Redwood

[+ ApexNomad]

I went to see Redwood on Broadway because, well, Idina Menzel. I figured even if the story didn’t land, her voice would carry the show. Not even she could save it. 

The plot—a grieving woman climbing a tree to find herself—felt thin and forced, like a Hallmark card stretched into two hours.

The music blurred together, and by the third power ballad, I was ready to leaf. It was visually pretty—if you like a massive tree trunk in the center of the stage—but emotionally? Totally sappy. I went in hoping to be moved and left stuck in the branches of a show that just didn’t grow. (That’s all the puns I have folks.)

 

Redwood Sets Early Closing Date on Broadway

PLAYBILL.COM

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Idina Menzel stars in the musical at the Nederlander Theatre.

 

[EZEtoGRU]

The show will close this month...so you weren't the only one that wasn't impressed.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

No TONY noms usually means no audience.

[skynyc]

Sadly, she had six eleven-o'clock numbers, all of which she sang well, but they became redundant. As a co-creator of the project, she was too close to it. I am a bit surprised that the set didn't get a Tony nod...the projections are spectacular. And the fact that the Tony committee hasn't created a Projections catagory just shows how out-of-date they are. In a lesser year, I think that Zachary Noah Piser might have gotten a Tony nomination as featured actor. He had one of the only really memorable songs. 

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

2 hours ago, skynyc said:

And the fact that the Tony committee hasn't created a Projections catagory just shows how out-of-date they are. 

Projections are a part of a show's lighting package. 

They're either nominated for lighting or they're not.

[+ ApexNomad]

5 hours ago, skynyc said:

Sadly, she had six eleven-o'clock numbers, all of which she sang well, but they became redundant. As a co-creator of the project, she was too close to it. I am a bit surprised that the set didn't get a Tony nod...the projections are spectacular. And the fact that the Tony committee hasn't created a Projections catagory just shows how out-of-date they are. In a lesser year, I think that Zachary Noah Piser might have gotten a Tony nomination as featured actor. He had one of the only really memorable songs. 

They didn't nominate anyone from Tarzan and they flew across trees too. This should have been a lesson.

[+ ApexNomad]

2 hours ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

Projections are a part of a show's lighting package. 

They're either nominated for lighting or they're not.

I get why shows do projections. Very rarely do projections add anything.

But I am old school, and the amount of money I’m paying to see some of these shows, I want a set.  

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

4 hours ago, ApexNomad said:

I get why shows do projections. Very rarely do projections add anything.

But I am old school, and the amount of money I’m paying to see some of these shows, I want a set.  

I'm 100% with you on this.

While I loved what they did with Sarah Snook(s) in Dorian Gray, I think screens/projections should only be used when it makes sense.

I didn't think it made sense in something like Sunset Blvd.  It made me feel totally disconnected from the actors onstage.

At $300+ for a decent orchestra seat, I'm tired of minimalist musicals that look like community theater productions of Our Town.

[skynyc]

I know this thread is veering from Redwood, but the projections aspect is interesting to me. I read one post that said they hoped the Tony voters would see beyond the "movie acting", clearly in reference to Sunset and Dorian Gray. And I agree...I enjoyed both performances, and was impressed but not moved by either production. Sunset in particular would have been pointless without the giant screens. She stood and sang (beautifully) a mediocre score which has never sounded better. Truly the definition of a park and bark. The "Joe stroll outside the theater" was interesting, but distracting and became a gimmick. But I'm old. The kids around me LOVED it...(but then again, they'd given up two hours of TikTok to be in the theater.) Sarah Snook is giving a tour-de-force performance, but the first 20 minutes you don't see her...because she's behind the screen. You see her feet, and those of the myriad camera/stagecraft folk with her, but it's pretty great when she finally comes around the screen. Sound design is immaculate. I heard every word...but it made me question what was pre-recorded...was it just what was the extra characters?  I do think that the Tony voters will give the awards to the two "movie actresses", but would vote differently myself. Although Sadie is incredible.