| Why so much fervor surrounding THE VISIT? | |
| Posted by: | JBarnet 07:26 pm EDT 08/05/14 |
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| I am not trolling. I don't wish to inspire negativity or discord. I'm just seeking an answer to my curiosity. I am unfamiliar with the plot and music of THE VISIT. I know that three great men created it, Chita Rivera stars in it, and a prominent director is at the helm. I know it has had several productions over the years in different forms at well regarded regional houses. That's it. Reading through the many threads about the Williamstown production from the past few days, I have been struck by the fervor on all sides: "It's a masterpiece!" "It's overrated claptrap!" "It should come to New York because it's brilliant!" "It's terribly flawed but should come to New York anyway!" Etc. I can't remember the last time there was so much excitement and opinion about an out of town show. I feel like it's kind of unusual, even given the pedigree of the people involved. Could someone explain why? Is there a cult following I'm unaware of? Do people just like Chita? Is it the summer and people just have nothing better to do? Please help me understand. :) | |
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| re: Why so much fervor surrounding THE VISIT? | |
| Posted by: | keikekaze 09:36 pm EDT 08/05/14 |
| In reply to: | Why so much fervor surrounding THE VISIT? - JBarnet 07:26 pm EDT 08/05/14 |
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| The response so far to The Visit hasn't struck me as especially fervid, one way or the other, for this board. There are people who like it and people who don't, as usual, but the length of the threads about it, so far, has been nowhere near the length of the threads about, for example, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess three years ago. Those threads, too, occurred mostly in August of that year. August is always a slow time for Broadway openings, and people have to chat about something; beyond that, this year there's only one new musical (The Last Ship) firmly scheduled to open on Broadway in the fall. If there's even a theoretical possibility that The Visit might be another, that's a natural cause for excitement, in addition to all the major Broadway names and major Broadway talents that are associated with the show. | |
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| Well said!! (nmi) | |
| Posted by: | Valalala 09:52 pm EDT 08/05/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Why so much fervor surrounding THE VISIT? - keikekaze 09:36 pm EDT 08/05/14 |
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| Thanks, V!--n/m | |
| Posted by: | keikekaze 12:11 am EDT 08/06/14 |
| In reply to: | Well said!! (nmi) - Valalala 09:52 pm EDT 08/05/14 |
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| xo | |
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| re: Why so much fervor ... | |
| Posted by: | SuzanneR 07:44 pm EDT 08/05/14 |
| In reply to: | Why so much fervor surrounding THE VISIT? - JBarnet 07:26 pm EDT 08/05/14 |
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| "I know that three great men created it, Chita Rivera stars in it, and a prominent director is at the helm. I know it has had several productions over the years in different forms at well regarded regional houses. That's it." That's quite a bit. I think you've answered your own question right there ... | |
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| re: Why so much fervor ... | |
| Posted by: | Ann 08:38 am EDT 08/06/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Why so much fervor ... - SuzanneR 07:44 pm EDT 08/05/14 |
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| That, and the fact that this is a slow month for theatre, and also because it has had a long, long period of anticipation - the whole thing starting with Angela Lansbury's involvement didn't hurt either. | |
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| re: Why so much fervor surrounding THE VISIT? | |
| Posted by: | enoch10 07:31 pm EDT 08/05/14 |
| In reply to: | Why so much fervor surrounding THE VISIT? - JBarnet 07:26 pm EDT 08/05/14 |
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| not being at all snarky. it is a perfectly valid question but, honestly, you answered yourself. >> three great men created it, Chita Rivera stars in it, | |
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| re: Why so much fervor surrounding THE VISIT? | |
| Posted by: | Glitter 07:43 pm EDT 08/05/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Why so much fervor surrounding THE VISIT? - enoch10 07:31 pm EDT 08/05/14 |
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| "three great men created it and Chita Rivera stars in it" is just part of the equation for me. I honestly and truly believe it's a powerful, moving piece of work. It consistently moves me, I adore the score and the performances, and as a Kander and Ebb fan, it's some of their best work. It's definitely some of Chita's best work, and this may be her last chance to create a starring role in a musical. As a whole, it holds up against Chicago and Cabaret, in my opinion. The way it divides people who've seen it is the mark of a great piece of art, in my opinion. The last part of it is my intense desire for this show to have life on Broadway. It's an original, challenging, adult musical, the kind that should be on Broadway alongside the jukebox shows, endless revivals, and vapid lowest-common-denominator shows. | |
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| re: Why so much fervor surrounding THE VISIT? | |
| Posted by: | chrisampm 07:35 pm EDT 08/05/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Why so much fervor surrounding THE VISIT? - enoch10 07:31 pm EDT 08/05/14 |
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| The furor doesn't seem that much more than a few other high-profile out-of-town engagements in the recent past. But another reason for the interest is timing. Not much else is filling up the buzzy bandwith right now. | |
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| re: Why so much fervor surrounding THE VISIT? | |
| Posted by: | enoch10 07:33 pm EDT 08/05/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Why so much fervor surrounding THE VISIT? - enoch10 07:31 pm EDT 08/05/14 |
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| if you think this is bad wait until you see what happens if it does come in. it is a polarizing piece. speaking just for me the audience got it wrong, very wrong, the last time around with SB - expect a more spirited defense for THE VISIT. | |
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