I went to the first show, the matinee on the 8th and I loved it! It has a very strong cast, and it was fascinating to see a piece of theater history. The two cast members who stood out the most to me were Ben Fankhauser, and Lindsay Mendez. Both of them had very strong grips on their characters, and sang beautifully.
It's very charming. Recommended for Sondheim nerds, mostly, but they do an excellent job with material that is often only okay (and S.S. would be the first to admit it.)
I saw it last night. I agree, it certainly isn't a show that needs to be brought back, but it is a fun, cute little show.
I think the casting of so many of the Newsies (there are at least three in the cast I counted last night) was rather inspired. They work well with the material, and the whole thing kind of has a Newsies meets Brighton Beach Memoirs feel to it.
I did actually like quite a bit of the score, which I had not heard before. (I just got the second stage recording and am really enjoying it). My favorites are "One Wonderful Day", "That Kind of Neighborhood" and "What More Do I need."
Ben Fankhauser is giving a strong performance, and I do agree Lindsay Mendez was excellent, but the real standout for me was Margo Seibert. She was a brilliant Helen.
Definitely worth checking out to see a show that likely isn't going to do done anywhere else anytime soon.
I'm seeing it this coming Saturday! Really looking forward to it, although it looks like Sondheim was there this past Saturday, so I'm bummed I wasn't at the same show as him...
In the preshow speech on sunday, The General Director said that Steve was at the final dress, but wasn't able to attend the performances because he had to fly to california for the Into the Woods reunion.
I saw this last night and was disappointed; the MUFTI production was fine and well acted/sung, but the piece is a clunker. I don't fault them for putting it on, because if it's going to been produced this is the setting for it, but the book and plot are completely uninvolving with characters bland beyond belief.
There are a few good numbers in the score- the ones you always hear people singing in cabaret acts- but let's face it: this is not top tier Sondheim.
After Big and A Time For Singing this one was a bit of a letdown. Here's to hoping My Favorite Year is better, though it's not my favorite Ahrens & Flaherty score either.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!