DisneyBoy

Fair point. Please point me in the direction of one that you like - I'd be willing to check it out! Why would Violet be a villain? Just your take, or something based on fact? So they've made it darker then? That could work out really well...yet there doesn't seem to be too much excitement about this show in general. I would think a darker Disney movie on Broadway along the lines of Les Mis and Phantom would have a BIG pull. Wonder why the hype just isn't there around this one. Too soon after Aladdin?

Okay...I watched through the Side Show La Jolla bootleg and am rather glad I didn't rush over to NY to catch it before it closed. It seems like a lot of what was added to the show didn't really fix the problems with it. I did seriously enjoy the flashbacks to the doctor's visits and the introduction of Sir, as well as the use of "I Will Never Leave You" - it always did sound much more like a children's song. In fact that's the only "new" portion of the show I thought really worked. I really didn't know what to think of the actor playing Terry. He seemed really indifferent to the role from the get-go, like it was just a job and he was going through the paces. In his second-act "conversation in my mind" number, he finally seemed to lighten up a bit while dancing with Daisy, but the rest of the time he hardly seemed to be in love with her. The original actor did a MUCH better job conveying the torn businessman type. Buddy here was gay because....it fleshed things out more? Nope. He still doesn't want to marry Violet. But now we can say "he's gay!" ??? Was this something they'd wanted to have said explicitly in the original show but because it was the '90s, they were nervous?? Anyhow, he was also lacklustre compared to Panaro, not that I was too attached to Panaro's version either. Jake in this show strutted his stuff in a very modern fashion. His body language and gestures were very current, like the actor wasn't trying to put himself back in the time period at all. His voice was great, but I remain baffled as to Jake's purpose in the show. He's a strange "victim" character who adds nothing, and I had far less sympathy for him than I did Norm Lewis. Norm was sweet. It took me a very long time to warm up slightly to the actor playing Sir. By the end of the show, when he popped back up to sell his book, I was a bit more interested, but not much. I thought it was nice to see the former Freaks get a happy ending and factor into the wedding... ...but by and large, I was irritated. This show COULD be fascinating, but it seems afraid to focus on more of the Hilton sisters' lives. There is TONS of great material there. The new set did - as one person said - look both cheap and expensive at once. The highlight of the show were the leading ladies, who for my money gave better performances than Ripley and Skinner (was that her name?) They were vulnerable, far less stylized and much more natural. I could hear them listening to each other's singing and not just belting their faces off. They seemed much more in tune to being twins from a sheltered, abusive background. I think a Tony nod would be deserved. And I didn't care for the choice to make the Freaks actually disfigured, etc. I thought the original show made a much stronger point by having them be playing into the "freak" label, with Daisy and Violet as the actual stars. It was like they thought the show needed a slight facelift when what it needed was transplant surgery. I hope it gets a third chance on Broadway sometime in my lifetime. With 45% new material, keeping what little worked from the first two versions. Anyone else feel the same as me? Did the show significantly change once it moved to Broadway?

Whoops - sorry to be giving away spoilers. From what I've heard, he descends on a cross from the ceiling during "Evening Prayers"...or possibly the post-abuse forgiveness scene. Either way - sounds about logical as the Aztec staircase. Mulan as a a feature film has serious potential - if done by someone other than Disney. I don't need to see a live action musical version. I think the legend should be the focus, and keeping truer to the realities of the character's life and war would make more of an impression. Mulan was never one of the more successful Disney films, and I see room for improvement. Audra as Madamme De La Grande Bou....um...Garderobe is it? Well either way, she would be fine. Wonder who will play Mrs. Potts, though. Sad to hear Chicago is so lacklustre. Years ago now I chatted with a woman and her daughter on the train in NY, fresh from the show and they raved it was better than the movie. I was momentarily tempted to check it out. I was really counting on Hunchback making it to Broadway...but maybe it if takes another few months they'll update the set. I haven't watched ANYTHING from this show to keep myself fresh for seeing it, but the look of the set underwhelms. It feels like a clubhouse or Gaston's pub or something. I'd like to see more of a Norma Desmond house look to it on the stage - big and grand. Hope that happens. This quote from New York Daily News makes me sad: Why can't it aim higher? Were they serious hedging their bets with the budget and scope because they wanted this production to be rustic and "just good enough" to become a go-to for regional theatres? I always felt the movie's music was Broadway in size and passion. This kind of logic may make financial sense, given the times, but it leaves me sad. Disney has money to burn, right? Burn some here! Lord knows it stands more of a chance than Tarzan...

How did things shake down with Hope and Mr Lawyer? Are they still together now or what? I haven't seen the show in months... Is Clyde still with Kate? Or alive? Or in Salem for that matter? As for John and his current surprise, I really think they need to manoeuvre the character into "grandpa" -type stories. He is waaay past his (limited) appeal as a leading man, and I feel like they aren't giving him anything age-appropriate to play. And while I hate Marlena, I feel sorry for her....given what's about to come out, she's going to have to deal with MORE John drama. And frankly, he isn't worth it.

It'll be nice to see Theresa's parents in her life. They are SO LUCKY to have her on the show and she should be front and centre, not sidelined. Hopefully Kristin's return storyline will help fix things, but I doubt it if it means Theresa and Brady will become parents. Ugh. Hopefully Theresa's reunion with her mother will be a good one. ...and they'll leave Eve out of it, cause yup - they are too close in age now.

Well, barf. And please remind me again who Sparkle is? I just can't remember.

I've been DAYS-free for months now (YAY!!!) and keeping my distance, but I remain mildly curious - have Marlena and John began to rebuild their relationship on-camera? And if so, how has that been written? I really don't see how these two could possibly fall back in love again, since John is so gross and wishy-washy and Marlena *should* be smart enough not to want to go near him. I suspect the writers will want another John/Marlena wedding for the 50th...but are they doing any of the legwork to get there?

That's very plausible, but wouldn't it have required Kristin and Brady undergoing medical tests back when they were together to see if his sperm were powerful enough to overcome the issues with her lady parts? It seems like a pretty big retcon to say he froze his sperm....especially when HIS biological stuff was never the issue. He's the young one with no problems conceiving (as far as I know, that is). It'll be interesting to see it play out, but I kinda hope for Kristin's sake that she and Theresa come to realize Brady is a freaking jerk and just become lesbian Mommies and raise the thing together. ...now what's this about NEW WRITERS?!? Sounds amazing. Could they get in there are rewrite whatever mess they're surely setting Eileen Davidson up with?

Disenchanted! sounds awesome. Cool title and concept. It could stink of course, but I'll look forward to hearing more. I'm suddenly VERY much wanting to get to NYC for some shows. Between On The Town, On The 20th Century, Hamilton, Fun Home, Curious Incident of the Dog, Gentleman's Guide, Zhivago, King and I and The Visit...there's no way I could afford it, LOL. But a guy can dream, right? Can't believe they put a flying Jesus in Carrie. You need to pick and choose the stunts in that show... I'm going to watch a bootleg of Lestat now. Anyone here seen that show? Will I be weirded out by it, or pleasantly surprised?

....seriously, Kristin. It's all about The Kristin. When does that ship LAND??!? Crazy these people UP.

Ever After is a great movie. Doesn't need to be a musical though....is this like the era of Cinderellas?!??! Enough already, jeez....

Y'all be ignoring me. Glenn Close voice: "I won't be ignored...!!!" But seriously....when is she back?

Good for Justin. There was no reason he needed to be the eternal butt of people's AI jokes. Hopefully the hair has changed, though... I had no idea Elaine Paige DID a farewell concert last year! Is she really retiring? Makes me even more glad I got to see her in Follies on Broadway. That was one hell of a show...

I'm being a broken record here I know, but when exactly does Kristin (and Susan? Pretty pretty please??) return?

Sorry to hear you're sick! Not a fun winter, this one.... I will try to catch OTT soon, but I doubt it will be before May. I'm with you on Hunchback as a splashy '80s style musical. We want a SET, Disney :) Wonder what this new Marie Antoinette will be like....comedic is not a direction that's been done before from what I can tell.

Wow...DIVA sounds....interesting/crazy? I'm really bummed out that I didn't get to see Emma Stone in CABARET. Hoped to get to NY, but it didn't happen. If anyone knows of a bootleg vid lurking about somewhere online please Private Message me! (Ditto for the La Jolla Side Show - I seriously need to see that!) No interest in Sienna. When does Tony Yazbeck end his run in On The Town? It seems like a performance not to be missed... What are your opinions on The Visit? Are there memorable songs or an overall moving score? If this is Rivera's Swan Song, I might want to see it, but it depends on how she fares in the role she's playing. If this is a big singing role, she might not be that up for it. I had the pleasure of seeing her in Edwin Drood a few years ago, but I don't remember her range or tone being all that great. She seems to fare best in speak/singing roles, so hopefully someone who knows the score can guess as to how she'd manage in the part. I have been avoiding spoilers for the stage version of Hunchback, but I have heard the set currently being used is a bit underwhelming. I hope when this does get to Broadway that they upgrade it - spectacle is the name of the game with Hunchback! I'm somewhat excited for The King and I, but there are two problems - 1) I don't know if I can accept Kelli O'Hara in any role other than Francesca after her brilliant work in Bridges of Madison County and 2) Ken W makes me giggle. I couldn't take him seriously in Batman Begins and now he's going to be singing? That could be tricky.

Do we know exactly which day Kristin returns yet?

Yup. Paid 10 bucks for mine! Some amazing episodes here. A shame Greg wasn't invited back to do more commentaries.... And boy was the World Tour LOOOONG!

Gah....I have trouble typing on my phone. Sorry for past and future typos and incomplete sentences. Mrs. Doubtfire the Musical feels in poor taste to me. It was Robin's masterpiece performance in a way. I get the brand is an easy sell, but I wish they would leave this one be. Bad enough to see someone else step in as the Genie. Next Up....Home Alone and Free Willy the musicals? Lets mine the 80s and 90s dry!! I'm pretty "meh" on Emma Watson for Belle. I'll likely ignore the whole film. Disney - please stop. Maleficent was bad enough. Find or create NEW stories, please. I'm curious to know more about Hamilton. It seems to be getting good buzz. If anyone knows where I could *watch* a copy of the Side Show revival that was recently on Broadway, please PM me. I think I saw that there was a copy of it from the pre-Bway run, only to discover it was pulled. I definitely think Frollo would be the direction to go for Ras. In other words DARK. I didn't mind the Christopher Lloyd/Jim Cummings version, but I wouldn't use it as a template for a new production. He was too much of a clown. And Bartok would be annoying as hell on stage.

Thank you for the News Round Ups! Keep em comin! I am very keen to learn more about this Anastasia production. The film has a wonderful score but Rasputin woulld need a bigger part to play and a darker edge. Bartok would have to go. It would be amazing to see Angela L play Marie on stage but I doubt it would happen. Ditto for Bernadette as Sophie. Is this just being developped or has it hit a stage already? . . Thanks for the honest review of Emma Stone in Cabaret. I'd still like to see her but at least I know to keep expectations in check. The official response to the Phantom situation sounds fair enough, but still....I don't know that this was the wisest casting choice. There is an ick factor now compounding the story's previous ick factor

Aradia, thank you for all those insights! I am so glad I skipped rushing to NY to see it if the big problems weren't fixed and getting actual tickets was such an ordeal. Was the opening number captivating? I am pretty obsessed with the staging and music from the first ten minutes of the OBC.

Gotta love Tony Yazbeck.... Based on that review, I decided not to rush myself over to Bway to try and get rush tickets for today's final Side Show. I'm sure it will be quite the affair, but after watching through the full OBC bootlegI was stunned at how flat the show is. It all amounts to "Which Man will stay with a conjoined twin?" I had expected the show to delve into more than that. From that one critical review, it seems not to. Frankly, and this will sound harsh, but Side Show reminds me a bit of Carrie: three standout moments and an otherwise r4eally mishandled treatment of potentially interesting subject matter.

Thanks for the replies, guys...I am totally okay with the subject matter of Side Show, but the unmemorable songs in Act One following Come Look At The Freaks is an issue for me. Are the new songs and lyrics a significant step-up? I know the show has spectacle, but if the story and music have't improved I don't think I would enjoy it - so again: worth seeing? I am thinking of making a crazy trip to see the show tomorrow. So please stop me if the leads are still illj-defined as characters and the songs are still Meh. I too called Telecharge and there seem to be quite a few tickets left.

So this is rather last-minute, but has anyone seen the revival of Side Show? It ran at La Jolla and has had good reviews, but is closing on Broadway this weekend. I didn't see the original or this version, but I'm wondering - is this new version really good, and just missed the crowd? Are the new song up to snuff? I ask because after hearing the two supposedly "big" numbers of the show - "I Will Never Leave You" and "Who Will Love Me As I Am" - I found them both rather tepid. It's possible they have more weight in the show, but they didn't really do much for me. In short, and without plot spoilers, is the rest of the show musically as good as "Come Look At The Freaks"? Cause I really, really like that opening number. Did they changes made to the show help bring it together? It's unlikely this show will be on Broadway again in the near future, so...is it going out on a high note? Was this just about people buying Aladdin/Cinderella tickets instead? I've watched the first twenty minutes of the original show via a bootleg and found the quality of music and lyrics dipped quite a bit after the opening number. Is this version similarly "meh" after the first ten minutes, and just has pretty costumes and sets to cover it up?

So John is back in town and Marlena is overjoyed because....? Yipes. I don't get why a THERAPIST is falling for his yo-yo manipulative nonsense. At least he seems to have a new hairpiece thing. His 'do is much better. But the writing is still stinky. Question: are they still technically married, or did the divorce go through during Krady Round 1? "We both had a hand in our problems" - um....WHAT did you do wrong Marlena, exactly? Not that I like her, but seriously, what responsibility does she need to take for him being a wacko??? I can't. I just...can't.