| The Merry Widow | |
| Posted by: | LovestheShow 05:07 pm EST 01/17/15 |
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| I'm typing this on my iPhone while MetroNorthing it home, so pls forgive abbrevs and typos. I just saw, and totally enjoyed, the live broadcast of The Merry Widow at the AMC on 42nd Street. After reading some reviews I almost elected not to go. But I did and I'm glad. Pluses: 1. Kelli O'Hara: funny adorable likable, and in great voice 2. Not too much overacting. For example, Baron Zeta was a real person instead of a buffoon 3. Nathan Gunn: major crush material. Handsome and hunky, and I love his voice 4. COSTUMES. Especially seeing them so close up 5. Although it took me awhile to warm up to Renee Fleming, I thought her Villa was perfect, and I'm usually kinda bored by the song My only two negatives: 1. Don't cut away from a kiss to which everything has been building. Of course this is a complaint about the broadcast...in person, my eyes would've been glued to Hanna and Danilo :-) 2. Not enough waltzing!!!! I missed Beverly Sills and Alan Titus so much! Now a question: will a DVD ever be made available of this version? Hope you all have a nice weekend! | |
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| re: The Merry Widow | |
| Posted by: | Page 07:00 pm EST 01/17/15 |
| In reply to: | The Merry Widow - LovestheShow 05:07 pm EST 01/17/15 |
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| Just before 1:00 this afternoon, I tuned into WETA 90.9 FM. Absolutely delightful! During intermission it was an additional treat hearing backstage interviews with Renée Fleming, Nathan Gunn and Kelli O'Hara. I hope this production of The Merry Widow will be aired on PBS Live From Lincoln Center. A DVD would be nice to have. Thanks for posting, LovestheShow! :) | |
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| re: The Merry Widow | |
| Posted by: | taplady 10:25 pm EST 01/17/15 |
| In reply to: | re: The Merry Widow - Page 07:00 pm EST 01/17/15 |
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| I saw the production live at the Met and I would have to agree with most of the negative remarks made by almost all of the critics. I'm glad it came off better on camera but that does not surprise me since you would have a more intimate experience and be able to hear. I could hardly understand any of the dialogue or lyrics in a house the size of the met. The pacing was very slow just getting people on and off a stage that size. The final scene where most of the dancing occurred did pick up in energy because of that. This is an instance when seeing something filmed would be superior to the actual theatrical experience. | |
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| re: The Merry Widow | |
| Posted by: | ablessing786 09:19 am EST 01/18/15 |
| In reply to: | re: The Merry Widow - taplady 10:25 pm EST 01/17/15 |
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| I saw the production on New Year's Eve with my husband. We were very disappointed. The singing was very weak. Most of the dialogue was inaudible. The sets were flat. Only the Can-Can girls made the production come alive. We were VERY disappointed in Fleming and Gunn. The negative reviews were right on the mark. | |
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| re: The Merry Widow | |
| Posted by: | LovestheShow 11:24 am EST 01/18/15 |
| In reply to: | re: The Merry Widow - ablessing786 09:19 am EST 01/18/15 |
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| I wonder if seeing it close-up made all the difference. If you watch it when it's broadcast on TV I'd love your opinion, if it's any different. | |
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| re: The Merry Widow | |
| Posted by: | ablessing786 05:19 pm EST 01/18/15 |
| In reply to: | re: The Merry Widow - LovestheShow 11:24 am EST 01/18/15 |
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| I did not go to the HD, but listened to the broadcast. The voices were still weak on the radio broadcast. We will watch the telecast if it comes on TV. | |
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| re: The Merry Widow | |
| Posted by: | schauspieler 02:41 pm EST 01/18/15 |
| In reply to: | re: The Merry Widow - LovestheShow 11:24 am EST 01/18/15 |
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| I think that must be the case. In a movie theater, the alternation between spoken dialogue and singing was seamless, whereas in the opera house I understand there was a switch between amplification and natural sound. Seeing it in 2D, I didn't even notice the flat sets that many have complained of. And I think they must have had some more rehearsal and tightened things up since the premiere, because all the reviews complained of slow pacing, but the show I saw was a lively and spirited affair. | |
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| re: The Merry Widow | |
| Posted by: | Chromolume 03:02 pm EST 01/18/15 |
| In reply to: | re: The Merry Widow - schauspieler 02:41 pm EST 01/18/15 |
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| And I think they must have had some more rehearsal and tightened things up since the premiere, because all the reviews complained of slow pacing, but the show I saw was a lively and spirited affair. I doubt there has been any further rehearsal, at least formally. I don't think it would be possible to schedule more rehearsal. But there may have been notes given, etc. Another problem, of course, is that given the relatively paltry rehearsal period for any new Met production (as compared to Broadway, for instance), and a short run with no chance for any real previews, what the critics are seeing is the very first true performance (outside of the invited dress rehearsal). So it's a very different kind of situation than opening night of a Broadway show, though critics have no choice but to review it with the same standards. I didn't see the HD, but I did get to hear the first half of Act II on the radio (plus most of 2 previous Sirius broadcasts). The musical ensemble sounded ragged to me yesterday - especially in the mens' "Women" number, and also in the opening choral "Pontevedrian" number. (And either more people have to clap along, or they should cut that - it sounds so tentative.) Fleming's "Vilia" felt like mere notes on a page, no more than that, and her top notes seemed a little flat to me. Allen and Gunn were a pleasure to hear, as well as Alek Shrader and Kelli O'Hara (who at least over the air, sounds right at home). Carson Elrod is trying too hard, I think - and is Njegus really supposed to be flaming? | |
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| re: The Merry Widow | |
| Posted by: | SingersRMusicians2 08:12 pm EST 01/17/15 |
| In reply to: | re: The Merry Widow - Page 07:00 pm EST 01/17/15 |
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| Merry Widow is currently scheduled for Great Performances at the Met on Friday June 19th at 9:00 pm (in the NY area). | |
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| re: The Merry Widow | |
| Posted by: | lowwriter 09:35 am EST 01/18/15 |
| In reply to: | re: The Merry Widow - SingersRMusicians2 08:12 pm EST 01/17/15 |
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| I get Great Performances in CT so I will have to see it then. | |
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| Thanks! (nm) | |
| Posted by: | Page 06:45 am EST 01/18/15 |
| In reply to: | re: The Merry Widow - SingersRMusicians2 08:12 pm EST 01/17/15 |
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| re: The Merry Widow | |
| Posted by: | schauspieler 06:30 pm EST 01/17/15 |
| In reply to: | The Merry Widow - LovestheShow 05:07 pm EST 01/17/15 |
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| Like you I almost skipped the HD showing because the reviews I'd read were so negative. What a delight it turned out to be. The cast couldn't have been better. I'd read that Kelli O'Hara's voice failed to project in the big house but up close in the broadcast she sang exquisitely. Can't wait to hear her Anna. Also her drunken dancing with the can-can girls was a hoot. Lots more to recommend this show, at least on video. A real winner. | |
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| re: The Merry Widow | |
| Posted by: | WWriter 06:05 pm EST 01/17/15 |
| In reply to: | The Merry Widow - LovestheShow 05:07 pm EST 01/17/15 |
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| I pretty much agree. Would just add that I wish the camera had pulled back a bit for the first Maxim's dances | |
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| re: The Merry Widow | |
| Posted by: | lowwriter 05:44 pm EST 01/17/15 |
| In reply to: | The Merry Widow - LovestheShow 05:07 pm EST 01/17/15 |
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| I had planned seeing this at BAM but a screening became available at my neighborhood theater in CT so I sold my BAM ticket. And what happened? I was shut out of my local screening. Usually the MET opera films attract a small crowd where I live. And they don't do an Encore performance here. Sorry I missed it. | |
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| re: The Merry Widow | |
| Posted by: | mermaniac 06:32 pm EST 01/17/15 |
| In reply to: | re: The Merry Widow - lowwriter 05:44 pm EST 01/17/15 |
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| Just returned from BAM. Packed house ! Those Russians love their screenings ! I enjoyed this one so much, mostly because I love operetta. Critics suck big time. I never pay them any mind, and don't YOU, either ! | |
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| re: The Merry Widow | |
| Posted by: | Michael_Portantiere 12:28 am EST 01/18/15 |
| In reply to: | re: The Merry Widow - mermaniac 06:32 pm EST 01/17/15 |
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| "Just returned from BAM. Packed house ! Those Russians love their screenings ! I enjoyed this one so much, mostly because I love operetta. Critics suck big time. I never pay them any mind, and don't YOU, either !" I hope the exclamation points indicate you're joking. | |
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| re: The Merry Widow | |
| Posted by: | mermaniac 06:08 pm EST 01/18/15 |
| In reply to: | re: The Merry Widow - Michael_Portantiere 12:28 am EST 01/18/15 |
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| NO, Michael, I'm as serious as a John Simon heart attack ! | |
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| re: The Merry Widow | |
| Posted by: | Michael_Portantiere 06:42 pm EST 01/18/15 |
| In reply to: | re: The Merry Widow - mermaniac 06:08 pm EST 01/18/15 |
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| :-) Then I don't know what you mean by "those Russians love their screenings." And as for whether or not the critics "suck," there seems to be general agreement that this production of THE MERRY WIDOW comes across far better on video than it does in the house, largely (but not only) because of audibility issues. | |
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