THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical - News & Discussion Thread- Page 19
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical - News & Discussion Thread
#450THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/8/22 at 11:40pm
Variety’s Review
More of the same, but not quite as vicious
“So the question here is a simple one. Can John, Shapiro, et al. — some of the most talented artists at work today — set niceness aside, and channel their inner Miranda Priestlys?”
#451THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/8/22 at 11:48pm
And from
The Washington Post
Very similar to Variety and others.
“The musical can’t (and shouldn’t, really) regurgitate all the best moments from the movie, but the ones it does reprise lack the acidity of dishy social satire.”
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#452THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/9/22 at 12:20am
pethian said: "Ke3 said: "Forgive me if I’m incorrect, but isn’t it pretty rare for the NYT’s to review the out of town tryout of a musical aiming for broadway?"
They've done it before for some 'high profile' shows though not all that often. And they've certainly reviewed London shows that are Broadway-bound. In this case it appears a whole slew of major papers were there from coast to coast. I wonder of the producers had any control over it at all."
It's a matter of technicality: If a show has announced a Broadway theatre/dates, the NYT generally will not review it. So they reviewed shows like MOULIN and JAGGED and this because a Bway house hadn't been announced when they opened out of town; TOOTSIE and PARADISE SQUARE were already announced for Bway by the time they played Chicago.
Which specific shows get reviewed out of town all depends on the producer inviting the critics, the paper having money for the travel (the production cannot pay for the critics' travel), and the editor/critic making a case for the show being worthwhile to cover.
Opening in London or another foreign country pre-Bway is, to my knowledge, a different situation.
#453THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/9/22 at 11:26pm
A friend of mine had something come up and can no longer make this Saturday’s matinee. She paid $160 for the ticket (comes with the suite service ie. Snacks, private bathrooms) and is trying to sell for $80. It’s front row house right. Email me at sweeneytodd4114@gmail if you’re interested.
#454THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/9/22 at 11:31pm
At the Tuesday, August 9 performance, it is evident that more lipstick has been applied.
There are subtle changes to the choreography before the arrival of MIRANDA’S COMING.
Later, when Miranda and Emily begin their walk into the Runway offices, the arc walk on the rotating stage has been moved entirely downstage.
There have been several Ensemble absences during the Chicago run, and it is great that the swings have always been ready.
In Emily’s enthusiasm about Paris, there are 2 dancing couples again, instead of one. The drummer has returned to the musician trio IN YOUR TWENTIES.
At the end of the TWENTIES number, Andy and Christian exit the opposite side of the stage, to help tighten this slow scene change.
The color red has oozed in excessively. The red proscenium outline is lit from time to time. In Miranda’s hotel room, the white flowers on the end table have been replaced with red ones. At the luncheon, the lighting alternatives between soft light and demonic, blood red.
Near the end of Act 1, the roommate threesome of Lauren, Kayla, and Nate had been positioned at the 10-0-10 stage markings for most performances. The roommates have been tightened to the 4-0-4 markings and have been rearranged so that Nate is the middle.
Beth Leavel still dashes quickly off stage to change from a yellow to blue dress in Act 1.
At the entrance to The Ball, the order of the red flying skeleton drop and the parting red curtains has been reversed.
Gentle underscoring has been added to Nigel and Andy’s final conversation at the luncheon.
#455THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/10/22 at 12:10am
Was there tonight and enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would having gone in with relatively low expectations following the reviews and comments here. I haven't seen the movie for years but thought this worked well.
I actually liked the score for the most part, but could certainly do with some more standout moments. That said, it was a stronger score than some other recent stage to screen adaptations (Doubtfire, Pretty Woman, Back to the Future).
Cast were fantastic, especially Taylor Iman Jones. Beth Leavel is extremely underused. Loved Javier Munoz.
I think with a bit of work it will be ready for Broadway. Hopefully they will use the time to make some changes and bring it in the spring. From reading the updates on here it certainly seems that they are working on it still.
A Director
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/18/07
#456THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/10/22 at 5:32am
Balcony Club, They are making little more than superficial changes. This will not solve the problems with the show. It needs a new book, new music, new lyrics, new costumes and new sets. By all means, apply more lipstick, but this show is a corps.
kade.ivy
Broadway Star Joined: 7/28/13
#457THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/10/22 at 5:50pm
Selling a ticket to the 8/20 performance at 8:00 pm. The penultimate performance in Chicago. Dress Circle A246. Price negotiable (will take less than I paid). PM if interested.
Updated On: 8/10/22 at 05:50 PM
Lola Getz2
Stand-by Joined: 7/17/22
#458THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/10/22 at 7:47pm
The reviews were kind, seriously.
Positives: Taylor Iman Jones, what a powerhouse, and Javier Muñoz, just a class act. That's all.
This is such a waste of time, money, and especially, talent.
Poor Beth.just isn’t big or bad enough. And do not get me started on the costumes and the horrific score.
There is just no reason for this to be on stage.
Can't wait to se how Working Girl does with the same premise.
If you have any interest in seeing this show, do it now. This most likely will be your only chance. What a train wreck.
#459THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/10/22 at 9:00pm
Jordan Catalano said: "Why on earth would you want to make race an issue in this show? Miranda is already the boss from hell and now people want to have it implied she’s a racist, too?"
I know right...it's always comes down to being a racist and just because Andy is black in the musical and Miranda is white so same old crap that people need to pull. They could have just made the character white as in the movie and no discussion would need to be had.
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George
Updated On: 8/10/22 at 09:00 PM
#460THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/10/22 at 9:07pm
ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Alexis Soloski found very little to enjoy. These are nightmare reviews for a producer.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/08/theater/the-devil-wears-prada-review.html"
I wonder what David and Kevin said to Elton about the reviews?
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George
Lola Getz2
Stand-by Joined: 7/17/22
#461THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/10/22 at 9:39pm
I did go in with the race issue on my mind, but honestly, it was not a problem since Andy comes out on top in the end.
Could someone who has seen it please explain the opening number of Act II? It literally was a jaw-dropping moment.
And why give Nigel a husbsand? He should be an exaple to Andy that this is how she will end up....alone.
#462THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/10/22 at 11:24pm
Lola Getz2 said: “... Could someone who has seen it please explain the opening number of Act II? It literally was a jaw-dropping moment...”
Emily is in a hospital bed after being in a car crash between an Uber driver and a Prius. Her nurse administers morphine, Emily sarcastically bids the unseen Andy a Bon Voyage.
Emily jumps out of the hospital bed. Four candy stripers and 6 nurses wiggle and dance.
It’s a classic novelty number to start Act 2 whilst the audience settles back into their seats.
In hindsight, YOU’RE NEVER FULLY DRESSED from Annie was a much better novelty number to open its second act.
Lola Getz2
Stand-by Joined: 7/17/22
#463THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/10/22 at 11:34pm
Emily is in a hospital bed after being in a car crash between an Uber driver and a Prius. Her nurse administers morphine, Emily sarcastically bids the unseen Andy a Bon Voyage.
Emily jumps out of the hospital bed. Four candy stripers and 6 nurses wiggle and dance.
It’s a classic novelty number to start Act 2 whilst the audience settles back into their seats.
Well, we were already back in out seats, and this number was shockingly bad.
Melanie Hauser
Swing Joined: 8/10/22
#464THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/10/22 at 11:50pm
I love seeing Broadway tryouts in Chicago, so I automatically got tickets to this one. I'm not sure I'm adding anything more to what most have said, but it's a miss, for sure. But the thing is, the audience was DYING for this. By far the best-dressed audience I've seen at a Chicago theater, and people in the audience were mouthing the dialogue from the movie. So many international tourists, too, which isn't usual for a show here, I don't think. So I believe there is a built-in audience for this, especially among the LGBTQ community, which was out in force last night. So the creative team needs to either lean in a lot more to that, or blow it up and make it completely different, and they don't do either. I think the source material hasn't aged well, but neither have a lot of other musicals that get revivals. If they did this really almost note-by-note from the movie in look and feel, they would have more success, I think - treat it as an arch period piece. I loved the cast, and they all worked hard. I didn't like the score, or the costumes, and I would ditch the 2 friends of Andy's & just have her "former" relationship be with her boyfriend. I would also give Emily a lot more to do and build a relationship between Andy and her - like the movie does - so that we actually feel bad for Emily when she doesn't get to go to Paris. But the gigantic problem is Miranda. The actress is probably miscast but the material they give her doesn't work. Meryl is iconic and I think this needs to really emulate her at the center of the show. Why didn't they give Beth the Meryl hair? Why weren't her costumes stunning and perfectly fit? Why did she look like she was sucking a lemon the whole time instead of being totally, boot-shaking withering? The main problem is that character, and until they solve it there is no saving this show. Again, I say lean in - there's no copyright on how a character looks in a film and other Broadway movie-to-musicals haven't steered this far away from the look of the iconic characters (Beetlejuice, for example.) Why they chose the sad red wig and ill-fitting clothes and give Miranda weird patter songs, and not give us that wonderful moment when Andy sees her at home, as an actual person with an actual messy marriage, is beyond me. They give a hint of that moment later in the show but by then it's far too late. And for the love of God, why don't Andy and Miranda sing together? There's only a brief moment at the end, the two voices were lovely together but again - too little, too late.
But as I said, the audience last night was THERE for it, voguing in front of the logo, dressed to the nines, and just desperate to have a good time. And they seemed to, which is the puzzling thing.
MelanieH
#465THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/11/22 at 9:27am
I saw the final two previews last Saturday and I’ve been formulating my thoughts ever since. On the whole… I had a good time. The show isn’t great, heck it’s not even good, but myself and the audience were having fun with it at least. I would say for me it’s a solid 6/10, a lot of work to do, but not the full on dumpster fire that a lot are suggesting. Things I would work on:
- New Opening Number
- Cut Andy’s Friends
- Whittle Christian Thompson’s character down as much as possible (including that awful In Your Twenties song)
- When you have Beth Leavel, you don’t make us wait until the last 20 min to hear her belt
- Costumes were a mixed bag, some worked for me
- The Act 1 closer should be a solo for Miranda, this pivotal moment is when Andy finally gives in to the glamorous world she’s been resisting, it could easily be an “Ariel signs the scroll moment” where Andy sells her soul to the “devil”, leaving us with the great cliffhanger of screwing over Emily to get ahead
- Tone needs tightening, a lot of the show is very earnest (Nigel’s Suddenly Seen) and some of it is very tongue and cheek (Emily’s “At Runway” and “Bon Voyage”
I did enjoy the cast, and I think with real focus this could be something great. They just have to roll up their sleeves and do the work.
Chicago23
Swing Joined: 4/22/22
#466THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/12/22 at 11:19am
I would generally agree with you, except that I believe it is even better than you suggest. Does it need some work? Yes. In a few areas, but it will survive even if nothing was done. The audience loved it. People next to me thoroughly enjoyed it. And I must tell you that when riding home on the bus with about 20 people who have just seen the show, the reviews ranged from OK to very favorable. Virtually all enjoyed. And I know of at least 6 people who are Broadway veterans who gave a general thumbs up. And I respect their opinions much more than the likes of that arrogant and often ignorant, Catey Sullivan.
Updated On: 8/12/22 at 11:19 AM
#467THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/12/22 at 12:21pm
Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna
Updated On: 8/12/22 at 12:21 PM
#468THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/14/22 at 9:13pm
I caught this today, and while the show is definitely flawed, I did not find it anywhere near the disaster most others on here and the critics did. I have definitely seen far worse shows make it through the Lincoln Tunnel and onto the Broadway stage. I do not think the show is unsalvageable by any means in its current state, but there is definitely a lot of work that needs to be done...
The cast is great with standout performances from Taylor Man Jones and Javier Munoz. Beth Leavel is good, but very understated and never quite comes across as intimidating enough. The set was a mixed bag. I liked the scaffolding pieces on either side of the stage that eventually become the Eiffel Tower - very clever. The Runway office set was very basic with a cheap looking sign, two window paneled walls, and desks making up the entire office. It really bothered me that they didn't track on more of the set pieces and had the cast and crew moving around the walls and furniture. Put some grooves in the deck and make these scene changes more graceful!
The costumes were a total miss for me. They looked cheap, and oftentimes, outlandish - especially Emily's costumes. For a show about the fashion industry, the costumes sure did not stun or impress as the should have.
The score has some fun bops, but also has a handful of outright duds that need to be cut or replaced. I really loved the act one finale which is set in a Faustian-like ballroom complete with a massive blood red staircase that fills the entire stage. Andy’s character is making a deal with Miranda - aka the Devil. A very effective act one closer. I also really liked Andy's big act 2 song, "Who's She?". Emily's material, especially the bon voyage song, were pretty abysmal. The boyfriend and friend characters, though, are saddled with the worst material for sure. Think Geek Chorus from Spider-Man TOTD 1.0.
The book is very much the movie script with a few minor tweaks. All in all, it works for the most part. I think the biggest problem here is the direction and choreography. It is VERY evident that this is Shapiro's first outing directing a musical... the blocking is and pacing are awkward, and the choreography ranges from erratic and jerky and standing in place and barely moving.
The show is so much fun, and I think there is definitely potential with what they have, but the whole show needs to feel more "high brow"... I want to see the elegance of the fashion industry reflected in the design, I want Miranda to have more "bite" and actually be scared of her instead of barely intimidated. The show lacks a cohesiveness that seasoned directors like Jerry Mitchell, Jerry Zaks, and Bartlett Sher has given us with their work. The lack of cohesiveness amongst the various elements in the production is ultimately WHY this show is not working in its current state.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
Weirdout19
Swing Joined: 11/3/16
#469THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/17/22 at 11:37am
The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical… or The Best Out Of Town FLOP I’ve seen.
Don’t get me wrong, this was FAR from good, but it was much better than shows like “Becoming Nancy” or “Ever After” (which isn’t a high bar)
Let me start by saying, I LOVED the opening number, something about a ensemble in red heels, with the curtain showing just below their knee, all walking in synchronized walk, finally revealing a disjumbled Andy Sacs, standing center stage, in her graduation gown… worked… I truly thought this was going to be the way they framed this show, after a fun opening number that really hooked me… I found out I was wrong!
I promise, somewhere in this production we saw, IS a broadway show… it’s just not currently there.
The main issues are
-The book;
it’s almost as they took the script from the movie, took the plot and details from the book, and made up the in-between… and it just didn’t work! It truly needs to be ironed out. For me the issue was we spent SO little time with each character, and none of them had a chance to develop so in the end, we really didn’t care for, root for, or despise… any of them! And the ending of this truly SHOULD pack a punch! They also made the decision to cast Andy as a POC, AND I LOVE THAT, (also Emily is showing some representation for other communities as well) but they DID nothing with this. This show tried to modernize and bring itself to 2022 but it’s still stuck in the early 2000s and it doesn’t mix. Now is the time to ADDRESS the toxic behavior in the workplace, or even the toxic way of a old white woman berating other employees of different working classes and backgrounds.
The music;
Let me be clear I heard Elton John in EVERY SONG … while I loved the opening, and enjoyed the finale … few in between did I also enjoy. I’m talking about, to where I don’t remember ANY of the music. What I can tell you is that EVERYTHING from Andy is stunning, I loved every single song, and reprise she had.
Miranda, she never sang until her 11o clock number. She spoke sang in pitter patter, and for me, it worked and it was effective! After this the whole show, WE FELT when she finally snapped and sang; BELTED, unfortunately even with the famous Beth Leavel BELT… it didn’t land quite right! But the ending moment between Miranda and Andy; the “I smiled at you in my limo” moment from the movie, WORKED for me!
Next was the scenic of it all…. When I tell you the scenic felt … “Pretty Women” … if you have seen that, you will know what I mean. Sure, some cool EFFECTIVE moments but everything else was cheap, and a complete waste of 1. A Full Turntable and 2. A GIANT FLIPPING STAIRCASE (what a waste of a full ensemble “Masquerade” moment)
In the end. I had fun. It was a great night of theatre that checked some of the boxes I wanted and completely forgot about others! I am curious to see the future of this show.
(Oh and I spent some time figuring out how to fix this)
Start the show the same; revealing Andrea Sachs, talking about her book, writing that story, tell this show from that frame! Her writing that story. This way it makes sense to only get bits and pieces of the story. To barely know these characters. Let her BREAK that wall, talk to the audience, acknowledge this is her story, and she’s writing it how SHE REMEMBERS IT. Then end it the same way. With that final moment, that one line sung together… with that change alone, I think we can work our way to finding the show we all wanted!
That’s all…
#470THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/18/22 at 12:27am
I saw this tonight and I think my overall feeling is supreme disappointment. The comparisons to "Pretty Woman" are pretty fair, but I'll give the edge to "Pretty Woman" for at least never being boring. I've skimmed the reviews so far and a lot of them are spot on, calling the show ugly and cheap. The costumes truly are heinous but they probably wouldn't have been considered ugly in 1986 - where they belong. I can't be the only person who sees the "fashion" as being 40 years out of date. It's insane.
The cast fares better, but only slightly. Taylor Iman Jones is quite good, working with what she has to work with. This Andy, besides saying over and over "I just need to work here for one year" and a couple references to her wanting to be a writer, has no stakes here. We see absolutely nothing keeping her in this job except for her all too fast transition into a "fashion girl'. Everything around her is so poorly written that it's just easy to zone out and not care.
I have to talk about Miranda. I'm not even going to talk about Beth because Beth is amazing and deserves so much better than what she has here. She does her best but Miranda in this musical is a supporting character you completely forget about when she's not onstage (which is a lot). When she is onstage, everything that makes Miranda "Miranda" is gone. There's no bite to the character. There's no "devil" there whatsoever. She says a couple shi*ty things but then she's nice (or at least polite). This was the most baffling thing to me. Miranda has a huge character arc late in the story where we see her as a real person. That shouldn't come in the first part of act one. Again - it makes Andy's journey (if you can even call it that anymore) confusing and again, boring.
Munoz I think comes across best and has a pretty nice song about growing up gay reading Runway while sitting with Andy under the Eiffel Tower...while there's a backdrop of the Eiffel Tower behind them. Jesus.
The music is a totally new low for Elton John. Lestat had better music than this. I think the song Miranda has at the end was sort of decent but I can't remember any of it. There were so many "Who am I/Where am I going/What's my goal" songs I was like "Find something new to sing about!"
Anyways, I just don't get why this needed to be a musical. Maybe there's a team that can make a musical out of it but it shouldn't be this team. Just boring as all hell. Thank God it's relatively short for a musical.
BdwyFan
Featured Actor Joined: 3/1/10
#471THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/18/22 at 8:08am
I just keep wondering how much more money will need to be raised in order to “fix” this. Will they need to tap new investors ?
#472THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/18/22 at 8:49am
Think of this show like a pie contest. A group of people make a pie but accidentally use salt instead of sugar and the fruit they used was rotten. Sure they used some fresh ingredients that on their own would be good, but they’re completely masked by everything that’s wrong. They can decorate the outside to try to "fix" it but the pie is bad and needs to be thrown out and made again. That's what this musical is. To quote The Witch - "Wrong ingredients!"
Updated On: 8/18/22 at 08:49 AM
InTheKnowEvenIfYouDontBelieve
Understudy Joined: 7/21/22
#473THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/18/22 at 9:02am
Chicago23 said: "And I know of at least 6 people who are Broadway veterans who gave a general thumbs up. And I respect their opinions much more than the likes of that arrogant and often ignorant, Catey Sullivan."
This is one of the most unintentional funny things I’ve ever read in my 15 years here. Former Broadway performer means nothing about taste.
and they have flown Jerry Mitchel in to come show doctor. Lol
#474THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway) - News & Discussion Thread
Posted: 8/18/22 at 9:41am
The show needed a Jerry Mitchell-like director from the get go. Like I said earlier, Shapiro's direction lacks cohesion. The book, score, design elements, and performances all seem like they are from completely different productions. She is not solely to blame, of course, as the individual elements themselves aren't flawless, but I do think a great deal of the problems with this show stem from her direction.
There are so many little minor directorial blunders that anyone who has taken a directing 101 class would have known not to make (the two Eiffel Towers, awkward blocking, etc). Sure, Pretty Woman may not have been the best show, but at least it was a cohesive production.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
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