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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2018 21:36:56 GMT
I mean this with all respect to the two who have given interval feedback, but I'm curious to see the opinions of thos who have seen it less times or not at all before, just to see if it is the attachment to the Original Cast hat make this cast seem weaker or if they are weaker to those less familiar to the show or haven'r seen it in a while.
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Post by chrismis on Mar 19, 2018 22:15:39 GMT
OMgG - Thank god it is only 16 weeks! Ruined a good show Oh! How disappointing, but surely... 'There's a sunny side to every situation!'. Roll on July!!! It was really lovely to meet you and your friends on Saturday night. What a wonderful night it was. Absolute theatrical perfection! The whole cast gave 110%,(Stuart and Clare gave 200%!) and the audience wasn't bad either! I'm sure this cast will be great once they settle in but the First Cast will be very hard to beat. I'm looking forward to seeing Ashley Day when I go on Wednesday and the familiar faces of the 'Originals'. Hope you'll post some more thoughts after the show. |
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Post by daniel on Mar 19, 2018 22:49:12 GMT
Ooh the drama!
Hoping to catch the new cast at some point in the next week or so, but just in the interest of providing a balanced opinion:
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2018 22:54:42 GMT
Ooh the drama! Hoping to catch the new cast at some point in the next week or so, but just in the interest of providing a balanced opinion: I love that tweet is telling us nothing we don't already know. 😂😂 |
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Post by stageyqueen on Mar 19, 2018 23:17:21 GMT
Well, the positive- Claire remains brilliant as always. I felt the new male ensemble were very strong and enjoyed them immensely, good vocals and range.. The same with the female ensemble. Bravo to you all. I enjoyed Matt Goodgame portrayal of Pat (although Norman is hard to beat)Ashley was lovely but I felt the height difference between him and Claire, lost some of that intimacy especially in the finale 42nd Street before the staircase. Then there was Lulu! New costumes to boot! Well to say she has put a new take on things is an understatement! There were some scenes where she had me in stitches and she certainly was old enough for the role!! I was however very disappointed by her singing and her singing style. I won’t be to critical at this point, after all we are still buzzing from Saturday night and Sheena! It was also first night. I will see the show later this week and then again in a few weeks before I make up my mind.
I advise anyone to see it and form their own opinions. However, in reality for me the magic and sparkle has been ruined.
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Post by dippy on Mar 19, 2018 23:32:08 GMT
Out of curiosity have any of the old ensemble changed bits of their tracks or fully changed tracks? I saw a photo of the staircase and Philip looked like he was in Dylan's spot rather than his own but the photo wasn't from during the performance so he could have just been in the wrong place.
I'm looking forward to seeing the new cast, not sure when I'll have time but hopefully in about a month and a half. I think it's easy to be critical when you're so used to other people and the new cast really did have a crazily short rehearsal period so I'm looking forward to making up my own mind once they are all settled in.
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Post by alece10 on Mar 19, 2018 23:46:58 GMT
Well here is my 2 pennith.
All 4 levels open tonight, Michael Grade sitting in the Royal Box.
Great audience who applauded several times during the opening number and again during the staircase spectacle.
Thought the new ensemble members were excellent especially the boys and had great vocals.
I enjoyed Ashley Day. Certainly looks the part and sung and danced well. And he doesn't sweat!!
Always find it difficult when you see a new cast as no matter how much you try not to, you do compare with the original cast which I loved. Stuart had a certain charm and always seemed hyperactive which I loved, but I know Ashley will grow on me.
As for Lulu, well this was her first performance and I think it showed. Boy she is tiny. New frocks and she plays the part very differently from Sheena Easton. Some of the arrangements to her songs have been changed slightly to suit her singing style. For me she played on the comedy role more and was quite funny. I didn't think her voice was as powerful as Sheena's which surprised me. I am going to give her the benefit of the doubt as I think she will grow into the role. I remember seeing Sheena in one of the early previews and she just got better and better as the run went on. The applause at the end of her numbers was muted I have to say and listening to people sitting around me at the interval, many of whom appeared to be "regulars" they were not overly impressed.
It will be interesting to see how different she is in a few weeks time.
But in my opinion the show is the spectacle, the songs and the dancing and the role of Dorothy Brock is almost not that important.
I'm really surprised that one of the forum members walked out at the interval as Lulu only has one song in the 2nd act and the standard of the dancing is as good as its always been. Proved by the fact that at curtain call just a few people stood up but after the ensemble and Claire did the encore nearly everyone was on their feet at the end.
I say go with an open mind and remember the show is 42nd Street NOT Lulu in concert.
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Post by yamcandy on Mar 20, 2018 0:00:46 GMT
I have yet to see this production. Have "You're Getting to Be a Habit with Me" and "I Only Have Eyes For You" been turned into big beltfests?
I wonder how Tammy Grimes would be received by some of the diehards of this production...
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Post by singularsensation10 on Mar 20, 2018 7:49:36 GMT
I think people should remember that the first night of a new cast is almost like the first night of the entire show - it will take everyone time to settle in and develop that polish that you saw on Saturday when the previous cast closed. Granted Lulu might never be up to scratch, but for me Sheena Easton wasn’t all that good and I preferred the standby so I’m sure that will be the case again. Looking forward to going end of next week when the Dorothy standby is on (Thu-Sat).
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Post by alece10 on Mar 20, 2018 8:47:20 GMT
Just noticed from my programme that first performance of 42nd Street was a year ago today.
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Post by heymrziegfeld on Mar 20, 2018 11:22:48 GMT
I was at the show last night. I've seen it about 10 times. I loved the new cast, thought they were great esp with it being their first show. Absolutely loved Ashley Day - his characterization was perfect and his dancing and singing was top notch. I actually like him being a bit taller esp in the slow section of 42nd street.
This is all with the exception of Lulu. I went in with no expectation, ready to see a different take on the part, but I thought she was awful. Her voice cannot handle the songs, its thin and she puts on a country pop twang that doesn't lend to the character at all. Her acting was fine, but the way they've changed the songs to try and suit her has really ruined some of the numbers for me. Don't get me started on Quarter to Nine....
So I'll definitely be going back, but probably when an understudy is on for Dorothy
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2018 11:47:26 GMT
I saw both Sheena and CJ as Dorothy and loved Sheena from the firdt time until her last performance, I thought she nailed it and sang like a dream with this score. I thought CJ was fine, not nearly as funny and very much a standard vocal choice for the role, however she did well enough. So I'm intrigued to see Lulu on the merit of seeing a new interpretation alone.  |
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Post by theatreian on Mar 20, 2018 12:03:41 GMT
I had a feeling that the above comments would be said about Lulu. I just think she is not suited to this role. Her voice does not suit this style of material. I just think this was slotting a name into the show to give it another boost. Though unless she improves this will have backfired.
Lulu is fine at singing her style of song, more bluesy and pop but does not and never will suit the old style musical numbers.
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Post by dizzieblonde on Mar 20, 2018 13:29:00 GMT
I had a feeling that the above comments would be said about Lulu. I just think she is not suited to this role. Her voice does not suit this style of material. I just think this was slotting a name into the show to give it another boost. Though unless she improves this will have backfired. Lulu is fine at singing her style of song, more bluesy and pop but does not and never will suit the old style musical numbers. I said very similar things when she was announced. Vocally, she is just completely wrong for this part. I thought then that she may well not last the entire limited run, especially considering the vocal issues she had the last time she attempted a stage musical. The 'twang' in her voice is an affectation (long cultured, but still an affectation). She also has a forced belt to her voice that's pretty damaging to her voice long term. Either she gets a vocal coach who can stop these things from destroying her vocal endurance, or she's going to be out of the show intermittently because she doesn't have the technique to sustain her voice on these demanding songs, and she lacks the ability to craft her voice for a specific part. Too many years as a pop artist mean she sings in 'her' style, and doesn't appear to have ever managed to adapt her sound in other situations. it's such a shame that they felt it necessary to shoehorn a 'name' into a show for such a limited engagement. Sheena might have been a known performer, but she was original cast, performed for a full year, and her vocal ability met the requirements of the character she played. there are SO many other women who could have played the role well, even those famous for non-theatre musical work - I'll never understand some casting decisions! |
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Post by wickedprincess on Mar 20, 2018 13:49:08 GMT
I also prefer CJ Johnson to Sheena but both have voices that suited the character of Dorothy perfectly. Was bitterly disappointed last night, hope it gets better but having seen the original cast since dress rehearsal believe that the magic is lost
I will go back on the 30 to see the standby
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Post by indis on Mar 20, 2018 13:50:23 GMT
unpopular opinion alert: did not like Sheenas voice at all, was always wondering why she got so much applause, loved the show but she was the weakest link for me (don’t know how to write it in other words)
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Post by yamcandy on Mar 20, 2018 14:07:48 GMT
Demanding?! What Have they done to my songs, Ma?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2018 14:15:11 GMT
unpopular opinion alert: did not like Sheenas voice at all, was always wondering why she got so much applause, loved the show but she was the weakest link for me (don’t know how to write it in other words) I don't know if its an unpopular opinion, some loved her in the role, some didn't as much. I loved her personally. But it was evidenced for example at her final performance that she wasn't getting as much a reaction as compared to others in the Ensemble and Stuart who were also leaving the show, even from the fangirls. Although it was lovely to see her finally get applause and cheers after her I Only Have Eyes For You when the curtian goes down. I always feel the desire to applaud then, but no one else ever does, so it was lovely to see that happen for her. If I remember rightly too, she was the only leaving cast member to recieve applause from the whole company on her bow too, and from what I have heard, she was great to work with so that is also lovely to hear.  I wanna know more about Lulu's costumes, as some are saying they are new? New as in completely different style to Sheena's? |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 20, 2018 15:15:13 GMT
This is all with the exception of Lulu. I went in with no expectation, ready to see a different take on the part, but I thought she was awful. Her voice cannot handle the songs, its thin and she puts on a country pop twang that doesn't lend to the character at all. She does that to cover up the fact that she can’t actually sing very well. Over stylising is a distraction technique. Major kudos to her for making a very small amount of talent stretch so far, but I can’t stand her. There. |
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Post by alece10 on Mar 20, 2018 16:26:07 GMT
unpopular opinion alert: did not like Sheenas voice at all, was always wondering why she got so much applause, loved the show but she was the weakest link for me (don’t know how to write it in other words) I don't know if its an unpopular opinion, some loved her in the role, some didn't as much. I loved her personally. But it was evidenced for example at her final performance that she wasn't getting as much a reaction as compared to others in the Ensemble and Stuart who were also leaving the show, even from the fangirls. Although it was lovely to see her finally get applause and cheers after her I Only Have Eyes For You when the curtian goes down. I always feel the desire to applaud then, but no one else ever does, so it was lovely to see that happen for her. If I remember rightly too, she was the only leaving cast member to recieve applause from the whole company on her bow too, and from what I have heard, she was great to work with so that is also lovely to hear. I wanna know more about Lulu's costumes, as some are saying they are new? New as in completely different style to Sheena's? Others might be able to give more details about individual costumes but I'm afraid I didnt pay much attention but they were very different in style but similar in colour. A couple of trouser suit numbers and a white feathery number at the start which seemed to moult all over the stage. A couple of costumes were quite classy but she wore a sleeveless number in one scene which did her arms no favours. She has amazing face for her age but the arms gave it all away. |
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Post by shady23 on Mar 20, 2018 19:25:55 GMT
How exciting!
Is this her first show or has she been on lots before?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2018 19:53:03 GMT
She's been on a couple of times, very exciting! Gotta handle it to Clare Halse, in a role so pysical, she barely misses bar holidays, so to go a year like she has done is remarkable. I think she has maybe missed ten shows, if that unscheduled. In the last couple of years, there has been an influx of Standbys and Alternates (or multiple Alternates in some cases) which is hardly needed. Clare is a testemant to that. |
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Post by stageyqueen on Mar 20, 2018 19:58:18 GMT
Can anyone going to see the new cast at some point please provide the new understudy list Hi Zak The understudy list as requested :-) Character: Main: 1st Cover: 2nd Cover:
Dorothy Brock Lulu Steph Parry Natasha Ferguson
Julian Marsh Tom Lister Matthew Goodgame Graeme Henderson
Peggy Sawyer Clare Halse Hannah-Faith Marram Clare Rickard
Billy Lawlor Ashley Day Philip Bertioli Liam Wrate
Maggie Jones Jasna Ivir Steph Parry Clare Rickard
Pat Denning Matthew Goodgame Philip Bertioli Alyn Hawke
Andy Lee Graeme Henderson Martin McCarthy Ryan Gover
Bert Barry Christopher Howell Tom Partridge Ryan Gover
Abner Dillon Bruce Montague Mark McKerracher None
Mac/Doc/Thug Mark McKerracher Alyn Hawke Thomas Audibert
Anytime Annie Emma Caffrey Lisa Dent Lucy Andic
Phyllis Clare Rickard Jasmine Kerr Maddie Harper
Lorraine Ella Martine Lisa Dent Maria Garrett
At Last night's show the role of the Thief was played by Joel Cooper |
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Post by stageyqueen on Mar 20, 2018 20:00:22 GMT
Pretty sure Natasha Fergusion said on twitter she would be covering for Lulu. This should mean she's U/S Dorothy Brock? She is 2nd Cover |
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Post by stageyqueen on Mar 20, 2018 20:01:31 GMT
Does anyone know how long Lulu is contracted to play? 16 Weeks |
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