UP HERE preview thread

[WSStory]

Posted: 8/1/15 at 1:16am

We see it next Thursday.

[Wicked Fanatic]

Posted: 8/1/15 at 12:21pm

I'm going tonight. 

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 8/1/15 at 9:12pm

cannot wait to hear how it is...i might make the trip to la jolla if the buzz is strong 

 

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 8/1/15 at 9:37pm

if the buzz is strong, i imagine it will come to broadway

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 8/1/15 at 9:44pm

Dear Nina, 

Fvck off. 

Thanks,

Everyone at BWW

[Dusoleilcanwhistle]

Posted: 8/2/15 at 11:12pm

I just got back from seeing today's sold-out matinee of UP HERE at the La Jolla Playhouse. I will say that I'm 27 years old and was one of five people under 50 at this performance and I seemed to enjoy it much more than a lot of the older folks (shocker - I know). There are spoilers below so read on at your own peril.

It's definitely an entertaining show with a solid score, but there is a lot of eccentricity and some things that I'm sure will be changing as the work is further developed.

It is one of the most colorful shows I've seen in a while, definitely visually impressive - major props to the Lighting Designer David Weiner.

The most tuneful, hummable song in the show is the opening number which is also the title.

There are a lot of themes relating to romance and the way we view ourselves throughout the whole show.

There is a "B" plot involving a rock and a child that seems random, and even when it "pays off" it feels unnecessary.

There is a song in the first act that just, I can't get the image out of my head. It's a country-esque number that features tapping miners and dancing cacti (that'd be the plural of cactus). It's the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen on a stage - and that's kind of the tone of the whole piece. In some instances it really works, but in others it feels pretty off the mark.

The acting was uniformly excellent. The lead characters played exceptionally well by Betsy Wolfe and Matt Bittner feel pretty developed so it does feel like a show well on its way. Bittner's character - Dan - is the one whose thoughts - via varied characters - come to life onstage. There are four main "demons" of his consciousness that recur and they are all portrayed with great humor, but a sense of reality.

Alex Timbers' staging was spectacular - the man knows how to put on a show. There is a song in the second act where they bring up a random audience member and both leads sing at her and even improv a bit and everyone in the theater was cracking up throughout that song.

If you're in LA or the area and can get tickets, I'd recommend going. There is some work to do, but it's a completely original musical romantic comedy that will leave you feeling good. I'm sure it will be Broadway-bound in the next two or so years.

 

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 8/3/15 at 1:33am

you had me at dancing cacti.  

Alex Timbers is a theatrical genius but I have been burned a few too many times trekking down to La Jolla for some new theatrical work...

 

 

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 8/3/15 at 1:44am

"If you're in LA or the area and can get tickets"

It's nowhere near LA. It's in San Diego. 115 miles away from LA.

[Dusoleilcanwhistle]

Posted: 8/3/15 at 1:49am

""If you're in LA or the area and can get tickets"
It's nowhere near LA. It's in San Diego. 115 miles away from LA."

 Right, it's about a two hour drive from LA, but worth the day trip. I know, I just did it. 

[goldenstate5]

Posted: 8/3/15 at 8:18am

Curious to know how much it resembles or seems similar to the new Pixar movie "Inside Out"? Knowing that their next project is Frozen on Broadway and with Disney also owning the Inside Out IP, I wonder if that may cause some discomfort in the future if the show makes it to NYC.

Not saying one ripped off the other at all, so don't take it like that... it's just eerie how the new articles about the duo and their new show talks up their relationship with Disney via Frozen, Pooh and Finding Nemo but seemingly refuses to even touch the subject of Inside Out. Like, not even, "Oh we loved it but our thing is entirely different!"

[imdreamingbig]

Posted: 8/3/15 at 10:46am

Could you elaborate on Betsy Wolfe's character? I'm a big fan and have wanted her to originate a true leading lady role for a long time, but from what I've heard of the plot, I worry that Lindsay plays second fiddle to Dan's mind. Feel free to PM me if you don't want to spoil anything more in the board.

[Alessio2]

Posted: 8/3/15 at 5:12pm

I saw the show last week on thursday night which was only their third preview.  Before the performance, Artistic Director of the LaJolla Playhouse, Christopher Ashley came out and made a short speech.  He informed us that the creative team and cast had been working all day and that we would be seeing a new opening number, a new ending to Act 1, and changes to 3 other musical numbers.

I'll start out by saying that there is an absolutely wonderful show there, it just needs some fine tuning, trimming and a bit of tightening up, which is obviously what they are doing during previews. This is actually the first time I have ever attended a preview and even though I can say I reeeeeally liked the show alot, I wish I had seen it after opening. I live in LA so I won't be trekking to LaJolla again for this.

The show has an excellent score! Really great songs, and the two leads couldn't be better, especially Betsy Wolfe who is just so damn wonderful and likeable! Met her after the show, she was so nice and warm. A couple of things that bothered me were the costumes for Dan's inner voices...just bizarre at moments and I just didn't think they were right. Also as someone else mentioned the rock and the little boy...that boy was atrocious. Truly. Couldn't understand him, had zero stage presence, was distracting, and could really just be cut from the show.

Other than that, I highly recommend this to anyone who is in the area! Was a very enjoyable night at the theater. One last thing I forgot to mention, they had tech issues and the mikes went out during the middle of a song in Act 2. A voice came over the loudspeaker announcing a break in the show. The cast walked off the stage and returned less than 5 minutes later to resume and finish the show!!

Updated On: 8/3/15 at 05:12 PM

[kamla]

Posted: 8/4/15 at 2:51pm

I saw the show this past Sunday night and I will say that it was quite funny and made for an enjoyable night at the theater. Does it need some work.... absolutely, but I feel this could progress into something quite wonderful.

I really enjoyed the two leads. Matt Bittner and Betsy Wolfe had great chemistry. The characters they played were not one dimensional so it was interesting to see the different sides of their personalities emerge as the show progressed. Betsy's voice is quite beautiful and at intermission I was kind of hoping the second act would show the thoughts inside her head, but that was not the case.

Many of the songs were catchy. I particularly liked Up Here and the first song in the second act where the "bad thoughts" in his mind were telling him what a loser he was (sorry there was no song list in the program!) Another highlight for me was the audience participation song. I usually cringe when I see audience participation, but this worked really well. The leads sing at the audience member and then they got to ad lib a little...Wolfe's ad libs on the night I saw the show had me laughing out loud.

Unfortunately, I have to echo what a previous poster said about the child actor. He seemed really nervous and was rushing though his lines so I really couldn't understand much of what he was saying. Also, there is no doubt that the amount of time they spend on the "rock" story needs to be trimmed. I also thought the Best Buy sequence went on a little too long. I found myself enjoying the show the most when the two leads were the focus and less about her brother and his love life or the rock.

There is a lot going on with the set (moving set pieces in and out) and there are some crazy costumes...this must have been a designer's dream. There is some crass humor and puppets, so you definitely see some of Robert Lopez's signature style.

They do make a reference / joke about "Inside Out" as that is the name of Betsy's character's T-shirt company and she notes that she should probably change it.

To answer a previous poster, It definitely seemed like Matt's role was bigger in the sense that he had more stage time and the story is told from his point of view, but Betsy's character is integral to the plot. She really lights up the stage and if you are a fan, I would definitely try and check this out.

Overall, I had a fun night and I am curious to see how the show evolves.

 

 

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 8/4/15 at 8:42pm

Question about the merch - Are they selling those nifty red "Up Here at La Jolla" hats? I know I saw one for opening  night but are they actually selling them, and for how much? For some reason I really want one.

Updated On: 8/5/15 at 08:42 PM

[Alessio2]

Posted: 8/5/15 at 4:04pm

Yes they are selling those hats. The only item that has the Up Here logo on it. Didn't see the price though.