| IF/Then...WHY??? | |
| Posted by: | theaterisok 10:42 am EDT 03/17/14 |
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| Like others, I was there on Saturday when Michael came down the aisle to tell the audience that Idina was given new lyrics to the opening number. It's not a new song. It's just new lyrics. It was interesting to listen to the lyrics when she would look down at the cue cards, because I couldn't help think, "My God, if those are the new lyrics, what the hell were the old ones?" Talk about much ado about nothing. I commend all involved for taking the risk to bring an original, new musical to Broadway. But should we forgive the endless flaws just because of the risk they are taking? The design reminded me of The Prince of Central Park- this romantic version of what New York City is like, with all these crispy, clean people surrounded by colorful lights (red and blue being the main motifs here) and the Disney-fied trees of Central Park (in this case, the urban planning inside Liz/Beth's mind). Regardless of how important it is what David Stone is trying to do as a producer here, you can't ignore what a misfire this whole outing is. Two story lines that have no relationship to each other, other than the main questions, "What if?" But I challenge all involved to answer, "WHY????" Why am I sitting there watching this woman? Why do I care what path she takes? Why do I care about any of the secondary characters, whose stories come and go so quickly I have no time to invest? Why does Anthony Rapp seem to take over the first half of Act Two- what happened to our leading lady? Why, why, why? There is zero reason to care. If they are trying to be a modern day "Company," there is simply no central theme to carry us through. And the book, lyrics and music lack anything close to the sophistication and truly contemporary skill of that 1970's hit. Kitt's music here is pretty, at best. Monotonous is more the order of the day. For two supposedly unique paths, the music sounded completely generic with lots of American Idol/Idina belting on the final notes. One duet in Act Two for La Chanze and Jen just has them belting and riffing for no reason- and they were all tired, even Idina, so notes were often missed. Ouch. It was only Saturday! Throw out the opening song and write a new one that tells us why we are going on this journey. I don't want to know why SHE is going on the journey, I want to know why WE are being asked to sit there for almost three hours and piece together a totally random sampling of two paths of one woman's life. WHY??? And did anyone else notice they pretty much got rid of the set in Act Two. All of those moving picture frames in Act One (annoying as hell) were pretty much gone in Act Two, for no reason! Why? I recommend seeing this show for no other reason to learn what NOT to do. By the way, I would love to see Leslie Kritzer in this role. Or even La Chanze. Someone who has a more innate sense of humor about the hard knocks of life. Idina is brittle and sarcastic- WHY??? | |
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| re: IF/Then...WHY??? | |
| Posted by: | Katie 01:04 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | IF/Then...WHY??? - theaterisok 10:42 am EDT 03/17/14 |
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| I'm still on the fence about seeing this. I really don't like Idina's style of singing - I watched the PBS show she did with Marvin Hamlisch the other week and hated every number. Is she true to that style in this or is there more subtlety in her renditions? | |
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| re: IF/Then...WHY??? | |
| Posted by: | JayBee 04:00 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: IF/Then...WHY??? - Katie 01:04 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
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| Couldn't agree more, Katie. I had to turn her PBS special off. Her singing is so shrill and so grating - like a jackhammer through concrete. | |
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| Here is a video to give you an idea... | |
| Posted by: | UWS_JIM 01:12 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: IF/Then...WHY??? - Katie 01:04 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
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| This link below is from a fan show they did and has bits of a few songs, in addition to the link I would also say check out this video of Anthony Rapp singing his love song which works very well in the show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WOSIercmJI | |
| Link | IF / THEN live show |
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| " Idina is brittle and sarcastic" perhaps explains your response to the show | |
| Posted by: | UWS_JIM 12:56 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | IF/Then...WHY??? - theaterisok 10:42 am EDT 03/17/14 |
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| I loved the show partly because I like Idina as an actress and singer but if she is not your idea of a good leading woman you are not going to enjoy it are you? As for WHY??? You could say that of any story in any show couldn't you? Why am I bothering watching animals at Lion King, why should I be interested in a transsexual singer in Hedwig? These things are all subjective of course , I found the stories to be interesting and ultimately moving and loved the characters especially Anthony Rapp and LaChanze's portrayals. Jim | |
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| re: IF/Then...WHY??? | |
| Posted by: | newintown 11:11 am EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | IF/Then...WHY??? - theaterisok 10:42 am EDT 03/17/14 |
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| I have to concur, after seeing it this weekend. It felt as insightful and sophisticated as an episode of Dawson's Creek. And Menzel's voice sounded veiled and tired to me; not unexpected, after years of misuse. | |
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| re: IF/Then...WHY??? | |
| Posted by: | ryhog 11:02 am EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | IF/Then...WHY??? - theaterisok 10:42 am EDT 03/17/14 |
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| "should we forgive the endless flaws just because of the risk they are taking?" what flaws? rewriting during previews is a positive part of the process. Heaven help us if we start to view it as a flaw... | |
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| re: IF/Then...WHY??? | |
| Posted by: | theaterisok 11:42 am EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: IF/Then...WHY??? - ryhog 11:02 am EDT 03/17/14 |
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| I don't think you quite understood me. Rewriting is not the flaw. The basic structural problems, banal music and lyrics, terrible design choices and pointless storytelling are the flaws. Should we forgive all of this because we should be grateful there is an original new musical on Broadway? | |
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| re: IF/Then...WHY??? | |
| Posted by: | ryhog 11:57 am EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: IF/Then...WHY??? - theaterisok 11:42 am EDT 03/17/14 |
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| Right, sorry. I was connecting your reference to the announcement re the new lyrics and the flaw. If the show is as bad as you say, then no forgiveness is warranted and, sadly, that's why we end up with so much tried and true music on Bway. | |
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| re: IF/Then...WHY??? | |
| Posted by: | theaterisok 11:59 am EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: IF/Then...WHY??? - ryhog 11:57 am EDT 03/17/14 |
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| There were ample Idina fans in the orchestra who were quite pleased with the evening. That counts for something. It just did not work for me. | |
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| At how many performances has he made that announcement? | |
| Posted by: | Ann 10:46 am EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | IF/Then...WHY??? - theaterisok 10:42 am EDT 03/17/14 |
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| Seems like it was more than just Saturday. | |
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| re: At how many performances has he made that announcement? | |
| Posted by: | seeseveryshow 10:54 am EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | At how many performances has he made that announcement? - Ann 10:46 am EDT 03/17/14 |
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| Friday night, Sat Mat and Evening, and Sunday (yesterday) matinee... I think the show opens in two weeks, so she better get a firm grasp on those new lyrics by the time the critics start showing up sometime next week. | |
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| re: At how many performances has he made that announcement? | |
| Posted by: | Ann 12:08 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: At how many performances has he made that announcement? - seeseveryshow 10:54 am EDT 03/17/14 |
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| I guess it's amazing to me that they can orchestrate and put in a song but still have the performer "on book" for three days. | |
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| re: At how many performances has he made that announcement? | |
| Posted by: | seeseveryshow 12:32 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: At how many performances has he made that announcement? - Ann 12:08 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
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| Evidently, it is the same song, the same tune as before, simply with revised lyrics. They seem to be struggling with a number that "sets the stage" for what's to come... like "Comedy Tonight" in A FUNNY THING. Inasmuch as it would take a lengthy essay to describe what this show aims to mean, I am not sure a few stanzas of lyrics, even if sung clearly and distinctly without the distraction of all the ensemble movement on stage, would be enough. As of yesterday, intelligent people I know who attended are still getting confused. Others, not so much. But, all seem to find something to enjoy about the show. | |
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| re: At how many performances has he made that announcement? | |
| Posted by: | enoch10 02:47 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: At how many performances has he made that announcement? - seeseveryshow 12:32 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
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| >> "Comedy Tonight" in A FUNNY THING. no. "comedy tonight" was an entirely new song. they seem to be just reworking lyrics. i can't believe it's taking her this long to learn new lyrics. even if they're changing them every day i doubt they're handing her new cards as she walks out on stage. if they give them to her as late as 5:OO she's got three hours to learn them. | |
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| re: At how many performances has he made that announcement? | |
| Posted by: | StageLover 04:06 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: At how many performances has he made that announcement? - enoch10 02:47 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
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| Good Lord, could you be more bitchy? And how are you such an expert in playing leading roles on Broadway, when lyrics, and God knows what else, are being changed every day? Menzel has proven her worth. But I'd love to know your credits... | |
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| re: At how many performances has he made that announcement? | |
| Posted by: | enoch10 04:09 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: At how many performances has he made that announcement? - StageLover 04:06 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
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| yes i could. it doesn't take an expert to know that new lyrics could be learned in the less than three hours. if there is more going on see the post below. | |
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| re: At how many performances has he made that announcement? | |
| Posted by: | Michael_Portantiere 03:16 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: At how many performances has he made that announcement? - enoch10 02:47 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
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| I wonder, is it possible she doesn't really need the cards but is using them with the audience in mind -- maybe the director's idea? It seems that, at least in previews, at lot of audience members like to feel they're seeing something in the process of creation. Also, audiences often love seeing anything out of the ordinary happen in a show -- whether it's a scenery malfunction or the leading lady reading lyrics off cue cards because she's just recently been handed them and hasn't had a chance to fully memorize them. Plus, having her read from cue cards may be thought of as a way to get the audience on her side -- the actress, if not necessarily the character. | |
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| re: At how many performances has he made that announcement? | |
| Posted by: | Ann 03:35 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: At how many performances has he made that announcement? - Michael_Portantiere 03:16 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
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| One of the initial posts said the director announced she was using notecards at his request (of course, he can say anything). I do know what you mean, but I think it's kind of said if such a situation on stage on Broadway is viewed as a positive thing. With previews at regular price. | |
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| re: At how many performances has he made that announcement? | |
| Posted by: | Michael_Portantiere 04:20 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: At how many performances has he made that announcement? - Ann 03:35 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
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| "I think it's kind of sad if such a situation on stage on Broadway is viewed as a positive thing." I'm sure a great many people would agree with you. But on the other hand, I do think some audience members are kind of tickled to see something like this happen, for the reasons I mentioned. It could be viewed as an amplification of the "let's get the audience on our side" intention that's behind a director making a pre-show speech to the audience to begin with. Of course, there are limits. If the audience saw the leading lady reading the lyrics for two or more songs off of cards, I don't think they'd be tickled about that. | |
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| re: At how many performances has he made that announcement? | |
| Posted by: | Ann 04:47 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: At how many performances has he made that announcement? - Michael_Portantiere 04:20 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
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| I do think some audience members are kind of tickled to see something like this happen, for the reasons I mentioned. Yes, I was agreeing with you. And I think it's sad. I'm not tickled. | |
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| re: At how many performances has he made that announcement? | |
| Posted by: | enoch10 03:53 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: At how many performances has he made that announcement? - Ann 03:35 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
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| correction: >>One of the initial posts said the director announced she was using notecards at his request (of course, he can say anything). I do know what you mean, but I think it's kind of said if such a situation on stage on Broadway is viewed as a positive thing. With previews at regular price. and if i knew how i'd draw a line through "a positive" and change to "an acceptable." | |
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| It sounds like the score is the same with different lyrics | |
| Posted by: | dramedy 12:29 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: At how many performances has he made that announcement? - Ann 12:08 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
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| I would think that is harder than learning a whole new song since you would tend to slip back told lyrics. | |
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| re: It sounds like the score is the same with different lyrics | |
| Posted by: | Ann 12:31 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | It sounds like the score is the same with different lyrics - dramedy 12:29 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
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| I think earlier reports called it a new song - maybe more than one thing going on. But isn't that standard for the preview process? | |
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| re: It sounds like the score is the same with different lyrics | |
| Posted by: | n2mss 02:50 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: It sounds like the score is the same with different lyrics - Ann 12:31 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
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| It definitely is not the same song that opened in DC. Many parts of the melody are the same, but it is indeed a "new" song since DC closed. | |
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| re: It sounds like the score is the same with different lyrics | |
| Posted by: | enoch10 02:53 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: It sounds like the score is the same with different lyrics - n2mss 02:50 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
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| well, if it is a new song or even of they are tinkering with the structure of an old one i take back what i said above. see? this is why commenting on things you haven't seen is a bad idea! | |
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