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Allegro at CSC

Posted by: drummergirl 02:05 pm EDT 03/30/14

I noticed that this production is part of CSC's upcoming season; I've done searches and what I've read has whetted my appetite to learn more about the show.

I realize that the original had a rather harsh reception, and later comments suggest that it was ahead of its time. Curious to hear any recollections the folks here might have about any of the subsequent revivals.


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re: Allegro at CSC

Posted by: AlanScott 03:18 am EDT 03/31/14
In reply to: Allegro at CSC - drummergirl 02:05 pm EDT 03/30/14

The reviews for the original were all over the place, with raves, favorable, mixed and pans all in there. Probably overall more favorable than not.

The only major production in New York since the original was the Encores! production, which was done their first season, when the shows really were more like staged concerts. It was also done at Equity Library Theatre in the 1970s.

It's a very interesting show that doesn't quite make it.

It's being done in May at the Astoria Performing Arts Center. I've heard good things about their work, and I plan to go. Tickets are $18. $12 for seniors and students. Some good people are in the cast.

I've heard that Doyle has said that he is planning to make some revisions, though not major ones.

Personally, I'm more interested in the Astoria production. I've linked info on it.

Link Astoria Allegro

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re: Allegro at CSC

Posted by: drummergirl 08:18 am EDT 03/31/14
In reply to: re: Allegro at CSC - AlanScott 03:18 am EDT 03/31/14

Thanks for your recollections, Alan. And I appreciate the link to the Astoria production.

I'm typically a subscriber to CSC, but I wasn't planning on going to this one. After doing a bit of reading about it, though, I *did* become interested in learning more about the background of the piece, so I appreciate your response.


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re: Allegro at CSC

Posted by: lowwriter 01:15 pm EDT 03/31/14
In reply to: re: Allegro at CSC - drummergirl 08:18 am EDT 03/31/14

Allegro is the reason I renewed my subscription to CSC this year. I only did 2 shows this time around. Can't decide if the Chris Noth show will be any good.


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re: Allegro at CSC I SAW THE ORIGINAL

Posted by: Dondunn (donhdunn@yahoo.com) 04:13 pm EDT 03/31/14
In reply to: re: Allegro at CSC - lowwriter 01:15 pm EDT 03/31/14

Well, after Oklahoma and Carousel, the feeling of disappointment was perhaps somewhat increased just from over-expectation. The "original" story -- small-town doctor learns prominent bigtime practice isn't what brings happinsss -- seemed trite at the time. However, to this day, I still hum You Are Never Away (from your home in my heart) and think it ranks up there with The Song Is You and other great Hammerstein lyrics. One Foot, Other Foot -- in which the "child" learns to walk and starts on his way to a successful career -- also is a rousing number. So is the title song -- "Our world is for the forceful and not for sentimental folk, just brilliant and resourceful and paranoic gentlefolk, we know no other way of living out the day, our music must be galloping and gay--Allegro"" -- remember most of the lyrics to this day. Disappointing, tho, in the original was Lisa Kirk, in one, doing The Gentleman is a Dope, beautifully but disappointing because the song just brought to mind The Lady Is a Tramp. Then there was the banality of A Fellow Needs a Girl (...to sit by his side and listen to him talk and agree with the things he'll say). Wikipedia has a good summation of the show's problems, with comments by Sondheim. In a season where I saw Brigadoon, Carousel, Finian's Rainbow, and Nancy Walker in Look, Ma, I'm Dancin' and High Button Shoes, well, Allegro had a long way to go, and didn't quite make it.


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re: Allegro at CSC I SAW THE ORIGINAL

Posted by: drummergirl 12:35 am EDT 04/01/14
In reply to: re: Allegro at CSC I SAW THE ORIGINAL - Dondunn 04:13 pm EDT 03/31/14

I so enjoyed reading your comments, and they added color and flavor to a rather dry Wikipedia summary - still not sure that this is of interest (sorry, lowwriter, we agree on so much else!), but I now know so much more than I did before. Thanks so much.


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