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WOMEN ON THE VERGE UK opening number

Posted by: ilw 10:57 pm EST 01/17/15

In the new London production of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, the opening number is still "Madrid," but, based on the linked video, it looks much different than it did when I saw it on Broadway.

Bartlett Sher has totally re-imagined his original staging of this number, which looks great. David Yazbek has also written a new intro to the song to let us know that it's depicting Pepa's dream.

Link "Madrid" from WOMEN ON THE VERGE (UK)

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re: WOMEN ON THE VERGE UK opening number

Posted by: dchesnut 11:11 am EST 01/19/15
In reply to: WOMEN ON THE VERGE UK opening number - ilw 10:57 pm EST 01/17/15

that actor playing the Taxi Driver in the London production was my favorite performance out of them all in London. He was fantastic.. and, he felt authentically Spanish. Burstein was ok, but the performer in London was fantastic.


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re: WOMEN ON THE VERGE UK opening number

Posted by: theaterbear 12:59 pm EST 01/18/15
In reply to: WOMEN ON THE VERGE UK opening number - ilw 10:57 pm EST 01/17/15

It's nice to hear people who seem even somewhat vaguely hispanic singing this music.


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re: WOMEN ON THE VERGE UK opening number

Posted by: FrankF 09:49 pm EST 01/18/15
In reply to: re: WOMEN ON THE VERGE UK opening number - theaterbear 12:59 pm EST 01/18/15

I've read in articles that Spanish is Danny Burnstein's first language.


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What was the original opening number?

Posted by: mikem 09:39 am EST 01/18/15
In reply to: WOMEN ON THE VERGE UK opening number - ilw 10:57 pm EST 01/17/15

My somewhat hazy recollection is that the show started previews in New York with a different opening number, and Madrid was the opener of Act II. Does anyone remember what the original opening number was?

I still think Laura Benanti should have won the Tony for this role. Her rendition of Model Behavior is one of the funniest numbers I have ever seen.


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re: What was the original opening number?

Posted by: kdogg36 09:53 am EST 01/18/15
In reply to: What was the original opening number? - mikem 09:39 am EST 01/18/15

My memory's a bit hazy, too, but I think the opening number was "My Crazy Heart" when I saw a very early preview.


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re: What was the original opening number?

Posted by: kess0078 01:25 pm EST 01/18/15
In reply to: re: What was the original opening number? - kdogg36 09:53 am EST 01/18/15

Yes, the original opening number was "My Crazy Heart," which is featured on the show's cast recording - it's the final track on the album.


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re: WOMEN ON THE VERGE UK opening number

Posted by: kidmanboy 09:04 am EST 01/18/15
In reply to: WOMEN ON THE VERGE UK opening number - ilw 10:57 pm EST 01/17/15

Is the character singing the song still a taxi driver? Some lyrics referring to this are still there, but the staging doesn't suggest it.
I like the idea for the staging of the opening number, but the song doesn't really seem to fit what's occurring. I really wish they gave another director a chance at this show. I'm a fan of some of Bart Sher's other work, but this text and tone seem to be at odds with his talents.


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re: WOMEN ON THE VERGE UK opening number

Posted by: sf 11:16 am EST 01/18/15
In reply to: re: WOMEN ON THE VERGE UK opening number - kidmanboy 09:04 am EST 01/18/15

"Is the character singing the song still a taxi driver? "

The part where he says "I get in my taxi" is a clue.


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