The Musical Giant

[#1CarrieFan]

What happened to this production? I have friends in Houston that saw it, tons of friends in DC that saw it at Signature in Arlington, VA, and only talked to several NYC friends who saw it at The Public. I read all the reviews in NYC and when it was at The Signature, and it sounded like this was so ready for the great white way. Would love to hear news and comments from people who saw the show in all 3 cities and even maybe somebody from the cast or in production can let me know if this is going to have a future life?

[EricMontreal22]

A cast album is meant to be released "this Spring" (I have no idea if it's one disc, or two). I think the thought is it's still too long for Broadway... Still, excited to hear it.

[Magalamb]

Saw it at the Public in December. I loved it, but BDJ and Kate Baldwin were miscast as the leads. They're both fantastic performers, but have zero chemistry in a story that depends on it. And BDJ just doesn't have the physical presence a role like Bick requires. The supporting cast was phenomenal, especially the always fabulous Katie Thompson and P.J. Griffith.

The beginning felt long and the end felt rushed, but the dramatic arc essentially worked. The score, however, is gorgeous, one of MJLC's best. I was with someone who enjoys the theatre but doesn't actively seek out new shows, and they thought it too long, but good, if not great.

[BIG BALONEY]

I'm glad I caught Giant at the Public in it's limited run. The film was a favorite of mine and there is a lot of story to be told in three hours. I wish it all the luck for I can surely see it again. You got to realize the money to transfer and mount a Broadway production is well over ten million. Many people in the industry were there checking Giant out. I have to add a couple sitting next to me never heard of the film, just don't get me started.

[newintown]

I was bored to distraction. Leaden storytelling, gussied up with pretty music that was gussied up with really good orchestrations. Lots of intermission walkouts at the performance I attended.

[egghumor]

Like most people on this forum, I love musical theater, and I'm quite fond of the majority of scores composed by Michael John LaChuisa. Like Sondheim, his work demands attention and curiosity and holds up well to repeated listening. Because of that -- much more so than Sondheim -- I think LaChuisa's work is an acquired taste, not easily embraced by general audiences. I didn't see GIANT, but I certainly paid attention to critics and comments from posters on this site regarding the show's strengths. From my vantage point, GIANT seems like a show that would have a difficult time achieving a sustained run on Broadway. It is likely to wind up being a musical that is taken on by regional theaters looking to do challenging works.