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| GO SEE Flying Over Sunset!! Only 11 days left... don't miss it! | |
| Last Edit: Chazwaza 01:14 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| Posted by: Chazwaza 01:03 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| If you're still comfortable seeing theater... do not miss Flying Over Sunset. I have no idea if you'll like it or not. I have no idea if you'll think it "works" as a musical or not. Those conclusions are yours to draw and isn't that exciting, especially with an original new musical?! But they are also a bit besides the point with this show, especially at this point. I went in with a mix of high hopes and low expectations. I'd been looking forward to it since it was announced. It always sounds like a curious or even bizarre proposition, which is part of why I wanted to see it and made sure I did, given who was involved and who was producing it. I also heard for weeks how disappointing or just bad it was, what a mess it was. Maybe lowered expectations and high hopes were the best mix for me to see it. Overall, I loved it. No, it wasn't perfect, and no I'm not entirely sure "why" it exists, or if it achieved the presumable goals it had to keep people from asking why ... as if there needs to be a why. Whatever. Why does ALNM exist? Why does Guys & Dolls exist? I'm not comparing this to those shows on the level of quality or of success as a musical play or musical entertainment... those are subjective. But they don't automatically justify their own existence the way Cabaret or Fiddler or Assassins do. More important that liking the show, I'm so glad I got to see it. And I do mean SEE it, for myself. Whatever you end up feeling about the show, as a series of experiences with scenes/songs or as an experience with the piece as a whole, you will never again see it produced at this level. And indeed, visually, I've never seen a Broadway musical like this. In many respects I've never seen a Broadway musical like this. The score is good, soaring to some beautiful heights. They lyrics are good. The book is interesting and engaging, whether it's successful or not. The direction is good, the design is stunning. The cast is absolutely fantastic, with Carmen Cusack being the highlight (her biggest song is worth buying a ticket for alone). (I don't think Yazbeck is the *greatest* actor we've had but he's so good at so many things and they are also on display here). This is a fully original new musical written by a Pulitzer winning composer, a Pulitzer winning librettist (responsible for likely 1-3 of your favorite musicals), with lyrics by a man whose work on Grey Gardens would get me to see any show he's writing lyrics for... and directed by a world-class, if inconsistent, director, being given a production that is beyond first class, at one of America's greatest theaters. Why you would skip it just because you heard it was a mess, I'll never understand. (Covid being an obviously reasonable reason, but i mean outside of that, because many people are still going to theaters and that's fine) Even if it's a baffling f*cking disaster with no reason to exist (which I'm not saying it is), why wouldn't you want to go see it for yourself? How many shows like that come along? I know I regret missing the ones I missed. But again, this isn't that. It is an experiment in musical theater... and I think it's worth your time and your $30, which is what tickets have been going for for awhile. TIP: For a production like this the Loge is a brilliant section to sit in. But personally I think if you can get a seat in the front/mid orchestra, I'd be curious to see the show from the vantage point of feel in the middle of it or engulfed by the vast visual aspect. And if you hate it and think the production was dreck on top of that, then just feel happy you spent not that much money to support a worthy theater and theater artists during a very rough time for theater. |
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| I’m sorry… | |
| Last Edit: ShowGoer 02:21 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| Posted by: ShowGoer 02:20 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: GO SEE Flying Over Sunset!! Only 11 days left... don't miss it! - Chazwaza 01:03 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| I don’t have any interest in kicking a show when it’s done, and I appreciate your enthusiasm… That said, so as to not give the impression that the naysayers are some kind of minority opinion, but to give this thread a little constructive balance, I disagree, to the point where I’d say this is far and away – I don’t want to use the word “worst” (especially since LCT generally has an exceptionally high bar for quality) – so instead I’ll say, easily the weakest show that Lincoln Center Theater has produced in over a quarter century. (Yes, I’m including “Women on the Verge”, “The Great Society”, “A Free Man of Color”, “Nantucket Sleigh Ride” and all the rest; I’ve seen each and every one.) To my mind, you have to go back to a misbegotten revival of “The Little Foxes” and a shockingly inert John Guare play called “Four Baboons Adoring the Sun” – both in the 1990s, both oddly and unfortunately starring the amazing Stockard Channing – to find the only 2 shows in the last 30 years that LCT has produced which I’ve enjoyed less. I still agree with the spirit of what you wrote. I think it’s important for people to make up their own minds about polarizing works of art. Were we not still in a pandemic if wholeheartedly say absolutely it shouldn’t be missed. As things now stand, I’m afraid I’d only say, if you have no concerns or qualms about attending theater right now, by all means go (and if on the other hand you feel like it’s a risk to go out right now, or you’re being pickier and choosier about what you see than usual, then this wouldn’t be the one I’d recommend taking a chance on.) |
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| re: I’m sorry… | |
| Posted by: Jackson 03:20 pm EST 01/06/22 | |
| In reply to: I’m sorry… - ShowGoer 02:20 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| Do you remember the LCT clinker, "Sex and Longing" with Sigourney Weaver? That was truly awful! J |
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| re: Four Baboons | |
| Last Edit: PaulGrin 08:24 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| Posted by: PaulGrin 08:22 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: I’m sorry… - ShowGoer 02:20 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| I've been a Lincoln Center subscriber for many years and have seen all the shows you've mentioned. I remember coming out of the theatre with a friend after seeing "Four Baboons" and turning to her and saying that they should change the name of the play to "Four Baboons Are Boring the Sun." I hardly ever walk out of a show but when intermission came my friends and I couldn't wait to escape "Free Man of Color." When the intermission of "Flying Over Sunset" came the couple sitting next to me got up and one of them turned to me and said, "We're leaving. This is the worst musical I've ever seen." I replied, "Have you seen In My Life?" Her response was "I guess you must like Sondheim." I tried to engage them more and asked them just what makes it the worst musical they've seen. The only other thing she said was that the actor playing Cary Grant doesn't even sound like him. I said, "Well, he dances better than Cary Grant." She was not amused. I'm glad I saw "Flying Over Sunset." The performances were first rate and I loved the score. I'm even more in love with Carmen Cusack, if that's possible. The visuals and stagecraft were fantastic. Yes, it's not everyone's cup of tea but it's interesting and different. The friend I went with thought it was one of the most original musicals she's seen. I look forward to purchasing the cast recording because it's a score I'd like to revisit. | |
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| re: Four Baboons | |
| Posted by: den 09:15 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Four Baboons - PaulGrin 08:22 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| When my wife and I left ‘Sunset,’ she said she didn’t like it much but she was glad we saw it, and I agreed. The show does not work, and the second act essentially repeats the first, but there is much to admire here — the score, the performers, the design. It’s a worthy and honorable failure. Full disclosure: I too have been an LCT for many years, and strangely, I find that I’ve enjoyed many of the shows that have been critically drubbed. I’m not saying they’re great shows, but I enjoyed and am glad I saw ‘Women on the Verge..’, ‘A Free Man of Color,’ ‘Nantucket Sleigh Ride,’ and even ‘Four Baboons…’ The only LCT show I truly detested was ‘The Frogs’ … That was an unmitigated disaster to my mind. And, of course, when LCT hits a home run, as it often does, well, it’s great to be a member. But I admire LCT’s willingness to take a chance on a new, original musical, even as they produce sumptuous revivals that must help to sustain the operation. I wish ‘Flying Over Sunset’ had been able to complete its scheduled run because despite its inarguable shortcomings, I think it deserved to. |
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| there are only 2 musicals I'm telling people they must see while they can -- Flying Over Sunset and Caroline or Change | |
| Last Edit: Chazwaza 02:28 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| Posted by: Chazwaza 02:26 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: I’m sorry… - ShowGoer 02:20 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| One is a masterwork and one isn't. But I think if you are interested in musicals, these two productions are the ones you must see and will not have a chance to see again after this month. Caroline is a masterwork getting a staging I don't entirely love, and Flying is not a masterwork and is getting a production I think we'll never see rivaled. And both will be gone in a couple weeks. Also, for whatever it's worth... I don't know if you're counting LCT productions at the Mitzi, but I found both Happiness and The Glorious Ones to be lesser musicals and FAR more excruciating to sit through. |
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| re: there are only 2 musicals I'm telling people they must see while they can -- Flying Over Sunset and Caroline or Change | |
| Last Edit: ShowGoer 04:17 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| Posted by: ShowGoer 04:15 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: there are only 2 musicals I'm telling people they must see while they can -- Flying Over Sunset and Caroline or Change - Chazwaza 02:26 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| Agree completely on your first 2 paragraphs, aside from the fact that Caroline, getting a Broadway revival less than 20 years after its premier, is far likelier too receive additional further major revivals than Flying Over Sunset is. And for what it’s worth - yes, I enjoyed both of the shows you mention much more. They each, importantly, had a more consistent tone, not to mention more stakes and more conflict. And last but not least, definitely superior scores; even second-rate Ahrens & Flaherty (throw in LCT’s Dessa Rose and My Favorite Year while you’re at it) or Frankel-Korie (throw in Broadway’s War Paint and off-Broadway’s “Far From Heaven”while you’re at it) is far better than the oddly anesthetizing Kitt-Korie score for “Sunset”. |
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| re: there are only 2 musicals I'm telling people they must see while they can -- Flying Over Sunset and Caroline or Change | |
| Last Edit: Chazwaza 04:46 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| Posted by: Chazwaza 04:44 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: re: there are only 2 musicals I'm telling people they must see while they can -- Flying Over Sunset and Caroline or Change - ShowGoer 04:15 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| I think Caroline will be done in opera houses more in the next decade, and I think more amateur companies and colleges will do it. Flying Over Sunset is an absolutely perfect musical for inventive directors to do in colleges (student directors hopefully)... small cast, interesting premise, drug use, and fertile ground for inventive staging in a safe setting where failure at the box office isn't an issue... plus wonderful juicy roles for student performers, but also manageable in what they require. I found the score to Happiness extremely disappointing and mediocre. I found The Glorious Ones down right annoying, and I'm a big A&H fan. Both scores are mediocre on a level Dessa Rose couldn't even dream of being. And I'm sorry, but I think Dessa Rose is easily in their top 3 scores. It is hardly second-rate Ahrens & Flaherty. Ragtime, Dessa Rose and Once On This Island -- their top 3 achievements. A distant 4th is probably A Man of No Importance, followed by Seussical, then My Favorite Year (or maybe switch the last two)? I also think that as beautiful as OOTI, Dessa Rose is a much more mature score but also achingly beautiful and dynamic. One of the most underrated scores of the last few decades. I also think War Paint is WAY better as a score and show than Happiness -- Far From Heaven though was boring, unimaginative and stale, which is heartbreaking because I can't think of a songwriting team more perfectly suited to adapt that movie. Maybe Richard Greenberg as the bookwriter was the wrong choice, it's possible Doug Wright could have brought more to it. Especially after such a quality and interesting collaboration with F&K on Grey Gardens, |
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| re: there are only 2 musicals I'm telling people they must see while they can -- Flying Over Sunset and Caroline or Change | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 05:39 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: re: there are only 2 musicals I'm telling people they must see while they can -- Flying Over Sunset and Caroline or Change - Chazwaza 04:44 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| Hopefully, directors in college are being encouraged to learn how to tell stories, rather than create compelling stage pictures; based on what we’ve heard so far, “Flying over Sunset” seems like a bad choice to fulfill that educational criteria. | |
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| re: there are only 2 musicals I'm telling people they must see while they can -- Flying Over Sunset and Caroline or Change | |
| Last Edit: Chazwaza 06:20 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| Posted by: Chazwaza 06:09 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: re: there are only 2 musicals I'm telling people they must see while they can -- Flying Over Sunset and Caroline or Change - Singapore/Fling 05:39 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| I'm not sure why you're saying this not having seen it as a reply to someone who has (and who was a college theater directing student, for what it's worth). Compelling stage pictures are also a very important part of directing ... but I'm glad you've decided there's nothing to do in this musical as a director besides creating pictures. |
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| re: there are only 2 musicals I'm telling people they must see while they can -- Flying Over Sunset and Caroline or Change | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 06:47 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: re: there are only 2 musicals I'm telling people they must see while they can -- Flying Over Sunset and Caroline or Change - Chazwaza 06:09 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| What’s the story? | |
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| re: there are only 2 musicals I'm telling people they must see while they can -- Flying Over Sunset and Caroline or Change | |
| Posted by: Chazwaza 07:04 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: re: there are only 2 musicals I'm telling people they must see while they can -- Flying Over Sunset and Caroline or Change - Singapore/Fling 06:47 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| This is bizarre and bonkers that you have not seen this show, but based on what you've heard or read, you have declared it is a waste for any college student to spend time directing... and to justify that I think it wouldn't be a bad project for them, I have to tell you "the story" of the musical in question. Even if you're right, which you're not and also is irrelevant as you haven't seen it, do you think college theater students only work on the best and most worthy plays and musicals? Trust me, it's not the case. Not for student projects and very often not even for mainstages. Some of the musicals college pick for their students enrolled at very high cost to learn at the highest level about their art and craft... shock me. So I don't know why you've gotten on a high horse here but let's move on. |
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| re: there are only 2 musicals I'm telling people they must see while they can -- Flying Over Sunset and Caroline or Change | |
| Last Edit: Singapore/Fling 07:22 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 07:18 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: re: there are only 2 musicals I'm telling people they must see while they can -- Flying Over Sunset and Caroline or Change - Chazwaza 07:04 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| Let me pitch this to you and see if I have it right: Four people experiment with drugs and face their inner trauma without being changed in a significant way. Is that the story? If not, then I guess I was mislead by the people I trust to inform me what’s happening in a show. As for colleges: I agree they make all kinds of awful choices, for students and audiences alike. If James Lapine and Beowulf Borit couldn’t make this show engaging, I would hope we aren’t asked to sit through a 19-year-old’s attempt (and yes, I was that 19-year-old and I teach many of them today, no tea or shade to them). |
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| I felt the same way about PARADISE SQUARE (nmi) | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 02:06 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: GO SEE Flying Over Sunset!! Only 11 days left... don't miss it! - Chazwaza 01:03 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| and another bit on the cast | |
| Last Edit: Chazwaza 01:30 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| Posted by: Chazwaza 01:23 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: GO SEE Flying Over Sunset!! Only 11 days left... don't miss it! - Chazwaza 01:03 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| How often do such exceptionally talented musical theater stars, people who work so often in theater (Carmen and Tony work in theater almost exclusively) get interesting lead roles TAILORED to their talents in not only a new musical but a new musical with a brand new score, and a fully original premise? And written by 3 majorly accomplished writers who have never worked together before?! Even if it were in a black box with some projections on the back wall I'd go see it for $30. |
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| re: and another bit on the cast | |
| Posted by: Thom915 11:43 am EST 01/06/22 | |
| In reply to: and another bit on the cast - Chazwaza 01:23 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| I really do not understand why you are so defensive about this show. Apparently you liked it quite a bit. Others didn't (I am one of the ones who didn't except for the tap number between Tony Yazbeck and the very talented Atticus Ware. I did walk out humming the scenery but thought it might have got in the way of anything that might be in the show) That is true of any number of shows. Even Hamilton has for some strange reason its detractors and yet you go on and on answering every naysayer and boiling it down to the people who were involved in the cast, the direction and writing as though their mere names should merit rapt adoration. That doesn't fly since everyone, even Stephen Sondheim has had their share of projects which failed artistically. It is true that a different director, perhaps a college student could find a way to make this project work but that negates your premise of the stars being so vital to the experience. I will admit that putting it in a black box with projections on the wall is indeed an interesting premise. I would suggest one is more likely to find that in the words of Gertrude Stein there is "no there there" but I am unwilling to shell out the money to find out. (Incidentally I paid much more that $30 for my ticket and while I do support Lincoln Center taking a chance on some untested work, I wish they had done it with someone else's money. As for me, I did admire Caroline or Change and really enjoyed Kimberly Akimbo. Those are what I would recommend. | |
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| re: and another bit on the cast | |
| Posted by: Chazwaza 11:52 am EST 01/06/22 | |
| In reply to: re: and another bit on the cast - Thom915 11:43 am EST 01/06/22 | |
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| Geez man, what is your problem? | |
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| So sad I’m missing this one | |
| Posted by: showtunetrivia 02:00 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: and another bit on the cast - Chazwaza 01:23 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| At least I’ll get the cast album. Laura, sniffling in LA at missed opportunities |
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| re: So sad I’m missing this one | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 02:09 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: So sad I’m missing this one - showtunetrivia 02:00 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| I will miss it too. I have a trip to New York booked for Feb. 1 through 6. I would have seen Flying Over Sunset at that time. I'll have to settle for the cast album as well. | |
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| It’s too bad LCT isn’t steaming this for a few performances. | |
| Posted by: dramedy 07:42 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: re: So sad I’m missing this one - BroadwayTonyJ 02:09 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| I’d pay to see it streaming. | |
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| Me, too! | |
| Posted by: showtunetrivia 09:38 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: It’s too bad LCT isn’t steaming this for a few performances. - dramedy 07:42 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| Laura, grabbing her purse | |
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| re: GO SEE Flying Over Sunset!! Only 11 days left... don't miss it! | |
| Posted by: Erik_Haagensen 01:17 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: GO SEE Flying Over Sunset!! Only 11 days left... don't miss it! - Chazwaza 01:03 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| I couldn't agree more. Thanks for the post. | |
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| re: GO SEE Flying Over Sunset!! Only 11 days left... don't miss it! | |
| Posted by: Peg 01:40 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: re: GO SEE Flying Over Sunset!! Only 11 days left... don't miss it! - Erik_Haagensen 01:17 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| You voiced many of the feelings I had about it. I’m so glad to have seen it live. I went in early Dec. As an LCT member who ordered early, I had a fantastic seat dead center in orchestra row D. I felt immersed and enveloped by the incredible set and gorgeous music. I can understand that it doesn’t ‘work’ in the usual sense but if you give yourself over to it you’ll be well-rewarded. And Tony Yazbeck was out the night I went. His understudy is the dance captain (unfortunately I’m forgetting his name) and was great in every way. | |
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| re: GO SEE Flying Over Sunset!! Only 11 days left... don't miss it! | |
| Posted by: bsturtle 01:54 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: re: GO SEE Flying Over Sunset!! Only 11 days left... don't miss it! - Peg 01:40 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| I wish I saw the same show as all of you. Found it endless, excruciatingly dull and meandering. The leads were talented, but they couldn't save it. I wouldn't recommend it to an enemy. | |
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| re: GO SEE Flying Over Sunset!! Only 11 days left... don't miss it! | |
| Posted by: Chazwaza 02:20 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: re: GO SEE Flying Over Sunset!! Only 11 days left... don't miss it! - bsturtle 01:54 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| For all the faults I can imagine one finding in the experience/the show, I admit I am a bit baffled by those who had a similar reaction to yours. I clearly had a very different and significantly better experience with it than you did. But I'm still glad you spent money to see it. :) |
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| re: GO SEE Flying Over Sunset!! Only 11 days left... don't miss it! | |
| Posted by: bsturtle 05:10 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: re: GO SEE Flying Over Sunset!! Only 11 days left... don't miss it! - Chazwaza 02:20 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| Hey, we can't love 'em all, right? I wouldn't have missed it, love all the artists involved. I just thought it stunk! The last show I loathed this much that others seemed to love was ages ago - LYSISTRATA JONES. | |
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| re: GO SEE Flying Over Sunset!! Only 11 days left... don't miss it! | |
| Posted by: huskyital (huskyital@yahoo.com) 06:55 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
| In reply to: re: GO SEE Flying Over Sunset!! Only 11 days left... don't miss it! - bsturtle 05:10 pm EST 01/05/22 | |
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| I saw the musical today at 2 PM and I found it very entertaining hardly great. So surprising was the extremely small audience of at least only two or 300 people. I was able to sit by myself far away from everyone and the time flew bye. I would see Tony Yazbek in anything. Carmen Cusack has a great voice and the set decorations were really one of the highlights always visually stunning. Yes only a few numbers were above par but I was so happy to be back in the Vivian Belmont theater. Was the last time I was there my fair lady? Yes that was a great production but if you can get an inexpensive ticket to the show I think most of you would be glad you saw it and if you don’t it’s better than sitting home watching television. |
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