| PatrickHSF and Hunchback | |
| Posted by: | BillEadie 10:17 am EST 11/16/14 |
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| Hope you enjoy your quick trip to San Diego today. I'll be interested in reading your thoughts about the production of Hunchback that's currently on stage at La Jolla Playhouse. Bill, in San Diego | |
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| My Thoughts . . . ***SPOILERS*** | |
| Posted by: | PatrickHSF 07:26 pm EST 11/17/14 |
| In reply to: | PatrickHSF and Hunchback - BillEadie 10:17 am EST 11/16/14 |
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| Sounds like I enjoyed the show better than BillEadie and Karou, but agree with them about the faults and weaknesses they discussed. But overall, I enjoyed the experience and it was well worth the trip. Whose Story Is This: I had the same feeling Karou expressed about whether this is Frollo’s or Quasi’s show. The first ten minutes was all about Frollo. While I do cheer for underdog types like Quasi, I was more interested in Frollo and the torment that Esmarelda puts him through. I’ve never seen Patrick Page before on stage, but he is really wonderful with a superb voice. He’s always in the moment: When he first sees Esmarelda dancing I was looking at him, standing nearly in the wings, and his expressions told volumes about the conflicting thoughts he was experiencing. I prefer this characterization over the film’s Frollo who seemed a bit more one-note (because I assume Disney didn’t want to be so bold about showing an old adult lusting over a buxom young gypsy). Quasimodo: Michael Arden is wonderful as Quasi, alternating between a hunched submissive creature barely able to talk when Frollo is around, to more upright and a bit self-assured other times, particularly when alone in the bell tower. Quasi in the film was played more like a kid who’d been bullied a few times. Arden’s Quasi though, expresses his weaknesses and disabilities. His deafness and the accompanying speech issues are there, as are the tics that show he has been severely abused by Frollo. Narration: Yes there is a lot of it, often with actors saying one line each in a long story. Maybe since I knew the film and story I didn’t need all the talk. Choir: The choir sits in four choir lofts along the back wall. The combination of the singing with the wonderful orchestra is quite a pleasure to the ears. New Songs: My least favorite songs are the new ones which come across as very “pop” and seem out of place with the original more operatic songs. Set: There is no curtain so you have lots of time to scan the set, a gigantic skeleton of wood beams, balconies and pews. Very cool and fun to look at. Not a bit of concrete aside from a few statues and gargoyles. And then there are the bells, six huge ones that fly in and out from above. The look impressively real and ring but I can’t tell if it is really them or a sound effect. Smaller set pieces are brought in and all is very minimalist which worked fine for me. St. Aphrodisius: This headless saint comes to life in Quasi’s imagination. Based on what I’d read I was expecting to be underwhelmed by this scene. Well, it was ok, but does seem out of place. But I suppose a character like Quasi could have in his imagination a body that does that magic head-dropping routine you can see on YouTube. Frollo’s Death: This needs some work. It starts off fine, with Frollo hoisted by a few cast members who carry him toward the rear of the stage while Frollo screams. It’s a simple solution to creating a death drop that works effectively with the other cast-driven elements during the production. Where the sequence fails is that a dummy dressed as Frollo is dropped from the rafters and lands with a thud behind Frollo and the cast. The dummy is not needed. We get that Frollo has been thrown over the railing by Quasimodo. Drop the dummy (pun intended) and let the falling image stand on its own. Enter’Acte and Exit Music: The enter’acte was lovely, with the choir singing in Latin a compilation of the show’s main songs. I love “Out There” and was happy to hear the song used for the exit music, rich and nicely orchestrated. Standing Ovation: Talk about an obligatory SO. The audience began standing when the cast (all lined up by the footlights) ended the final note and the house went dark. Didn’t even wait for the bows. | |
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| re: My Thoughts . . . ***SPOILERS*** | |
| Posted by: | BillEadie 03:44 am EST 11/18/14 |
| In reply to: | My Thoughts . . . ***SPOILERS*** - PatrickHSF 07:26 pm EST 11/17/14 |
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| Thanks for sharing these thoughts. I appreciate the good discussion of this show's strengths and weaknesses. Bill, in San Diego | |
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| re: PatrickHSF and Hunchback | |
| Posted by: | PatrickHSF 04:31 pm EST 11/16/14 |
| In reply to: | PatrickHSF and Hunchback - BillEadie 10:17 am EST 11/16/14 |
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| Thanks, Bill! I'm sitting outside the tester now Karou was here yesterday and I'm curious to hear her report as well. BTW, I decided to cab it. Got here early and walked around the UC campus. House manager has offered to call me a cab after the show. Curtain up! | |
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| In short... | |
| Posted by: | PatrickHSF 08:47 pm EST 11/16/14 |
| In reply to: | re: PatrickHSF and Hunchback - PatrickHSF 04:31 pm EST 11/16/14 |
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| I loved it! Found it thrilling. Will write a review shortly. :-) | |
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| What did you think of feinsteins | |
| Posted by: | dramedy 10:22 pm EST 11/16/14 |
| In reply to: | In short... - PatrickHSF 08:47 pm EST 11/16/14 |
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| Nm | |
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| re: What did you think of feinsteins | |
| Posted by: | PatrickHSF 06:18 pm EST 11/17/14 |
| In reply to: | What did you think of feinsteins - dramedy 10:22 pm EST 11/16/14 |
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| I liked Feinstein’s and can’t believe it was my first visit there (or its predecessors). What did I like? The nightclub vibe. The gracious and accommodating staff. The intimacy with Ms. Buckley (we were in the second ‘row’ of tables). An appreciative and respectful audience with manners. I didn’t check the time but I think the show was about 45-50 minutes. The volume was just right; it was mic’ed but was not overly loud. If anything, it could have even been a tad louder. Her bass player is very handsome and great eye candy. : ) She sang all sort of unexpected songs (unexpected to me), some from older albums and some from her new Ghostlight CD. My friend who has seen her perform many times before, both cabaret and theater, adores her version of ‘Meadowlark’ and was a bit bummed that wasn’t included. No ‘Memory’ but I’m assuming she has moved on from these former standards of hers. She told a riotous story of being in Brigadoon in college and how she went up while singing ‘My Mother’s Weddin’ Day,’ and alternated between the story and the song. Wonderful! | |
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| 50 minutes only | |
| Posted by: | dramedy 07:43 am EST 11/18/14 |
| In reply to: | re: What did you think of feinsteins - PatrickHSF 06:18 pm EST 11/17/14 |
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| I guess that is the new norm. It costs $80-100 for a show there with ticket, $20 min and tip. The river isn't looking so expensive anymore. | |
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| re: 50 minutes only ... Oops | |
| Posted by: | PatrickHSF 02:22 pm EST 11/18/14 |
| In reply to: | 50 minutes only - dramedy 07:43 am EST 11/18/14 |
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| My big mistake. Meant to say the performance was about 75 minutes, maybe 80 with one encore. Prior to Friday I didn't have much experience with jazz clubs, and I enjoyed the classy experience. I didn't attend with a date, just a friend, but it will definitely be a romantic option for a future date night. However, given the price tag, I think I would rather direct my fun-money to theater, ballet, opera, etc., unless there is really a performer like Ms. Buckley that I want to see up close. I've signed up for Feinstein's email blasts so I'll keep a look-out. I've noticed the ticket prices vary depending on the performer, so some are more affordable than others. | |
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| Goldstar is your friend | |
| Posted by: | Kaoru 03:16 pm EST 11/18/14 |
| In reply to: | re: 50 minutes only ... Oops - PatrickHSF 02:22 pm EST 11/18/14 |
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| Most of the Feinstein's shows are on Goldstar, even Betty's shows were on it. The only thing is that with Goldstar tickets, you don't sit close to the stage, which is perfectly fine as the venue is so small as you know. | |
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| re: Goldstar is your friend | |
| Posted by: | PatrickHSF 04:27 pm EST 11/18/14 |
| In reply to: | Goldstar is your friend - Kaoru 03:16 pm EST 11/18/14 |
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| Ah yes, thanks for the reminder. The only seats that looked oddly placed were the small tables along the back wall to the right as you enter the club. IIRC, the counter seats -- I think these are called "the rails" -- were in front of this last row of seats. How can you be seated behind people on counter-level stools and see anything other the patrons' backsides? Buying a ticket on GoldStar might be a good reason to tip the maitre de as I previously asked about. If it is the same maitre de everytime, he seemed super friendly and might open to a little flirting for a better seat! LOL ;-) | |
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