Official blurb: Welcome to Santa Carla. Perfect weather. Beautiful beaches. And a charming boardwalk…as long as you ignore all the “missing” posters. When Lucy (two-time Tony Award® nominee Shoshana Bean) and her teenage sons Michael and Sam move to town in desperate need of a fresh start, they soon uncover the darker side of this sunny coastal community.While Lucy tries to piece her family’s life back together, Michael keeps pulling away in search of belonging. As he finds connection with a local rock band and its charismatic leader, his younger brother Sam comes face-to-face with a startling reality: When night falls, Michael’s new friends are even more dangerous than they first appeared.
Based on the classic Warner Bros. film, The Lost Boys: A New Musical is directed by Tony Award winner Michael Arden (Maybe Happy Ending, Parade) and featuring music and lyrics by The Rescues, a book by David Hornsby and Chris Hoch, choreography by Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant (Parade), and music supervision by Tony nominee Ethan Popp (Tina). The Lost Boys is produced by James Carpinello, Marcus Chait, and Patrick Wilson.
My take: I had no idea what i was getting into when I went. I had never seen the movie, but in my quest to always see what’s playing, I went in absolutely blind. I actually went in with negative expectations, the only thing I knew was vampires and I was a bit like, ugh what am I getting into. I was completely blown away. Expectations exceeded in a huge way. It was my favorite musical I saw this trip. I was just in for the ride for the almost 3 hours and I was a happy camper. What is going right in this show? pretty much its a whole package and that is what is so fun. First off we need to talk about the stage. What a way to use the Palace Theater. You really have action in 3 different levels, as they even use the orchestra pit and two floor sets, and the set is full and gorgeous. The movements of it is insane and unlike many a recent shows I’ve seen you can see the money on stage. The flying and acrobatics – thoroughly amazing and im not surprised its the same people from Man of la Mancha who took care of those. As for the music, its cool. It is the perfect blend of modern that would also have been appropriate in the 80s. It works for the show but I could also see myself blasting quite a few of these in my spotify. The whole acting ensemble holds their own, I was a personal fan of the kids and Shoshana Bean, oh man can she belt out a song. All around the singing was so good and the a capella moments were great. What could be fixed? I saw this in previews and it was a bit too long, hopefully they cut a bit of it so it will be a tad tighter. Also the ending dragged a bit it could be tighter like the first act. I think its going to be a good all around show for families and adults alike. I think its one you all should check out.
What my Friends said: I was completely enthralled by the singing and technical effects. IT was a thrill to watch, and the a capella moments in the score were a nice treat as well!
Official blurb: Welcome to Schmigadoon—the magical town where every day is a musical. Everybody has a song for everything, the corn is as high as an elephant’s eye, and the only bridge out of town leads nowhere. When one couple accidentally wanders in, they discover the only way to escape is by finding true love—which may or may not be with each other. From Saturday Night Live’s Lorne Michaels and based on the award-winning Apple Original series from Universal Television, this brand-new comedy trapped inside a big Broadway musical is directed by Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli (Newsies, Death Becomes Her) with a book and Emmy Award-winning score by Cinco Paul (Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets). Warning: You can never leave … without a smile.
My take: Dancing is back on the Broadway stage. I have been saying there is so little ensemble work as of late and here comes the musical to prove me wrong. Such good choreography and group dancing. And also some fabulous solo dancing from Mac Clayton who is a fab Danny. The stage is great and costumes look beautiful. McKenzie Kurtz is a star, she just steals every scene she is in. Alex Brightman is such a good actor but i also love his singing and would have loved to hear more of it. My friend mentioned that the show was one note and looking back i get the comment its on high all the time. That is good because its such good energy but you really never get a pause, it can be a lot. Whether you watched the TV show or not I think this will be thoroughly enjoyable and funny all in its a fabulous night at the theater.
Official blurb: Beaches is a classic new musical with feelings big enough for Broadway.Based on the best-selling novel that became the blockbuster film, this sweeping story follows the vivacious Cee Cee (Jessica Vosk) and elegant Bertie (Kelli Barrett), who meet as children and form an unshakeable bond. Over the course of their 30-year friendship, these unlikely soulmates find joy, humor, and heartbreak in a pour-your-heart-out production that’s made to be shared. With an original score by the GRAMMY®-winning songwriter of “Stand By Me,” “Hound Dog,” and “Jail House Rock” – and, of course, an electrifying performance of “Wind Beneath My Wings” – Beaches is a laugh-till-you-cry new musical about the friends who carry us through life
My take: This is what you expect, a sweet interpretation of the movie, that holds you in a fabricated emotional hold until the final belting of Wind Beneath my Wings by the absolutely fabulous Jessica Vosk, who could not be more wonderful in this role. She absolutely killed it. Did I cry? Of course I cried! I enjoyed it it was good just not great. Music is lovely, I wont remember any of the songs, but thoroughly enjoyed it whilst I was there, and beautifully classical musical theater. I kind of wish the show was grander or it was in a smaller house because it felt a bit empty, like the Majestic stage was swallowing the action, since there is not a lot of ensemble work and its usually the two of them. The little CeeCee, Samantha Barks is a star, and I’m sure she will have such a fab career ahead. I however did not need the teenagers, they were neither good nor needed to be there. Kelli Barrett was good as Bertie but compared to Jessica Vosk, she just could not stand at the same light. The men are serviceable but forgettable.
Tati's Tidbits 