A SHOW ON THE VERGE....

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/16/10 at 12:43am

of something.
I started a new thread so people don't have to scan thru name calling and things unrelated to the show.
Saw it tonight (Fri) and had a mixed reaction.
I don't think it works because it just doesn't connect, to the audience or itself, but there is some cool stuff going on.
The women's dresses and the Pone's hats are marvelous, Zuber owns the period Dress niche. The men look nifty but not as much fun as the girls. Some of the ensemble looked tacky and if it's on purpose, I didn't quite get it.
The sets are just too much, yes they do great stuff, play with your mind color wise and the projections are kinda UGLY BETTYISH, but they do get in the way and there are still visable stagehands moving pieces. (why?)
I liked the music, which I think will be even better on CD, I had trouble understanding lyrics except for Sherie, Stokes and Danny B.
I thought Sherie was great, but the part is a mess, she has too
much time offstage, even observing scenes, anything would help to care more about her character, her singing was terrific but it's true her songs were mellow, still I enjoyed them, that burning bed thing is a stinker, not the song, the burning bed,it really stunk up the place, Stokes and Burstein are aces in my book, but this show does not really show enough of their talent, why isn't Burstein the narrator of the whole thing? He seems to be having some fun with the cab which he called Consuelo at one point.
The Pone is a strangeone, she's perfect for this role, but I had trouble understanding her and why she gets that big song and moment (which I felt didn't really deliver) was a mystery to me, standing in the light at the end was unsettling.
Benanti is funny, I thought the telephone song was just a lot of running around, (which is scarey because she could easily trip or turn an ankle, I worry) I found her better in the scenes, where she gets a lot of laughs. Alma Curvo was cute in her one scene.
The choreography was just ok, the show could easily be done without it or even without the ensemble altogether.
But in the end it just is too disjointed to get involved in any story, too many gaps, too many dead spots, not enough jazz and fun.
A lot of wasted talent.
They can tighten things up but I would get rid of Pone, not because she's bad but she's distracting, at this point she
can't be a second banana. More Sherie, give her something fun to do and put out the bed.

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/16/10 at 12:45am

You've always despised LuPone. This is no surprise.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/16/10 at 1:04am

Actually that is not true, I have been a big fan of hers at times.
And I liked her in this, but she was distracting for me.
She is very funny in her delivery of the dialogue, I did have trouble understanding her lyrics and I was not alone.
I hope she keeps her heels and forgoes any isotoners.

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/16/10 at 1:07am

You liked her in this? You wrote before that you think they should fire her.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/16/10 at 2:17am

I think they should get rid of her, not fire her.
She's too good for that role and the balance is off.
Why does this comic character who has great sight gags and one-liners get the big dramatic black dress number?
I thought this was gonna be Sherie's show, it's bad enough Benanti has better material, but how do you follow the Pone doing the tragic commediene?
Mary Testa can be Vivien Vance, Pone maybe in a better show, But for me two sidekicks are one too many.
I would also give Sherie the lead vocalin MY CRAZY HEART (a great tune) but I know they won't take anything away from the Pone, even if it's better for the show.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 10/16/10 at 2:36am

I honestly can't believe people like "My Crazy Heart". When I saw it last Monday I thought it was completely the wrong tone to set the show off with and probably the worst song in the show next to Patti's act 1 song.

I do agree that if they keep it, Sherie should have the lead vocal and that the show, while slowly getting better than the trainwreck people are touting it to be, does feel disjointed and lacking zip.

I blame Sher. I think he's pushing the ladies to play the pathos a bit too hard, too early.

Sorry, this past Tuesday, not Monday.
Updated On: 10/16/10 at 02:36 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/16/10 at 2:38am

Act 1 zipped right by tonight. Act 2 is the act that needs work.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 10/16/10 at 2:38am

Ljay, what is it you like about this show? I haven't seen it, just read a lot of bad things about it, but you seem to be the shows great defender here, so I am genuinely curious as to what it is that is drawing you to it that others don't seem to see. Do you feel that the critics will agree with the masses here, or is it another example of BWW having more fun hating something than liking something?

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/16/10 at 2:41am

I just saw the show for the first time tonight. You can read my thoughts in the "main" Verge thread. I have a feeling the critics will be mixed. This isn't another Addams Family, but I don't think the reviews will be like South Pacific.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 10/16/10 at 3:00am

I am staying away from the main Verge thread from now on, over 400 posts of almost all bitching and moaning... maybe I'll check it out on a night when there is nothing funnier to watch or read anywhere else.

[After Eight]

Posted: 10/16/10 at 3:36am

"I am staying away from the main Verge thread from now on, over 400 posts of almost all bitching and moaning... maybe I'll check it out on a night when there is nothing funnier to watch or read anywhere else."

Having already read that thread once, there is no need to go back and read all 480 posts again and again. You can simply start at the next to the last page and go from there.

Actually, I much prefer having just one thread on a show so you can have everyone's opinions in one place. For me, it's easier to access.

As for the show, I'm glad to see changes are being made, and that it's coming along. As one who liked it, I'm also glad to see reactions that counteract the initial over-the-top invective against it, and that recognize that despite its shortcomings there is much to enjoy here.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 10/16/10 at 8:47am

The protagonists (Pepa) is lost in the show-thats a major problem. I think there are great elements to the show, but I don't think there is a enough time to fix the book or score adequately. Most people are lukewarm about the show and don't feel much for the characters.