Annie Preview Thread

[bwayphreak234]

I am listening to the overture right now. I can't believe they would cut this. WHY?

[bwayfan7000]

I was there tonight and really enjoyed myself. It has some stuff that needs work, but overall, it's off to a great start. I agree with much of what's been said. Finneran needs to figure out what she's doing, but everyone else is quite strong. Warlow has such a soaring voice that his numbers really take off in a way they never did before to me. J. Elaine is doing the exact same character from Priscilla, but it's not her fault, and she does it well. That's one of the bits I foresee perhaps changing in previews. O'Malley does well with a small role. Crawford especially is so impressive. You may have heard "Tomorrow" a thousand times before, but when Lilla sings it, you can't get enough. She has a thrilling voice and a terrific characterization already.

It should be noted that the overture isn't gone entirely. We still get the beginning of it before the newsreel comes in, and some of it plays under the reel, I think. But I agree it needs to be reinstated in all its full glory.

Overall, this production shows why Annie has enjoyed such consistent popularity over the years. It's a gorgeous score and a real crowd pleaser. It's also so undeniably sweet that it could win over almost anyone. To my ear, the orchestra sounded full and fantastic, and most changes to orchestrations or arrangements seemed to be for the better. I heard some nice counterpoints in some of the group numbers that sounded new and worked pretty well. It's a huge production that's already in a great place. Let Finneran work her way through and it could be near to perfect.

[bwayphreak234]

WAIT... Do they still have the opening notes of Tomorrow that goes into Hard Knock Life for the Overture? And was the clothesline picture I posted earlier really the pre show set? sorry - very curious

[CATSNYrevival]

Is Warlow singing "Why Should I Change a Thing" in this production? Wasn't it originally written for him for the Australian version?

[WhizzerMarvin TrinaJasonMendel]

They play like four bars of the overture before the newsreel starts.

The clothesline set is the pre-show stage dressing.

[WhizzerMarvin TrinaJasonMendel]

There is no added musical material in this production. No "You Make Me Happy," no "Why Should I Change a Thing."

[PurpleFanta]

I was there tonight as well, and I really enjoyed myself. It was refreshing to be in an audience that was really excited to be there. There was a lot of clapping when big songs started, and that energy was really infectious. All of the kids were great, but I hate their Newsies accents.

Lilla Crawford is fantastic, and has a huge voice. I was very impressed by her. It was really exciting to see Anthony Warlow live, and he didn't disappoint. I know he's played the role before, but it still felt very fresh.

I'm a really big Katie Finneran fan, so expectations were very high. I enjoyed her performance, but I think it can be so much better. I felt like she combined Marge MacDougall and Brooke Ashton for this Miss Hannigan. It felt very character-y, and I really don't know how else to describe it. I'm hoping that she'll utilize the preview process and make some changes in order to be the real scene stealing performance we're all expecting.

I also haven't been to a show aimed at families in quite some time, and I forgot just how disruptive young kids are. There was a lot of squirming, crying, and loud whispering happening all around me.

I'm seeing it again in a couple of weeks, and I'm curious to see what changes are being made. And the orchestra looked incredibly full tonight, but I'm not sure about the mezz or balcony.

[wdwfreak]

The problem I had with Katie's Miss Hannigan was that she OVER-played the drunk part. It was way too over the top and I'm trying to figure out if that was the direction for it or her choice.

[tourboi]

The product line of the merch is as hideous as the display. Is it creative goods? (assuming as much since it's a Nederlander house).

[WhizzerMarvin TrinaJasonMendel]

Exactly wdwfreak- hence all the comments about playing Marge MacDougall again. Her wigs and makeup where also so overdone that they verged on drag queen. Her singing wasn't pleasant to listen to either. Not that Hannigan has to sound like Cunegonde, but every phrase was over "characterized" if that makes sense.

[jv92]

Slightly shocked about Finneran. But not too shocked. I knew it could get Carol Burnett-y. Hopefully, Lapine tells her to tone it down. Seeing it Saturday, so I'll report here with my thoughts.

[Benzy92]

Was at the first preview tonight as well!

I thought this revival was simply smashing. Anthony Warlow and Lilla Crawford are by far the standouts in this perfect cast, but count me in the minority that thoroughly enjoyed Katie Finneran, who will only get better with time (as well as everyone else.)

Can't wait to see it grow and shape and see what they adjust!

[CurtainPullDowner]

I was nervous about Katie playing another drunk.

How was Clarkie?

[bk]

It should have been Beth Leavel. The End.

[EricMontreal22]

Disappointing to hear that Easy Street, in its current form, doesn't work. Paul Gennero's staging of hat number in the original, as performed on the Tonys, is a fave of mine. How is the choreography in general?

[PVDColleen]

I was really hoping to come on here this morning and hear nothing but glowing reviews.

How did Sunny do last night?

[Skip2]

Maybe this is the show where people will finally realize that Finneran has been REALLY lucky for her critical reception in past performances. People seem to love her, but to me she's never quite as good as the people she replaces in revivals.

I never get the impression that she really knows how to score a solid laugh. Yeah, I know, a different take on a role is perfectly valid, blah, blah, blah... But she never gets the laughs as much as the original actors did. And she's one of the reasons why I'm not in a hurry to see this ANNIE.

[MrMidwest]

Can we give Katie a week or two before we start freaking out? I doubt she knew her first preview performance would be dissected and analyzed so thoroughly (not a slam on anybody, just sayin').

[DottieD'Luscia]

bk, you're absolutely right, and I was saying that once it was announced that this revival was taking place.

To the poster who said the '97 revival was a replica of the original production. It certainly was not!! I saw the original production 4 times and the hideous revival as well. There was nothing remotely similar about the two productions. They even cut "We'd Like to Thank You Herbert Hoover" from the revival (although it was still listed in the Playbill). I had standing room and Thomas Meehan was right next to me. I wanted to ask him how could someone possibly ruin that production.

[nyel24]

Looking forward to this show next week. For those who went how long was this production?

[BwayBaby18]

Does the design feel cartoony or realistic?

[WhizzerMarvin TrinaJasonMendel]

Clarke Thorell was good as rooster, but even better as Mr. Mudge. His transformation was like on a method level. It was almost too good, ha. They could put him in a production of Grapes of Wrath right now.

Sunny was cute and she executed all of her tricks.

I thought the design was more realistic than cartoony. The exception being what they tried to do with Annie walking through the different rooms of the mansion.

[morosco]

"Easy Street" landed with a thud, and was oddly undercut with the orphans dressed up as french maids in Hannigan's easy street fantasy.

WTF? That alone marks this show off my list of shows to see. I'll stick to my fond memories of the fantastic original production.

[LizzieCurry]

Here's a post from an Australian news blog: http://www.3aw.com.au/blogs/donna-demaio-gossip-blog/anthony-warlow-makes-his-broadway-debut/20121004-271nc.html

[WhizzerMarvin TrinaJasonMendel]

The french maids moment was the one bizarre WTF moment of the night. It felt like they doubled the dance section so they could let the girls fan Hannigan, bring her a boa and serve her every whim. It would be very easy to just cut this section and perform the number as is.

I agree with Eric that the choreography from the original for "Easy Street" is perfect and iconic. They have gone in a different direction with the choreography of this production in general, which I think is fine, but maybe they should have left this dance alone.

"A New Deal For Christmas" is the one truly big production number of the evening.

SLIGHT spoiler
Warbucks buys all the orphans and his staff tap shoes for Christmas. "New Deal" is then a rousing tap number, and even Hannigan, Rooster and Lily get taps to join in.

[Auggie27]

Is the disappointment with Finnegan about her interpretation, which was clearly explored during rehearsals, or her execution? Actors nail their approach to character as a show is put on its feet; creative decisions are made about who the character is, what she wants, how she achieves her goals. In performance, adjustments are made in size, in shape of the evening, in finding moments. But a characterization is generally found early and then built upon. People expecting her to re-find this woman in front of an audience are not understanding technique (and direction) or the purpose of previews. I would guess her performance will acquire proficiency and stature, but that her Hannigan was decided weeks ago. So is the problem with her characterization or her demonstration of musical comedy chops, i.e. her comfort with the demands of the show?