Really enjoyed it.
Very entertaining. Terrifically theatrical. Albeit too expensive and too long
All elements are excellent - Acting, Direction (especially movement, including flying) Set, Lighting, Costumes.
I'm sure it's like reading the next Potter novel - a bit of a slog. (I've never read any)
There are a lot of flashbacks to early events... even the origin story
If nothing else, watch movie #4- Goblet of Fire. (as recommended on this board) I'm very glad I did
Only one bone to pick ... with sound design.
In 7th row Orchestra mid-right - had trouble hearing some spoken dialog. It was a 'dead-spot' (At that spot, the sound was out of phase, empty in the middle, muddling the dialog)
Got the headphone at intermission of Part 1. Cleared up the dialog, but had to remove for the major ambient sound effects.
If you go, definitely get the headphones, just in case you have the same sound issue.
All that said, I largely agree with Eliz Vincentelli at her most critical: "...repetitive story ...padded with dopey teenage angst and banal father-son issues. The dialogue is as brain-numbing as the stagecraft is eye-popping"
if you don't allow yourself to get drawn into the story (thin as it may be) you'll be very bored.
[I don't think this is a spoiler...]
$33 million theater renovation is gorgeous. Clearly, they kept the flying rigging from Spiderman. |
