of history or story thrown in, then I'd think you'd enjoy it.
I have yet to figure if this is essentially the same Motown I saw in London several years ago -- it sounds like it is. Regardless, what's not to like -- it's Motown music, a real juke box musical. Some people hate jukebox musicals, some love them. If you like the sounds of Motown, and you enjoy musical reviews with a bit of history or story thrown in, then I'd think you'd enjoy it.
Apr 24th, 2013, 04:45 AM
#57
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Thanks Howard and Patrick. Pippin or Matilda for hummable tunes and great dancing? Pippin looks a bit like Cirque. Is the song and dance of Matilda compromised any by a cast of mostly young people? Last Q: Would discount tix vs full price sway you to one over the other?
Apr 24th, 2013, 05:35 AM
#58
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I saw Matilda a month ago. It was still in previews but one issue with the young cast is that some of the lyrics were a bit hard to understand. The NY Times review mentioned the same thing and it may be better now. I have since purchased the soundtrack and have listened over and over and REALLY enjoy it. And I loved the music when we were actually watching it as well. Search for videos online that have the children singing and you'll get a good idea of what you'll see. I challenge you to watch "When I Grow Up" and not have a lump in your throat.
Apr 24th, 2013, 06:29 AM
#59
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Lots of luck getting discounts to Matilda. I do want to see it, and will see Pippin next week, but I've always loved the score of Pippin. I believe Andrea Martin is still stopping the show with a standing ovation every night.
