8/10-8/12 Reviews - SA, Gypsy, LB

[dramageek1211]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 1:38am

Just got back from my 3-day vacation in New York and had a fantastic time! I saw three shows: Spring Awakening (with the new cast), Gypsy and Legally Blonde. I will review in the order that I saw each show:

Day 1: Spring Awakening - Monday - 8/11/08
Wendla - Alexandra Socha
Melchior - Hunter Parrish
Moritz - Gerard Canonico
Adult Women - Christine Estabrook
Martha - Amanda Castanos
Ilse - Emma Hunton
Anna - Emily Kinney
Thea - Caitlin Kinnunen
Adult Men - Glenn Fleshler
Otto - Gabriel Violett
Hanschen - Matt Doyle
Ernst - Blake Daniel
Georg - Andrew Durand

This was my first experience with Spring Awakening and I was more than pleased. I slightly familiarized myself with the music beforehand but hardly knew it well. We planned on getting tickets through the TKTS booth earlier in the day but our flight was delayed and we didn't arrive at our hotel until almost 5:30PM. We, instead, called telecharge and got discounted tickets in orchestra row E on the right side. They were spectacular seats! When I entered the theater I was shocked at the size. It is really quite a small theater but it was definitely packed as far as I could tell. I immediately noticed the onstage seating, which I had heard about but didn't want to try for my first time seeing the show. It looked like it must have been a really awesome experience though.. Anyway. On to the show.

This being my first experience with SA, I didn't know much of the plot and had hardly even known anything but the music beforehand, and like I said I didn't even know that well. In fact, I'm so oblivious that it wasn't even until today that I found out that the performance I saw was Hunter Parrish's first performance. He was fantastic! He didn't make any mistakes noticeable to a newcomer and seemed very confidant onstage. I still don't know if anyone else was new, and I'm really too exhausted to look it up, but the whole show was really amazing. I was engaged the entire time and loved everything from the actors, to the set, and the lighting and the music. I really don't know quite how to review the actual show since I really know nothing about it, but if anyone has any questions about Hunter Parrish or any of the cast, I'd be glad to attempt to answer. A funny thing that was obviously noticeable was at the curtain call, when the cast ran back out, Alexandra seemed a bit to eager. She tripped and almost fell flat on her face but Hunter was able to catch her in time. Nice save! haha

Day 2: Gypsy - Tuesday - 8/12/08

Mama Rose: Patti LuPone
Herbie: Boyd Gaines
Louise: Jessica Rush (u/s)
June: Leigh Ann Larkin
Tusla: Tony Yazbeck
Mazeppa: Lenora Nemetz
Electra: Marilyn Caskey
Tessie Tura: Alison Fraser

Other understudies were:
LA: Matt Gibson
Renee/Waitress: Lisa Rohinsky

I was very excited to be seeing Gypsy because I know the show well and had heard a lot about this amazing production starring Patti LuPone. I want to start off by saying that I loved it! It was everything I wanted it to be and more, however I was slightly disappointed when receiving the understudy slip for Louise. I was very much looking forward to seeing all three Tony winners on stage together in their award winning roles. Don't get me wrong, Jessica Rush did not disappoint, she was really a pleasant surprise, but I found myself continuously wondering what would be different had Laura Benanti been there.

Since I am a big fan of Gypsy and have heard such great things about this production, I have to say that I was expecting perfection. As much as I loved Patti in the role, it seemed like she needed a few numbers to really get warmed up. The first scene with Uncle Jocko went off without a hitch but just before "Some People" she flubbed a line. Yes, its understandable and obviously it happens but, honestly, it was a little disappointing. Next slip was during "Small World." The first time Patti sings "Lucky, you're a man who likes children..." she stopped after that and was either waiting, in character, for Boyd to sing the next line or simply couldn't remember the next line. Once she realized no one was singing she kind of rushed to get it out I think. I don't know, it was weird. People laughed a little after so I wasn't sure if maybe it was something she was doing as her character or if it was just a mistake. Once again, it didn't really affect my liking of the show, but was just a little more disappointment.

In the end, the show truly was fantastically done and thoroughly enjoyed. Patti got a long standing ovation after "Rose's Turn" and seemed to really eat it up. I loved how some character choices were just different from how I expected, such as Leigh Ann Larkin's June and Marylin Caskey's Electra. I expected both to be much different portrayals of the characters but the directions they took were amazing and made the production that much better. Both got great laughs. The kids playing young Louise and June also were really great.

Jessica Rush was really a wonderful Louise. I've never been a fan of "Little Lamb" since I got into Gypsy more than 10 years ago and she made me interested in the song. I realized I had never even heard it sung all the way through before and I actually enjoyed her take on the song a lot. The Gypsy Strip scenes were well done as well. The scene after the strip was the main one where I thought "I wonder what Laura would have done differently/added to the scene", not because Jessica didn't do it well but just because I knew Laura's transformation in that scene was so widely praised and applauded. Jessica still did a great job. Boyd was everything I had hoped he would be and more. His performance was indeed the best Herbie portrayal I've seen, not that I've seen many, but he definitely made me that much more interested in the character that I hadn't cared too much about before. And finally, Patti. Patti LuPone truly was the highest highlight of the show, and owned every second of it, despite the two mess ups. Her powerhouse performance brought the house down and she was just phenomenal. This is most certainly the role she was born to play.

Day 3: Legally Blonde - Wednesday Mat. - 8/12/08
Elle: Bailey Hanks
Emmett: Barry Anderson (u/s)
Paulette: Orfeh
Callahan: Michael Rupert
Warner: Richard H. Blake
Vivienne: Kate Shindle
Brooke: Nicolette Hart
Margot: Kate Rockwell
Serena: Tiffany Engen (u/s)
Pilar: Asmeret Ghebremichael
Kyle and other various parts: Ven Daniel

Other Understudy:
Aaron: Jody Reynard

Let me start off this one now by saying that Legally Blonde, in my opinion, is a really fun show that I have only previously seen through the MTV airing and in part through the Search For Elle Woods series. Also, I am really not a fan of matinee performances. I think they often lack energy and charisma, and the performers often save their better performance for the evenings. Seeing as I flew home today at 8PM, I had to see a matinee if I wanted to see this show. Just wanted to point out that my review may be slightly biased due to that fact and now to the review..

First off, Bailey. I actually really liked her in the show. I was with my friend who thought she lacked energy toward a few of the dance breaks and thought Laura Bell handled them better. I maybe agree, but honestly just didn't pay THAT much attention to the dance breaks, or at least enough to notice. I think that some of the issues she had in the tv show were still a little evident. I did notice that she was very out of breath after the dance breaks in both "What You Want" and "Positive" and I worried that she wouldn't be able to get the rest of those two songs out. She did fine, and better than I expected with both songs, but it was a concern that carried over from the show. Her southern twang came out a little just before "Take It Like A Man" but it wasn't too bad or obvious really but just a little something I noticed. Otherwise, she was really great. It is really something to say that you starred in a Broadway show, and not only is Bailey doing so, but she is doing so with almost no professional experience and, imo, its hardly noticeable.

Other highlights were definitely Orfeh, who my friend thought stole the show. She did a wonderful job of catering to Bailey's take on Elle and definitely makes me feel a slightly stronger friendship between them than I felt was their between her and Laura. Her voice really gets me every time. Despite the ridiculousness of "Ireland," she makes it so memorable just through her vocal power. Loved it.

Barry Anderson was also a really great surprise. I was kind of hoping for an Emmett understudy after reading a few negative/mixed recent reviews of Christian and was interested to see someone else's take on the character. Barry, I thought, definitely had the energy that I was looking for in the rest of the cast, and was a great addition to today's show. During "Take It Like A Man," at the end, he had a hard time putting his pants back on. I think they might have been inside out. He got them on just in time but he was definitely in a big rush toward the end and a noticeable one at that. A few people started to giggle as the end of the song neared.

Most of the other main cast members did a fairly good job. I haven't really heard much about Nicolette Hart but thought she did well as Brooke and the jump rope skills were great.

In regards to Autumn -- I don't know. There is just something about her that looks so old to me. When she did her final performances on the tv show I thought she looked like Regina's mom (the "hip" mom) in Mean Girls and it was a really big turn off and I noticed that during the opening scene she looked like her still. Its just a quality she has about her. She's a great performer, but I think she should be playing a part that is just a little older than Elle or even a sorority girl for that matter.

Something was wrong with the judge's seat and witness stand today. It came on sideways so only the side of the judge's part was visible and the guy playing Nikos just had to stand next to it. Also, from the mezz at least, you could see the back of the set piece, which is the bathroom scene, so it was kind of weird to look at. When the rest of the set went off for the scene before "Legally Blonde," that set piece stayed on stage until like 5 minutes into the scene and then did not come back on again for after "Legally Blonde (Remix)." Their was clearly an issue with the piece when just a shower came out for the bathroom scene and it was like a backup shower haha. I don't know if it happens often or what but there was definitely a backup shower different from what I saw on the taping.

Real quick last thing, and sorry to backtrack, but one last annoyance I had was the quick change in "Omigod You Guys" with the "Hey wait for me!" girl (I don't know who it is..). I knew how it happened beforehand so maybe I was looking for it, but when the guy went down the pole he did it so slowly that by the time the fully clothed girl came out, I could still see his shower cap! It was a loss of effect in a part of the show that I enjoy a lot usually... can you always see that from the mezz?

Anyways, these are my reviews of the three shows I saw. Overall, each show was great and did not disappoint me enough to make me not see it again. I had a fantastic few days and each show added to each day. So there you go. Enjoy!

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 6:16am

I'm so sorry that you didn't get to see Laura Benanti!

Oh well. At least the u/s didn't disappoint you!

[lesmis]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 6:36am

I was at the LB matinee yesterday too and I agree with everything you said. I thought Bailey was great but was definitely winded after the dance breaks. I liked Barry Anderson a lot too. I like Autumn, but she seemed so out of place.
I sat in the rear orchestra and mid first act there was a loud bang and several people ran over to someone on the far left. After a few minutes they picked someone up and led her out. Then near the end when Warner Is proposing to Elle someone yelled out "It's freezing in here" and everyone in the area started laughing. Finally, I was surrounded by 1000's (ok I'm exaggerating) young girls who talked, jumped up and down and sang the entire time. Ugh

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 9:24am

Thanks for your reviews. Glad you enjoyed yourself!

[dramageek1211]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 10:57am

lesmis-- I sat in the mezz and didn't even realize the loud bang actually. I had literally no idea. And I knew that something was going on at the end near the proposal but couldn't figure out what was going on.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 11:03am

"Lucky, you're a man who likes children..." she stopped after that and was either waiting, in character, for Boyd to sing the next line or simply couldn't remember the next line. Once she realized no one was singing she kind of rushed to get it out I think.

Actually, she always does this. It's a comic timing thing. I enjoy it but maybe it doesn't work for some people.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 11:20am

And it doesnt' seem uncommom for Alexandra to fall. The fog/smoke residue makes the stage pretty slippery and her shoes don't do well. Or SHE doesn't do well with her shoes.

[dramageek1211]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 11:32am

ashley-- Its actually funny that you said that because at first glance I thought that's what it was but my friend told me she forgot her lines so I tried to rationalize it a bit. I'm glad to hear that he was wrong though! haha

[legally_popular]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 11:54am

Aw, I would be really disappointed if Laura was out.
But I'm glad you enjoyed her understudy and the show.

I agree with practically everything you said, especially this statement:
"I loved how some character choices were just different from how I expected, such as Leigh Ann Larkin's June and Marylin Caskey's Electra."

I didn't expect it either, and thoroughly enjoyed both actresses' portrayals.
Great reviews!