The Broadway show thread where we discuss all things Broadway

[AmandaSparks730]

I'm so glad you liked it!!! Blake was one of my favorites too! Moritz is my favorite character though, so I've loved all three actors. Kyle was good but I liked Hunter Parrish better. He has a nice voice though! Wasn't the lighting during Dark I Know Well reaalllyyyy cool? And that one part of "Those You've Known" I told you about... where Melchior sings acapella to just the beating of the drums I miss that show so much! We should meet halfway in Boston and go see it again

I'm glad you had a good time!

Thanks!

I know, I want to see it again, too! They kept coming to our side of the stage, practically in FRONT of me! (We were sitting orchestra right, second row back!) They were probably like "did you see the crazy smiling girl in the second row?" Moritz and Ilse are my favorite characters, with Ernst being a close follower (he's just too dang cute!). It makes you think, "what if he had gone with Ilse? Would he have lived? Would they have become a couple? Would she have helped him?" I love how she shows that she truly does care about him, and the extreme guilt she feels (during Left Behind) because she was the last to see him alive, and she could've done something.

Haven't heard much of Hunter Parrish, though I've heard he wasn't the best Melchior (and that Alexandra Socha was terrible as Wendla).

Lighting during Dark I Know Well, YES! The bruise looks so real, too (though I saw a video on Steffi D's YouTube where Sarah shows how it's made. Pretty cool!)

Those You've Known, eh. The drums were much better in Mama Who Bore Me (reprise). Love the microphone exchange between Anna and Wendla--so intense!

Moritz's happy dance has to be the cutest thing. Love when he says "this is what Heaven must feel like!" and hugs Melchior. I felt so bad when he kills himself! (I was like "no Blake! Don't do it! Go with Ilse! Don't die!" Wanted to leap onstage and hug him...teehee)

 

[Syrreal]

I'm going to watch SA twice in June. I'm watching it onstage with some friends and then watching it from the front row with DH (maybe, unless he decides he doesn't want to go) a couple of days later.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

Lucky! Have fun; it's an amazing show with a great cast!

 

[AllisonK]

Seeing Wicked on Wednesday in NYC. I got cheap tickets through a club on campus. I've seen it before - hoping it's just as good. I'm hoping to see the Rent tour in Boston this summer (my friend's friend is in the show - I saw it once on Broadway back in middle school) and definitely seeing Pirates! in Boston, which is an updated version of Pirates of Penzance. I'm also hoping to go see something else on Saturday, but I'm not sure what, yet.

 

[troobabiee7]

Thanks!

I know, I want to see it again, too! They kept coming to our side of the stage, practically in FRONT of me! (We were sitting orchestra right, second row back!) They were probably like "did you see the crazy smiling girl in the second row?" Moritz and Ilse are my favorite characters, with Ernst being a close follower (he's just too dang cute!). It makes you think, "what if he had gone with Ilse? Would he have lived? Would they have become a couple? Would she have helped him?" I love how she shows that she truly does care about him, and the extreme guilt she feels (during Left Behind) because she was the last to see him alive, and she could've done something.

Haven't heard much of Hunter Parrish, though I've heard he wasn't the best Melchior (and that Alexandra Socha was terrible as Wendla).

Lighting during Dark I Know Well, YES! The bruise looks so real, too (though I saw a video on Steffi D's YouTube where Sarah shows how it's made. Pretty cool!)

Those You've Known, eh. The drums were much better in Mama Who Bore Me (reprise). Love the microphone exchange between Anna and Wendla--so intense!

Moritz's happy dance has to be the cutest thing. Love when he says "this is what Heaven must feel like!" and hugs Melchior. I felt so bad when he kills himself! (I was like "no Blake! Don't do it! Go with Ilse! Don't die!" Wanted to leap onstage and hug him...teehee)

Love the review! I actually LOVED Hunter Parrish and thought he was better than Kyle (you can't beat JGroff). His portrayal during the graveyard scene was BRILLIANT. Everyone else screamed a million times to the point where it was ridiculous and people actually laughed all over the theater. Hunter just looked really confused when he found Wendla's grave and let out one agonizing wail. It was heartbreaking.

Did anyone laugh during the beating scene?!! The first time I saw the show was from the first row and I was so engrossed in it all I didn't pay attention to what was going on. The second time we had box seats and a better view out over the audience, and people CRACKED UP during the beating scene. Half the audience laughed when Moritz and Wendla rose from the grave too They needed to rework those scenes to make them more dramatic and less ridiculous, so I was wondering what they did for the tour.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

Love the review! I actually LOVED Hunter Parrish and thought he was better than Kyle (you can't beat JGroff). His portrayal during the graveyard scene was BRILLIANT. Everyone else screamed a million times to the point where it was ridiculous and people actually laughed all over the theater. Hunter just looked really confused when he found Wendla's grave and let out one agonizing wail. It was heartbreaking.

Did anyone laugh during the beating scene?!! The first time I saw the show was from the first row and I was so engrossed in it all I didn't pay attention to what was going on. The second time we had box seats and a better view out over the audience, and people CRACKED UP during the beating scene. Half the audience laughed when Moritz and Wendla rose from the grave too They needed to rework those scenes to make them more dramatic and less ridiculous, so I was wondering what they did for the tour.

Ooh goodness, no! The entire theater was dead quiet. Christy dove right into it, very uninhibited (spelling?). She didn't play up to the fragileness of Wendla as much as Lea did, that's for sure. Kyle seemed to have grown in the role (though mom said he was "too pretty boy" ) and Blake just OWNS his role.

How can you laugh during the beating scene though? That's like laughing at Left Behind, or Dark I Know Well!

(Though I must say, Word Of Your Body (reprise) is quite the comic relief!)

Seeing Wicked on Wednesday in NYC. I got cheap tickets through a club on campus. I've seen it before - hoping it's just as good. I'm hoping to see the Rent tour in Boston this summer (my friend's friend is in the show - I saw it once on Broadway back in middle school) and definitely seeing Pirates! in Boston, which is an updated version of Pirates of Penzance. I'm also hoping to go see something else on Saturday, but I'm not sure what, yet.

I might see Rent in Boston as well! A friend might get me tickets for my birthday

Two words: Anthony. Rapp.

 

[LoraJ]

I liked Alexandra as Wendlla. I thought she was good. She was no Lea though. Really looking forward to Glee!!!

So I will be seeing Hair on Thursday and In The Heights on Friday.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

I liked Alexandra as Wendlla. I thought she was good. She was no Lea though. Really looking forward to Glee!!!

So I will be seeing Hair on Thursday and In The Heights on Friday.

In The Heights sounds really good! You'll have to let us know how it is

 

[troobabiee7]

How can you laugh during the beating scene though? That's like laughing at Left Behind, or Dark I Know Well! QUOTE]

The way Alexandra did it made the whole thing seem really ridiculous. That whole scene was never staged right, I've read a lot of reviews where people said there was a lot of laughter at that part. I mean it is ridiculous that this 14-year-old girl is asking some random dude to beat her for fun And the way Alexandra played the whole scene made it like, "Haha, she's CRAZY!"

 

[AmandaSparks730]

How can you laugh during the beating scene though? That's like laughing at Left Behind, or Dark I Know Well! QUOTE]

The way Alexandra did it made the whole thing seem really ridiculous. That whole scene was never staged right, I've read a lot of reviews where people said there was a lot of laughter at that part. I mean it is ridiculous that this 14-year-old girl is asking some random dude to beat her for fun And the way Alexandra played the whole scene made it like, "Haha, she's CRAZY!"

See, that's why Alexandra is my least favorite Wendla, by far.

Christy...I don't know how to explain her portrayal. She's so headstrong as Wendla, so curious, and such a strong person that when her fate is delivered, it's all the more tragic. Her beating scene with Kyle was sad, but not in the least bit funny. She was basically saying, "my friend is beaten, I feel awful, and I'm curious. How does it feel, to be empty inside? To be hurt by someone you thought loved you?" She didn't over-do it on the sobbing when he throws her down (unlike Lea, where you could barely hear the boys do their backup "oh, you're gonna be wounded..."). She was hurt, and she showed it, but she didn't go over-the-top. Still, I see what you mean by the staging. It does happen in the original play, yes, but the way Wendekin (spelling?) wrote it made it work. (Though I wouldn't say Melchior was exactly a random guy. They were childhood friends, as is stated in the dialouge before Ilse sings Blue Wind ["remember how we used to run back to my house and play pirates? Wendla Bergman, Melchior Gabor, you, and I?], and when Melchior and Wendla chat about when they used to go to Sunday School together)

However, I have not heard any reviews of laughter at the tour cast's beating scene.

 

[AllisonK]

So I'm definitely doing my final journalism project on the 2008-2009 theatre awards season. I'm a journalism major and in my news writing class we've been either writing articles based on facts from the textbook or based on things/events that have happened on or around campus. For our final project we FINALLY were able to pick our topic for an article. Being a drama minor, I figured what better way to combine my two areas of study and it couldn't come at a better time - awards season!!!

Anyways, even though the Tony Award nominees haven't been announced yet, in other awards 9 to 5: The Musical is a top contender with 15 (yes, 15!) Drama Desk nominations, three Drama League nominations and three Outer Critics Circle nominations.

I'm also THRILLED that my new favorite show, The Marvelous Wonderettes has been nominated for several awards, including a Drama League Award for Distinguished Production of a Musical and a Drama Desk nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Farah Alvin who originated the role of Missy Miller).

Ok, I'm officially a drama dork - but oh well! I'm just happy that I'm able to write an article that seriously interests me! Now I just have to get quotes from some of my friends and try to remember if the word count is 600 or 800 words (I guess I'd be safe with 700!).


Oh, and I'm seeing Wicked tomorrow!!!! Not like I haven't seen it four times already, but this is the first time I'm seeing it with friends, which makes it really exciting! And I only paid $35 for my ticket!!!!

 

[LoraJ]

Just back from In The Heights. really enjoyed it. Loved Hair as well. The In the Heights Theater is THE BEST theater out there. Stadium style seats? And they were comfy. All theaters should be like that. haha!

The last time I saw SA was the week before the show closed. I don't recall that scene being ridiculous????

Next for me should be Wicked. Have to coordinate with a co-worker.

 

[sharonW]

Did our anniversary last weekend int NYC, had a fabulous
time! Saw Jersey Boys(front row), Mama Mia and the Wonderous
Marvelettes. Saw Regis and Kelly, that was a neat experience.
Had hot weather and walked our feet off!! Next on my list is
South Pacific, probably not until the fall.

 

[dzee]

Saw the Boston production of Dirty Dancing!! It was spectacular!! The leads were terrific! Some of the people were worried when it was announced that the under study was playing Baby for that performance!! There was no need to worry she was Awesome!! And Johnny..the only thing with him was he is from the Australian company and he tried VERY hard to hide his accent! Sometimes it worked and sometimes....The dancing was mesmerizing!! What surprised me was the live singing. It was a very pleasant surprise though!!! The two that sang were great!!! We went as a group from my DD dance school!! All the girls LOVE the movie and wanted to see this play! So glad us parents went too! We had a great afternoon. After the performance the actors where in the lobby to sign autographs for Broadway for aids! It was nice to meet them and take pictures with them!
The school has tickets for Jersey Boys this September,but so far only the parents are going!! Most of the girls have no idea who Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons are so they weren.t interested in going!! They said" Oh they are old and they are from your generation!!"

 

[sharonW]

When is Dirty Dancing scheduled for Broadway?
Anyone know??

 

[minijeanie]

seen jersey boys for 2nd time....quite honestly just as good as when I seen it with original cast. This is just a class show.

My other big favorite is Altar boys which is an off broadway show. Totally hilarious and if you are catholic or jewish you will appreciate even more.

has anyone seen this show?

 

[The LK 4]

seen jersey boys for 2nd time....quite honestly just as good as when I seen it with original cast. This is just a class show.

My other big favorite is Altar boys which is an off broadway show. Totally hilarious and if you are catholic or jewish you will appreciate even more.

has anyone seen this show?

I'm a huge fan of the Altar Boyz! I've seen it three times in Pittsburgh, and I'm seeing it off Broadway this June.

 

[troobabiee7]

seen jersey boys for 2nd time....quite honestly just as good as when I seen it with original cast. This is just a class show.

My other big favorite is Altar boys which is an off broadway show. Totally hilarious and if you are catholic or jewish you will appreciate even more.

has anyone seen this show?

Altar Boyz was hilarious! We saw it last September with Neil Haskell from So You Think You Can Dance. I loved it!

 

[AmandaSparks730]

Any opinions on Avenue Q? DYING to see it when it comes here in October.

What about Young Frankenstein? The national tour kicks off here in September.

 

[AllisonK]

Haven't seen Avenue Q, but don't waste your money on Young Frankenstein. I still miss my $25. I had awesome seats, though - front row, dead center lottery seats.

Saw 9 to 5 last night. It was GREAT!!! It took a lot from the movie, but there was some new stuff, too. My favorite part was when Judy, Doralee and Violet were high and picturing ways to kill Mr. Hart. Seriously, the show got some bad reviews but I don't think they were deserved. It was honestly some of the most fun I've had at the theater in awhile!