THE GARDENS OF ANUNCIA: Michael John LaChiusa musical based on the life of Graciela Daniele @ LCT- Page 3

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 11/18/23 at 11:45pm

Updated On: 11/19/23 at 11:45 PM

[kdogg36]

Posted: 11/19/23 at 11:15am

bwaylyric said: "And why is the lead named Anuncia and not Graciela?"

Good question, but the discussion around Anuncia's name does lead to some interesting thoughts about consent and a very beautiful trio for her mother, aunt, and grandmother. And also a throwaway joke about Jesus boinking Mary. :)

[JackiesBroJoe]

Posted: 11/19/23 at 11:28am

I just saw this and thought it was exquisite and probably the best score I've heard in the theatre in a few seasons. Sure some of it is "static" by today's attention span standards but not if you imagine it as an independent film or character study and wrestling with one's life "choices" and how they stack up with the real content of our lives. Every actor is wonderful, particularly the amazing women in the show and the design is simple and often breathtaking. I highly recommend this for folks who really love an original new musical. 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 11/19/23 at 11:51am

CoffeeBreak said: "We felt bad for "the deer" too. They tried very hard - and were mostly successful in voice despite the material. Mary Testa was typical, as expected, in delivery and performance, same thing again, and felt wrong for the character and show. We keep hoping to see a new side to her. Pricilla even seemed uncomfortable in her role on Thursday night. Is this normal?"

 

If I were playing an older woman who wanted to f*ck a singing deer with a Long Island accent I’d be a little uncomfortable too.

 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 11/19/23 at 2:32pm

Priscilla was so frequently tentative or appeared uncomfortable in the preview we saw that we wondered if it might be a character choice (one's memory becomes uncertain as you age, et al).  In the end decided that probably was not the case though.

Updated On: 11/20/23 at 02:32 PM

[UWS10023]

Posted: 11/20/23 at 1:35am

Opening is tonight I believe.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 11/20/23 at 9:49pm

Updated On: 11/21/23 at 09:49 PM

[UWS10023]

Posted: 11/22/23 at 8:30pm

The NYTimes review hit the nail on the head about the costumes. I neglected to mention that they were exquisite.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 11/25/23 at 12:43pm

I won't be able to see the show, but it sounds like one of those shows that is sort of a "diamond in the rough". A shining piece for those that can see it, but a hunt of rock for others. 

I would love a biography on Graciela Daniele. Like a previous poster said, she seems to be involved with some unique pieces of theatre that aren't talked about much.

[sondheim94]

Posted: 12/1/23 at 12:37pm

Oof... I am very happy I only spent $30 on my ticket for this one.

Let me start by saying that I am a HUGE LaChiusa fan. I love almost every single one of his other shows, but this was just a huge miss for me. 

MUSIC: I feel I may return to this show should it get a recording. With only one listen, it was difficult to "enjoy" but I also find this to be the case with most LaChiusa musicals. However, the orchestrations and band were exquisite. Sounded VERY full. I'm not sure how large the orchestra actually was, but it was full and lush and lovely. 

SCENERY/LIGHTING: Meh. The strings hanging down were ok. They serviced the staging. It would've been nice for a "moment"... they rise into the air and disappear or something. Ah well. However, the lighting was very effective and well done. I was happy about that.

BOOK: A mess. I didn't hate the concept - a memory play - but it just felt... unfinished. Most of the show is about Anuncia's mother... but then her aunt is the big moment at the end?? It made no sense to me. Also Older Anuncia mentions several times having to go into the city to accept an award for lifetime achievement... what??? It was so random and seemingly self-indulgent. 

ACTING: Poor Priscilla. She seemed totally uncomfortable on stage. Not sure what was going on. Beyond her, every actor and actress on stage were incredible. It was my first time in this theater, and the proximity to the actors was delightful. The Young Anuncia was a really incredible actress. Sadly, Eden was a few semitones flat throughout her entire "act one" aria. That was... tough to listen to. Beyond that, the rest of the score was sung gorgeously and WOW TALLY SESSIONS was outrageous (if.. bizarre due to the material). His voice was worth the ticket price alone. 

FINAL NOTES: It was exciting to see a LaChiusa score live. It was exciting to see some incredible actresses show their craft. The rest? Meh. I didn't understand why I care about this woman or why we were telling this story. Unfortunately, I was the youngest in the audience by at least 15-20. years. Several elderly men were nearly horizontal having fallen asleep. I felt bad for the actors on stage. Swing and a miss but I hope more people enjoyed it more than I did. It certainly didn't turn me off to Mr. LaChiusa.