Infinity and Happiness

We have opened High Fidelity and we've gotten six out of six total fucking rave reviews! There's not a single negative comment in any one of them. Mark Bretz at the Ladue News, said that our 2008 production of High Fidelity was "a glorious triumph" and "the best production of the year," and that this production is even better! Judy Newmark at the Post-Dispatch called our show "inspired."

Holy shit. We always get really enthusiastic reviews because we always do really strong work, but these reviews are even more enthusiastic than usual...

First off, though, here's a cool preview piece about our show, from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, including an interview with lyricist Amanda Green. And she throws a big compliment at Jeff Wright (in the picture above), having seen him in the show in 2008...

And here's what the critics think of our show...

“The Number One reason to see this revival production of High Fidelity: IT ABSOLUTELY ROCKS!” – Chris Gibson, BroadwayWorld
Read the whole review here.

“Earlier this season, New Line Theatre staged two regional premieres: the wry, insightful Passing Strange and the raucous, insightful Cry-Baby. High Fidelity – by turns wry and raucous, and maybe the most insightful of all – makes an inspired conclusion. . . When New Line artistic director Scott Miller first staged High Fidelity on the heels of its Broadway failure, he rescued it from obscurity; it’s gone on to a number of successful productions at colleges and small theaters around the country. This production, also directed by Miller, is a kind of victory lap: a showcase for the musical’s clever songs, endearing characters and above all for the New Line gang. A talented bunch both onstage and behind the scenes, with High Fidelity they once again welcome theater-goers into their smart inner circle.” – Judith Newmark, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Read the whole review here.

“New Line Theatre artistic director Scott Miller saw the beauty and buoyancy behind the weak Broadway effort that introduced High Fidelity as a rock musical in a disappointing effort that folded after just 14 performances on Broadway in late 2006. Miller’s New Line Theatre mounted the first regional presentation in 2008, a glorious triumph that Ladue News cited as the best production of the year. . . Now, New Line has brought High Fidelity back to its greatest success in a presentation that, if anything, is stronger and more engaging than its 2008 predecessor. . . If you love rock music and feel-good stories, High Fidelity should top your charts.” – Mark Bretz, Ladue News
Read the whole review here.

“After four years, and rave reviews from critics, High Fidelity has returned to St. Louis. . . What stands out most about this production of High Fidelity is the passion that went into it. You can tell that these actors are singing and dancing their hearts out; you can feel the raw energy and emotion that they radiate with their performances. I listened to the original cast recording of the show, and I can honestly say that some of the recorded numbers couldn’t hold a candle to the New Line versions. . . High Fidelity is a fantastic show, filled with pure rock energy and a myriad of memorable songs. It would truly have been a tragedy if it wasn’t revived after being left for dead on Broadway. Instead of just taking the movie and slapping some songs into it, the cast and creatives really make it their own. With great performances and powerful rock music that is fondly familiar, it is a must see show that you don’t want to miss.” – Kevin Brackett, ReviewSTL
Read the whole review here.

“As always, Scott Miller’s direction is right on the money. He has found the secret of making this Broadway disappointment into a vehicle for fun and frenzy that you just wish wouldn’t end. . . If you’re ready for flat-out fun, don’t miss this terrific show. It bubbles with personality and just makes you feel good all over. Outstanding performances lead the way and the almost lost score with music by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Amanda Green along with the book by David Lindsay Abaire show that there’s life in any musical as long as it has heart, desire and a little help from Scott Miller.” – Steve Allen, Stage Door St. Louis.
Read the whole review here.

“In true New Line fashion, director Scott Miller pared the show down to what was necessary: the tale of a commitment-shy Gen-Xer struggling, buoyed by his love of music, to grow up and become a human – and by focusing on that, he made the show a hit of the 2008 season. Not resting on his laurels, though, in this production Miller opens up the space a little, allowing musical numbers to joyously jump out at you. . . The newly revived show has lost none of its original verve – in fact you could say this show is ‘re-mastered’ – in its new space, it takes the already clean master material and polishes it further, opening up the stage to let the ‘confessional booth’ tone of this charged rock musical spill out into the laps of the audience and make us question our own behaviors in our relationships, and explore how to forgive and be forgiven. . . So if rockin’ music with a good story is your idea of great entertainment, plan on seeing New Line’s High Fidelity.” – Robert Mitchell, KDHX-FM
Read the whole review here.

And though ticket sales were decent last week, they've really picked up this week, so I think we're gonna have great houses for the rest of the run. I don't know if I've ever been this happy about returning to a show.  I watch the show and am overwhelmed at the talent and power onstage, at the incredible vocals, the comic brilliance, the genuinely powerful, complicated emotions. Jeff Wright gets a big piece of the credit for our success, but I think this is truly the best ensemble we've ever had in a show -- and we're well-known for the quality of our ensembles... But this time, everyone in the ensemble usually plays leads for us, so there is a ton of fire power there...

Come see us and prepare to have your mind blown...

Long Live the Musical!
Scott