8/11: My gigantic CURTAINS review

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 3:35am

I just got back from seeing CURTAINS at the Ahmanson Theatre tonight, and let me just say that this show is a turkey… … … a big, gigantic, beautiful oven-roasted turkey, baked to perfection at the perfect temperature. It’s a fantastic turkey that I want to buy the cast recording of. It’s a gorgeous turkey that I want to look at over and over. It’s a fun, fast, dance-filled turkey that should win Best Choreography at next year’s Tony’s, providing that it gets to a theatre in time. It’s a Tony-winning turkey.

This was, without a doubt, one of the funniest, most unique shows I’ve seen in years. Really, it was. It was so intriguing that I thought I was watching a Law and Order mystery, yet so grounded in the fact that it was still musical theatre that I knew… it was still musical theatre. It was entertaining and wholesome and the entire cast was having an absolute blast.

The show is basically a musical within a mystery-comedy. It’s very similar to the DROWSY CHAPERONE, only the latter is imagined and the former really takes place, complete with sets and all. I have to say that for anyone who thought DROWSY’S show-within-a-show was weak, come see CURTAINS. The show-within-a-show is called “Robbin’ Hood”, and it’s this campy western piece that’s just so fun and full of itself that you can’t help but love it. It’s a real, real show. I loved it.

The sets were great in the show. Anna Louizos could easily have gone with the crappy ‘backstage of a theatre’ set that I’ve seen before, but she brought something new to the table. Also, the sets for the Western/musical scenes were really fantastic, especially “In The Same Boat”, “Thataway!”, and “Kansasland.” Wow. Those were some killer pieces. Also, she utilized simplicity perfectly with the stairs and drapes for “A Tough Act To Follow.” Fantastic sets. The lighting is also noteworthy as well. It might be able to pull off the Tony, I think. Great, dramatic lighting used extremely well throughout.

I wish I could say that the cast was phenomenal, but unfortunately, that’s not entirely true. Now is where my review gets very pro/con.

The ensemble, I’ll start with. It’s one of the best ensembles I’ve ever seen. I saw the ensemble (which is above 15 in number) as a mix between the guys and gals of A CHORUS LINE and 42ND STREET and the Nicest Kids from HAIRSPRAY. Definitely a weird description, but the ensemble just made this show. It was so refreshing to see a fantastic ensemble in a Los Angeles show, since the last few shows I’ve seen out here have included LITTLE SHOP and DROWSY. Ensembles rock. They were just phenomenal dancers, each one of them standing out. Fantastic, fantastic ensemble.

DAVID HYDE PIERCE (Frank Cioffi) was, as I expected, brilliant. The second he joins the cast onstage, he suddenly takes over the show, and he’s this goofy, funny, clumsy yet insightful hero that you just love. I felt like, if given a real ballad, he could have sang the hell out of it, but he seemed restrained. I didn’t much care for his songs, as they seemed to be holding back something, but they were still very entertaining. I love that he’s gotten out of the “Frasier” ideology that everyone associates him with. He’s a bona fide stage actor, people. Recognize it.

DEBRA MONK (Carmen Bernstein) was exceptional. She definitely was the right choice for the part, and I already know her replacement: Fran’s mother on “The Nanny.” She was the 50’s Jewish mother, and the dirty-but-lovable Broadway producer, and she nailed the part. What I hate, hate, HATED, though, was her lack of singing. We all know Debra can definitely belt, but she was barely even hitting a single high note. I expected her number, “It’s A Business”, to be show-stopping, and it was just lackluster. I really felt like it wasn’t Pierce or Monk who held back, but rather, the music did. I was surprised. Still, she was fantastic in the part. It fit her perfectly.

EDWARD HIBBERT (Chris Belling, The Director) is easily my favorite character in this show. His lines and his delivery was just beyond belief. I love this man. At first, I wasn’t a fan (during DROWSY), but he definitely won me over. He was just so, so, very funny. Amazing. You can tell that he’s the audience’s favorite as well.

KAREN ZIEMBA (Georgia Hendricks) did not win me over at all. She reminded me of Joanna Gleason, and though that’s not a bad thing, she just seemed to be this meek little performer that somehow got turned into a lead. *SPOILER* In the show, she takes over the leading lady role. It felt like I was watching a real understudy in Karen Ziemba. *END SPOILER* It’s not that she was bad, because she can sing and dance like crazy. But I just wasn’t really feeling her, which is a shame because she’s so talented.

JASON DANIELEY (Aaron Fox) was superb. His voice… man, oh man! What a voice! My parents, who usually love shows but don’t have any bona fide opinions about anything, were just gushing about him. He definitely reminded me of a modern-day Marius, which surprised me when he didn’t have LES MIZ under his credentials! If the revival lasts, he should definitely be up for the replacement.

JILL PAICE (Niki Harris) bored me. She was sweet and cute and fun and nice, just like she should have been, but she just didn’t seem to do it for me. No, not in THAT way. She reminded me of Miss Dorothy from MILLIE, and that’s basically what she should have reminded me of, I have no doubt. She was just boring; it felt like she was forced to stand out by having one-on-one scenes with Cioffi. She was bleh.

MEGAN SIKORA (Bambi Bernstein). Oh my GOD! This woman… this girl… this girl is my new favorite person alive. Her dance number in “Kansasland” was… wow. I’m so speechless. She was AMAZING. Like, literally, AMAZING!! I throw that word around, but not with her! She was AMAZING!! Wow, wow, wow. And her acting chops ain’t bad either. :)

NOAH RACEY (Bobby Pepper) was pretty dang good, too. Nothing notable to say about him. Great dancer, great actor. Great guy.

And now for the songs. I feel it’s necessary to comment on every song, but they might be spoiled, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know some plot points (but don’t worry, I won’t reveal the killer).

“Wide Open Spaces”
This was definitely a great way to start off the show, albeit a little slow. It was nice to see the great sets, lighting, and costumes used for this number, and all the other Western numbers. Very, very fun number, and Jessica’s part is just hysterical. Fun way to open a show.

“What Kind of Man?”
This was a cool, fun little number, with extremely clever lyrics, but I can’t help thinking that it could have ended with a much higher harmony of notes, and been a little more upbeat with the tempo. Still, it’s a great introduction to the producer, investor, and creative team of the ‘show.’ Really, it’s one of the best character introductions I’ve seen. A little work could be done on the choreography, as it was merely repetitive crossing back and forth, but it was enjoyable.

“Thinking of Him”
Ugh. Boring. I mean, it was necessary for the plot to continue, but it was repetitive and slow, and it was NOT time for a slow song at that moment, I’ll tell you. Still, Karen Ziemba has to show that she has a voice. I label this as merely ‘necessary.’

“The Woman’s Dead”
Now THIS is a Kander/Ebb song. It’s so darkly funny that you feel bad laughing at it. It’s got fantastic harmonies and hilarious lyrics, and it’s truly the first great number of this show. The staging was brilliant and so gloomy, but it was just such a fantastic number. However, it ends horribly. When Frank storms in right before the last note, you know he’s going to get applause. Why on Earth would they plan him coming in at that moment, then? It really put a damper on the end of the number. It’s like “I Do, I Do in the Sky”, only this wasn’t by power outage accident. It was intentional by the director. Great song, badly planned. Kander/Ebb, you need not be the blame.

“Show People”
This could have been a great showstopper, but it was just another example of a time when the cast and the principals seemed to be holding back. It would have been a great number for Pierce to show off in, but it was slow and wasn’t staged that creatively. I would have liked to see some more uumph put into this one. Shame.

“Coffee Shop Nights”
Necessary to show the relationship between Coiffi and Niki, but boring. Just boring and repetitive. Bleh.

“In The Same Boat 1”
Ah, my favorite of the ITSB’s! This is a cute little number that isn’t really much to be criticized or praised. It’s fun, and it all builds up to the big ITSB at the end.

“I Miss The Music”
Man, that boy can SING. It’s a great number that shows the B-plot, i.e. Aaron’s angst and sadness at losing Georgia to Bobby. He’s got a fantastic voice, and he doesn’t hide that. I loved this number only because it was the only one where a principal got to really belt it out.

“Thataway!”
See, whereas Aaron got to belt in the last song, Georgia gets to here, only she doesn’t. Something about this song bothered me – I think maybe the lyrics. They just didn’t fit right into the scheme of things. Still, this was the first great dance number of the show, and it was amazing. I love watched Rob Ashford’s choreography. It’s very reminiscent of WEDDING SINGER, but it mixes the 50’s and the old West as it was supposed to. Very fun, and a great set/lighting to go along with it.

“He Did It”
My second favorite number in the show. It was short, it didn’t have much of a tune, but it was just brilliant. I loved the PAJAMA GAME-esque feel to it (merely because they were wearing pajamas), and I loved the lyrics, especially the little bumps on the ends of each line. (“Sing… sing.”) Great number, and such creative staging! Kudos to the director and choreographer for this one!

“Kansasland”
Easily the best number in the entire show. This was one fantastic, showstopping, amazing number that I can’t gush about enough (or gush enough about? I’m not sure, haha). Megan Sikora is FANTASTIC. That’s all that can be said. This had such a great set and such a fun dance theme to it. I loved every second of it. I’m just angry that Megan didn’t get applause since the song cuts directly into the ‘interruption’ that causes the next scene to occur. She deserved a standing ovation for that, and she got nothing. I applaud you, Megan!

“It’s A Business”
Again, great potential, but Debra Monk wasn’t given the chance to speed things up or show off her true singing talents. It was great for the lyrics, not so much the music.

“A Tough Act To Follow”
Fun dance number. Very beautifully staged and a very nice dream sequence. Love David Hyde Pierce in this one.

“In The Same Boat”
Definitely the perfect 11 o’clock number for this show. Love, love, loved it.

So, you can guess, I cut it short because I’m tired. But really, this show was just fantastic. It was so much fun, and I loved almost every minute of it. True, it slows down so the plot can develop, and it gets a bit lumpy near the resolution, but it’s just FUN. I recommend it for anyone who can get a chance to see it. It’s fun, fun, fun.

Don’t let this one pass you by!

(Hooray. It's now my birthday. I started this review yesterday, and now it's my birthday. Gosh, I need to manage my time better.)

[GretchaSketh]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 4:13am

I've got to say that I felt much of the same way you did! ESPECIALLY about Megan Sikora. I've always loved her but this show just made me love her even more. I've never see her dancing ability quite like this and WOW!!! The first thing I thought of was "where the hell did THAT come from?" I had no idea! She is one TALENTED woman!

[FranklinShepard-Inc.]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 4:18am

Thank you very much for the detailed review . And happy birthday!

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 7:44am

This truly makes me excited!

I adore David, hands down. Always have. He was spectacular in SPAMALOT.

Karen Ziemba is a great talent, too. As is Debra Monk. I saw her as Mama Morton in CHICAGO and she was pretty cool

Thank you for the love and time you put into your review. I expected CURTAINS would be good... what with david and Kander & Ebb involved

I wish it well and hope it makes it to Broadway

[Incognito]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 8:53am

Many Happy returns of the Day to YOU!

Great review... I hope, i get to hear those tunes from a cast recording very, very soon: - )

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 6:31pm

Thanks, guys. I hope this inspires others to go see it while they have the chance!

I have a question, though. Was Megan Sikora a big name before this? I personally have never heard of her, but then again, I only know the big big names. :)

[John3]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 6:41pm

Megan was an understudy in Wicked on Broadway. I thought she was amazing, she really made that character believable.

[latheatrelover]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 7:33pm

A really great review, thanks. I agree there should always be time after a song for the audience to applaud, and after what Megan does during the dance she deserves great applause. How in the world does she do that every night??? (Those of us who have seen the show know the acrobatic dancing I am talking about.)

I have got to go to see this again before it leaves!
Updated On: 8/12/06 at 07:33 PM