462 posts
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Post by djdan14 on Feb 19, 2017 19:22:11 GMT
I LOVE this show. It's my first and so far only show I've seen in New York. I'm so glad Disney decided to capture it on film to give another chance to see it: I hope it gets released so I can continue to enjoy it for years to come, until someone is brave enough to bring it over to the theatre.
I've started the campaign, tweeted Disney theatricals telling them to swap the glorified panto that is Aladdin and get Newsies over in some form be that west end or tour asap. Seize the day!
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2,763 posts
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Post by daniel on Feb 19, 2017 19:35:59 GMT
I always wonder why US tours don't play limited engagements in London. In the same way that UK tours go and play for a couple of months in Manila/Hong Kong etc, surely a US tour could do a (very) limited UK engagement if the right theatre were to be available?
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Post by Dannyboi on Feb 19, 2017 19:47:24 GMT
It's the interval at my screening in Derby and I am absolutely loving this show, such a shame it never made it to London.
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Post by poster J on Feb 19, 2017 19:56:44 GMT
Also saw this today and I'm afraid I'm going rather against the tide of opinion when I say it wasn't for me, which I think was a lot to do with the appalling way it was filmed.
Yes, the images (when they were steady) were crystal clear, which worked wonderfully for the solos, duets and close ups. But my goodness it was dreadful for the big production numbers. The whole point of screening a show should be to show it as if you were in the theatre so you get the full experience of it. I wanted to see the width of the stage, see the dance numbers in widescreen so I could pick who to focus on and see who caught my eye. I didn't want to see jumping between different cameras every half a second (no exaggeration), and jumping from a full stage shot, to someone's feet, to a close-up of someone who wasn't even doing the focal section of the dance break, to a bit of scenery, to finally the person doing the solo. It was distracting, unfocused and took a lot away from the show. Whoever edited it deserves the sack - I left with an impression that I really hadn't seen half the show, or at least half the good parts.
That was the general sentiment from everyone around me in my screening as well - the filming really let it down. Also no need for a full-length intermission when it's not a live broadcast, and the shots of the audience screaming and giving standing ovations randomly mid-show really were cringeworthy. I paid to see the show, not the audience.
As for the show itself, I thought it wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. Even if you didn't know it was Disney you could tell pretty quickly, it's very nice. Nice lyrics, nice threads to the story, but I'd struggle to say more than "nice". The cast are undeniably very talented, and I thought Jeremy Jordan and Kara Lindsay were great (though the former was a bit pitchy at times), but I found some of the acting choices a bit too predictable and big. A bit more subtlety at times would have helped (though Jordan was good at that in his solos).
It's like all Disney productions I've seen really, it has one big selling point (in this case the madly talented dancers in the cast and those dance breaks which I'm sure would have been brilliant if I'd been able to get the full panoramic effect of them), but the overall production leaves me feeling a bit flat and thinking there's something missing. I can't quite put my finger on what it is missing or why I feel it's overhyped, but I unfortunately just didn't love it, and I was really hoping I would. Perhaps if I actually saw it on stage I'd feel differently.
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Post by JJShaw on Feb 19, 2017 19:59:40 GMT
I'm holding out some hope for a DVD release. I do hope that due to previous shows being successfully filmed and screened to cinemas (Phantom, Miss Saigon etc) that it means Disney won't hesitate to release this. Unfortunately, it seems that the trend for that hasn't hit the US; She Loves Me and Holiday Inn were live streamed and filmed professional and not released A shame and I hope Newsies breaks that trend!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2017 20:12:41 GMT
When this was first announced Disney said it would get a dvd release. However whether the UK gets a release is another matter
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2017 20:27:44 GMT
Saw it twice on Broadway and was really happy to revisit it today, especially having never seen Jeremy in the role.
By far my favourite of the Disney stage shows that I've seen. It still has the same basic, predictable and sometimes cheesy storyline but most of the music is fantastic and the staging and choreography are some of the best I've ever seen. Still mad and confused that they took this off Broadway when it was still selling well.
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1,244 posts
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Post by londonmzfitz on Feb 19, 2017 20:28:07 GMT
Saw this in Harrow today -knowing nothing about it, I loved it! Huge energy, great songs. Yes, as with pretty much all these screenings the numerous close ups lose the impact of the full stage, But if this is the only way I'll see the show then I'll put up with it.
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534 posts
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Post by jek on Feb 19, 2017 21:14:15 GMT
Saw this in a packed Vue Cinema in Stratford, London this afternoon. Got me thinking about how many Broadway shows have dealt with industrial disputes - Pins and Needles (Harold Rome - Barbra Streisand in the lead), Flora the Red Menace (Kander and Ebb, Liza Minelli starring), the Pajama Game. I'm sure there are probably others that I don't know about.
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Post by HereForTheatre on Feb 19, 2017 21:17:04 GMT
I loved it. I knew a lot of the songs but also discovered some for the first time today that i really enjoyed. Jeremy, Kara, Ben..all great but the star of the show is the dancing. It's just stunning. Just stunning. I also loved the set, though essentially just that metal frame, the way it transitioned and became different things, moved about the stage, coupled with the projection, looked amazing. Something else i loved was the times all the lads sang together, all those strong male voices coming together and singing some of those songs and harmonies....oh..my..god. Also really liked how it was filmed, i thought they did an incredibly good job with that.
Just a mention as well that i was really surprised at the turnout...i went to the Leicester screening and honestly thought i could be one of the only ones there...but i wasn't. It wasn't full...but it had a good turn out. Only wish the sound was turned up a bit, not sure if that was my cinema or the sound design for the piece but sometimes i just wanted it louder and more...just more.
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4,369 posts
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Post by Michael on Feb 19, 2017 21:46:10 GMT
Just out of the cinema. I'm really mad at them for cutting the Girlsie - they even gave her "So's the Bronx!" line to a guy. It could have done with less close-ups and a more panorama views of the full stage (especially during Seize the Dsy), but I'm really happy that they've filmed it at all. My local German cinema was practically empty - 10 out of 250ish seats were sold. But at least it was quiet. As expected, the subtitles were annoying and sometimes plain wrong, but what can you do... Now release it on Bluray. Quickly. And a new cast recording would be nice
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4,466 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Feb 19, 2017 21:58:48 GMT
I love it SO MUCH. I knew a few songs but apart from that went in blind.
I so wish this had come to London, I really think this would have done ok for a while in a smaller house.
Am more in love with Jeremy Jordan than I was before, and Kara Lindsay is a star. If you can see this anywhere else in the future DO IT!
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Post by grannyjx6 on Feb 19, 2017 22:24:15 GMT
I saw it with my friend who had no clue at all what it was about and we both loved it. The singing was superb but the dancing was just out of this world. A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon at the cinema, our tickets were £8 each so a bargain. Especially as three adults and two children watching the Batman Lego movie last week cost £35 to be bored stiff for 2 hours (but the grandkids liked it).
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Post by infofreako on Feb 20, 2017 0:01:12 GMT
Really enjoyed this today. The choreography is astounding
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Post by AddisonMizner on Feb 20, 2017 6:41:53 GMT
I saw this yesterday in Nottingham, and can only echo what has been said above. I absolutely LOVED it! A great musical, with superb songs, choreography and acting performances, given a stunning production that was performed with such attack by the talented cast. The energy practically bounced off the screen. Stunning! Let's just hope they release the Blu-ray soon.
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Post by kathryn on Feb 20, 2017 8:33:49 GMT
Just so Poster J knows he's not alone, I was underwhelmed by this.
Maybe it's because the concept of acrobatic/balletic/tap dancing street kids didn't work for me. Maybe if I had seen it on stage it wouldn't have bothered me?
Why does every Broadway musical have a tap number? Is there some kind of rule?
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7,534 posts
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Post by alece10 on Feb 20, 2017 8:35:11 GMT
Saw this in a packed Vue Cinema in Stratford, London this afternoon. Got me thinking about how many Broadway shows have dealt with industrial disputes - Pins and Needles (Harold Rome - Barbra Streisand in the lead), Flora the Red Menace (Kander and Ebb, Liza Minelli starring), the Pajama Game. I'm sure there are probably others that I don't know about. You are kidding tat it was on at Stratford? That's my local cinema. When I did a Google search for London I could only find one showing up in North London. So annoyed now.....
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2017 8:47:17 GMT
Why does every Broadway musical have a tap number? Is there some kind of rule? I...feel like that's a gross exaggeration.
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534 posts
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Post by jek on Feb 20, 2017 9:00:12 GMT
Saw this in a packed Vue Cinema in Stratford, London this afternoon. Got me thinking about how many Broadway shows have dealt with industrial disputes - Pins and Needles (Harold Rome - Barbra Streisand in the lead), Flora the Red Menace (Kander and Ebb, Liza Minelli starring), the Pajama Game. I'm sure there are probably others that I don't know about. You are kidding tat it was on at Stratford? That's my local cinema. When I did a Google search for London I could only find one showing up in North London. So annoyed now..... My 15 year old daughter found it on the Vue website some time ago - proof perfect that teenagers can deploy techno skills and dedication when completely determined to see something. I was staggered just how full the venue was - while we mainly go to the Picturehouse we did go and see Sing Street twice at Stratford Vue and both times it was practically empty!
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Post by poster J on Feb 20, 2017 9:06:48 GMT
Just so Poster J knows he's not alone, I was underwhelmed by this. Maybe it's because the concept of acrobatic/balletic/tap dancing street kids didn't work for me. Maybe if I had seen it on stage it wouldn't have bothered me? Why does every Broadway musical have a tap number? Is there some kind of rule? She but thank you. I didn't object to the dancing, but I wasn't as impressed as I expected to be - maybe if I'd seen it with the proper panoramic effect of being able to see the whole stage and without the incessant whooping from the audience it might have been better. And on the subject of venues, I also saw it in Stratford - screening was sold out as far as I could tell so maybe that's why it didn't come up in searches?
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 20, 2017 10:03:35 GMT
It sold out in Manchester. I checked availability a couple of weeks ago and only about 6 seats were sold. Tried to buy a ticket on Friday and it was fully booked
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2017 10:17:19 GMT
Well if there isn't, there jolly well should be!
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Post by kathryn on Feb 20, 2017 10:26:19 GMT
Why does every Broadway musical have a tap number? Is there some kind of rule? I...feel like that's a gross exaggeration. Maybe just all the ones I've seen. It does seem to be a thing, though - I couldn't fathom a reason for the tap number in this, other than it being a Broadway musical and Broadway musicals traditionally have tap dancing in them. I don't know, maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind for it yesterday. Am feeling a bit grumpypants at the moment....
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2017 19:55:44 GMT
I really enjoyed it. Have heard a few songs previously but actively avoiding listening to the full soundtrack before watching the cinema screening. Took it all at face value and though it was a really strong production.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2017 20:25:26 GMT
Oh. And re: the tap dancing.. Winging about tap dancing in a broadway show is like complaining about ballads in musical. They're a staple. My perception on the tap dance number is that its a great way to reflect and show off the talents of the (often overlooked) ensemble. Not everyone can have their own solo or song and a tap routine is a good way of giving the ensemble their chance to get in the limelight. I don't know if you've ever watch/heard amateurs try tap. Done wrong, it can be a horrendous calamity of noise. Im not particularly a fan of tap, but can appreciate a well executed routine.
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Post by viserys on Feb 21, 2017 6:28:23 GMT
I...feel like that's a gross exaggeration. Maybe just all the ones I've seen. It does seem to be a thing, though - I couldn't fathom a reason for the tap number in this, other than it being a Broadway musical and Broadway musicals traditionally have tap dancing in them. I don't know, maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind for it yesterday. Am feeling a bit grumpypants at the moment.... I didn't bother with the cinema screening since I had seen it live on Broadway, but I would agree that Newsies left me underwhelmed as well. The dancing was great, yes, but the story is so typically Disneyfied bland and twee. I can't remember many details now, but I know I was annoyed by the oh-so-cute kid on crutches (wasn't he actually called Crutchie?). The story of the newspaper boys and their strike, the harsh living conditions in NYC at the time etc. just didn't feel well served by the typical Disney approach to soften down the edges and make it cute and family-friendly (I have the same problem with Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame). I think Disney is better when they do big cheery fairy tales like Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast or even darker fairy tales like Lion King and Bambi, that are set among animals.
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Post by Michael on Feb 21, 2017 6:41:11 GMT
the oh-so-cute kid on crutches (wasn't he actually called Crutchie?). He was. Specs is the one with the glasses, Racer the fast one, and Little Dick - oh wait...
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Post by kathryn on Feb 21, 2017 8:57:58 GMT
The story of the newspaper boys and their strike, the harsh living conditions in NYC at the time etc. just didn't feel well served by the typical Disney approach to soften down the edges and make it cute and family-friendly (I have the same problem with Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame). I think Disney is better when they do big cheery fairy tales like Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast or even darker fairy tales like Lion King and Bambi, that are set among animals. Yes, I think this was ultimately my problem with it.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2017 9:05:25 GMT
I didn't see it (I'll be honest I forgot it was happening!) but it sounds like the kind of Disney that does nothing for me- I don't mind the animal-oriented fairy tale types, but the softened down 'real' stories irk me. Give me a singing lobster any day!
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Post by anita on Feb 21, 2017 10:00:07 GMT
I hate Disney.
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