This is a brilliant, brilliant show that deserves to take home a boatload of Tony Awards. I hope it finds an audience. The Lyceum seems to be a bit of a graveyard lately with so many notable flops taking residence there.
Star casting doesn't matter when your show can make a bunch of white people go cause they feel guilty about what their ancestors did to the characters in the play.
I think Corbin could do well. Yes, he would be totally different, but that isn't a bad thing. There is nothing wrong with Star Casting as long as they are talented, and Corbin has proven that he is.
David walked into the valley
With a stone clutched in his hand
He was only a boy
But he knew someone must take a stand
There will always be a valley
Always mountains one must scale
There will always be perilous waters
Which someone must sail
-Into the Fire
Scarlet Pimpernel
Well, that was a joke. And to Corbin's credit (though I yet have to see him in IN THE HEIGHTS), I've heard from many that he's wonderfully grown from singing sidekick (in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL) to rapping narrator.
And yes, something tells me a big name might be drawn to portray Haywood Patterson.
Hmmmm. Here's to a healthier 2010-11 season on Broadway!
"When the audience comes in, it changes the temperature of what you've written." -Stephen Sondheim
Very exciting! A show I'm dying to see in a theatre I've never been to before. And is this somewhat unusual route to Broadway becoming a trend? Off-Broadway---> Regional Tryout---> Broadway...first next to normal, now this. Seems to have served next to normal well.
"Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos."-Stephen Sondheim
I think Dixon made what theatre historians will surely refer to as a "D'Arcy James' Choice" after Brian D'Arcy James' decision to leave the cast of the artsy, Tony-bait indie (Next to Normal) for the big-budget commercial juggernaut (Shrek). Unfortunately, Shrek tanked and Next to Normal is still chugging along, weighed down by its boatload of Tonys (which would probably have been one greater if D'Arcy James was nominated for that show.
"I liked the show (didn't love it), but I must admit that I think a white guilt factor has played into its success."
I think alot of things contributed to the success of SB Boys. But "white guilt" doesnt strike me as one.
Maybe because its the last Kander and Ebb Score, or Susan Storman having the midas touch, or the fact that its a pretty talented cast, maybe even that its an all black show. But most people dont even know what to expect when seeing the show....let alone that theyll feel guilty. On that note i dont remember feeling gulity...just sad that this had to happen to someone. Updated On: 5/19/10 at 12:23 AM
Perhaps white guilt is the wrong term. The show obviously has a lot going for it, but I think it falls into the same category as Ruined did: An all-black show patronized by (from the two times I saw Scottsboro) an entirely white audience about a serious topic in (sadly) recent history.
I think it's one of those shows that some people are afraid to dislike because it's supposed to be important. Again, not the fault of the show or its creators, but definitely something to consider.
"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one".
-Felicia Finley-
I think I must be the only person in New York (other than the critics) who hated this show. I was bored from start to finish. I thought the choreography and direction were fine on Stro's end, but I was really let down by the writing. It was like a jukebox of old Kander and Ebb songs converted into new songs. And I LOATHED the guy who played opposite Coleman Domingo.
out of curiosity, what didn't you like about Coleman's opposite (whose name is Forrest McClendon)? I thought he was fantastic, and his 11:00 number was one of the high points of the show.
Sorry you didn't enjoy it. I think you're missing out, but to each his/her own.
"I'm an American, Damnit!!! And if it's three things I don't believe in, it's quitting and math."
"Star casting doesn't matter when your show can make a bunch of white people go cause they feel guilty about what their ancestors did to the characters in the play."
Assuming your ancestors were here at the time. I'm pretty much second generation - one third, but that great great came over as a teen - so none of my ancestors were here. :P
On one hand, I'm excited to see this show because I missed it at the Vineyard and am curious about the "lost" Kander and Ebb musical. But on the other hand, I saw Curtains. Wah wah.