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Post by alece10 on Jan 30, 2023 16:51:43 GMT
Really pleased I caught this Saturday night. It’s a very enjoyable musical. Act One is definitely stronger than Two but most classic musicals are structured in that way. Act Two is just a bit too wordy with not enough musical highlights. Act One is musically very strong. Unlike some I thought the lead performers were all pretty solid and I really liked Michael Ahomka-Lindsay as Jack: charismatic and a great voice. I saw Ethan Sokontwe as Les and he really stole the show - one of the best child performers I have seen (and amazingly he’s studying cello at the Royal Academy of Music!) The sound was OK where I sat (middle of Manhattan) maybe a bit too loud from the excellent band. More or less a full house too. I also saw Ethan a couple of weeks ago and agree about him stealing the show. The other 2 kids I had previously seen were very good but Ethan really stood out and had such a cheeky little face. Was also amazed to read about him studying Cello.
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Post by regza on Jan 30, 2023 23:06:10 GMT
Ethan is the only Les I've not seen yet, sounds like I need to book a Saturday night show - though agree the other three "Les'" were all good.
I think Michael Ahomka-Lindsay's performance as Jack has really grown on me, in fact I'd say the whole ensemble is giving consistently excellent performances. Whilst Michael may give a more understated performance than (say) Jeremy Jordan, this is probably a truer portrayal of the character of Jack Kelly - sure he's the leader of the Newsies but he's also something of a lone wolf... If you've only been to one of the preview shows, go again, it improves with repeated viewing!
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Post by regza on Jan 30, 2023 23:37:48 GMT
Just a few other random thoughts before I forget:
The "final" programme is now available (I'd imagine it came out early January?) at £10 - looks identical on the outside to the original but it has eight extra pages of photos from the show plus some extra bios and cast updates, if you're a Fansie you'll already have the original, but will definitely want this one too!
Worth repeating for anyone entering through Door 1 to check out the exit through Door 2 at the interval or end...
The 7.30 performance on 9 February is captioned - might help if you have struggled with the sound (I seem to have been lucky in this respect or maybe have just watched the Broadway version on BBC2 too many times...)
Lastly and I'm sure you all are but please do be respectful of your fellow audience members when "retrieving" torn papes! Admittedly I've not seen any fights myself yet, but there are still ten weeks to go... 😀
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Post by aliwag on Feb 1, 2023 12:35:28 GMT
Going to see this on Saturday for the first time. Am SO excited!!!!!
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Post by evilmat360 on Feb 6, 2023 22:40:15 GMT
Appears there's some sort of announcement coming with the following photos in the story trying to get you to sign up for the updates/newsletter
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7,439 posts
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Post by alece10 on Feb 7, 2023 0:42:28 GMT
Appears there's some sort of announcement coming with the following photos in the story trying to get you to sign up for the updates/newsletter Better not be another extension as I'm booked for the last night.
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Post by ctas on Feb 7, 2023 7:00:46 GMT
Well…
& on the subject of the prop papers, I would’ve had one except a woman literally lunged to snatch it from where it landed on my feet the moment the act ended. The fans acting like that are a bit intense.
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Post by alece10 on Feb 7, 2023 9:26:45 GMT
Well… & on the subject of the prop papers, I would’ve had one except a woman literally lunged to snatch it from where it landed on my feet the moment the act ended. The fans acting like that are a bit intense. I managed to get one eventually after my 3rd visit. It literally fell from the ceiling onto my lap. I put it on top of my coat on the empty seat next to me. At the interval a woman behind me leant over and tried to take it. I told her it was mine and she was OK. I know she had a child with her but I so wanted that paper that is wasn't giving it up. Its now nicely framed with the Newsie poster on my wall. End note: She managed to get one in Act 2 so we were all happy.
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Post by christya on Feb 7, 2023 10:05:14 GMT
The papers make a great souvenir. I have a 'Newsies Banner' from Broadway (one of the cast snagged it for me, the one that Corey Cott held up during Once and For All) and it's probably my favourite bit of Broadway memorabilia. I havent scrambled for a London one as frankly I have nowhere left to put anything, but I do wish people would chill a bit and not snatch from others! And no, having a child with you is not a reason to get stuff.
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Post by westended on Feb 7, 2023 10:17:29 GMT
Appears there's some sort of announcement coming with the following photos in the story trying to get you to sign up for the updates/newsletter It's an extension to the 30th July 2023
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Post by alece10 on Feb 7, 2023 10:55:53 GMT
Great news for the show as it deserves the extension but bad news for me as I already have a ticket for the last performance which was going to be April so I will now have to buy another one for the last performance. Actually good news for me too as just means another chance to see it.
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Post by Dr Tom on Feb 7, 2023 11:55:53 GMT
Great news for the show as it deserves the extension but bad news for me as I already have a ticket for the last performance which was going to be April so I will now have to buy another one for the last performance. Actually good news for me too as just means another chance to see it. I would be surprised if they closed this right at the start of the school summer holiday period. To me, it looks like they've converted the theatre for a long run. It sells very well at weekends and can fill out a lot of the cheap seats at the back through rush.
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Post by Being Alive on Feb 7, 2023 13:16:46 GMT
It's a cast of 38 though don't forget....that's a lot of people to pay + crew
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Post by alece10 on Feb 7, 2023 13:27:26 GMT
Also wouldn't surprise me if they don't carry on through the school hols as its a great family show.
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Post by margoc on Feb 7, 2023 13:57:00 GMT
I had a feeling it would extend again! So glad it has, planning on seeing it again in the next couple of months
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Post by sophie92 on Feb 7, 2023 14:22:01 GMT
Well… & on the subject of the prop papers, I would’ve had one except a woman literally lunged to snatch it from where it landed on my feet the moment the act ended. The fans acting like that are a bit intense. At least they waited until the end of the act - when I went people were getting up out of their seats and going to different rows/across aisles to get them immediately, whilst the show was still going on.
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Post by Dr Tom on Feb 7, 2023 17:46:55 GMT
Great news for the show as it deserves the extension but bad news for me as I already have a ticket for the last performance which was going to be April so I will now have to buy another one for the last performance. Actually good news for me too as just means another chance to see it. Just noticed you're going to a cast change show anyway, as a few people are leaving on that date. So that's always something special to enjoy.
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Post by ctas on Feb 7, 2023 19:23:11 GMT
Well… & on the subject of the prop papers, I would’ve had one except a woman literally lunged to snatch it from where it landed on my feet the moment the act ended. The fans acting like that are a bit intense. At least they waited until the end of the act - when I went people were getting up out of their seats and going to different rows/across aisles to get them immediately, whilst the show was still going on. I saw that too- not sure waiting for a minute left in a song is enough to give them credit for though!
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Post by pomegranate on Feb 7, 2023 23:12:25 GMT
Great news for the show as it deserves the extension but bad news for me as I already have a ticket for the last performance which was going to be April so I will now have to buy another one for the last performance. Actually good news for me too as just means another chance to see it. Just noticed you're going to a cast change show anyway, as a few people are leaving on that date. So that's always something special to enjoy. Do you know which actors are leaving?
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Post by Dr Tom on Feb 7, 2023 23:22:20 GMT
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Post by Being Alive on Feb 7, 2023 23:35:12 GMT
Cameron's leaving as he's off into Doubtfire but I'm not gonna sit and work out who else is staying I've got a life to live
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Post by evilmat360 on Feb 8, 2023 1:12:46 GMT
From what I can piece together from the list on Broadway world, those leaving seem to be:
Cameron Blakely, Jamie Ducan-Campbell, Ross Dawes, Kamilla Fernandes, Alex James-Hatton, Cameron Jones, Joshua Nkemdilim, Bradley Trevethan and 3 of the 4 kids playing Les.
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Post by alece10 on Feb 11, 2023 0:03:50 GMT
Jeremy Jordan is doing Cameo videos for £165 if anyone is rich enough. And he is donating part of the money to the earthquake victims
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Post by gmoneyoutlaw on Feb 11, 2023 3:00:28 GMT
Jeremy Jordan Cameo Videos are $199
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Post by theoracle on Feb 11, 2023 11:19:37 GMT
After not thinking very much of the Broadway recording a few years ago, I thought I'd check this out and was very impressed. I love how the theatre's vast space is used and the energy radiated from the stage is pretty infectious. The songs definitely grew on me as the evening wore on and it's great to see such hard work rewarded with a clear huge fan following and the most recent extension. I must echo earlier comments about the mixing though - not terrible but a few months into the run, should really be resolved by now. I could hear vowels and had the captions the other evening to help but clarity was pretty dreadful. Overall still worth the trip up to Wembley and wouldn't mind checking it out again if an opportunity arises.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Feb 11, 2023 21:06:24 GMT
As I have said before on here, I remember seeing the recording of NEWSIES and loving it. Today, I saw this new production in the flesh, and I adored the piece all over again. The time absolutely flew by!
The staging is magnificent - the use of the space was excellent (although, I’m not quite sure that I would call it immersive), and the dancing and choreography were stunning! The energy coming from the stage was off the charts, and the audience lapped it up.
The score is a marvel. Song after song hits it out of the park (with the exception of ‘The Bottom Line’, which doesn’t quite land, and I found my mind wondering). I’ve had the ear worm of ‘Something to Believe In’ stuck in my head since seeing the show!
That is not to say that I didn’t have some slight reservations. As some have said on here, the sound is hit and miss, making some of the lyrics and dialogue unintelligible. The band were too loud at points, but then at other points, I thought the whole thing was too quiet.
The singing was not great for me either. There were some audibly bum notes, and Jack Kelly was clearly vocally tired near the end. Understandably though, they went for dancers first over everything else.
Overall, an electric experience. Glad to have finally seen this live and ticked it off my list. A great way to start my theatre-going of 2023!
4 stars.
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Post by regza on Feb 19, 2023 16:47:28 GMT
I've found 'The Bottom Line' has grown on me over the years, I rather like the rhythm and prefer it to 'The News is Getting Better' which it replaced many years ago (though only going by a not very clear recording on YouTube). 'Something to Believe In' less so, but overall fully agree on the quality of Menken's score; surprised by those who say (eg) Little Mermaid or Aladdin is superior. Each to their own I guess...
Belated comment on the 9 February captioned performance. Female ensemble seemed a couple down so only three nuns and two Bowery beauties! Brooklyn newsies also cut to two (Splint and Stray - one benefit if the captions is I finally caught these names!) plus Spot. Also I may have missed it but don't think first zipwire use happened.
Fully deserves the extension (despite at least one post on social media stating it "must end" 16 April...). Certainly there is no other show booked for the Troubadour so it seems quite possible it could stretch to a year and beyond. It should do very well with younger summer visitors from the States in particular, given its roots and popularity as a production for High Schools there (and increasingly Junior Schools with the Newsies Jr. version).
Just one suggestion - the merchandise could be a little more imaginative! Where are the newsboys caps, the replica papes (for those who'd rather not scrabble on the ground!) and some of the (surprisingly many) books on the Newsies phenomena, newsies in general and child labour exploitation at the time? Maybe I've just got enough keychains and magnets...
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Post by Dr Tom on Feb 19, 2023 22:58:03 GMT
Well, the young guy next to me was very friendly today. He managed to manoeuvre his right leg between mine for a bit, had a break, then had another go with a bit more determination until he achieved his goal. I was tempted to invite him home, but he was with his girlfriend.
So despite the excellent aim of Rory in throwing a newspaper at me, which bounced off my chest and landed between my feet, I still wasn't able to hang onto it!
I made a late decision to go to the 13:00 show today and picked up an excellent second row seat in Woodside off TKTS (far better than the equivalent being offered through Rush - TKTS had discounted all remaining seats to £29.50 on the day). I've only ever sat on the front row before, but being one row up and level with the stage (and well above the row in front so no chance of a blocked view) made a lot of difference.
This was almost sold out, although I notice the front centre seats haven't been sold on either of my last two visits (nor did they show as available on the seat map). I don't know it that's deliberate. Some people did move into them later.
They were very depleted in ensemble numbers and it does take something away from the show seeing the empty spaces on stage (or only one person dancing instead of three, or only five chandeliers in action etc). With that said, the dancing is still impressive, and first time visitors likely wouldn't know they were missing anything.
Lots of covers on too. The main one to highlight is Bobbie Chambers who was excellent as Katherine. I also got to see Zack Guest swing on in a featured role (as Albert). Zack is always a treat to watch (and I got to see him swing quite literally too).
Not sure why they were so light on people, with only three swings on, whether it's illness, holidays (which become more of a thing now this keeps extending), or cost savings. But I can see the swings being on constantly has been ongoing for much of February.
Anyway, still as enjoyable and recommended as always. Rush tickets are selling out and this is busy at a weekend. This is the first matinee I've been too and the schedule at the weekend much be tough, so fantastic to observe the energy levels still running so high.
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Post by regza on Feb 22, 2023 19:58:20 GMT
The 8 March performance includes another cast Q&A as part of a Mastercard Priceless package (so you do need a Mastercard). Also a couple glasses of wine (pre-show and interval) and a programme, not bad for £55. Looks like most of the available seats are the £55 blocks in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Richmond, but there may be some discounted from £82.50.
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Post by mrnutz on Feb 24, 2023 10:28:40 GMT
Apologies if this has been asked before, but would those in the know recommend front row of Richmond or front row of Woodside?
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