The Jungle - St. Ann's Warehouse

[Scoot3]

Posted: 12/3/18 at 12:14pm

Tomorrow is the first performance! Anyone going?

[NYfanfromCA]

Posted: 12/3/18 at 3:10pm

I'm going to the Saturday matinee!  Excited about this production, plus I haven't been to St. Ann's before.  Looking forward to reading anyone's early reviews.

[Jmuep2]

Posted: 12/3/18 at 9:52pm

I saw this in London and thought it was great.

 

 

NYfanfromCA said: "I'm going to the Saturday matinee! Excited about this production, plus I haven't been to St. Ann's before. Looking forward to reading anyone's early reviews."

 

[Scoot3]

Posted: 12/7/18 at 1:14pm

Anyone?

[Tapdance2]

Posted: 12/8/18 at 1:54pm

Very well done production, with a terrific cast. It can be noisy & chaotic, so not for everyone. It’s a very unusual piece, they do a great job using the entire space of St Ann’s, very immersive. I could understand a wide range of reactions to it, but I would recommend 

[VotePeron]

Posted: 12/8/18 at 6:00pm

Wowowowowowowow.

What an extraordinary experience this is. How rare for a show to have all elements - writing, direction, cast, and design - come together to form a near perfect, transformative event.

Honestly not sure what more to say. I was hooked from the first second, and everything just felt so organic & truthful. It’s full of heart, beautifully crafted mystery & drama, and performed with such intensity I have no idea they do it. It is political without being pandering, and by inherently throwing this terrible situation in your face, you are instead welcomed into it, not just being preached at.

The best comparison I can think of is The Ferryman, which I’m also a massive fan of. I think this gets right a lot of problems folks have with The Ferryman, and is therefore a lot more intriguing for less patient audiences.

Having seen near everything playing at the moment, and with School Girls closing this week, The Jungle is for sure my favorite new play running at the moment. I cannot recommend it enough.

[NYfanfromCA]

Posted: 12/11/18 at 1:32am

I also enjoyed this production at St. Ann's.  It was a little chaotic and confusing in the beginning because there seems to be a lot going on all at once, but I thought it was a great experience and definitely worth seeing.  Very good cast and the story is timely.  Loved my seat in the Kuwait area since I had a perfect view of the entire space, and I was not sitting on a cushion or having to look up at all.  I can also see how the closer seats would also be appealing for those who want the action to be happening all around them.

 

[youwillbefound2]

Posted: 12/14/18 at 12:35am

I saw it today and it was honestly one of the best productions I have ever seen. It's so unique and you'll never see anything like it anywhere else. The story is so relevant and current and really leaves you thinking about what you just experienced. The actors are all phenomenal. I sat in the Afghanistan section right by the stage and actors even sat down next to me at times. Please go see this, you will not regret it.

[youwillbefound2]

Posted: 12/14/18 at 12:35am

I saw it today and it was honestly one of the best productions I have ever seen. It's so unique and you'll never see anything like it anywhere else. The story is so relevant and current and really leaves you thinking about what you just experienced. The actors are all phenomenal. I sat in the Afghanistan section right by the stage and actors even sat down next to me at times. Please go see this, you will not regret it.

[Coe2020]

Posted: 12/14/18 at 10:57am

Saw this last night on a seat in the Iran section (15), it was a cushion seat. No problems with comfort for me since the cushions are comfy, and you get a PERFECT view of every bit of action. 

Loud for sure, but so many fun interactions that happen around you make up for anything. Food and drinks are served an hour before so stop by early. This is not the typical theater experience, but exceeded anything I've seen in a long long time.

FYI if you don't have tickets already... good luck finding them. 

[rg7759]

Posted: 1/12/19 at 11:22am

was nervous after so much hype in london and then essentially not a peep here, but loved it! worth more than a rush

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 1/12/19 at 1:25pm

The Curran in SF just announced they're bringing it to San Francisco. I also thought that it was interesting that the theater is being reconfigured to 600 seats. I wonder if this is, conveniently, a first step in its transformation into Hogwarts for Harry Potter, coming this fall.
I'm excited.
https://sfcurran.com/shows/the-jungle?fbclid=IwAR1wfjHaoa33-GRf5fUstmLWF0uQOQcn6sBSKnwgQnF0tAjP7Xj4eYYTb1A

Updated On: 1/12/19 at 01:25 PM

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 1/12/19 at 8:02pm

MarkBearSF said: "The Curran in SF just announced they're bringing it to San Francisco. I also thought that it was interesting that the theater is being reconfigured to 600 seats. I wonder if this is, conveniently, a first step in its transformation into Hogwarts for Harry Potter, coming this fall.
I'm excited.
https://sfcurran.com/shows/the-jungle?fbclid=IwAR1wfjHaoa33-GRf5fUstmLWF0uQOQcn6sBSKnwgQnF0tAjP7Xj4eYYTb1A"

I too am wondering about reconfiguring the Curran for HP.  Think it will take several months to change the stage, house and front-of-house and am very curious as to how identical the physical production will be to the NYC and/or London stagings.  Think I'll check in with my spies the first of next week and try to ferret out some deets. 

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 1/12/19 at 8:26pm

Please do. I've been VERY curious about the same thing. (I can see easily putting up false fronts and soffits, but wonder if the chandelier will remain)

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 1/14/19 at 2:23pm

MarkBearSF said: "Please do. I've been VERY curious about the same thing. (I can see easily putting up false fronts and soffits, but wonder if the chandelier will remain)"

HP construction will begin June/July.  Curran staff is still awaiting word from the HP production team as to exact start date.  The Jungle configuration is a logical step towards the HP experience and should be a "shell" construct of about 600 seats.  No word on the chandelier being removed.

[Kitsune]

Posted: 1/14/19 at 2:26pm

Sho-Tunes-R-Us said: "MarkBearSF said: "Please do. I've been VERY curious about the same thing. (I can see easily putting up false fronts and soffits, but wonder if the chandelier will remain)"

HP construction will begin June/July. Curran staff is still awaiting word from the HP production team as to exact start date. The Jungle configuration is a logical step towards the HP experience and should be a "shell" construct of about 600 seats. No word on the chandelier being removed."

I'm a fan of that chandelier, although I can't remember if it was part of the renovation a few years ago.

I hope if nothing else, that if it *is* removed, it's stored somewhere for the post-Harry Potter Curran?

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 1/14/19 at 2:33pm

Kitsune said: "Sho-Tunes-R-Us said: "MarkBearSF said: "Please do. I've been VERY curious about the same thing. (I can see easily putting up false fronts and soffits, but wonder if the chandelier will remain)"

HP construction will begin June/July. Curran staff is still awaiting word from the HP production team as to exact start date. The Jungle configuration is a logical step towards the HP experience and should be a "shell" construct of about 600 seats. No word on the chandelier being removed."

I'm a fan of that chandelier, although I can't remember if it was part of the renovation a few years ago.

I hope if nothing else, that if it *is* removed, it's stored somewhere for the post-Harry Potter Curran?"

That may be a looooong storage period.  I hope they opt to keep it intact in the theatre.

[Kitsune]

Posted: 1/14/19 at 2:39pm

Sho-Tunes-R-Us said: "Kitsune said: "Sho-Tunes-R-Us said: "MarkBearSF said: "Please do. I've been VERY curious about the same thing. (I can see easily putting up false fronts and soffits, but wonder if the chandelier will remain)"

HP construction will begin June/July. Curran staff is still awaiting word from the HP production team as to exact start date. The Jungle configuration is a logical step towards the HP experience and should be a "shell" construct of about 600 seats. No word on the chandelier being removed."

I'm a fan of that chandelier, although I can't remember if it was part of the renovation a few years ago.

I hope if nothing else, that if it *is* removed, it's stored somewhere for the post-Harry Potter Curran?"

That may be a looooong storage period. I hope they opt to keep it intact in the theatre."

Fair

I realize that financially, it makes sense for the Curran to have HP as a long-term client, and that having multiple shows with easy-to-get TodayTix rush seats probably wasn't great for the theater's finances. But I do miss having another theater slot for out of town try-outs, etc. Especially given that the Curran is more intimate than the Golden Gate or the Orpheum.

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/14/19 at 2:39pm

Sho-Tunes-R-Us said: "That may be a looooong storage period. I hope they opt to keep it intact in the theatre."

Probably just need to weld a few gargoyles onto it...

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 1/14/19 at 5:24pm

The chandelier was restored for several million dollars which was the first total cleaning it received, I believe. It's beautiful with lots of frosted crystal fruit amongst the prisms. Carole has been very proud of its restoration. If it were removed, it would most certainly be carefully stored and replaced.

It just seems at odds with the look of the Lyric and photos I've seen of the Victoria(?) in London, which was more of a vaulted hall look that seems at odds with the chandelier - which also could cause issues with one of the more chilly effects.

For what it's worth, I recall that one of the stories a couple of months ago (NY Times?) on the recent SHN lawsuit made mention of a couple of clauses of their agreement with ATG, mentioning that the Curran/Carole would have more input on operations and the conversion than had been originally reported. ...in the back of my head, I wondered if Carole was raising a ruckus over the chandelier.

Of course all of this is absolute speculation. Whatever is discussed behind the scenes is likely to stay behind the scenes until we see the result (or they release drawings) in the coming months.

And in any event. I'm glad that the Curran is bringing The Jungle to town and is able to make the necessary modifications.

 

 

Updated On: 1/14/19 at 05:24 PM

[bear88]

Posted: 1/16/19 at 3:05am

Kitsune said: "I realize that financially, it makes sense for the Curran to have HP as a long-term client, and that having multiple shows witheasy-to-get TodayTix rush seats probably wasn't great for the theater's finances. But I do miss having another theater slotfor out of town try-outs, etc. Especially given that the Curran is more intimate than the Golden Gate or the Orpheum."

The Curran is my favorite of the big theaters in San Francisco, and I have to admit I regard the coming of Harry Potter with more than a little sadness because it will presumably be around for years. The Curran hasn't been successful since its reopening, except when it gets a big hit like Dear Evan Hansen, but the fact that it's hosting a play like The Jungle is one of the reasons I have appreciated it. I don't know how they're going to set the place up for the show, but I'm curious.

[raddersons]

Posted: 1/16/19 at 9:35am

Y'all, this play is amazing. Can't believe I've never heard this story before. Just beautifully staged, and some absolutely amazing performances. This will get loads of Lucille Lortel nominations, and probably wins as well.

While it definitely addresses the futility and paradox of relief organizations, I love how instead of saying "but what can we do? These people need help." it turned into a political charge, blaming our governments. "Political virtue signaling" is the term they used for it. That part had me thinking most about our current situation in the US. We have great laws to provide asylum to those who get here, but we're actively preventing people from getting here in the first place.

For those saying 'But it's sold out!", there is a cancellation line. St. Ann's box office open at 1pm -- you can put your name on the list, go about your day, and then return ten minutes before curtain to pick up your tickets. The woman sitting next to me got there at 6pm, for a 7:30 curtain, and got the last cancellation ticket.

Updated On: 1/16/19 at 09:35 AM

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 1/16/19 at 10:08am

bear88 said: "Kitsune said: "I realize that financially, it makes sense for the Curran to have HP as a long-term client, and that having multiple shows witheasy-to-get TodayTix rush seats probably wasn't great for the theater's finances. But I do miss having another theater slotfor out of town try-outs, etc. Especially given that the Curran is more intimate than the Golden Gate or the Orpheum."

The Curran is my favorite of the big theaters in San Francisco, and I have to admit I regard the coming of Harry Potter with more than a little sadness because it will presumably be around for years. The Curran hasn't been successful since its reopening, except when it gets a big hit like Dear Evan Hansen, but the fact that it's hosting a play like The Jungle is one of the reasons I have appreciated it. I don't know how they're going to set the place up for the show, but I'm curious."

I'm assuming that the setup will be very similar to the configuration at the Playhouse Theatre in London, which reduced its seating capacity to 450. The seats in the orchestra will be removed for the "Cafe," and the mezzanine will represent "The White Cliffs of Dover." 

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 1/16/19 at 8:30pm

Intriguing design.  I'll probably opt to have my group in "Dover" unless those are the more expensive seats.

[LightsOut90]

Posted: 1/16/19 at 10:42pm

this will more then likely be the "out of town" for this show before it moves to Broadway next season