PASSION Off-Broadway Preview Thread

[wicked1492]

Previews begin tonight! I'd love to hear some reports and thoughts! :)
Playbill Article

[luvtheEmcee]

I hope it's lovely. I don't think anyone knows how much I want to be there.

[SonofRobbieJ]

I'm going next Thursday...would you like me to wear a button with your face on it so you feel like you're representin'?

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

So jealous of everyone going, looking forward to the reports. Been listening to the cast recording all week, the beauty of the score never fails to get me and Donna Murphy and Marin Mazzie's performances are for the ages. Can't wait to hear how Kuhn and Errico do in the roles, I'm sure they'll be great.

[luvtheEmcee]

I'm going next Thursday...would you like me to wear a button with your face on it so you feel like you're representin'?

Yes please. Of course, I'd be happy with my photo on a stick but I like being worn ever so much better.

PS I may not get there til April, but I'm considering trying to allow myself to read nothing.

[Matt Rogers]

Classic Stage box office says it is 90 minutes with no intermission. Is it normally that short???

[SonofRobbieJ]

Yes. That's the run time of the show.

I could due a whole 'Flat Emcee,' like 'Flat Stanley' but with a theatrical bent!

[luvtheEmcee]

That's perfect. Tears of joy.

[bwayphreak234]

I adore this show. I can't wait to hear how this is.

[wicked1492]

Well...? Anybody?

[CATSNYrevival]

Yes. Anybody? Some of us want to know if Ryan Silverman is getting naked or not.

[Wayman_Wong]

For Ryan Silverman fans, we did a short featurette with him for the N.Y. Daily News. ... I did ask him if this revival has some nudity (like the original one), but he says there isn't any.
N.Y. Daily News: Ryan Silverman gets set to sing Sondheim with 'Passion'

[Mattbrain]

Passion...anybody?...no?...Passion...anybody?...no?...Passion.

[dreaming]

I was wondering if anyone had tried, given the weather, to rush the show, and if they'd had success in doing so. I'm interested in seeing it and thought the storm might provide an opportunity to get a rush seat.

[frogs_fan85]

Classic Stage is running a $35 special for this weekend's performances. The tickets were also made available online with the code "SNOWDAY", so you could grab them in advance.

[Jordan Catalano]

The website says all weekend shows are sold out.

[frogs_fan85]

Yeah, I noticed that after I posted. There are still three seats for today's matinee, but they are at the premium price.

I'd imagine they may have cancellations throughout the weekend though.

[Play Esq.]

Going to tomorrow's matinee -- will post thoughts after. Can't wait! One of the last Sondheims I haven't seen a production of live.

[Wildcard]

I had to give up my ticket for today. So disappointed.

[Wayman_Wong]

Here's the first report I've seen from someone who caught the first preview of 'Passion' at CSC.
All That Chat: 'Passion'

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

That's a good report. I'm wondering how people feel about the idea of laughter in the show, the reviewer from ATC complains about how some scenes provoked laughter and this was apparently a huge issue they had to deal with during previews in the original production. As much as I love the somber approach of Lapine's production, there are certain moments in the show that I think benefit from laughter (Fosca's comment of "I find it lovely...probably because it's ruined I suppose" for example always seemed kind of funny to me).

[Michael Bennett]

I absolutely agree with that Ray; as with any thriller, its important (I think) for a director to build in some moments of humour to relieve tension (which is usually the prime reason for unintentional laughter). I think the Donmar production did a fine job of finding that balance with PASSION. Elena Roger was able to get laughter out of some of the lines you mention and I think it made the audience ultimately more sympathetic to Fosca.

That said, I do think the character needs to have a certain intensity that borders on scary. I have no doubt that Kuhn is likely a very sympathetic Fosca, but if she's not equally disturbing, the piece could definitely lose some of its saliency.

[nasty_khakis]

I'm very tempted to try rushing this tonight. I figure it will always sell extremely well for the small space and tonight there may be a lot of cancellations. But I'd hate to trek all the way there for nothing.

[dreaming]

nasty-I was too and feared the same as you-to go all that way and not get in. I'd really like to see it and thought they might have a rush since I'd be willing to bet some tickets got turned in because of the weather.

[RockStarNYC]

How does the rush on the cancellations work? Is it just for students as I know CSC does a student rush, or with the situation a general rush? Sorry if this is a dumb question.

[muscle23ftl]

Oh, what a thrill, I'm the first person on this board to have seen this. I must say, Judy Kuhn is a force of nature and gives a performance that is a treat to any musical theatre fan, if this production is transferred to Broadway, she has a Tony guaranteed. Melissa Errico and Ryan Silverman are flawless and in great voice.
I absolutely loved this and highly recommend it, the show was sold out, but it was very interesting that my friend couldn't get a ticket, yet, I saw a bunch of seats that were available...once I was inside the theatre.

It was great to hear Judy and Melissa in this, I think they are actually much better than the Broadway cast.