The Music Man : In Performance!

[jo]

[jo]

Serious discussion and partly technical on the art of acting!

Some applications by Hugh and Sutton when interacting with the cast of TMM!

[jo]

From BWW --

Very apt observation --

darquegk
Send PM
Profile
Broadway Legend
joined:2/5/09
Justin Timberlake In Talks To Replace Hugh Jackman?
#40
Posted: 5/19/22 at 11:40am

It’s going to be hard to find another A-lister to fill the role, as it’s been Reno Sweeney’d into an intensely athletic triple threat track. How many stars of Hugh’s caliber can dance like he does? The days when Craig Bierko, Jeff Goldblum and Conan O’Brien can play Harold Hill without breaking a sweat are over, which is probably why Seth MacFarlane hasn’t been clamoring for his shot.

The display of all triple threat talent (and the degree of difficulty in delivering each aspect) should be the major consideration for the Best Actor award in Musicals!

Jo

[jo]

[jo]

May 19, 2022 11:59:38 GMT -5 jo said:

From BWW --

Very apt observation --

darquegk
Send PM
Profile
Broadway Legend
joined:2/5/09
Justin Timberlake In Talks To Replace Hugh Jackman?
#40
Posted: 5/19/22 at 11:40am

It’s going to be hard to find another A-lister to fill the role, as it’s been Reno Sweeney’d into an intensely athletic triple threat track. How many stars of Hugh’s caliber can dance like he does? The days when Craig Bierko, Jeff Goldblum and Conan O’Brien can play Harold Hill without breaking a sweat are over, which is probably why Seth MacFarlane hasn’t been clamoring for his shot.

The display of all triple threat talent (and the degree of difficulty in delivering each aspect) should be the major consideration for the Best Actor award in Musicals!

Jo

My reply on BWW --

jo
Send PM
Broadway Legend
joined:5/15/03
Justin Timberlake In Talks To Replace Hugh Jackman?
#43
Posted: 5/20/22 at 12:41am
darquegk said: "It’s going to be hard to find another A-lister to fill the role, as it’s been Reno Sweeney’d into an intensely athletic triple threat track. How many stars of Hugh’s caliber can dance like he does? The days when Craig Bierko, Jeff Goldblum and Conan O’Brien can play Harold Hill without breaking a sweat are over, which is probably why Seth MacFarlane hasn’t been clamoring for his shot."



Well-put!

This revival has chosen to give equal emphasis to dance to tell its story and to enhance character development. It has also shed a new light on the character of Harold Hill, as someone who may not be able to play music but who can certainly move to music with elegance & athleticism. To the kids in River City, that must have been a greater attraction than the Professor playing music. Kids love movement !

In considering a Best Actor performance in a Musical, is dance and how it is executed given near-equal emphasis in relation to acting & singing? A true triple-threat?

[jo]

Some key points in the podcast with Backstage/In The Envelop are summarized here (the podcast covers more insights from Hugh and Sutton) --

[jo]

[jo]

[jo]

[mamaleh]

Happy news: Theater columnist Peter Filichia reported today that the MUSIC MAN troupe heads into the studio June 19 to record the revival cast album! Whoo-hoo!! Finally!

Ellen

[jo]

Thank goodness!!

Looking forward to it! Having seen the show, I was so elated with the power & acting undertones in Hugh’s singing! It reminded me of the first time I saw Oklahoma! live in London!

Too bad we cannot fully appreciate the dazzling dance numbers on a cast recording!

Jo

[JH4HJ]

76 Trombones - would someone who has seen this more than once (over a period of time) give some details about the ending of the show, please? Is the curtain call another "number" in and of itself? Has this been "toned down" since the show was in previews? Have the overly long dance segments been shortened? Thanks.

[jo]

Hugh has just announced that he has been reinfected with Covid!

If you wish to have your tickets cancelled & refunded - call telecharge (212-239-6210) to ask for ticket cancellation & refund.


I did it for my June 14 tickets and there was no fuss at all. But it was a long wait to get connected to an agent — over 30 minutes. I am retaining my June 15 ones as I have guests to see it with me.

The show is a very good show and it would still be enjoyable although somewhat less without Hugh and his charisma. Max Clayton is performing at least on June 14, (EDIT: Hugh has been announced as returning on June 22)

I always get at least 2 sets of tickets with dates a week apart as I come from halfway across the world for a Hugh show. I am glad I have already seen it 3 times! And had a chance to talk to Hugh at the stage door. I asked him about Venice and if he is attending the film fest in September - he said he doesn’t know yet as he has not been informed (even if the week of Venice and Toronto filmfests have already been declared as his time off) . It seems he is hopeful about The Son because he put his hand on his left chest when I wished him luck for this upcoming movie!

Hope this new bout with Covid is mild and that he recovers soon!

Jo

[ruby]

Jun 13, 2022 13:29:31 GMT -5 JH4HJ said:

76 Trombones - would someone who has seen this more than once (over a period of time) give some details about the ending of the show, please? Is the curtain call another "number" in and of itself? Has this been "toned down" since the show was in previews? Have the overly long dance segments been shortened? Thanks.

Just my memories … I didn’t have a problem with the length of the finale, just it’s structure and messaging.

76 Trombones is reprised at the show’s finale. The happy ending has taken place and lights fade to black. Originally what followed
was a finale structured to give the ensemble an opportunity to showcase individuals or small groups with showy dance moves or marching as people applauded.

But due to cast size, and Hugh and suttons tap dance, it was more than a curtain call. It was confusing for the audience. The applauding was halting with fits and starts.

They got it right when they organized and trimmed it to where it now settled. The show ends and the number commences to indicate a finale number rather than a curtain call.
Most people know to stay seated and enjoy the dance/March and a clear end is signaled with the cast lined up for bows. Then the crowd knows to stand for an ovation.

I also recall some dance moves disappearing from Shipoopi but the length feels the same.

Others with better recall can offer their overview as to trimmed or toned down moments.

[ruby]

When worlds collide, you get magic.

www.instagram.com/reel/Ced6fSuIik9/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

[njr]

Hugh’s Covid announcement and best wishes to his under study Max:

Nancy

[JH4HJ]

Excellent recall, Ruby. Thank you very much.

Another question for those who've seen the show - do they "explain" Marian's band uniform for the finale? (She's in "street clothes" at the end of the movie.)

[jo]

I wouldn’t call it a finale.

The end of the story is

SPOILER: Click to show

when Harold, Marian, Winthrop & Mrs. Paroo realized that the road ahead will now be rosy after Harold has been given the town’s blessing, after Marian reinforces how Harold has given it its sense of community

…and

SPOILER: Click to show

they, clutching each other, look forward to the future! Luminous scene!

Curtain drops!

Then the start of the cast formation leading to the curtain call .
Harold & Marian in white & gold costumes with tap shoes

Then the start of the tap dance number cum the band in choreographed rendition of 76 Trombones!



Forget the movie (I wouldn’t watch it beforehand) — the story is really all about joy and the sense of community….

 and with how Harold &Marian fell in love !




Jo

[jo]

They have dropped prices because of the numerous cancellations!

Almost a 50% drop in prices…the seating chart is bleeding,

I went to the box office itself ( my hotel is nearby) and was able to exchange 5 left & right orchestra seats for 5 Row C Center orchestra! I paid only additional USD 36 for the total of 5 tickets!

An elderly couple was also there! THE MAN SAID THEY WERE CELEBRATING THEIR 50th wedding anniversary - but the wife demanded a refund - no Hugh - no show for them!

According to ATC/BWW chatterati, tickets at USD 148 are available at TDF.


jo

[ruby]

Jun 14, 2022 0:35:20 GMT -5 ruby said:

Jun 13, 2022 13:29:31 GMT -5 JH4HJ said:

76 Trombones - would someone who has seen this more than once (over a period of time) give some details about the ending of the show, please? Is the curtain call another "number" in and of itself? Has this been "toned down" since the show was in previews? Have the overly long dance segments been shortened? Thanks.

Just my memories … I didn’t have a problem with the length of the finale, just it’s structure and messaging.

76 Trombones is reprised at the show’s finale. The happy ending has taken place and lights fade to black. Originally what followed
was a finale structured to give the ensemble an opportunity to showcase individuals or small groups with showy dance moves or marching as people applauded.

But due to cast size, and Hugh and suttons tap dance, it was more than a curtain call. It was confusing for the audience. The applauding was halting with fits and starts.

They got it right when they organized and trimmed it to where it now settled. The show ends and the number commences to indicate a finale number rather than a curtain call.
Most people know to stay seated and enjoy the dance/March and a clear end is signaled with the cast lined up for bows. Then the crowd knows to stand for an ovation.

I also recall some dance moves disappearing from Shipoopi but the length feels the same.

Others with better recall can offer their overview as to trimmed or toned down moments.

Ironically, I crossed paths again with this clip of the original closing number. It’s amazing to see how much was cut.


fb.watch/dJ468W0YDM/

[JH4HJ]

Jun 17, 2022 23:46:50 GMT -5 ruby said:

Ironically, I crossed paths again with this clip of the original closing number. It’s amazing to see how much was cut.


fb.watch/dJ468W0YDM/

Excellent! Thank you, Ruby. I want to show the difference to a friend who watched The Tonys (who has not seen the show) - and thought even *that* one was a bit over-done.

Still asking - Does anyone know why Marian is in a band uniform at the end? It's a kid's/school band. She's not even one of the teachers. It seems incongruous to me. Harold gets a "pass" as the ringleader - but why Marian?

[ruby]

Jun 18, 2022 9:09:59 GMT -5 JH4HJ said:

Jun 17, 2022 23:46:50 GMT -5 ruby said:

Ironically, I crossed paths again with this clip of the original closing number. It’s amazing to see how much was cut.


fb.watch/dJ468W0YDM/

Excellent! Thank you, Ruby. I want to show the difference to a friend who watched The Tonys (who has not seen the show) - and thought even *that* one was a bit over-done.

Still asking - Does anyone know why Marian is in a band uniform at the end? It's a kid's/school band. She's not even one of the teachers. It seems incongruous to me. Harold gets a "pass" as the ringleader - but why Marian?

I’d say that the show has a full stop happy ending scene that cuts to darkness. What follows is a stand alone reprise of 76 Trombones where the tattered band uniforms of the rag tagged kids band transforms magically into sparkling new tailored fantasy uniforms for the whole cast…not just the boys band. Ultimately it’s the vision of the director/ creatives that pictured Marian in uniform and part of the town’s euphoric transformation. No logical explanation exists per se, just a production choice in my opinion.

[jo]

Jun 18, 2022 9:09:59 GMT -5 JH4HJ said:

Jun 17, 2022 23:46:50 GMT -5 ruby said:

Ironically, I crossed paths again with this clip of the original closing number. It’s amazing to see how much was cut.


fb.watch/dJ468W0YDM/

Excellent! Thank you, Ruby. I want to show the difference to a friend who watched The Tonys (who has not seen the show) - and thought even *that* one was a bit over-done.

Still asking - Does anyone know why Marian is in a band uniform at the end? It's a kid's/school band. She's not even one of the teachers. It seems incongruous to me. Harold gets a "pass" as the ringleader - but why Marian?

If one uses the movie as a gospel- like reference and has not seen the show, one may think that the Tony presentation is a bit too long. The revival’s artistic vision has used the dance form as a major hook to push the new creative interpretation. Dance can be very seductive. Hugh Jackman’s Harold Hill seduces the town folks of River City and Marian the Librarian! He uses dance to show how the town can be joyful and can develop a great sense of community!

The most applauded numbers are generally the dance-oriented ones ( 76 Trombones / Marian The Librarian / Shjpoopi / Sadder But Wiser Girl…& even patter-heavy Trouble.).

Hope audiences give the show the chance to be appreciated on its own merit!


Jo

[jo]

It was Marian who persuaded the town, that despite Prof Hill’s initial con man intentions, his promise to create a band became a unifying effort to give River City its missing sense of community! She was the first one to appreciate that, which is how she gave a richer meaning to “ ‘Til I Met You”.

In effect, she led the community in believing that the town did have a good band, despite the initial discordant sounds.

That was how I appreciated her role 😍

And of course wearing the same costumes at curtain call number signified a happy ending to their own love story❤️

Jo

[stargazer]

My interpretation of this is that Carlyle designed the tap dance for Hugh and Sutton rather than Harold and Marian. This is not a criticism- it is what sells the tickets!