I thought Mario did great when we couldn't see him (except when he was dancing). The business of him going on stage to speak with Cassie during "The Music and the Mirror" just looked forced. And, he looked like he didn't know what to do with his hands...every other performer was totally believable as their character. In this scene, Jessica WAS Cassie. Lopez came across as an actor trying to be Zach. However, when it was just his voice...he was great.
I agree with what others said about the audience. The enthusiasm and affection that was show for this cast, the crew and the creative team was like nothing else I'd ever seen.
My favorite moments were:
*"I Hope I Get It"- one of my favorite "moments" in all of my theater experiences. When the mirrors turn and the cast dances towards the audience has so much power and from a design stand point, it is flawless.
*"At the Ballet"- Maggie's belt was always a huge moment- but last night with the applause and the emotion...I'm getting chills right now.
*"Hello 12..." the moment after Greg says..."I thought I'd never get to wear nice clothes". From here to the end was just unbelievable. The audience was going wild...
*I also loved all the stage pictures during "What I did for Love" and during "Hello 12- when Sheila says..."darling, I can tell you now...your father went through life with an open fly". And of course, the iconic poses that each actor strikes when the come back to the line.
*Deidre Goodwin- she nailed every line. She cracked me up so many times...and I knew what she was going to say...but I still laughed. However, when she left, after the final cut, the look that she gave to Zach said SO much. It was really heart breaking.
*Paul's monologue. We all focus on the dancing and the singing... however, this moment has brought me to tears each time I have seen this production. I totally believed that Brian K was Paul...and that he had experienced all of the abuse that Paul had. I know that's his job as an actor, but he was AWESOME.
*"What I Did for Love"
*Of course, the finale. When you consider how many people saw this show during the original run...how it helped to bring NYC back as a tourist site, how it brought so many people my age to the theater, and literally caused us to fall in love with musical theater...the history, and now, the timelessness of the show, it's totally understandable why everyone was so emotional
Once again…thanks to everyone who brought this show to life…as the producer said…the gift was ours to borrow. It truly is and will always be a tremendous, beautiful gift.
"The price of love is loss, but still we pay; We love anyway."