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New opening song in If/Then tonight

Posted by: wmdmcree 11:57 pm EDT 03/14/14

The director (Michael Greif) started the performance tonight by announcing that a new opening song had been written for Ms. Menzel and since it had just been written last night, she would be holding cards with the lyrics on them for this performance. MG was very witty and charming and took the all responsibility on himself for this situation. In any case, things went fine and Ms. Menzel performed smoothly.


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IF/Then last night

Posted by: castro 09:30 am EDT 03/15/14
In reply to: New opening song in If/Then tonight - wmdmcree 11:57 pm EDT 03/14/14

Michael Grief explained that a new opening song was going in for Idina and that she would use cue cards as per his instructions. There is alot to like in this show especially the score, but if ever a show needed cutting it is this one.
It should clock in at 90 minutes with no intermission. The first act felt loooong, but was only 80 minutes and the confusing second act didn't add much. Idina does not seem comfortable with her body and her costumes in this don't help her. Vocally the entire cast shines and the music is glorious at times. However, I frankly have to confess that I don't really know what this show is about.


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re: IF/Then last night

Posted by: manfan 06:45 pm EDT 03/16/14
In reply to: IF/Then last night - castro 09:30 am EDT 03/15/14

I agree completely...except for the glorious part. I would say pretty. But I found it to be a mess. And the "glasses" are a sad way to try clear the confusion. Condescending easy laughs, stereotypical NYers, quite a few surprising "step and fetch it" gay jokes, an idea but not well wrought and in many places not well played. So wanted it to be moving & by the birthday party all I wanted was for it to stop its snarkiness and be over.


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re: IF/Then last night

Posted by: n2mss 11:54 am EDT 03/15/14
In reply to: IF/Then last night - castro 09:30 am EDT 03/15/14

Did they cut the "there's a moment when everything changes..." melody? Or just add to it? That's one of my favorite bits in the show.


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re: IF/Then last night

Posted by: wmdmcree 10:04 pm EDT 03/15/14
In reply to: re: IF/Then last night - n2mss 11:54 am EDT 03/15/14

It is still part of the song.


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re: New opening song in If/Then tonight

Posted by: knud17 12:53 am EDT 03/15/14
In reply to: New opening song in If/Then tonight - wmdmcree 11:57 pm EDT 03/14/14

I'm such a fan of the process that I always like to read when the artists involved are working on a piece even after it gets to New York--or maybe especially after it gets to New York.

In the world of show Business it's sometimes seems like the process of creating is forgotten. I cheer for most new shows (at the onset of their run at least), but when a show works to be better and not just stand pat, and actually uses the preview period as jus that, I often become more endeared to the show. I wish If/Then all the luck I can.

Aaron


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Questions

Posted by: seeseveryshow 12:08 am EDT 03/15/14
In reply to: New opening song in If/Then tonight - wmdmcree 11:57 pm EDT 03/14/14

Written last night, was the song fully orchestrated of played by just a piano?

Does the song better set-up the storyline(s)?


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re: Questions

Posted by: wmdmcree 12:29 am EDT 03/15/14
In reply to: Questions - seeseveryshow 12:08 am EDT 03/15/14

It was fully orchestrated (as much as I understand orchestrations), certainly not just a piano. And the entire cast participated in the singing and the choreography.
The song seems to describe what the play is going to be about very explicitly (I assumed that was the object of the rewrite), but it contains parts of the same song (What if?) that has been playing on the commercials.
It works as an intro and introduces Ms. Menzel nicely, but is relatively low key for an opening (though some might say that matches the overall tone of the show which is a relatively small-scale story).


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re: New opening song in If/Then tonight

Posted by: Allinsparetime 12:07 am EDT 03/15/14
In reply to: New opening song in If/Then tonight - wmdmcree 11:57 pm EDT 03/14/14

How was the song?


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