| Author | Message | ||
     John Nyman (Jenyman) Senior Member Username: Jenyman Post Number: 85 Registered: 7-2002 |
Although I am sure that there will be multiple visits to this run from the NYC-area fans, is anyone interested in an official "Gathering of the Tribe" for one of the shows? Right now, it looks like I, along with a group of friends, family and co-workers will be attending the 4:00 performance on Sunday 12/4. I've also inquired about the possibility of acquiring discounted group rate tickets from the Smarttix people, who promise to get back to me. | ||
| Rob Bond (Rob) Senior Member Username: Rob Post Number: 457 Registered: 7-2002 |
Great idea John. I'll let ya now. I also wondered about whether group rates would be made available, especially considering the relatively small (100 seat) size of the theater. I was thinking that one way GrooveLily fans and Petal Pusher supporters can help promote this show (as a great alternative to one of the traditional holiday shows) is to publicize the show to community and school groups in the greater NYC area . Keep me informed. --Rob | ||
| Rob Bond (Rob) Senior Member Username: Rob Post Number: 458 Registered: 7-2002 |
Striking 12 in the News: BroadwayWorld.com - more a press release than an article PlayBill.com - a little more interesting piece ---Rob | ||
| Rick Widdifield (Rickster) Member Username: Rickster Post Number: 8 Registered: 7-2002 |
Hey Rob and everyone, just booked S12 for Dec. 17 at 8 and hoping that Lori will join me. Would like to get together with any other PPs who will be in NY that weekend. Rick | ||
| Ewan McNay (Ewan) Senior Member Username: Ewan Post Number: 39 Registered: 7-2002 |
Don't know whether we'll make this, having seen the show, umm, 5 times already :-). However, I did hear that some of my proselytising has been successful: the University of Virginia has taken on S12 as their official alumni Christmas event. My guess is that'll essentially sell out at least one night alone  . | ||
| John Nyman (Jenyman) Senior Member Username: Jenyman Post Number: 86 Registered: 7-2002 |
Has anyone noticed the new web site specifically promoting Striking 12? www.Striking12.com There is also new logo artwork for the show at Ars Nova on the Smarttix ticket ordering page. http://www.Smarttix.com/show.aspx?showCode=STR9 | ||
| Peter Mickelsen (P_lloyd) Senior Member Username: P_lloyd Post Number: 33 Registered: 6-2004 |
Hey Gang (and I mean "gang" in a good way; must be careful PC police lurk everywhere), To facilitate S12 contact and just so we may easily see who's doing what and going where, I'm adding a "Gig" entry for each S12 NYC 2K5 show. Please add a note if you plan on attending a particular show. I always find it festive to anticipate seeing my good GrooveLily friends. Thanks. | ||
| John Nyman (Jenyman) Senior Member Username: Jenyman Post Number: 88 Registered: 7-2002 |
Ewan wrote: "Don't know whether we'll make this, having seen the show, umm, 5 times already" And your point? Hey, no one has posted any reviews on this board yet. Hmmm. I saw you there...delurk! This butterfly called Striking 12 has emerged yet again, different, and IMHO, even better. It's been expanded to 80 minutes with new songs and extended instrumental jams. Some of the new songs delve deeper into the characters' emotions and some help smooth the story narrative along. But no "Part 2: from the GrooveLily catalog" now. Val had a cold that must have been uncomfortable, but trooper that she is, the show went on flawlessly (however the 7 PM show was canceled). You could hear a little of the throat rawness in her speaking voice. Ars Nova is a pretty small and narrow box, built in small tiers so the seating is good throughout, although the rear seats are in fact bar stools (so come early for the more comfortable chairs). My co-workers who came to see the show all enjoyed it and they have been humming/singing the songs at work since. Nancee loves "The Last Day of the Year". I like Brendan's new one called (I guess) "Everything's Red and Green and I'm Feeling Blue." And Dolores won the merchandise giveaway, so the Striking 12 soundtrack is playing at work too. | ||
| Ellie MacNeil (Ellie) Senior Member Username: Ellie Post Number: 42 Registered: 7-2002 |
I don't know what to add to that, John! It is just as I predicted - I've added it to my list of holiday must-sees: Miracle on 34th Street, It's a Wondeful Life and A Charlie Brown Christmas. The only difference being, the others remain the same year after year;Striking 12 changes a wee bit every time I see it!!! There are still some things I miss about the original production. "People Suck" was just so spot on. <wink> But I, too love the 'colorful' new one you mentioned. Can't wait to get the lyrics to that one. It'll be my new holiday theme song!!!! (No, Brendan - you aren't the only one that prefers the remote and the Lazy-Boy at this time of year!!!) I hope every one here has a lovely Holiday Season! Me? I'm going to Home Depot to look for grout and some full spectrum light bulbs!! | ||
| John Nyman (Jenyman) Senior Member Username: Jenyman Post Number: 89 Registered: 7-2002 |
OT: another sentimental holiday staple around here is Jim Henson's 1977 "Emmet Otter's Jug-band Christmas", now out on DVD this year. | ||
| Peter Mickelsen (P_lloyd) Senior Member Username: P_lloyd Post Number: 54 Registered: 6-2004 |
..and I'm always have to put on the John Denver/Muppets Christmas record. | ||
| Marcia Scurfield (Artmarcia) Senior Member Username: Artmarcia Post Number: 404 Registered: 2-2004 |
You know you are all torturing me with these glowing reports of the show, since I spent all my GrooveLily trip money on Kerrville and Lilyfest. Just kidding--I'm thrilled, but not at all surprised--to hear that Striking 12 is going so well. And I can live vicariously through all the reports. Wish I could join you all. | ||
| David Kowalski (David) Senior Member Username: David Post Number: 202 Registered: 12-2001 |
I haven't had a chance to post anything about this year's Striking 12 production yet but I was kicked in to action by a particularly vivid review which has just been posted to the Press section of this web-site. It's funny, I've seen the production of Sweeney Todd the writer mentions (it's a fairly new production which just moved to NY from London) but I'd never really thought of the connection (in both shows, everybody's an actor, a singer and a musician). Cool stuff! So if the article's not enough to get you off your duff, let me add my two cents for any of you who are still on the fence about going in to NYC for this show. Just do it! Even if you've seen recent productions of S12, this version is greatly expanded. I do miss the hysterically funny "behind-the-scenes" second half that was the "second act" during the Palo Alto run but S12 itself has quite a bit of new material, clocking in at close to 90 minutes. There are several new songs, new connecting material and new, often extended, arrangements of some of the existing songs. Brendan's grumpy guy now actually does some channel surfing when he gets home from his job (instead of the brief "He turns on the TV...he turns off the TV") and although I couldn't catch all the gags here (the laughter kept drowning things out), this one bit alone, has more funny material than some stand-up comics' entire acts. With the show being just slightly too long to fit on a single CD now, maybe we'll actually get a DVD of the show in time for next year's (hopefully on Broadway) production! Happy First Day of the Year! --David | ||
| John Nyman (Jenyman) Senior Member Username: Jenyman Post Number: 90 Registered: 7-2002 |
Yeah! Kudos to Any Krivohlavek of Match Point to absolutely get it right. This is A Must See Event. I hope they get their extended run so I can bring my siblings to see it after Christmas. Pleeeese? | ||
| Jon Daniels (Padeadhead) Senior Member Username: Padeadhead Post Number: 107 Registered: 5-2003 |
Nancy and I are attending the 8pm show tonight, Sat 12/17. Hope to see some of you there! | ||
| Peter Mickelsen (P_lloyd) Senior Member Username: P_lloyd Post Number: 56 Registered: 6-2004 |
WOOO WHOO !!!!!!!!!!!! Check this out!!!! http://www.playbill.com/features/article/96852.html | ||
| Marcia Scurfield (Artmarcia) Senior Member Username: Artmarcia Post Number: 407 Registered: 2-2004 |
That is a great review Peter--thanks for cluing us in! I have lots of feelings reading the Playbill article. Surprised? Not at all--this is pretty much the same response as in Palo Alto. Excited? Val, Brendan and Gene are realizing their dream. I couldn't be happier for them. Envious of all of you who can go see this show? You bet! | ||
| John Nyman (Jenyman) Senior Member Username: Jenyman Post Number: 91 Registered: 7-2002 |
Fascinating news in the Playbill article: "Although Striking 12 was created as a property for GrooveLily to perform, the collaborators are now in the process of adapting the show for other people — and there are several regional theatres looking to book it without Gene, Valerie and Brendan singing and acting." The mind boggles that this music and story will get this exposure. Still, I'd rather see the original lineup in charge because so much of the charm in this endeavor is in the relishing of the participants' personalities and musical chops. A DVD or broadcast version of Striking 12 could reach an even larger audience. Hmmm... Does Valerie still have any friendly connections at the Children's Television Network? Oh! Hey Jodi, can Richard pull some strings on behalf of this dream! | ||
| Jim Greenlees (Jimgreenlees) Senior Member Username: Jimgreenlees Post Number: 241 Registered: 7-2002 |
... and so another incarnation of Striking 12 comes to an end, unfortunately early this time (No New Year's Eve show? What will Meg and I ever do??? ) However, the groundwork has been laid for next year, and the reviews are effusive. This year's version moves even closer to a "true" stage production, while keeping the elements which make it uniquely GrooveLily. The added exposition brings the characters further to life, and the new songs just continue to show just how talented are the members of the band. The Revolution continues to evolve, in ways none of us (well, myself, anyway) could have imagined upon joining the cause. May it continue to be wonderful, exciting, and successful, and the same to all. JimG |
