A Great Assessment of DESSA ROSE

[jmnpublications]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 12:12am

There's a great column by Barbara & Scott Siegel on TheaterMania about DESSA ROSE and the way it's been treated by critics. They provide the balance I have been hoping to see. Here's the link.

http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/5825

lc

[JoelGould]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 12:59am

I went to TheaterManiaa to look at the review you mentioned and I was surprised at how thoughtful it was compared to the other reviews I read. Maybe some of the people writing about critics on another thread should read that review. Just saying----

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 1:06am

That was beautiful and I almost 100% concur.

[apdarcey]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 1:41am

a men

[hannahshule]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 5:36am

Wow, finally a review that makes some sense! Great article, I like what they said about Rachel.

[twogaab2]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 9:36am

Although I liked the book a good deal better than they did, it is nice to see someone come to the aid of serious musical theater.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 9:44am

I'm looking forward to seeing this the next time I'm in NYC. For those who have seen it, can the problems with the book (structure) be solved over time [obviously not with this production]?

[midtowngym]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 9:53am

The book is slightly confusing, but the critics were harsh. I wasn't bothered by Rachel York and La Chanze moving between their younger and older selves. They are such fine actresses, it works.
The acting, singing, direction and fascinating story more than make up for the books minor faults. I was deeply moved.

[Plum]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 12:14pm

I think the critics were very fair to this show, and I don't see how this perspective is so different from their's.

Anybody can make a clunker, but these talented people and their gifted colleagues have achieved a fascinating failure.

That's pretty much what the critics said it was- well-intentioned, made by talented people, but still a failure. What's the big disagreement? The score had some divine moments- I'll buy the cast recording just to get "We Are Descended"- but good intentions, even when combined with talent, don't always make a good show.

[hannahshule]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 7:31pm

In what ways is it a failure? It seems to please the public pretty well (at least most people on this board) Just curious...

[Plum]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 8:17pm

I outlined my objections to the book in a couple of other threads, but here's the quick version-

The outer framing device of using the elderly Dessa and Ruth to narrate was distracting and pointless.

The first act had only intermittent dramatic tension- it was only from "The Scheme" onwards that things actually started to move.

And overall, the book did far too much telling and not enough showing. Some of the lines were so obvious and preachy they were almost painful. I'd expect that kind of stuff from a TV movie, but I wanted this show to be better.

That said, the design and direction made good use of the Mitzi's unusual space, the score had some wonderful songs, and the performances were all-around great. Rachel York, especially, was a revelation. But all those good qualities didn't add up to a good show- the book is the spine of a musical, and this one just wasn't strong enough.

[do_re_milla]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 2:55pm

I always count on The Siegels to give a well-thought-out, constructive and balanced review. Quite often, it's their reviews that will prompt me to see a show that I hadn't considered until I read their review.

Milla

[JoelGould]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 4:34pm

Sometimes the critics just gang up on successful artists - they try to cut them down to size -- or something. I think they were unfair to Dessa Rose. Maybe the Siegel review is a backlash to the backlash?

[Plum]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 5:12pm

The reviews were actually quite respectful to Ahrens (as a lyricist) and Flaherty.

[apdarcey]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 5:14pm

most of the reviews said the show didn't work for the same reason's stated by plum. however they did say that it was a great try for ahrens and flaherty. the score is amazing. there are some really powerful songs in the show. but they just thought the book was not up to snuff. but i can't wait for when they make a cast recording of this show.

[hannahshule]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 8:17pm

most people agree that the performances and songs are great, it's essentially the book that's the problem.