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The Play's the Thing: Theater Thread
- Thread starter Kepler
- Start date
MichVandal
Well-known member
Over the past few weeks, we've seen Rent at a local theater and Chicago at a local HS.
No review of either, since they have been out for so long- heck, Chicago even predates the internet.
But just a suggestion to go see regional theater and even try to see some HS shows. And if you are in a university town, most do one or two shows every year. Some can be pretty bad (we saw a pretty poor show of We Will Rock You once), but most are really good and fun to see.
No review of either, since they have been out for so long- heck, Chicago even predates the internet.
But just a suggestion to go see regional theater and even try to see some HS shows. And if you are in a university town, most do one or two shows every year. Some can be pretty bad (we saw a pretty poor show of We Will Rock You once), but most are really good and fun to see.
Russell Jaslow
Registered User
We always enjoy doing this. However, admittedly, we haven't gone back to it since the Pandemic. No reason. Just laziness.
Kepler
Si certus es dubita
You should try. Live theater is in serious trouble. Particularly if your regional rep or university puts on real theater (Greeks, Shakes, Ibsen, etc) they are worth supporting with tickets, donations, and volunteer work.
It's also a good way to meet the most intelligent and interesting people in your local area.
MichVandal
Well-known member
It was just announced that “Warriors” is coming to Broadway in 2027. Why is this bigger news than most? It’s Lin Manuel Miranda’s new project.
The older posters may remember seeing the film “The Warriors” from 1979, which is what this musical is based on. And a concept album from just over a year ago.
The older posters may remember seeing the film “The Warriors” from 1979, which is what this musical is based on. And a concept album from just over a year ago.
MichVandal
Well-known member
Halfway through a Broadway week.
Started with The Outsiders. See previous review- but we saw it a second time because we liked it so much.
25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee- this was a lot of fun- in a small theater a few blocks off Broadway. It’s about a spelling bee. I know, unexpected. But the kids the writer came up with are so very funny in how awkward they are. And some great crowd interaction, you can even sign up to participate. But you will be forced out at parts.
The Great Gatsby- we saw this to see Bway glitz and glamour, and it delivered on that really well. I didn’t read the book now really pay attention to the movie, but there are apparently parts that people miss a lot. So if you like that stuff, reportedly you may be let down. If not, it is quite fun.
Death of a Salesman- holy cow, what a play. Of course this is a revival. A very old revival. The performances of Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf are extraordinary. We came out of that not knowing how they pull themselves out of the emotional state they ended the play in. That all being said, you would be lucky to see it, since it closes on Sunday, and there are just a handful of seats left.
4 more to go. One repeat, one that is closing at the end of Aug, and two fun ones that should stick around, but who knows.
Started with The Outsiders. See previous review- but we saw it a second time because we liked it so much.
25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee- this was a lot of fun- in a small theater a few blocks off Broadway. It’s about a spelling bee. I know, unexpected. But the kids the writer came up with are so very funny in how awkward they are. And some great crowd interaction, you can even sign up to participate. But you will be forced out at parts.
The Great Gatsby- we saw this to see Bway glitz and glamour, and it delivered on that really well. I didn’t read the book now really pay attention to the movie, but there are apparently parts that people miss a lot. So if you like that stuff, reportedly you may be let down. If not, it is quite fun.
Death of a Salesman- holy cow, what a play. Of course this is a revival. A very old revival. The performances of Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf are extraordinary. We came out of that not knowing how they pull themselves out of the emotional state they ended the play in. That all being said, you would be lucky to see it, since it closes on Sunday, and there are just a handful of seats left.
4 more to go. One repeat, one that is closing at the end of Aug, and two fun ones that should stick around, but who knows.
MichVandal
Well-known member
Part two…
#5 was Hadestown again. Great show. Really great show. See notes from last time. Funny thing for this was the guy behind us complaining that the show deviated from the original Greek tragedy…. Yea, no kidding. Just because greek names were used doesn’t make it a close copy.
Next was Shmigadoon. This is basically a spoof on musicals that was very based on the tv show. Very fun. Layered with a lot of classical Broadway themes and dancing, and over the top like a spoof should be.
7 was Titanique. We also enjoyed this, but a little less than Shmigadoon. A jukebox musical that was all Céline Dion music that told an alternate tale of the titanic. And it was “Céline” telling the story- in an over the top way spoofing the original Céline.
Last was Moulin Rouge. Did not like it. It was way too much of a jukebox musical, north of 50 songs packed into it, using lyrics of songs to even be back and forth dialog. And it resulted in very shallow characters. Let alone you spent a lot of time distracted to ID the songs.
Seven out of eight isn’t bad.
I have a feeling we will see Hadestown again. But many shows are ending, so we expect to see a lot of new shows when we come back next time. And we already have tickets to see Hamilton again- with Chris Jackson reviving his original George Washington. Very exciting.
#5 was Hadestown again. Great show. Really great show. See notes from last time. Funny thing for this was the guy behind us complaining that the show deviated from the original Greek tragedy…. Yea, no kidding. Just because greek names were used doesn’t make it a close copy.
Next was Shmigadoon. This is basically a spoof on musicals that was very based on the tv show. Very fun. Layered with a lot of classical Broadway themes and dancing, and over the top like a spoof should be.
7 was Titanique. We also enjoyed this, but a little less than Shmigadoon. A jukebox musical that was all Céline Dion music that told an alternate tale of the titanic. And it was “Céline” telling the story- in an over the top way spoofing the original Céline.
Last was Moulin Rouge. Did not like it. It was way too much of a jukebox musical, north of 50 songs packed into it, using lyrics of songs to even be back and forth dialog. And it resulted in very shallow characters. Let alone you spent a lot of time distracted to ID the songs.
Seven out of eight isn’t bad.
I have a feeling we will see Hadestown again. But many shows are ending, so we expect to see a lot of new shows when we come back next time. And we already have tickets to see Hamilton again- with Chris Jackson reviving his original George Washington. Very exciting.
Kepler
Si certus es dubita
Are you telling me. That Lin Manuel Miranda. Is making a play. Based on The Warriors?
Oh.
My.
God.
MichVandal
Well-known member
A musical. Most of it was published as a concept album a while ago.
MichVandal
Well-known member
So now that I'm home some random comments of what we saw...
I did one comment about Hadestown already, but one other funny note is how many people are shocked (you can hear it) when Orpheus turns back to Eurydice just before finishing the journey. Worse than people who are shocked when Burr shoots Hamilton since it's almost 10x as many years old in story form. And, like Hamilton, we are told at the beginning that this story is a tragedy. That being said, it does show how good the acting is as well as the story given so many people are wrapped up in it that much.
I saw that Hadestown is touring the US, still, and coming to a lot of homes on this board this fall. Including Houghton in October. Just a suggestion from two people who have joined the cult.
My take on the Tony's....
It's hard to fathom how good John Lithgow was in Giant (we never saw it) given how brilliant Nathan Lane was in Death of a Salesman. Haven't fully gotten over that play. But we also may not go see a lot of plays. The opportunity raised itself to us to see Death of a Salesman, and we splurged to do it.
And while I think both my wife and I like Two Strangers over Shmigadoon, we both can see why it won for best musical. Both of those were clear of Titanique, but if you like over the top spoofs, Titanique is pretty fun. Very gay, though... and they will point it out a lot, lol.
In a few months. we will start looking toward what is new for our next trip. And I wont bore you until we see something.
I did one comment about Hadestown already, but one other funny note is how many people are shocked (you can hear it) when Orpheus turns back to Eurydice just before finishing the journey. Worse than people who are shocked when Burr shoots Hamilton since it's almost 10x as many years old in story form. And, like Hamilton, we are told at the beginning that this story is a tragedy. That being said, it does show how good the acting is as well as the story given so many people are wrapped up in it that much.
I saw that Hadestown is touring the US, still, and coming to a lot of homes on this board this fall. Including Houghton in October. Just a suggestion from two people who have joined the cult.
My take on the Tony's....
It's hard to fathom how good John Lithgow was in Giant (we never saw it) given how brilliant Nathan Lane was in Death of a Salesman. Haven't fully gotten over that play. But we also may not go see a lot of plays. The opportunity raised itself to us to see Death of a Salesman, and we splurged to do it.
And while I think both my wife and I like Two Strangers over Shmigadoon, we both can see why it won for best musical. Both of those were clear of Titanique, but if you like over the top spoofs, Titanique is pretty fun. Very gay, though... and they will point it out a lot, lol.
In a few months. we will start looking toward what is new for our next trip. And I wont bore you until we see something.
Going to see Footloose at a regional theatre on Friday. Looking forward to it. Saw Mystic Pizza as well. That’s only been around four years and…I don’t know if it will make it to Broadway. I liked it, but its pacing was a mess, but that could just have been due to the size of the theatre. Songs were great obviously, can’t go wrong with an 80’s soundtrack, but I just don’t know if it’s too small of a production for Broadway. Renewed our subscription to Proctor’s (the largest theatre in the Capital District, in downtown Schenectady) and has multiple shows per season, with actors who come directly from Broadway. Shows on the subscription are Boop! Based on Betty Boop,, Just In Time, Bobby Darin musical; Hell’s Kitchen, the Alicia Keys musical; The Notebook (NOT going to see that, we’re raffling those tickets off to raise money for cancer); Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia! and The Wiz. Doesn’t sound like an interesting lineup but it’s something and I probably won’t see them on Broadway, although Proctor’s is located on Broadway in Schenectady 