I was just about to make this thread, gleek4114. I'm really excited to hear early reports! I have tickets for late September.
"The city seen from the Queensboro Bridge is always the city seen for the first time, in its first wild promise of all the mystery and the beauty in the world." - F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
I think anyone would be doing themselves a disservice by attending this play so early in the run. Fun play. But give them a few performances to get their rhythm and get into it.
On the twitter account about a week and I half ago I asked about rush. At that point in time they said they were discussing possible rush options and would announce it when they had it nailed down. I'd check there. I'm looking into tickets for mid September but it's hard for me to bring myself to pay $150 a ticket. I suppose it would be worth it though.
"The city seen from the Queensboro Bridge is always the city seen for the first time, in its first wild promise of all the mystery and the beauty in the world." - F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
I disagree DAME: I saw final run thru in rehearsal room, final dress in Chicago, first preview in Chicago, and first preview on Broadway of THE PRODUCERS and it was hysterical from the get go. Probably the funniest was the rehearsal room before they knew exactly how funny they were. Nathan Lane is an old pro. I'll be there tonight and I can't wait. Great stuff tends to be great right away. The Book of Mormon was getting raves from its first preview on.
Or to gloat that they saw it before anyone else. But girl .. do whatever you want. You saw The Producers at all those "firsts" before anyone else and you are way so special.
I wasn't gloating. Just making a point. I don't think going to a show makes me special, lol. By the way, another reason I'm going tonight is that it might be the best chance to see the whole cast. It would frustrate me if any of them miss the show when I see it.
Does anyone know is this selling? I want to see it next Weds but I don't feel like paying Telecharge fees. Would I be safe waiting till I can get to the theatre Mon or Tues?
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
I saw the show tonight. This was one of my most anticipated plays of the fall and with that cast how could it not be?
First off, the set design is gorgeous. As a New Yorker, one can't help but ooh and ah as the curtain lifts. Yes, for those who care there is a lovely classic curtain.
The first 45 minutes or so were very strong. Most of it is just Nathan Lane and the newcomer Michah Stock. I loved the concept of Nathan being on stage and then us waiting to see who was coming through the door next. It is a great set up for the revolving door of celebrities in a play like this.
Then things start to take a turn. SPOILERS here I guess. The play has been updated to include all of these modern references, with very lame jokes like, Oh, look at what coats the cast of the lion king brought. It started to get very annoying as they even reference their new neighbors the Elephant Man and A Delicate Balance.
But the real shift of the drama is when all of the cast members are onstage. Where You Can't Take It With You achieves this manic brilliance in Act 2 as all characters fire on all cylinders, here it just doesn't work. No one is doing anything that interesting, and at nearly 90 minutes, act 1 drags. Megan Mullally was nearly unintelligible in a part she is quite miscast in. She would have done well to switch places with Stockard Channing who fares much better with a few biting one liners. Matthew Broderick was stumbling over lines, but just doesn't have a very interesting character to play. Rupert Grint isn't faring as well as Daniel Radcliffe for a stage debut, but his character doesn't make much of an impression. Nathan lane gets to be Nathan Lane which works to great effect here and certainly garners the most laughs.
Overall there is nothing wrong with the play. It is occasionally funny and there are a few killer one liners. Act 2 has a few great moments, but then fizzles out an overstays its welcome.
But my issue is that play is a strange mix of insider type jokes(there is a Moose Murders reference that was met with crickets tonight though my partner and I laughed) and then lots of common denominator ones that made me grown. What I didn't like about the play is that it seemed like they were afraid to let it stand on its own. The whole thing had to be chock full of modern day references rather than let me material sell it self. And that is the problem, this play just didn't work for me like someone like Mothers and Sons.
The bottom line: worth the price of admission for the cast, but don't expect life changing theater.
I had a $72 rear mezz ticket which was fine. The show runs about two and a half hours.
I'm kind of disappointed after reading your report, dave1606. Especially about Mullally - I adore her and she was my main reason for buying a ticket. Do you think the cast will improve over previews?
"The city seen from the Queensboro Bridge is always the city seen for the first time, in its first wild promise of all the mystery and the beauty in the world." - F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
I do think the play will get better. The timing will improve. I just kept thinking how much Mullally could do with Stockard Channing's part. I mean, that character literaly has a bag of pills and drugs, throw in her zany character and you are two or three steps away from Karen Walker!
I understand she probably wants to play against type, but her character is not the most interesting.
Maybe they shouldn't have started previews this early. Sounds like it needs more rehearsal.
FWIW: perhaps it made you GROAN. :)
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.