637 posts
|
Post by AddisonMizner on Feb 11, 2023 21:06:24 GMT
As I have said before on here, I remember seeing the recording of NEWSIES and loving it. Today, I saw this new production in the flesh, and I adored the piece all over again. The time absolutely flew by!
The staging is magnificent - the use of the space was excellent (although, I’m not quite sure that I would call it immersive), and the dancing and choreography were stunning! The energy coming from the stage was off the charts, and the audience lapped it up.
The score is a marvel. Song after song hits it out of the park (with the exception of ‘The Bottom Line’, which doesn’t quite land, and I found my mind wondering). I’ve had the ear worm of ‘Something to Believe In’ stuck in my head since seeing the show!
That is not to say that I didn’t have some slight reservations. As some have said on here, the sound is hit and miss, making some of the lyrics and dialogue unintelligible. The band were too loud at points, but then at other points, I thought the whole thing was too quiet.
The singing was not great for me either. There were some audibly bum notes, and Jack Kelly was clearly vocally tired near the end. Understandably though, they went for dancers first over everything else.
Overall, an electric experience. Glad to have finally seen this live and ticked it off my list. A great way to start my theatre-going of 2023!
4 stars.
|
|
|
|
Post by regza on Feb 19, 2023 16:47:28 GMT
I've found 'The Bottom Line' has grown on me over the years, I rather like the rhythm and prefer it to 'The News is Getting Better' which it replaced many years ago (though only going by a not very clear recording on YouTube). 'Something to Believe In' less so, but overall fully agree on the quality of Menken's score; surprised by those who say (eg) Little Mermaid or Aladdin is superior. Each to their own I guess...
Belated comment on the 9 February captioned performance. Female ensemble seemed a couple down so only three nuns and two Bowery beauties! Brooklyn newsies also cut to two (Splint and Stray - one benefit if the captions is I finally caught these names!) plus Spot. Also I may have missed it but don't think first zipwire use happened.
Fully deserves the extension (despite at least one post on social media stating it "must end" 16 April...). Certainly there is no other show booked for the Troubadour so it seems quite possible it could stretch to a year and beyond. It should do very well with younger summer visitors from the States in particular, given its roots and popularity as a production for High Schools there (and increasingly Junior Schools with the Newsies Jr. version).
Just one suggestion - the merchandise could be a little more imaginative! Where are the newsboys caps, the replica papes (for those who'd rather not scrabble on the ground!) and some of the (surprisingly many) books on the Newsies phenomena, newsies in general and child labour exploitation at the time? Maybe I've just got enough keychains and magnets...
|
|
3,325 posts
|
Post by Dr Tom on Feb 19, 2023 22:58:03 GMT
Well, the young guy next to me was very friendly today. He managed to manoeuvre his right leg between mine for a bit, had a break, then had another go with a bit more determination until he achieved his goal. I was tempted to invite him home, but he was with his girlfriend.
So despite the excellent aim of Rory in throwing a newspaper at me, which bounced off my chest and landed between my feet, I still wasn't able to hang onto it!
I made a late decision to go to the 13:00 show today and picked up an excellent second row seat in Woodside off TKTS (far better than the equivalent being offered through Rush - TKTS had discounted all remaining seats to £29.50 on the day). I've only ever sat on the front row before, but being one row up and level with the stage (and well above the row in front so no chance of a blocked view) made a lot of difference.
This was almost sold out, although I notice the front centre seats haven't been sold on either of my last two visits (nor did they show as available on the seat map). I don't know it that's deliberate. Some people did move into them later.
They were very depleted in ensemble numbers and it does take something away from the show seeing the empty spaces on stage (or only one person dancing instead of three, or only five chandeliers in action etc). With that said, the dancing is still impressive, and first time visitors likely wouldn't know they were missing anything.
Lots of covers on too. The main one to highlight is Bobbie Chambers who was excellent as Katherine. I also got to see Zack Guest swing on in a featured role (as Albert). Zack is always a treat to watch (and I got to see him swing quite literally too).
Not sure why they were so light on people, with only three swings on, whether it's illness, holidays (which become more of a thing now this keeps extending), or cost savings. But I can see the swings being on constantly has been ongoing for much of February.
Anyway, still as enjoyable and recommended as always. Rush tickets are selling out and this is busy at a weekend. This is the first matinee I've been too and the schedule at the weekend much be tough, so fantastic to observe the energy levels still running so high.
|
|
|
|
Post by regza on Feb 22, 2023 19:58:20 GMT
The 8 March performance includes another cast Q&A as part of a Mastercard Priceless package (so you do need a Mastercard). Also a couple glasses of wine (pre-show and interval) and a programme, not bad for £55. Looks like most of the available seats are the £55 blocks in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Richmond, but there may be some discounted from £82.50.
|
|
|
|
Post by mrnutz on Feb 24, 2023 10:28:40 GMT
Apologies if this has been asked before, but would those in the know recommend front row of Richmond or front row of Woodside?
|
|
8,096 posts
|
Post by alece10 on Feb 24, 2023 10:46:08 GMT
Apologies if this has been asked before, but would those in the know recommend front row of Richmond or front row of Woodside? Definitely. I've sat twice in front row of Richmond and once front row of Woodside. Great close up view and also good chance of grabbing a paper. |
|
|
|
Post by mrnutz on Feb 24, 2023 11:23:21 GMT
Apologies if this has been asked before, but would those in the know recommend front row of Richmond or front row of Woodside? Definitely. I've sat twice in front row of Richmond and once front row of Woodside. Great close up view and also good chance of grabbing a paper. Thanks! Any preference between the two? |
|
8,096 posts
|
Post by alece10 on Feb 24, 2023 12:06:40 GMT
Definitely. I've sat twice in front row of Richmond and once front row of Woodside. Great close up view and also good chance of grabbing a paper. Thanks! Any preference between the two? Pretty much the same but maybe Woodside has a slight edge over Richmond. |
|
|
|
Post by fiyerorocher on Feb 24, 2023 23:36:48 GMT
Tonight a grown adult scrambled so enthusiastically to grab a paper that landed on me that they punched me in the shoulder... Then a child got up and ran down the stairs to pull a paper off the stage during Santa Fe, and the same kid CLIMBED on the stage at the interval to grab more. God bless the front of house staff at houses for the trials they deal with!
|
|
|
|
Post by danb on Feb 25, 2023 10:09:17 GMT
Why not just print a load extra so people can just help themselves rather than risk peoples safety?
|
|
8,096 posts
|
Post by alece10 on Feb 25, 2023 10:38:07 GMT
They should sell them with the merch. Would make a killing
|
|
1,721 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by marob on Feb 25, 2023 10:53:30 GMT
Are these newspapers made of solid gold or something?! It’d be nice to have one, sure, but bloody hell.
|
|
|
|
Post by regza on Feb 25, 2023 10:55:32 GMT
They should sell them with the merch. Would make a killing Plus replica newsboy caps as suggested earlier! Incidentally there is another Fansies performance on 26 April, got email a couple of days back though website has yet to be updated. Sounds similar to the previous performances with posters, a Q&A and 10% off merch. It's midweek so might give this one a miss, but should help fill seats on a quieter night. Maybe some of the new cast will feature in the Q&A? |
|
19,659 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 25, 2023 10:55:55 GMT
And if they’re that desirable I’m surprised they’re not available on the merch stand, free with any other paid for purchase!
|
|
|
|
Post by danb on Feb 25, 2023 13:25:46 GMT
And if they’re that desirable I’m surprised they’re not available on the merch stand, free with any other paid for purchase! That’s a great call BB. |
|
|
|
Post by fiyerorocher on Feb 25, 2023 15:35:31 GMT
They make for an interesting read as they are actually covered in unique text, not just Lorem ipsum. It's surprisingly dark stuff. But I wouldn't assault anyone for a page.
|
|
|
|
Post by 24601 on Feb 25, 2023 20:26:06 GMT
I am coming to the show at the end of March....just wondering from anyone in the know....Im in row G Brooklyn, is it a good view? I too would love to catch a pape, but not enough to take an elbow, knee or any other limb/extremity !!!! ;@)
|
|
2,242 posts
|
Post by richey on Feb 25, 2023 20:50:51 GMT
Did anyone who was there yesterday see this?
|
|
|
|
Post by regza on Feb 26, 2023 10:50:19 GMT
I am coming to the show at the end of March....just wondering from anyone in the know....Im in row G Brooklyn, is it a good view? I too would love to catch a pape, but not enough to take an elbow, knee or any other limb/extremity !!!! ;@) Should be a great view (remember Brooklyn front row is D) but too far back to catch a pape unless you're on the central aisle. Which is good if you just want to enjoy the show! When sitting in the 'drop zones' I've felt some nervousness in anticipating unseemly scrambles, though the behaviour I've witnessed has been mostly civil.... Enjoy! |
|
3,325 posts
|
Post by Dr Tom on Feb 26, 2023 11:35:48 GMT
Nipped back yesterday evening to second row Woodside (as a day seat, almost the same one I had last week). The theatre seemed pretty full, with the same selection of front row seats left empty as usual (although many got filled by the interval or earlier).
The biggest news is that, 6 attempts in, I'm now the proud owner of half a page of newspaper which landed right in my hands. So thanks to the wonderful Zack (who was on as 2nd cover Tommy Boy). At least I think it was Zack, but I got a bit lost with all the talent on stage, so I'll also shout out to the equally talented Mukeni in case it was his paper, and it's always a joy to watch him flip around the stage.
So good to see a full stage again, which makes this show work so much better. A calm audience too. I'll have to go back, as I have to find out what happens in the bottom half of the paper!
|
|
|
|
Post by 24601 on Feb 27, 2023 17:09:51 GMT
I am coming to the show at the end of March....just wondering from anyone in the know....Im in row G Brooklyn, is it a good view? I too would love to catch a pape, but not enough to take an elbow, knee or any other limb/extremity !!!! ;@) Should be a great view (remember Brooklyn front row is D) but too far back to catch a pape unless you're on the central aisle. Which is good if you just want to enjoy the show! When sitting in the 'drop zones' I've felt some nervousness in anticipating unseemly scrambles, though the behaviour I've witnessed has been mostly civil.... Enjoy! Thanks for the info, and thanks for the reply to my first ever post!!! I was very nervous! x |
|
8,096 posts
|
Post by alece10 on Feb 28, 2023 14:58:44 GMT
Glad it got nominated for choreography but should have also got nominations for best new musical, set and lighting design imo.
|
|
2,242 posts
|
Post by richey on Mar 4, 2023 9:59:25 GMT
Saw this last night on a cheap ticket in the Bronx basically because I wanted to see what all the hype was about. It was actually a great view, although side on to the stage it was so close to the action!
And I really enjoyed it. The energy up there is phenomenal.
The cult following was pretty evident with lots of whooping and shrieking but it didnt really detract from my enjoyment. The sound wasn't great, at times I struggled to hear the lyricsin the group numbers.
One question- during the Act 1 finale, is Les supposed to do something on a rope? I watched them struggle to attach a safety catch he was wearing to the rope but they couldn't do it and he ended up running off stage.
|
|
3,325 posts
|
Post by Dr Tom on Mar 4, 2023 11:51:58 GMT
One question- during the Act 1 finale, is Les supposed to do something on a rope? I watched them struggle to attach a safety catch he was wearing to the rope but they couldn't do it and he ended up running off stage. Yes, the rope lifts him up into the air, he struggles a bit, then it lifts him back down (and I think he runs off then). Nothing too dangerous or essential, but it's a neat moment. |
|
|
|
Post by regza on Mar 4, 2023 12:31:50 GMT
One question- during the Act 1 finale, is Les supposed to do something on a rope? I watched them struggle to attach a safety catch he was wearing to the rope but they couldn't do it and he ended up running off stage. Yes, the rope lifts him up into the air, he struggles a bit, then it lifts him back down (and I think he runs off then). Nothing too dangerous or essential, but it's a neat moment. Going by the performances I've seen it doesn't happen about 25% of the time. Better safe than sorry! And as Dr Tom notes, not essential. |
|
