Profile for AlexMiller2

it’s quite a spectacle. Kristin Chenoweth is perfectly cast as Jackie Siegel; she balances the over-the-top glamour with real vulnerability. Stephen Schwartz’s score feels very classic Schwartz,  melodic, theatrical, and emotional,  though a few numbers could use tightening.

Michael Arden’s direction keeps the tone shifting smoothly between satire and empathy, which is no easy feat given the subject. The design team really went all in Omegle,  it’s visually stunning, with just the right touch of gaudiness to reflect Jackie’s world.

That said, the second act drags a bit once the financial crisis hits. Some of the dramatic beats felt repetitive, but overall it’s a fascinating piece about the illusion of the American Dream.

Curious what others thought,  do you think it works better as a critique of wealth or as a character study of Jackie?