Review - Caroline, Or Change

[Matt_G]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 3:57pm

So I'm back from the Big Ol' Apple. I saw a few shows there, most of which have been reviewed many a time, so I thought I would tell you what I thought of CAROLINE.

This was the one show I wanted to see really more than any other this trip to see Tonya Pinkins who is such an amazing talent. So, of course, when I got in to the theater the sign was up that she was out. I was really pissed because I had just asked the guy at the box office if she was in not 30 minutes before and he told me yes. Anyways, it was my only chance to see the show while I was there so I wasn't going to ask for my money back or anything. The usher told me she would be out for a while due to her throat problems.

So the show opens and her understudy, Adriane Lennox appears. All I can say about her is that in all my years of going to the theater, that is a performance I will always remember as one of the best I have ever seen. Mrs. Lennox was a powerhouse and brought me to tears and brought me to my feet applauding more than once. I would pay double the ticket price to see her perform again. After doing Lot's Wife, the audience (who was VERY upset before the show that Pinkins was out) went crazy applauding and cheering this woman. I don't remember the last time I saw an actor onstage visibly moved by an audience's reaction or the word "Bravo" shouted. She had tears streaming down her face and you knew she had just given us a once in a lifetime performance. This role is so complex and devistating it's hard to believe the Tony went to a green witch.


I am Kristin Chenoweth.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 4:18pm

Thanks for the review. I was so glad that when they decided to replace Lennox as the Moon (which she played during the Public run, but the role didn't suit her as well as it does Aisha de Haas) that they kept her on as Pinkins' understudy. She's been a first rate talent for years and I'm glad she's getting a chance to go on while Pinkins recovers.

Considering how ridiculously demanding the role is, perhaps they should consider giving the matinees to Lennox and have Pinkins do the evening performances (the same arrangement they had for Patti Lupone in "Evita" -- Nancy Opel did the Wednesday and Saturday matinees). Heck, since all the principals have a "favored nations" agreement, it wouldn't cost the producers any more money-wise and at least you'd have a better chance of having a Caroline operating at 100% for each of the eight performances during the week.

Anyway, glad you enjoyed the show.

Updated On: 6/14/04 at 04:18 PM

[broadwaybondchik]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 4:18pm

Wow , thats really awesome, is that the girl who sang on the today show, because i really enjoyed her?

[Blonde]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 4:21pm

i didn't watch it but i think that might've been anika noni rose

[broadwaybondchik]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 4:26pm

So is she one of Tonya's understudies or something? I havent seen the s how maybe thats why im so confused

[Matt_G]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 4:29pm

No, Rose plays Caroline's daughter in the show. She was brilliant in there as well.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 4:32pm

Adriane Lenox is Tonya Pinkins' standby and has been going on for Pinkins since right after the Tonys when she fell ill. She played the Moon downtown, but is now just the Caroline standby. Anika Noni Rose plays Caroline's daughter and won the Tony for that performance and that's who you saw on the Today show.

I think that covers it.......

[broadwaybondchik]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 4:34pm

oh geez , it sure does, thank you so much.....i thought that she looked a little young to be playing caroline. Thanks for clearing that up!

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 7:00pm

Glad you liked the show even without the gal you wanted to see. Sometimes the understudies are just as good.

[broadwaybondchik]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 7:02pm

or better....

[StraightToHeaven]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 7:03pm

I'm seeing it Wednesday. Does anyone know if Tonya will be back?

[Al Dente]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 10:20pm

Adriane Lenox is always wonderful. She was also in the short lived Fascinating Rhythm and Kiss Me Kate. Always a breath of fresh air.

Posted: 6/14/04 at 10:23pm

Matt, glad you enjoyed the show. I'm very happy I saw it too.

J.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 6/15/04 at 1:32am

Looking at her bio, I apparently have seen Lenox several times in the last 20+ years, since she appeared in "Dreamgirls" during the original run (she wasn't one of the principals). Oddly, I never really noticed her until about six or seven years ago when she was featured in "Dinah Was" opposite Lillias White's Dinah Washington. She was wonderful (as was White, of course). Both of them won Obies and I've made a point of looking out for her in everyone of her shows since.