I went to the matinee today. I was totally blown away. I don't think I blinked the entire first act, and the second act I blinked only when I was trying to rid myself of the tears that were welling up.
I was a bit disappointed that Andrew Polec was replaced by his understudy, but Benjamin Purkiss did an amazing job (and he is just so adorable!). There was so much to take in - the story, the music, the incredible staging. I feel like I need to see it at least three more times before I could really review it properly. It is like when I'm editing a book for a client - I read it through and correct any minor errors, and then the second and third read-throughs really analyze the story piece by piece.
What I will say is that this was one million times better than anything produced on stage before. I didn't want it to end. I wanted to stay there and become a part of that world.
I'm seriously considering running away with the show.
I hope to make it back a few more times - just had a look at tickets and most shows are down to single seats, though, and I want to take as many friends as I can. Definitely not to be missed.