Much more Octoberfest this year than Octoberzest. Maypole and 2 horn players added and J Denver gone. Also, Celtic Fyre and my most favorite choreographer from days of old are with Pete and other executives.
OktoberZest
- Thread starter Zachary
- Start date
Here's the first picture on Instagram of the cast of OktoberZest 2018. Already I like that there's two horn players now along with the two musicians we had, plus the women's costumes have a little more detail on them and the men's pants are shorts now. I really hope someone takes a video of this show soon.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgtV68lFCLp/?hl=en&taken-at=54257
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgtV68lFCLp/?hl=en&taken-at=54257
I really like the new show. I haven't been able to say that about a main season Festhaus show in years. There are still a few parts that need tweaking, but no more than what I would expect in any show like this. It's also the first weekend for them, and I think some things will improve with practice.
Instead of giving all of my opinions now, here is a video of the show. Enjoy!
Instead of giving all of my opinions now, here is a video of the show. Enjoy!
OMG! I can imagine in a few weeks that OktoberZest 2018 will be stronger and even more solid. Congrats BGW, you've made me proud with these improvements; now I can see why BGW Family said that this is more "Oktoberfest" than "Oktoberzest". 
Sure the finale is still there, but the cast is so game and strong that it makes it less annoying, the musicians are better used this time, and the opening is an improvement with the maypole. No John Denver anymore, so that should make some happy. Not to mention that the lighting is also better this time around.
Sure the finale is still there, but the cast is so game and strong that it makes it less annoying, the musicians are better used this time, and the opening is an improvement with the maypole. No John Denver anymore, so that should make some happy. Not to mention that the lighting is also better this time around.
Having the four musicians throughout the show makes a world of difference plus once the sound kinks are worked out they would sound seamless. After watching the video a few more times makes me think: "Why didn't the show begin like this last year?" That opening is so much better than that boring/confounding one they had the year before, I mean what was up with that?
Not going to lie, this looks like the closest the park has come to successfully creating an Oktoberfest show with a "modern twist." I really dig the increased emphasis on the steampunk-esque clock motif, and the musicians add much-needed depth and grandeur to the show. For the first time in half a decade, I'm genuinely interested in visiting Das Festhaus for a show.
Thanks for filming and posting this, CastleOSullivan. I definitely agree the show looks to have evolved pretty well from last year.
I still have my issues with this (I just can't get on board with that cheesy intro to a cheesy closer to the show, although an ode to Budweiser as the stage drops is long gone), but a lot of the things that bothered me about it last year were fixed: They filled out the music (and with live musicians!), fixed the lack of a reprise for the Hoys (why teach us if you're going to do it only once?), got into the more traditional-style dancing faster and there's more of it, and they even (I believe; don't recall it last year) threw in a new little easter egg to the old TiO fans with the stall music when they're sweeping.
The In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus still feels a bit slow tempo-wise for a time when they want people to get up and dance, but that's a nitpick of what overall still feels like a vastly improved show.
I'll give Busch credit that they are willing to put the effort in to try to fix issues with shows when they're not working, both mid-season and year to year. It also keeps the show fresh, even for those who liked it, so I give them some credit for not giving up and figuring out how to course correct.
I still have my issues with this (I just can't get on board with that cheesy intro to a cheesy closer to the show, although an ode to Budweiser as the stage drops is long gone), but a lot of the things that bothered me about it last year were fixed: They filled out the music (and with live musicians!), fixed the lack of a reprise for the Hoys (why teach us if you're going to do it only once?), got into the more traditional-style dancing faster and there's more of it, and they even (I believe; don't recall it last year) threw in a new little easter egg to the old TiO fans with the stall music when they're sweeping.
The In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus still feels a bit slow tempo-wise for a time when they want people to get up and dance, but that's a nitpick of what overall still feels like a vastly improved show.
I'll give Busch credit that they are willing to put the effort in to try to fix issues with shows when they're not working, both mid-season and year to year. It also keeps the show fresh, even for those who liked it, so I give them some credit for not giving up and figuring out how to course correct.
The sweeping sequence was a really neat touch, though that music is very familiar to me but I don't know the name of it.
I think the mechanical details have been there since the show opened, but the cogs don't usually work most of the time, except for the glockenspiel figurines which does work.
Saw it all last week (except Wed. Of course) It did seem that the performers were more comfortable with the show as the week went on and therefore were "performing" the show better.
Well this is not shocking that OktoberZest is returning in 2019 with it's 4 musicians, and I'll bet they will make no changes this season.
I am a little bit disappointed, but I think it's the best show in Das Festhaus since This is Oktoberfest. I hope they continue to make improvements.