What Did You See?

[Above the Title]

Ellen Greene and Jake Gyllenhaal in "Little Shop of Horrors." Leave your initial thoughts about the age difference at the door. An indescribable experience.
The greatest night of theatre I have ever experienced - and that's saying a lot coming from me. Who knew Jake had that singing voice?!?! He is a musical theatre leading man. And Ellen. Ellenellenellen. It felt like hours of entrance applause when she first stepped on the stage. You could hear a pin drop during "Somewhere That's Green." Roof was blown off during "Suddenly Seymour." I have never heard applause like that. What a miracle she is. And, bless her, she stage doored in the full costume and went out after dressed like Audrey!

[tonygoldenemmy]

I wanted to see that soooooooo bad.

[malcolm1980]

(07-03-2015 04:33 AM)Above the Title Wrote:  Who knew Jake had that singing voice?!?!

When he hosted SNL a few years ago, he sang "And I Am Telling You (I'm Not Going)" in tune (even though he was doing it in a humorous way), so I think that was an indication that he could sing.

[dug11]

Is the stage production better than the film? I wasn't a huge fan of the movie, but I do remember enjoying the soundtrack. I even bought the original cast recording and remember liking it.

[malcolm1980]

Fun Home

This is actually a local production starring Lea Salonga as Helen Bechdel (and was made with the full blessing and cooperation of Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron). It wasn't round like it is in the Broadway production but the theater was small enough that it feels intimate. I absolutely loved it. It was funny. It was moving. It was heartbreaking. The cast did justice to all the songs (though my one small, minor quibble is that their Little Alison, though not bad, wasn't near as good as Sydney Lucas). Of course, Lea killed it. Their Bruce Bechdel is actually played by an American Broadway actor, Eric Kunze and he was also great. I do make an effort to try to see more theater. But since going to Broadway would be difficult for me, I always look out for good local productions and if I'm very lucky, international touring productions (it's how I saw Wicked last year).

[misplaced validity]

Not sure where to post this, really. Finally got around to reading Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I'm about 100 pages in. The story is interesting but the dialogue not as much. Mostly I'm wondering why the stage was chosen as the format. Anyone have specifics on that? Anyone see the actual production?

[Culturegeek]

Royal National Theatre

Angels in America

Standing room only for both parts. 7 and 1/2 hours of blazing, powerful theatre. One of the greatest plays of the 20th century. Incredible.

[dws1982]

I believe National Theatre is streaming this across the US and Canada in July. Not sure if I want to pay a total of $50 to see it ($25 per show, and it's divided into the two parts, so it counts as two), considering I don't see it as any type of masterpiece. But I do have a gift card to theatre showing it, so I could get it at half price.

[Culturegeek]

(05-01-2017 10:20 AM)dws1982 Wrote:  I believe National Theatre is streaming this across the US and Canada in July. Not sure if I want to pay a total of $50 to see it ($25 per show, and it's divided into the two parts, so it counts as two), considering I don't see it as any type of masterpiece. But I do have a gift card to theatre showing it, so I could get it at half price.

I'd be surprised if it changed your mind (they really need to cut from the second play), but I know you're a fan of Andrew Garfield and he's a revelation here.

[emmygrammyoscartony]

"Dear Evan Hansen"
Not since "Next to Normal" has a musical punched me in the gut like this one. This was just damn near perfect. The direction and lighting design are exceptional. The story is layered and completely relevant to the teens of today regarding depression, anxiety, and social media. What makes it so unbelievably great is the score and these performances. "Waving Through a Window," "For Forever," "You Will Be Found" (what an anthem!), "Words Fail," "So Big/So Small," and "Finale" are just some of the best I have heard from Broadway in quite a while. There is so much talk of Ben Platt, and I will continue with him in a moment, but what surprised me most was Rachel Bay Jones. She is great in "Anybody Have a Map?" but goes more to the wayside until her standout, "So Big/So Small." God DAMN, her performance in that song is just what Tonys are made for. I hope she wins it (it looks like she is predicted to). Ben Platt? What can be said that hasn't been said already? It is no wonder he is the youngest ever winner of the Drama League Award at 23. His vibrato, falsetto, and voice as a whole is just astounding. He reminds me of a young Raul Esparza. He cries pretty much throughout all of "Words Fail." I have no idea how he does this eight times a week. The ticks and mannerisms he has throughout for someone with social anxiety disorder are spot-on. Just a really powerful performance and show overall. What a year Pasek and Paul are having. EGOT coming their way. I hope this sweeps in two weeks.