Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Grease on Broadway Forum -> Rydell High Forum -> Preview Review of 7/25/07 2PM
Post Info TOPIC: Preview Review of 7/25/07 2PM
AZN Danny


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 90
Date:
Preview Review of 7/25/07 2PM
Permalink Closed

I arrived early and the theater was comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. The air conditioning had no issues and the ushers were nice. When the play started, the audience was into it from the get go. The audience was composed of all age groups and many fans of the reality show. It started out with a silhouetted flashback of Danny and Sandy making out on the beach. The intimacy of the theater was good and there were never any hearing issues. Every line of dialogue and song verse could be heard. The Grease band was upbeat and the director into her work. The sets were great and I saw no transitioning problems though some other audience members thought there were some minor transition glitches. To me, they set up the scenery pretty fast.

There is no issue with Max's physique. He is filled out enough and from the get go is the "Leader of the Pack." He talks with a "Zuko accent", trying to portray a tough guy. Laura does not get eaten for breakfast by the other cast members. Her portrayal of Sandy is sweet and innocent and spot on. Her voice is terrific and she conveys great emotion just before singing "Hopelessly Devoted." You feel for her in that very poignant moment.

Doody and Sonny are played rather well and I like his guitar work. Jose is a good comedian and that is a strength in his character. Kenicke is good, and I wish he had a bigger role. Jenny is brilliant as Rizzo. She is glamorous and you can't take your eyes off her.

"Grease Lightning" is one of the best numbers and the guys really put a lot into their dancing.

I noticed David Ian in the back watching and interacting with the play goers.

"Born to Hand Jive" was choreographed very well. The dancing is fantastic.

In "You're the One That I Want", it is a little awkward. The rest of the cast basically watches Max and Laura peform, while they stand around. Personally,
I never liked Sandy having to turn bad to win Danny over. I liked sweet Sandra Dee Sandy and how she made Danny not act so tough earlier.

Max and Laura's talent is on display here and they put everything into this performance. They have what it takes to make it on Broadway. The entire cast is marvelous and that just makes the play work.

__________________
MrE1111


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 680
Date:
Permalink Closed

Good to hear. I'm sure they're all slowly coming into their own.

Did you "stage door" afterwards?

__________________
BroadwayDream101


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 57
Date:
Permalink Closed

Great review :) It sounds like you and some of the other people who were bashing the transitions and such saw completley different productions and much different dates, if you know what i mean.

__________________
Hi, I'm Lauren.
"Sing till you're breaking glass or you're breaking down"
juniper01


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 9
Date:
Permalink Closed

I was at the 2:00 P.M. performance yesterday, I am wet behind the ears when it comes to Broadway productions (have been to three others) and I have to say that it was a totally enjoyable experience.  The audience was alive and enjoying themselves, the excitement was catching.  There was not a bad seat in the house, cool and comfortable.  I did however comment that sitting in the first few rows did not seem the place I would want to be, (too close and I felt that I would miss seeing a broader scope). I enjoyed the view from the first balcony.  Looking down on it all was wonderful.

If I had to find anything negative about it was that I thought the last act when "sexy Sandy" presents herself was a little anti climatic, not too much of a response from Maxx about her change, and I thought it should have been a bigger response both from him and the audience. (I don't think it was too big a WOW!) I thought it funny when he wiped the kiss off after she kissed him (too wet Laura?) I did not really think there was too much change in her hair, something else needs to be done to dramatize the "new Sandy" hairwise, along with a more shocked and pleased Danny. His response needs to be thought out more .  I agree with the last poster as to the feelings that somehow taking away the Sandra Dee portion of her personality and having her turn sexy is really too bad, but that is however the whole context of the play, so play it up!

The costuming was gorgeous, the cast was "pretty", and I commented that I thought the props were simple, uncomplicated and well presented.  I was impressed with them, it totally got the point across as to where they were and what they were doing.  Cudos from me for costuming and props.

I thought it was wonderful...........would I recommend it?  Absolutely!  It made me happy, it made me smile, it was what it is supposed to be....a great play to share with friends and family.

__________________
Ray


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 357
Date:
Permalink Closed

It's gratifying and reassuring to read two such positive reviews, in contrast to some of the harsh criticism elsewhere from the Tuesday night people. Often the second performance can be a let-down, after all the excitement and anxiety connected with the first performance, but apparently not in this case.

Regarding Max's tepid reaction to Sandy's character change....it makes sense to me, because she doesn't have to win him back. She never lost him, except in her own mind. The whole charade is only to give the show an effective ending, not for plausibility of script, of which there isn't much to begin with.

__________________
AZN Danny


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 90
Date:
Permalink Closed

Yeah, I got autographs from Max and Laura and a pic with Max.

__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Grease on Broadway Forum -> Rydell High Forum -> Preview Review of 7/25/07 2PM
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard