The Broadway show thread where we discuss all things Broadway

[JenM]

I saw the new Side Show last night. And if anyone else wants to see the new Side Show, hurry. The mezzanine was barely half-full and they let everyone move up to the front just before the show started. Not a good sign!

It was very good, but I liked the original 1997 version of the show better. If you don’t know the story: it’s about Daisy and Violet Hilton, who were conjoined twins and vaudeville stars in the 20s and 30s, and who also starred in the movie Freaks. The movie now bookends the show at the beginning and end, and the new final scene is pretty wild if you’ve seen the film.

It’s always been a pretty weird show and the revised version still has the same issues the first version did, but it’s got such amazing songs. The two girls who played Daisy and Violet were amazing, and their two big numbers were worth seeing the show for.

They re-wrote a lot of the book, and some of it works very well (and some doesn’t - the flashback to their childhood is interesting, but it drags on too long), but the new music doesn’t add all that much and I miss a few of the songs they cut.

But I’m glad I saw it. There was a huge push to try and save the show the first time around, and I was a big supporter then (to this day, I’ve never seen anything like the push to save Side Show), and I still really like the show.

 

[PigletsPal2]

For anyone in the Central Florida area who may be interested, Stetson University Celebration campus runs a Lifelong Learning program covering many areas of interest, including the Broadway musical.

I just finished the 3-day class, which covered ten musicals by theme: Stick to your own kind (Show Boat, West Side Story and South Pacific), Broken dreams (Camelot, Evita, and Phantom) and Conflict (Oklahoma, Next to Normal, Hair and Les Miserables).

The class was taught by a veteran Broadway dance captain who performed in many musicals of the 70's and 80's. He was very knowledgeable and offered a lot of insights and insider info on these shows.

This very popular course (covering different show, of course) is offered every semester. The cost (which covers up to nine courses per semester!) was a very reasonable $125.

Get in touch with Stetson University if you're interested. I highly recommend it!

Queen Colleen

 

[LBIJim]

I saw the new Side Show last night. And if anyone else wants to see the new Side Show, hurry. The mezzanine was barely half-full and they let everyone move up to the front just before the show started. Not a good sign!

It was very good, but I liked the original 1997 version of the show better. If you don’t know the story: it’s about Daisy and Violet Hilton, who were conjoined twins and vaudeville stars in the 20s and 30s, and who also starred in the movie Freaks. The movie now bookends the show at the beginning and end, and the new final scene is pretty wild if you’ve seen the film.

It’s always been a pretty weird show and the revised version still has the same issues the first version did, but it’s got such amazing songs. The two girls who played Daisy and Violet were amazing, and their two big numbers were worth seeing the show for.

They re-wrote a lot of the book, and some of it works very well (and some doesn’t - the flashback to their childhood is interesting, but it drags on too long), but the new music doesn’t add all that much and I miss a few of the songs they cut.

But I’m glad I saw it. There was a huge push to try and save the show the first time around, and I was a big supporter then (to this day, I’ve never seen anything like the push to save Side Show), and I still really like the show.

That's a shame, but really not surprising. I enjoyed the 1997 version (actually closing weekend in January 1998), but knew it wasn't the type of show with mass appeal. I was kind of surprised when I heard they would be reviving it.

Maybe I can catch it if I go to NY in December. Probably available at the TKTS booth.

 

[AllisonK]

I'm heading to NYC for the day in two weeks to see a show. Not sure what yet, but considering Side Show or Honeymoon in Vegas most likely but I will probably just head for the TKTS booth when my bus gets in.

The last show I saw in NYC was Violet back in June with Sutton Foster and before that was Beautiful in March. I also recently saw Cinderella on tour (it was OK) and Finding Neverland twice in Boston this summer before it goes to Broadway this spring (I loved it and I am still a bit upset that Jeremy Jordan won't be transferring with the production - he was wonderful and although I really do like Matt Morrison, I cannot picture him in the role at all).

 

[JenM]

That's a shame, but really not surprising. I enjoyed the 1997 version (actually closing weekend in January 1998), but knew it wasn't the type of show with mass appeal. I was kind of surprised when I heard they would be reviving it.

Maybe I can catch it if I go to NY in December. Probably available at the TKTS booth.

No, it’s not surprising at all. I mentioned on FB that our seats all got upgraded to the front, and one of my friends who I saw the original with commented, “Soooo...basically exactly like last time?”

It’s hard a show to recommend. To theater nerds like us? Definitely. But someone from out of town who’s never seen a Broadway show? Probably not.

I still love it, though. I saw it just before Christmas in 1997, and the cast was at TKTS trying to get people to get tickets (Alice Ripley actually hugged my dad when he showed them our tickets), and they gave a speech after the show telling everyone to tell their friends about the show. Even then I knew they were never going to save it, but I’d never seen a push like that to save a show before. Other shows were plugging it too, and when I bought the CD at one of the theater stores the guy working there told me to tell everyone to see it. It was pretty amazing. I still have the poster.

I remember that my friends and I wanted to go to the closing show, but we all already had tickets to Anthony Rapp’s final performance in Rent that same day, so we missed it.

It got great reviews in DC, and I know it’s become kind of a cult-favorite since then, so I guess they thought they’d give it another shot. Poor Side Show is never going to catch a break, I guess.

 

[LBIJim]

No, it’s not surprising at all. I mentioned on FB that our seats all got upgraded to the front, and one of my friends who I saw the original with commented, “Soooo...basically exactly like last time?”

It’s hard a show to recommend. To theater nerds like us? Definitely. But someone from out of town who’s never seen a Broadway show? Probably not.

I still love it, though. I saw it just before Christmas in 1997, and the cast was at TKTS trying to get people to get tickets (Alice Ripley actually hugged my dad when he showed them our tickets), and they gave a speech after the show telling everyone to tell their friends about the show. Even then I knew they were never going to save it, but I’d never seen a push like that to save a show before. Other shows were plugging it too, and when I bought the CD at one of the theater stores the guy working there told me to tell everyone to see it. It was pretty amazing. I still have the poster.

I remember that my friends and I wanted to go to the closing show, but we all already had tickets to Anthony Rapp’s final performance in Rent that same day, so we missed it.

It got great reviews in DC, and I know it’s become kind of a cult-favorite since then, so I guess they thought they’d give it another shot. Poor Side Show is never going to catch a break, I guess.

I wasn't aware that there was a big push to try to save Side Show back then. I knew the show was struggling, but that's about it.

I also didn't know at the time that I was going to the Saturday matinee of closing weekend. They announced it to the audience either before or after the show. And no Alice Ripley or other cast members at the TKTS booth. By then the decision to close had been made. So I'm glad I made it in time. And I bought the CD at the long-since-closed Virgin Music store in Times Square later that day.

I remember either Alice Ripley or the other "twin" (can't recall her name right now) was nominated for a Tony. It was kind of sad watching her singing on a bare stage.

I'm going to try to see it in December. Maybe the weekend after Thanksgiving.

ETA:
I see it's playing at the St. James Theatre. That place is much too big for such a show. Maybe a smaller suitable theatre wasn't available.

 

[JenM]

I wasn't aware that there was a big push to try to save Side Show back then. I knew the show was struggling, but that's about it.

I also didn't know at the time that I was going to the Saturday matinee of closing weekend. They announced it to the audience either before or after the show. And no Alice Ripley or other cast members at the TKTS booth. By then the decision to close had been made. So I'm glad I made it in time. And I bought the CD at the long-since-closed Virgin Music store in Times Square later that day.

I remember either Alice Ripley or the other "twin" (can't recall her name right now) was nominated for a Tony. It was kind of sad watching her singing on a bare stage.

I'm going to try to see it in December. Maybe the weekend after Thanksgiving.

ETA:
I see it's playing at the St. James Theatre. That place is much too big for such a show. Maybe a smaller suitable theatre wasn't available.

It was Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner, and they were both nominated. They actually shared a single nomination in the category (similar to what they did with the Billy Elliots a few years back). Natasha Richardson won for Cabaret that year.

And they both performed “I Will Never Leave You” together at the Tonys that year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tStUnyvr8gQ

They’re not even selling the balcony at the St. James, either. I think they put the sound booth up there. It was crazy how empty the mezzanine was, though.

 

[nycdisneygal]

Wow I didnt know anything about sideshow until I saw this thread. Maybe will check it out!
So.. just bought a ticket to see Once again right before it closes. (saw it for the first time last month--that it was just incredible).

 

[Newsies]

Did anybody watch the documentary about the making of Peter Pan Live on NBC tonight? Literally must have cried 4 times!!! The show is going to be so good and I'm going to be watching it while my family is celebrating down the shore next week. All of my favorite former Newsies are going to be in it. Guys, this is going to be SUCH a good show.

 

[SingingMom]

Did anybody watch the documentary about the making of Peter Pan Live on NBC tonight? Literally must have cried 4 times!!! The show is going to be so good and I'm going to be watching it while my family is celebrating down the shore next week. All of my favorite former Newsies are going to be in it. Guys, this is going to be SUCH a good show.

Only saw the end. Forgot it was on. :-( Nice to see our Newsies and Taylor. She was wonderful as Sandy in Grease at Paper Mill Playhouse!

Saw Jeremy Jordan in concert three times this past month and next week we are seeing him and his Bonnie & Clyde cast mates at 54 Below for a Frank Wildhorn concert!

 

[LBIJim]

It was Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner, and they were both nominated. They actually shared a single nomination in the category (similar to what they did with the Billy Elliots a few years back). Natasha Richardson won for Cabaret that year.

And they both performed “I Will Never Leave You” together at the Tonys that year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tStUnyvr8gQ

They’re not even selling the balcony at the St. James, either. I think they put the sound booth up there. It was crazy how empty the mezzanine was, though.

Guess my memory is failing me in my old age. I thought it was only one of them singing at the Tonys. Thanks for providing the link.

But I do remember feeling sad watching it, because the show had long since closed and there wasn't a chance in hell that Alice/Emily would win the award.

 

[Newsies]

Only saw the end. Forgot it was on. :-( Nice to see our Newsies and Taylor. She was wonderful as Sandy in Grease at Paper Mill Playhouse!

Saw Jeremy Jordan in concert three times this past month and next week we are seeing him and his Bonnie & Clyde cast mates at 54 Below for a Frank Wildhorn concert!

Oh my gosh! I forgot Taylor was Sandy!

You're so lucky- I tried to see Jeremy in concert, but didn't get to. One day.

 

[unfreshdiva1]

Last day of 5 day trip to NYC over Thanksgiving - saw SideShow (wonderful), Wicked, If/Then, and finally Phantom of the Opera. All great shows.

 

[SingingMom]

Last day of 5 day trip to NYC over Thanksgiving - saw SideShow (wonderful), Wicked, If/Then, and finally Phantom of the Opera. All great shows.

I've seen all but Side Show. Just got our tickets for Honeymoon in Vegas .

What did you think of If/Then?

 

[gometros]

Has anybody seen The Last Ship? I didn't know anything about this show, but saw their performance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and really liked the one song the performed.

 

[crazymama]

Okay I thought I would post this in here cause I know that some of you Broadway aficionados may have seen this and I am interested in your opinions. Saw it last night (disclaimer... I had no interest in seeing this as I am sick of all things Annie but was convinced to join a group that was going. We all did a production of Annie a few years ago so it was kind of a "reunion" of sorts.) Yikes. Was so hard to watch. The cute little actress who played Annie was good. Plucky without being saccharine sweet. Jamie Foxx has a great voice but the music... ack. Didn't really love the twist on the classics (OMG what did they do to Little Girls and Easy Street) and didn't really enjoy the new original music either. Obnoxious worshipping of all things excessive too. I suppose the movies/stage versions do too but the "Daddy Warbucks" penthouse tech orgy was a bit too much to take!

Anybody out there love it? I'd love to hear what you liked!!

 

[elgerber]

Okay I thought I would post this in here cause I know that some of you Broadway aficionados may have seen this and I am interested in your opinions. Saw it last night (disclaimer... I had no interest in seeing this as I am sick of all things Annie but was convinced to join a group that was going. We all did a production of Annie a few years ago so it was kind of a "reunion" of sorts.) Yikes. Was so hard to watch. The cute little actress who played Annie was good. Plucky without being saccharine sweet. Jamie Foxx has a great voice but the music... ack. Didn't really love the twist on the classics (OMG what did they do to Little Girls and Easy Street) and didn't really enjoy the new original music either. Obnoxious worshipping of all things excessive too. I suppose the movies/stage versions do too but the "Daddy Warbucks" penthouse tech orgy was a bit too much to take!

Anybody out there love it? I'd love to hear what you liked!!

You are brave, we refuse to even see it

 

[SingingMom]

Okay I thought I would post this in here cause I know that some of you Broadway aficionados may have seen this and I am interested in your opinions. Saw it last night (disclaimer... I had no interest in seeing this as I am sick of all things Annie but was convinced to join a group that was going. We all did a production of Annie a few years ago so it was kind of a "reunion" of sorts.) Yikes. Was so hard to watch. The cute little actress who played Annie was good. Plucky without being saccharine sweet. Jamie Foxx has a great voice but the music... ack. Didn't really love the twist on the classics (OMG what did they do to Little Girls and Easy Street) and didn't really enjoy the new original music either. Obnoxious worshipping of all things excessive too. I suppose the movies/stage versions do too but the "Daddy Warbucks" penthouse tech orgy was a bit too much to take! Anybody out there love it? I'd love to hear what you liked!!

We are so sick of all things Annie that I wouldn't waste the time or money to see a revamped version! Lol
My sister, my daughter, my niece, my friend... I can not believe how many times I had to sit through a production! LOLOLOL

So....what did everyone think of Into the Woods?!...... ;-)

 

[crazymama]

We are so sick of all things Annie that I wouldn't waste the time or money to see a revamped version! Lol
My sister, my daughter, my niece, my friend... I can not believe how many times I had to sit through a production! LOLOLOL

So....what did everyone think of Into the Woods?!...... ;-)

Going to Into the Woods for New Years eve! Can't wait!!!

 

[aprilgail2]

You are brave, we refuse to even see it

same here. I won't be seeing into the woods either- I HATED it the two times I had to sit through it on stage, I hated the show!