foxy Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 Today I took myself to the box office and got 5th row orchestra seats for the final performance of Into The Woods May 15. Really looking forward to seeing it as it has a good cast and Encores usually does a good production. Not sure how stripped down this will be but it’s all about the music. The last production I saw was in 2002 when Vanessa Williams played the witch. I’ll never figure out how they did that instant, right in front of your eyes change from the ugly witch to the beautiful witch. It was great stage magic. I’m also a big fan of the movie version which isn’t often the case. https://www.nycitycenter.org thomas 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ Lucky Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 Into The Woods remains the show that annoyed me the most. I couldn't stand it, but I do hope it is a good experience for you! samhexum 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxy Posted March 31, 2022 Author Share Posted March 31, 2022 Although I’m a big Sondheim fan it sometimes takes me a few times seeing one of his shows for it to grow on me. Sunday In The Park With George for one. I saw the original production and just shrugged. Eventually after a few more I saw the one with Jake Gyllenhaal (big sigh) from the second row orchestra. I thought he was great and the best production I experienced. Now I’m going to get totally shameless. A friend of mine, a screen writer invited me to a private screening of the movie Stronger. Jake being the star hosted a party and I got to go up to him after the screening and talked to him for a few minutes. He looked gorgeous in person close up by the way. He stood there politely while I told him how much I enjoyed his performance as George. I actually said “I couldn’t take my eyes off you” making a total fool of myself. But it was true. He didn’t seem to mind. + WilliamM and thomas 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ WilliamM Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 I liked "Gypsy" from the first moment back in August 1960 with Klugman, Church and Merman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxy Posted May 15, 2022 Author Share Posted May 15, 2022 This afternoon I saw the final performance of Into The Woods at City Center. A brilliant production of a brilliant play with a brilliant cast. Neil Patrick Harris, Sara Bareilles, Gavin Creel, Heather Headley, Ann Harada, Denee Benton to name just a few. The best thing I’ve seen in years. I had a very good seat for this sold out production. Every number was a sitting ovation. + Lucky, thomas and Cooper 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ Lucky Posted May 16, 2022 Share Posted May 16, 2022 1 hour ago, foxy said: This afternoon I saw the final performance of Into The Woods at City Center. A brilliant production of a brilliant play with a brilliant cast. Neil Patrick Harris, Sara Bareilles, Gavin Creel, Heather Headley, Ann Harada, Denee Benton to name just a few. The best thing I’ve seen in years. I had a very good seat for this sold out production. Every number was a sitting ovation. Those sitting ovations aren't as hard on the legs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skynyc Posted May 16, 2022 Share Posted May 16, 2022 Rumors abound of an 8 week transfer to the St. James this Fall with all but NPH, who has a prior commitment. I will readily see this again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxy Posted May 16, 2022 Author Share Posted May 16, 2022 I’d love to see it again also. NPH stepped in for Christian Borel so maybe he will do the role this time? Maybe if Lucky sees it again he might change his mind about the show? It was such a good production. marylander1940 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ sam.fitzpatrick Posted May 17, 2022 Share Posted May 17, 2022 I thought Borel is slated for Some Like It Hot, opening at the end of the year. Would there be time for him to do both? marylander1940 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samhexum Posted May 17, 2022 Share Posted May 17, 2022 Whoopi saw it over the weekend and raved about it on THE VIEW today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonman Posted May 18, 2022 Share Posted May 18, 2022 (edited) On 3/30/2022 at 8:15 PM, foxy said: The last production I saw was in 2002 when Vanessa Williams played the witch. I’ll never figure out how they did that instant, right in front of your eyes change from the ugly witch to the beautiful witch. It was great stage magic. I don't know how they did the transformation in that revival (which I think was largely a sub-par production), but in the original, Bernadette had a stage double (both of them wearing hoods so you really couldn't see their faces clearly) standing in during the scene. You *heard* Bernadette say the lines, but you weren't actually seeing the real her the whole time. Until the reveal. Edited May 18, 2022 by bostonman + WilliamM 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeezifonly Posted May 18, 2022 Share Posted May 18, 2022 (edited) I find it so brilliant at weaving together different stories thought to be for children, but each holds uncomfortable truths for disappointed grown-ups. And ends with hope! Seems like the cast and City Center production make it work brilliantly. I remember the intense interest and gayticipation when it premiered in the 80’s and I was still into Sunday in the Park. I’ve grown fonder of Into the Woods with each hearing since then. I never fail to take away something new, like with all his work. Good for Encores! Edited May 18, 2022 by jeezifonly thomas and + WilliamM 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ WilliamM Posted May 19, 2022 Share Posted May 19, 2022 On 5/15/2022 at 7:29 PM, foxy said: This afternoon I saw the final performance of Into The Woods at City Center. A brilliant production of a brilliant play with a brilliant cast. Neil Patrick Harris, Sara Bareilles, Gavin Creel, Heather Headley, Ann Harada, Denee Benton to name just a few. The best thing I’ve seen in years. I had a very good seat for this sold out production. Every number was a sitting ovation. "The best thing I've seen in years" What? I saw Ethel Merman in"Gypsy" and it was far better than "Into The Woods." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonman Posted May 19, 2022 Share Posted May 19, 2022 Oh, William, my dear. Foxy said it was the best thing THEY have seen in years. Not you. Foxy. Who probably didn't see the original Gypsy. Plus, "in years" doesn't necessarily mean "for all time," just "in a certain span of years." I'm sure the original Gypsy was more than amazing. And we love your enthusiasm for the old days. But call off the dogs, please. mike carey 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxy Posted May 20, 2022 Author Share Posted May 20, 2022 I didn’t see Ethel Merman in Gypsy but I did see Angela Lansbury in the role in 1974. When she did the number Together Wherever You Go the audience went wild and literally stopped the show. It was, I think, the only time I ever saw that happen. The cast just stood there while the audience kept screaming. It was strange since it’s not exactly a major number. After a few minutes the audience calmed down and to everyone’s surprise they did the whole number all over again. The audience went ballistic. Angela Lansbury just stood there laughing. It was one of those crazy theater moments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonman Posted May 20, 2022 Share Posted May 20, 2022 2 hours ago, foxy said: It was strange since it’s not exactly a major number. I would disagree. I think it certainly is. + WilliamM and marylander1940 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxy Posted May 20, 2022 Author Share Posted May 20, 2022 OK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ WilliamM Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 On 5/19/2022 at 7:02 PM, bostonman said: Oh, William, my dear. Foxy said it was the best thing THEY have seen in years. Not you. Foxy. Who probably didn't see the original Gypsy. Plus, "in years" doesn't necessarily mean "for all time," just "in a certain span of years." I'm sure the original Gypsy was more than amazing. And we love your enthusiasm for the old days. But call off the dogs, please. Interesting response. Ethel Merman did perform for charities like the Museum of the City of New York. Once at Carnegie Hall - all proceeds going to the museum. And she rarely had an unsuccessful Broadway show, with Gershwin and Berlin writing song for her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxy Posted May 27, 2022 Author Share Posted May 27, 2022 City Center has announced that it’s acclaimed production of Into The Woods is moving to the St. James Theater June 28 for an 8 week run. Good news! There are a few changes to the cast but the new actors are equally as talented. I look forward to seeing this a second time. thomas 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ BenjaminNicholas Posted June 9, 2022 Share Posted June 9, 2022 I'll watch anything with Nancy Opel. While I'm lukewarm on yet another revival of this show, the cast has remained solid while recasting some of the weaker links from the CC run. Patina Miller is an especially inspired choice. Her run as The Witch in the Hollywood Bowl production was great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skynyc Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 Saw the transfer last night and it was wonderful. Works beautifully in the smaller space, which is still pretty big and was mostly sold out. Phillipa Soo and Brian D'Arcy James are both perfection as Cinderella and the Baker. I liked NPH, but BDJ adds a heart to it and has wonderful chemistry with Sarah Barielles. Patina Miller seemed not quite up to speed in act one, but was wonderful in act two. Nancy Opel makes the most of her tiny role, and Aymee Garcia is terrific as Jack's mother. I splurged on great seats and loved every second. (The St. James isn't great for leg room.) I did notice it was on the tkts board for 40% off this week. I may wait until later in the run to go once again. RyanDean, + WilliamM and thomas 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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