HOME ALL THAT CHAT ATC WEST COAST SHOPPIN' RUSH BOARD FAQS

LOGIN REGISTER SEARCH THREADED MODE

not logged in

Threaded Order | Chronological Order

re: Rothschilds & Sons - did anyone go?

Posted by: AlanScott 03:35 pm EST 11/19/14
In reply to: Rothschilds & Sons - did anyone go? - Guillaume 02:16 pm EST 11/19/14

I was there. I will try to post about it in detail later today or tomorrow. I had a very good time, but people who love the original show may be very unhappy with all the cuts.

Basically, they've turned an epic story written in an epic (or at least semi-epic) style into an intimate story, albeit one that takes place over a long period of time and in which world events figure.

The story is now told in flashback. The running time was 95 minutes. Anyway, I don't have time now to write all that I might want to say about it.

A song list can be found at the link. There wasn't one in the one-page handout, but I put one together, guessing at the title of the new song. I'm fairly confident that title is correct. The other two titles that may not be familiar were cut from the original.

Link Rothschilds and Sons

reply to this message |
re: Rothschilds & Sons - did anyone go?

Posted by: JayBee 05:10 pm EST 11/19/14
In reply to: re: Rothschilds & Sons - did anyone go? - AlanScott 03:35 pm EST 11/19/14

Did they cut the entire second act?? That how it seems from the new song list.


reply to this message |
re: Rothschilds & Sons - did anyone go?

Posted by: AlanScott 07:01 pm EST 11/19/14
In reply to: re: Rothschilds & Sons - did anyone go? - JayBee 05:10 pm EST 11/19/14

No. The second act was there, although missing several songs. No Hannah, which cuts about 15 minutes (maybe a tad less). But three of the songs and much of the book (with some revisions).


reply to this message | reply to first message
re: Rothschilds & Sons - did anyone go?

Posted by: larry13 05:42 pm EST 11/19/14
In reply to: re: Rothschilds & Sons - did anyone go? - JayBee 05:10 pm EST 11/19/14

Basically, yes; there certainly was no love interest for Nathan which it is my understanding--never having seen the musical before--makes up most of the second act and led at least some people to believe damaged the show's success.(When Mayer dies, the pivotal character is gone and the rest isn't as compelling.)
I think this version works and may even, with very reduced forces needed, have some life in small theaters. I would hope that the original version would still be available for any company willing to put it on.
I didn't mind the "book heavy" scenes except at the very beginning when, without any overture, it seemed an awfully long time until we got to the first familiar and wonderful Bock/Harnick song. It's also especially grim at the start, which may very well be the aim of the creators of this new version. At the reading I attended, it was thrilling to be able to see both Sherman Yellen(book)and Sheldon Harnick(lyrics)in the audience.
The book(much of the dialogue taken from Frederic Morton?)is excellent. Its brilliance in detailing arguments and thinking recalled for me 1776, on Broadway at the exact same time. And every song is a gem.
The entire cast was superb; I have never heard Marc Kudisch in better voice.(That there were no microphones was, of course, another pleasure.)


reply to this message | reply to first message


All That Chat is intended for the discussion of theatre news and opinion
subject to the terms and conditions of the Terms of Service. (Please take all off-topic discussion to private email.)

Please direct technical questions/comments to webmaster@talkinbroadway.com and policy questions to TBAdmin@talkinbroadway.com.

[ Home | On the Rialto | The Siegel Column | Cabaret | Tony Awards | Book Reviews | Great White Wayback Machine ]
[ Broadway Reviews | Barbara and Scott: The Two of Clubs | Sound Advice | Sound Advice Upcoming Releases CDs/Books/DVDs, etc. | Off Broadway | Funding Talkin' Broadway ]
[ Broadway 101 | Spotlight On | Talkin' Broadway | On the Boards | Regional | Talk to Us! | Search Talkin' Broadway ]

Terms of Service
[ © 1997 - 2014 www.TalkinBroadway.com, Inc. ]

Time to render: 0.023174 seconds.