I saw the show in previews and I was surprised - I really liked it a lot. The song that starts this segment off (Full Moon Lullaby - you just hear a bit of the full song) is really beautiful, as is the entire scene. Kong is incredible - he's much more than just a technical feat - he really is incredibly effective, quite terrifying and also really heartbreaking. Christiani Pitts is wonderful - she carries the show, actually. It's really poignant - I shed a few tears, I must admit. It was also a lot of fun. I never thought I'd be saying this, but I'd really recommend it.
Just hearing the overture and seeing Kong and Christiani again brought tears to my eyes. Words can't explain how much I miss this show. It deserves much more recognition that it gets.
Saw it a few weeks ago. It's really fantastic. The Kong puppet is something for all to see. I was also impressed by the dance choreography (thought it's certainly not a dance show) but it was really good & Christiani is an A M A Z I N G talent. Met her after the show. Go see it!
Abby Beardsley Same! I don’t like loud noises in small spaces and this show looks like it’s full of that, so I won’t be going. I also don’t live that close to New York, so I only go every so often and I have other things I would find more enjoyable. The puppet looks just breathtaking, though and the creation of it sounds just fascinating!
I'm so glad you kept Full Moon Lullaby from the original... Esther Hannaford's performance of this song was breathtaking. Can't wait to hear the new tracks!!
Sadly this was also the perception for spongebob which was an amazing show. I’m part of the issue since I thought the same about both Spongebob and King Kong. I ended up seeing spongebob over 10 times and am seeing this for the 3rd next week. People need not shy away just because of the title!
I’m seeing this next month with my High School!!! I can’t wait!!!! I may also be doing a workshop when I get there, If I do go to the workshop, I may see Christiani(As you can see playing as Ann Darrow here) I would definitely get a pic with her and Eric if he does come to the workshop
Kyle rutherford Yes I did, I loved it. 2 of the ensemble members were at the workshop and taught us a number of the musical and I learned it with the other guys. Apparently one of the ensemble members were also part of the King’s company who controls kong. he works on the left arm. I got a picture with the both of them afterward. Overall, the musical was very good
Broadways are supposed to be dynamic and open to any part, as long as the actress/actor can play the part. Whether the part is a white woman that's blonde or a dark colored woman that's dark-haired it doesn't change the story because it's not supposed to, this is all about ability and clearly, this woman has a potent amount of that said ability. This is simply how Broadway works. A great example is the Black Cinderella on broadway that happened over 10 to 20 years ago.
@@kawaii33366 Yeah, that's one of the uncomfortable racial undertones that people critique about the original story, since they happen to parallel the narrative at the time of white fear that black men would go after "their" women. I think they consciously went out of their way to avoid that for good reason.
Ondreia Thomas Just saw this last night. The technical aspects and puppetry a everything with Kong was amazing. He was The star of the show. The stage turns into a ship as well..Just Wow!!!. The script could have been better and more to the original, but overall it was a Win! WIN...😊
as amazing as the puppet is who else is kinda scared of it? idk a giant puppet like that just scares me personally, just imagining seeing that thing in a dark theater or something just makes me freaked out but thats just me
@@Arvemis i saw the show 9 times in Melb, Aust. no cast recording so i had to take matters in my own had with my phone. i ended up recording 7 of the 9 shows.
Some people are saying that the actor has to be played by the white and blonde because that’s how the original was, but personally I believe it doesn’t have to... because it’s a recreation and it’s still understandable from the viewers point of view. You could argue that it doesn’t make sense because King Kong realizes the fact that she is white and blonde in the original but it could be viewed in a similar way if u say it was because she was a woman in a white dress, or one that had a distinct scream. Idk it’s just my opinion that I believe she can be played by any type of person, if they earned and deserve the part.
Not only the original,but all three previous versions. My fiance is a Ginger and loved The Color Purple, but I doubt she would even be allowed to audition for any of the roles. Is that fair?
@@thechamchamofimdb4594 That's two different things, u may not agree but it is. King Kong wasnt written as "Having" to be a white woman lead part, it was just how things were at the time.
TheChamCham ofIMDb that movie is a movie ABOUT black culture in an historically accurate context. King Kong is a fantasy movie about a giant gorilla that falls in love with a woman. You really don’t see the difference between those two movies? And why it’s the stupidest fucking comparison you could ever make? Just to prove it no your stupid ugly ginger girlfriend cant try out for any of the black roles in the black movie called the color purple but she could try out for the role of Anne Darrow in the fantasy adventure movie called king Kong where he falls in love with a fucking random girl. Are you seriously that stupid that you had to fucking have that explained to you?
I'll admit, I have no plans to see this musical becuase the idea of a King Kong musical to me seems really ridiculous. There are two amazing things about it though. 1. The god damn amazing ass puppetry on Kong! 2. The score and choreography are as stunning as the puppetry and both balance out each other's amazingness! That said, unless the show happens to come touring at the theater my family and I get season passes for in San Jose and is part of the season package, I probably won't be running to see it live anytime soon.
I can't believe I'm the only one who disliked this comment, 'cause it's ridiculous you think this play is dumb only because it's a musical! Have you ever seen the animated movie, "The Mighty Kong"? Well sure it's for kids, but it's a musical and the songs barley effect anything about the film! It's just another King Kong film! Now, I'm not trying to be mean, so I just ask if you can focus on the good things you said about the play.
Juliana Anzalone I mean to be fair some musical ideas can be just as stupid, case in point: Carrie the musical, it’s not unfair to think a concept is ridiculous
Sarah Divina HAHAHHAHA MEE TOO, but the original production was simply crap and to be honest the revival is pretty much a bland copy of heathers, I still love it tho don’t get me wrong
Waifu Laifu to be fair neither Hamilton nor newsies are weird, newsies is a normal by the book “historical” musical and Hamilton is basically jc superstar but with rap, and spongebob and Carrie... well look how those turned out, neither is still running
Is this show any good? I know I’ve read some things bout how songs aren’t that good. But I’m going to nyc in March and I wanted to see this but dunno if worth it
Honestly, the show itself is a travesty! The score, the script, the blocking, the miscasting -- all terrible! However, the Kong puppet is a sight to behold! It is worth to watch it once just for the experience, but it quickly loses its novelty after a while. The show is doing badly on Broadway and was snubbed by the Tony Awards, except for a couple of tech nominations (scenic, lighting, sound). I won't be surprised if it announces a closing date after the Tonys (June 9).
Personally I don't like the leads voice in the particular song, I honestly prefer Esther from the original Australian cast rendition of this song. But some of the improvements in kings moment is clear and I'm glad that the kong musical found it's way onto Broadway! I hope it does well.
Nick p wow that may be the dumbest question I’ve ever seen. I assume the idea of seeing a live concert is foolish to you as well since you can listen to all the same music at home, right?
Why is the Ann Darrow character black? The entire reason Kong fell for her was her striking blonde hair and fair skin- atypical to the common sacrifices of African women he always got and killed. Very odd and apparently appeasing casting.
Caleb Davis The show had a lot of music from what I can remember I’m not sure what Vampire is talking about. That being said, the script definitely needs work other than the mediocre scriptwriting though, it’s an amazing show on all other fronts.
Ann Darrow isn't SUPPOSED to be anything except what they imagine her to be. Its a fictional character made up in someone's mind, or do yall not realize that.
You wouldn't be saying that if a white actor played a character that has traditionally been portrayed as a person of color, fictional or not. Colorblind casting doesn't work in every instance, especially if the story takes place in a specific time and place in the distant past, because the audience will always see color, not the character. In fact, one professional reviewer thought that the character was really supposed to be black. Furthermore, it doesn't make sense within the context of the story. The musical still takes place in 1930s NYC. There were no black movie stars during the Great Depression. They should have reset the story at least to the 1970s, like the Jessica Lange/Jeff Bridges version. Plenty of black people in top positions in the film industry by then, and a couple of Oscar-winners, as well.
musicaltheatergeek79 Anne Darrow wasn’t a movie star. She was a struggling vaudeville actress that was just about to lose her acting job. And yeah there were black people like that back then. Also Johnny Depp played the role of fucking Tonto. You are absolutely incorrect in thinking that people would have outrage about that shit Or for implying that it doesn’t happen. Did you seriously need to be listed all of the characters in movies that were pretrade by black people or people of color before they were then portrayed by white people? How about the sorcerer supreme in Doctor Strange? You are absolutely full of shit.
RIDICULOUS to have a black actress play Ann Darrow. The movie plot involves Kong falling in love with Ann because she is white, blond and DIFFERENT from the natives he has always seen (and eaten). So political correctness requires a black actress in a part that is totally unsuited to her.
Keith True, but you can say how this girl treated him differently and it was about her gentle care that made him fall for her. But I see what you mean.
@@sarahalbright5307- It does matter quite a bit, but liberals want us to believe it doesn't. Much like a black Superman or Batman - it's completely untrue to the story and just doesn't work.
Keith Musical theatre isn’t political it’s who tells the story the best and she does a wonderful job telling the story they’re trying to convey. As someone that thinks it’s important to change the norm (because Im in the same field and I’m half black) it’s not about political correctness; she tells a amazing story
12345 Nltsaaegcj Kong fell in love with her because she was different looking from the dark-skinned natives he ate. Otherwise she would have just been lunch.
12345 Nltsaaegcj I agree with you 100% everyone tries to make this musical political about how liberal beliefs make us think it doesn’t matter the race of the actor playing a character the Broadway adaptation tells the story of Ann’s kindness not her race
That Kong puppet is freaking AWSOME!
WE NEED THE CAST RECORDING RN
I saw the show in previews and I was surprised - I really liked it a lot. The song that starts this segment off (Full Moon Lullaby - you just hear a bit of the full song) is really beautiful, as is the entire scene. Kong is incredible - he's much more than just a technical feat - he really is incredibly effective, quite terrifying and also really heartbreaking. Christiani Pitts is wonderful - she carries the show, actually. It's really poignant - I shed a few tears, I must admit. It was also a lot of fun. I never thought I'd be saying this, but I'd really recommend it.
Just hearing the overture and seeing Kong and Christiani again brought tears to my eyes. Words can't explain how much I miss this show. It deserves much more recognition that it gets.
I wouldn't mind a soundtrack cd \ album...
*Hint-Hint*
Saw it a few weeks ago. It's really fantastic. The Kong puppet is something for all to see. I was also impressed by the dance choreography (thought it's certainly not a dance show) but it was really good & Christiani is an A M A Z I N G talent. Met her after the show. Go see it!
The Eighth Wonder of the World lives again! Such astounding puppetry.
AMAAAAAAAAZING! KONG IS ABSOLUTELY THE "KING" OF B'WAY/NY!🦍 BRAVO👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
I saw it on Tuesday and after watching several broadway shows I have to see this is the best one I’ve ever seen
here i am, several months later trying to relive the moment i heard this beautiful song on broadway in may
I really want to see this but I would be terrified!
Abby Beardsley Same! I don’t like loud noises in small spaces and this show looks like it’s full of that, so I won’t be going. I also don’t live that close to New York, so I only go every so often and I have other things I would find more enjoyable. The puppet looks just breathtaking, though and the creation of it sounds just fascinating!
You wouldn't, I promise you...instead you'll be holding back tears of Amazement! Go for it!!
Don’t be terrified, the king is only a huge puppet
I'm so glad you kept Full Moon Lullaby from the original... Esther Hannaford's performance of this song was breathtaking. Can't wait to hear the new tracks!!
Watched last night. I was blown away!
I wish I could see this in NY! Any chance you could pull a Newsies and give us a home option?
I saw the show 2 weeks ago and it is amazing!!!!
Me two!! Leonel De La Rosa was it the 10th? That’s when I went. It was great! The effects were incredible and the singing was beautiful!
I love that. Pull a Newsies 😂
I AM IN TEARS!!
Damn, the first time I heard about this musical I was like "eh... what" but now- WOW IT AMAZED ME.
I REALLY NEED A CAST RECORDING!
Sadly this was also the perception for spongebob which was an amazing show. I’m part of the issue since I thought the same about both Spongebob and King Kong. I ended up seeing spongebob over 10 times and am seeing this for the 3rd next week. People need not shy away just because of the title!
I’m seeing this next month with my High School!!! I can’t wait!!!! I may also be doing a workshop when I get there, If I do go to the workshop, I may see Christiani(As you can see playing as Ann Darrow here) I would definitely get a pic with her and Eric if he does come to the workshop
Viperdmk Viperdmk did you enjoy it?
Kyle rutherford Yes I did, I loved it. 2 of the ensemble members were at the workshop and taught us a number of the musical and I learned it with the other guys. Apparently one of the ensemble members were also part of the King’s company who controls kong. he works on the left arm. I got a picture with the both of them afterward. Overall, the musical was very good
Incredible to see a puppetry that invokes strong feelings, to anyone involved my kindest regards and respect
Broadways are supposed to be dynamic and open to any part, as long as the actress/actor can play the part. Whether the part is a white woman that's blonde or a dark colored woman that's dark-haired it doesn't change the story because it's not supposed to, this is all about ability and clearly, this woman has a potent amount of that said ability. This is simply how Broadway works. A great example is the Black Cinderella on broadway that happened over 10 to 20 years ago.
@@kawaii33366 Yeah, that's one of the uncomfortable racial undertones that people critique about the original story, since they happen to parallel the narrative at the time of white fear that black men would go after "their" women. I think they consciously went out of their way to avoid that for good reason.
fuck the blonde time for color
i cried. like literally
This is so underrated
It makes me cry every time I hear it
At first I thought this was a dumb idea for a musical. But now (after viewing these clips) I want to see the complete musical!😊🙂
all i have to say is..OMG THIS IS AWESOME!!
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING TO RELEASE THE CAST RECORDING?? Im mad that they
haven't released it yet
I love this. I need a Cast Recording ASAP.
best song in this show
So freaking cool! :)
Can’t wait to see it!
I cant wait see this in a couple weeks . Christmas I'm New york 💖💖
Ondreia Thomas
Just saw this last night. The technical aspects and puppetry a everything with Kong was amazing. He was The star of the show. The stage turns into a ship as well..Just Wow!!!. The script could have been better and more to the original, but overall it was a Win! WIN...😊
@@KimKATdash wonderful !!!
I LOVE THIS!!!!!!
This is absolutely amazing
I get that people have problems with the books and other elements of the show but, god, she is an angel.
I’m seeing this in March I can’t wait
I want to see King Kong performance live.
as amazing as the puppet is who else is kinda scared of it? idk a giant puppet like that just scares me personally, just imagining seeing that thing in a dark theater or something just makes me freaked out but thats just me
Actress Christiani Pitts is a beautiful actress of African American descent
Can you release recordings of the original Australian songs too?
I have been dying for one for 5 years it's a crime they didn't cause that cast was amazing too!
@@Arvemis i saw the show 9 times in Melb, Aust. no cast recording so i had to take matters in my own had with my phone. i ended up recording 7 of the 9 shows.
Some people are saying that the actor has to be played by the white and blonde because that’s how the original was, but personally I believe it doesn’t have to... because it’s a recreation and it’s still understandable from the viewers point of view. You could argue that it doesn’t make sense because King Kong realizes the fact that she is white and blonde in the original but it could be viewed in a similar way if u say it was because she was a woman in a white dress, or one that had a distinct scream. Idk it’s just my opinion that I believe she can be played by any type of person, if they earned and deserve the part.
Not only the original,but all three previous versions. My fiance is a Ginger and loved The Color Purple, but I doubt she would even be allowed to audition for any of the roles. Is that fair?
@@thechamchamofimdb4594 That's two different things, u may not agree but it is. King Kong wasnt written as "Having" to be a white woman lead part, it was just how things were at the time.
TheChamCham ofIMDb that movie is a movie ABOUT black culture in an historically accurate context. King Kong is a fantasy movie about a giant gorilla that falls in love with a woman. You really don’t see the difference between those two movies? And why it’s the stupidest fucking comparison you could ever make? Just to prove it no your stupid ugly ginger girlfriend cant try out for any of the black roles in the black movie called the color purple but she could try out for the role of Anne Darrow in the fantasy adventure movie called king Kong where he falls in love with a fucking random girl. Are you seriously that stupid that you had to fucking have that explained to you?
Nice
I'll admit, I have no plans to see this musical becuase the idea of a King Kong musical to me seems really ridiculous. There are two amazing things about it though.
1. The god damn amazing ass puppetry on Kong!
2. The score and choreography are as stunning as the puppetry and both balance out each other's amazingness!
That said, unless the show happens to come touring at the theater my family and I get season passes for in San Jose and is part of the season package, I probably won't be running to see it live anytime soon.
I can't believe I'm the only one who disliked this comment, 'cause it's ridiculous you think this play is dumb only because it's a musical! Have you ever seen the animated movie, "The Mighty Kong"? Well sure it's for kids, but it's a musical and the songs barley effect anything about the film! It's just another King Kong film! Now, I'm not trying to be mean, so I just ask if you can focus on the good things you said about the play.
Juliana Anzalone I mean to be fair some musical ideas can be just as stupid, case in point: Carrie the musical, it’s not unfair to think a concept is ridiculous
12345 Nltsaaegcj lmao I liked the Carrie musical 😢😂
Sarah Divina HAHAHHAHA MEE TOO, but the original production was simply crap and to be honest the revival is pretty much a bland copy of heathers, I still love it tho don’t get me wrong
Waifu Laifu to be fair neither Hamilton nor newsies are weird, newsies is a normal by the book “historical” musical and Hamilton is basically jc superstar but with rap, and spongebob and Carrie... well look how those turned out, neither is still running
Wow ♥️
Madagascar 4 and dumbo 2019 movie music soundtrack
The opening music is the shit....What's the piece called and where can I get it!?! This is the opening Marvel needs for the Incredible Hulk
Anyone know if this is coming to the Bay Area anytime soon
Show closing soon
Is this show any good? I know I’ve read some things bout how songs aren’t that good. But I’m going to nyc in March and I wanted to see this but dunno if worth it
Honestly, the show itself is a travesty! The score, the script, the blocking, the miscasting -- all terrible! However, the Kong puppet is a sight to behold! It is worth to watch it once just for the experience, but it quickly loses its novelty after a while. The show is doing badly on Broadway and was snubbed by the Tony Awards, except for a couple of tech nominations (scenic, lighting, sound). I won't be surprised if it announces a closing date after the Tonys (June 9).
at 2:33, i melted
cast recording pls im crying
Personally I don't like the leads voice in the particular song, I honestly prefer Esther from the original Australian cast rendition of this song. But some of the improvements in kings moment is clear and I'm glad that the kong musical found it's way onto Broadway! I hope it does well.
Why see the Broadway show when we could just watch the movie? "It was Beauty killed the beast."
Nick p wow that may be the dumbest question I’ve ever seen. I assume the idea of seeing a live concert is foolish to you as well since you can listen to all the same music at home, right?
This show isn’t just spectacle! Great music and lyrics too!
Caleb Davis except, there are only 8 musical numbers with lyrics in the entire show
Why is the Ann Darrow character black? The entire reason Kong fell for her was her striking blonde hair and fair skin- atypical to the common sacrifices of African women he always got and killed. Very odd and apparently appeasing casting.
@@VampireDiariesxoxo99 Really?! That's a shame! I like this song though
Caleb Davis The show had a lot of music from what I can remember I’m not sure what Vampire is talking about. That being said, the script definitely needs work other than the mediocre scriptwriting though, it’s an amazing show on all other fronts.
King Kong sin pelaje y la protagonista afrodescendiente... como que esta todo un poquito cambiado!
More like tristar king kong
Ann Darrow isn't SUPPOSED to be anything except what they imagine her to be. Its a fictional character made up in someone's mind, or do yall not realize that.
Ice age 3 fox and the hound spyro reignited trilogy Jurassic world fallen kingdom kidz bop Jurassic world oz the great powerful movie music soundtrack
Tbh, I don't see a problem with the lead being black. She's a fictional character, who cares as long as she can play the part?
You wouldn't be saying that if a white actor played a character that has traditionally been portrayed as a person of color, fictional or not.
Colorblind casting doesn't work in every instance, especially if the story takes place in a specific time and place in the distant past, because the audience will always see color, not the character. In fact, one professional reviewer thought that the character was really supposed to be black.
Furthermore, it doesn't make sense within the context of the story. The musical still takes place in 1930s NYC. There were no black movie stars during the Great Depression. They should have reset the story at least to the 1970s, like the Jessica Lange/Jeff Bridges version. Plenty of black people in top positions in the film industry by then, and a couple of Oscar-winners, as well.
musicaltheatergeek79 Anne Darrow wasn’t a movie star. She was a struggling vaudeville actress that was just about to lose her acting job. And yeah there were black people like that back then.
Also Johnny Depp played the role of fucking Tonto. You are absolutely incorrect in thinking that people would have outrage about that shit Or for implying that it doesn’t happen. Did you seriously need to be listed all of the characters in movies that were pretrade by black people or people of color before they were then portrayed by white people? How about the sorcerer supreme in Doctor Strange? You are absolutely full of shit.
That song sounds a little sad.
RIDICULOUS to have a black actress play Ann Darrow. The movie plot involves Kong falling in love with Ann because she is white, blond and DIFFERENT from the natives he has always seen (and eaten). So political correctness requires a black actress in a part that is totally unsuited to her.
Keith True, but you can say how this girl treated him differently and it was about her gentle care that made him fall for her. But I see what you mean.
Keith, shush. Just shush.
It honestly doesn’t matter in the Broadway adaptation it more about Ann’s kindness and care for Kong
@@sarahalbright5307- It does matter quite a bit, but liberals want us to believe it doesn't. Much like a black Superman or Batman - it's completely untrue to the story and just doesn't work.
Keith Musical theatre isn’t political it’s who tells the story the best and she does a wonderful job telling the story they’re trying to convey. As someone that thinks it’s important to change the norm (because Im in the same field and I’m half black) it’s not about political correctness; she tells a amazing story
Hmmmmm, wasn't the damsel blonde. No no. no this is all wrong.
j.d.- 11201 r. What why? The damsel was the blandest thing ever, why does it even matter
12345 Nltsaaegcj Kong fell in love with her because she was different looking from the dark-skinned natives he ate. Otherwise she would have just been lunch.
Superwilly AJ well that’s one way of simplifying the whole situation
12345 Nltsaaegcj I agree with you 100% everyone tries to make this musical political about how liberal beliefs make us think it doesn’t matter the race of the actor playing a character the Broadway adaptation tells the story of Ann’s kindness not her race
Yes, the weak, pitiful, simple white damsel has always been blonde. Now she's a strong black woman. Glad I could clear that up for u.