That intermission thing at the Public's WP
NewVoices
La Chiusa/Wolfe WILD PARTY, so I figured it deserved its own thread.
I saw the show tonight from the back of the orchestra, and I must say it was
frustrating to sit there because people were leaving in droves after the 1 1/2
hour point (I'd say 60 people or more left in the orchestra alone). One woman
even hissed as she left. And as she was (abruptly and appropriately) escorted
out by an usher, she said something LOUDLY like, "Two hours without an
intermission is not fair!" (Don't worry -- I'm sure the actors onstage couldn't
hear her.)
Speaking as someone who's seen both the MTC and Public versions within the last
two weeks, I have to say it's incredibly arrogant of George Wolfe et al to
think that this material warrants that kind of intermissionless performance. I
have no problem with long, one-act plays or musicals. Obviously, CHORUS LINE
was brilliant. But there's an inherent lack of a compelling story with this WP
(which is a largely a problem with the chosen source material), and the mostly
non-melodic score doesn't help. Granted, there are some lovely moments and
beautifully realized staging and terrific performances, but IMO, the Public is
doing itself a huge disservice by forcing this show down the audience's throat
in one gulp. Some shows work fabulously in an intermissionless form. This show
is greatly hindered by it.
Vbankny
intermission with both WP and THE DEAD, esp. with THE DEAD because the lemonade
onstage makes me thirsty! I generally like the intermission as an opportunity
to bond with my fellow audience members and assess what I have seen so far.
Allows me to focus myself for the second act.
Eric
Jennifer Kalman
: La Chiusa/Wolfe WILD PARTY, so I figured it deserved its own thread.
Now why didn't I think of that? :-)
: I saw the show tonight from the back of the orchestra, and I must say it was
: frustrating to sit there because people were leaving in droves after the 1 1/2
: hour point (I'd say 60 people or more left in the orchestra alone). One woman
: even hissed as she left. And as she was (abruptly and appropriately) escorted
: out by an usher, she said something LOUDLY like, "Two hours without an
: intermission is not fair!" (Don't worry -- I'm sure the actors onstage couldn't
: hear her.)
I'm curious about something. Is it common during previews for audience
members to leave during the show?
: Speaking as someone who's seen both the MTC and Public versions within the last
: two weeks, I have to say it's incredibly arrogant of George Wolfe et al to
: think that this material warrants that kind of intermissionless performance.
I would like to comment on this remark. While I am in strong support of
INCLUDING AN INTERMISSION I will say that I don't think the creative team
is necessarily trying to be arrogant. Their original vision was to have
to no break. But that could change. As well a lot of the show is being
cut. So it's not like what you saw is how the show will end up.
: have no problem with long, one-act plays or musicals. Obviously, CHORUS LINE
: was brilliant. But there's an inherent lack of a compelling story with this WP
: (which is a largely a problem with the chosen source material), and the mostly
: non-melodic score doesn't help. Granted, there are some lovely moments and
: beautifully realized staging and terrific performances, but IMO, the Public is
: doing itself a huge disservice by forcing this show down the audience's throat
: in one gulp. Some shows work fabulously in an intermissionless form. This show
: is greatly hindered by it.
Do you think the rest of the audience felt the same way (that no
intermission hindered the show)?
NewVoices
members to leave during the show? >>
I don't think it really has anything to do with previews. It's rare for people
to leave DURING the show, period (most will simply not return after
intermission if it's not their cup of tea). True, they're working out the kinks
on this one...
<< Do you think the rest of the audience felt the same way (that no
intermission hindered the show)? >>
I agree with another poster who said that it's the show's length that's the
problem at this point. Ken Mandelbaum said in his column a day or so ago that
he presumes they're going to get it down to two hours, and he's probably right.
Even so, there's little dramatic tension pulling you through the show.
The audience response last night was tepid to say the least.
Stephen Oles
>I'd say 60 people or more left in the orchestra alone.
Boy, when members of the orchestra start walking out, you know your show's
in trouble ...
-- Steve in VB
Stephen Oles
> I'm curious about something. Is it common during previews for audience
members to leave during the show?
>
It's only customary with Sondheim shows ... :-}
Adam D. Feldman
> There's been lots of discussion here about the lack of an intermission at
the
> La Chiusa/Wolfe WILD PARTY, so I figured it deserved its own thread.
>Granted, there are some lovely moments and
> beautifully realized staging and terrific performances, but IMO, the
Public is
> doing itself a huge disservice by forcing this show down the audience's
throat
> in one gulp. Some shows work fabulously in an intermissionless form. This
show
> is greatly hindered by it.
The problem is not the lack of intermission. The problem is the needless
length of the show. Cut the show and it won't need an intermission.
Warmly,
Adam