safira
Chorus Member
Posts: 128
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Post by safira on Sept 17, 2009 14:38:06 GMT -5
Are the sets even new? They look A LOT like the hungarian ones... I guess that´s because the sets were made by the same designer as in Budapest. Thanks for the links everybody!
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Post by Valancy on Sept 17, 2009 14:51:03 GMT -5
Yes, the sets were designed by the designer of the Budapest production and they were supposed to have the same look. But they're definitely not the same ones - trust me, I've watched the Budapest sets often enough to know that the ones in these pictures are much stronger material. Seeing these sets made with VBW's budget is pretty much my theatrical dream come true. The new ending sounds like fun, and I think the gothic costumes are gorgeous. I'm getting really interested in seeing the production some tme, even if the cast isn't my ideal. (I still don't like Marjan's singing, and Lukas looks too much like the Héger Tibor type of Alfred for my liking, though hopefully his acting will be better. At least I know he can sing better.) I also like it that they're doing some new things to this production. It never hurts to try out some new stuff on occasion, though Tanz is more uniform throughout different productions than other Kunze musicals are. I'm curious to find out whether Für Sarah is placed in the original place or in the same place as in the recent German and Budapest productions (after Ein Perfekter Tag and before the crypt scene). I always found the change a bit odd and unnecessary, but on the other hand I am used to it now... Still, would some time love to see the show with it in its original place...
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safira
Chorus Member
Posts: 128
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Post by safira on Sept 17, 2009 16:09:53 GMT -5
As far as I know Für Sarah is placed as in the recent German version. I have seen two shows only with the old song order but there and on CD the old one sounds strange to me. I like the song at it´s new place.
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Post by Valancy on Sept 18, 2009 1:39:13 GMT -5
This is the first time I've heard anyone say the old order made less sense than the new one. Why do you think that? To me the old order has always been very logical: first Alfred tries to be heroic (in the crypt) and fails, then he succeeds in finding Sarah but she rejects his help; these two failures spur in him the reflection that despire the failures he's going to keep on trying to save her. Whereas in the new version he launches into these reflections before he's had any chance to try anything, and then immediately in the next scene he fails in the crypt. Certainly it's in character enough for Alfred to think he's going to be a hero and then fail; that's what he does all the time anyway. But I think the song is more powerful if he's already experienced trying and failing, and if he starts to already have an idea of what he's facing and how difficult the task will be.
Of course since in the new order it follows the nightmare and precedes the scene where he has to be strong and brave, it makes sense as a finding-his-courage song there, too, but I always thought it made a bit more character sense in the old order.
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safira
Chorus Member
Posts: 128
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Post by safira on Sept 18, 2009 15:39:04 GMT -5
I guess the first reason why I prefer the new order is that I have seen it on stage more often. To me the old order made me feel they had to put in a sog for Alfred somewhere. It was just squashed between both "Bücher" songs. Now Für Sarah has a "real" own place. Then it makes sense to me that Alfred remembers her on the bed He just dreamt that nightmare of her and thinking of that he plans to save her. He could sing this right after waking up but Koukol interrupts him. So he starts singing when he packs the bag. He plans to be a hero and afterwards his plans fail bit by bit. At the old place it seemed odd to me that Alfred dreams of being a hero when he already fails to get Sarah out of the bath (though this might be really difficult as much as she likes bathing). So he fails, wants to be a hero and fails again. This up and down is more strange to me than a continuous way down. My opinion.
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Post by Valancy on Sept 19, 2009 2:40:29 GMT -5
To me it makes sense that he goes "Oh no - I failed - but... I won't lose my courage! I will keep on trying no matter what!" He has more motivation to do it at that point when he's already seen himself lose courage and fail and seen what he's up against. Who doesn't do that? Realise they've failed but decide to keep on trying? Why wouldn't it make sense for him to do that, too?
I'm not too badly opposed to the current song order, because the nightmare and the preparation for the crypt gives it a reasonable context, too. But while it's the only one I have seen on stage at all, I still think the old one was the right one and I would like to see it on stage even once, to compare how it feels.
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safira
Chorus Member
Posts: 128
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Post by safira on Sept 27, 2009 15:06:10 GMT -5
When I heard the new order on stage the first time it felt somehow wrong to me. But I think that was because I was used to the old version on CD. Today I´m used to the new order and the version on CD feels odd. I think both versions make sense. And of course Alfred can get up again after failing. Now it´s another way of telling his fate, which goes down bit by bit. His song is now a try to find enough courage to rescue Sarah. Für Sarah is now a continuance of "Alles wird gut" when he wakes up. And it´s what he needs after the nightmare.
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Post by exedore on Sept 28, 2009 4:08:03 GMT -5
Kunze has clarified the move on his website:
Or, in English, "I wanted to make it clear that he only follows the Professor into the crypt for Sarah."
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Post by Valancy on Sept 28, 2009 9:41:04 GMT -5
Cool, thanks for telling us! I'd actually been thinking of asking that on his website, because I was really curious about what the reason was, but someone got there before me. That definitely makes sense as a reason. I'm attached to the old order, but like I've said, now that I'm used to seeing the new order I don't think it lacks sense either - it works just as well. They're both different takes on the matter, but they work.
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Post by Fantasma da Opera on Jan 12, 2010 12:07:37 GMT -5
Question for Viennese people or anyone who knows WELL the city:
- is there any good Hotel close to the Ronacher? Like the Golden Tulip near the Raimund.
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Albert
At the stage door
Posts: 62
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Post by Albert on Jan 16, 2010 5:11:13 GMT -5
For those who use the VBW website for bookings, could you tell me if there is any way to choose the actual seat you want from the plan? Even the "manual" option keeps choosing a seat for me automatically. The "best seat" option just gives 2 choices. In my case this is front row smack center or the one right behind it. I'd prefer a few rows back.
How bad is the front row though? Will I end up with a stiff neck or will it be worth it to be that close to the action?
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Post by Fantasma da Opera on Jan 16, 2010 18:31:15 GMT -5
The site has some pictures that give you more or less of an idea about the view I myself am reconsidering watching the show...109,76 EUR for a ticket? NO SHOW is worth that! Not even Rebecca even less Tanz...
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Post by Valancy on Jan 17, 2010 11:34:22 GMT -5
For those who use the VBW website for bookings, could you tell me if there is any way to choose the actual seat you want from the plan? Even the "manual" option keeps choosing a seat for me automatically. The "best seat" option just gives 2 choices. In my case this is front row smack center or the one right behind it. I'd prefer a few rows back. I've never used the site myself, so don't take my word for it, but from what I remember from my friends complaining, no, there isn't. It works stupidly like that. Your best bet is probably to wait until those seats have been reserved, and hope that some decent ones are still left instead of having been bought straight from the box office. I can't say anything about how bad front row is, having sat in Ronacher only once and then not paid very much attention to the different places. Re: the prices, guess why I prefer going to see this show in Budapest... The tickets are less than half the price and the city is much cheaper to stay in, and I can count on not having inferior actors in any role. I kind of want to see the Vienna production, because of the sets, orchestra and some interesting-sounding understudies, but it's not happening until I get richer (and can be sure it's an off day for both Lukas and Marjan... no offence to their fans, but I know I'm not keen on seeing them and their understudies sound much more interesting).
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Post by duketgg on Jan 17, 2010 12:44:16 GMT -5
is there any good Hotel close to the Ronacher? Like the Golden Tulip near the Raimund. There are lots - most of them 4-star ones (e.g. Hotel Sacher).
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Post by Fantasma da Opera on Jan 17, 2010 13:38:12 GMT -5
is there any good Hotel close to the Ronacher? Like the Golden Tulip near the Raimund. There are lots - most of them 4-star ones (e.g. Hotel Sacher). Any one you specially recomend? No problem with the stars, (I normaly stay in 5 star Hotels but in Europe its not justified and 4 star ones are already very good)
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