#1
Posted: 10/30/07 at 1:34pm
*Title edited to better reflect content of thread.*
There's a few things I want to set out before I give my thoughts.
1. As I have always been open about on this board I do have a connection to the show so feel free to take my thoughts with a grain of salt.
2. I really do love this show and want it to be at it's best so I am really trying to not hold back in my thoughts unless I feel it will give away too much of the plot.
The first act began differently than I expected. (An added prologue) I only had one small qualm with it, but I will not share what as it would give away a major plot point.
I feel the entire production moves very well. Michael Donald Edwards has done a great job of keeping the show moving. Tony Walton's set also helps to keep the transitions between scenes very fluid. The set accents the show wonderfully. It really is almost as if it is another character in the show, but at the same time it doesn't distract you from the story line. It is seamlessly interwoven. Richard Pilbrow's lighting is well done and I can say without a doubt in my mind groundbreaking. I got to talk to the ME about it and the theatre nerd in me is really excited about what he's developed. Costumes (David Zinn) are designed in a way to connect the styles of the time period to modern ideas about clothing, and I feel they do that very well. The wedding veil you can see in some of the photos seems simple but is ingeniously used. Warren Carlyle's choreography and movement aid this piece well and goes hand in hand with the rest of the creative team in keeping this show moving when it could easily drag.
The first act does need some tightening as has been mentioned elsewhere. The song "No Honest Way" is called by some superfluous. However in that scene there is a key plot point addressed that is important to the show. It is easily one of the audiences favorite songs, and provides some much needed humor in a heavy show. On the note of humor, Jill Santoriello does a wonderful job with it in the show. The humor welcomely lightens the mood at times, but at the same time it doesn't disconnect the audience from the story or the mood. There are a few staging things that I think could help to tighten things up, but on the whole it flows pretty well.
I have much less to critique in the second act. It is a roller coaster ride. There is a new Act 2 opening song called "Everything Stays the Same" that I find stunning. Warren Carlyle's work really shines in this number in my opinion. Overall it is very emotional, and can say I honestly cried more than I have at any other show I have seen. Trembling lower jaw and all during curtain call.
Now onto the actors...
James Barbour (Sydney Carton)-I had seen two presentations of the show before and thought he was a great talent, but didn't understand the obssession some people seemed to have with him. I see it now. This role really is perfect for him, and he had the audience in the palm of his hand. If he makes it to Broadway in this, I think he will easily get the Tony. It is one of those once in a lifetime marriages of an actor and a role.
Natalie Toro (Mme. Defarge)- I would go see this show again and again just to see her performance as Mme. Defarge. She is a phenomenal talent and really embodies the rage and revenge that has taken over her characters life.
Nick Wyman (Barsard)- Hilarious, treacherous, touching. He manages to get a wider variety of emotions out of me than any other character. He does a great job, and has a lot of nuance to his acting that I notice and appreciate.
Alex Santoriello (Dr. Manette) -Does a great job in the role, you really can see and feel his journey throughout the show.
Les Minski (Evremonde)- Wonderfully evil in the role (but very nice in real life) he does a great job.
Joe Cassidy (Ernest Defarge)-Plays the role well, and shows his characters growth well. Especially touching in a new Act 2 song called "Goodbye".
Jessica Rush (Lucie Manette)-She has a beautiful voice, but I would personally love to see more emotion in her portrayal. I could hear it in her singing and see it in her movement, but not necessarily in her face as much as I would have liked. (Of course it could be due to the fact that I forgot to bring my contacts with me. I only have a mild prescription.)
Derek Keeling (Charles Darnay)- I found him to be a very charming actor, but his vocals need a little work. While in some songs he sang beautifully, others sounded more unsure. Hopefully he will become stronger overall as the run progresses.
Michael Hayward-Jones (Jarvis Lorry) Very adept at playing the stiff, stoic banker, and also showing the characters soft inner side.
Katherine McGrath (Miss Pross)-Hilarious in her role! She is tough, and sarcastic, but also is great at showing her characters softer side.
Craig Bennett (Jerry Cruncher)-Another great actor here. He plays his role well.
Really a top notch job by everyone else in the cast. A few other standouts are Tim Hartman who is hilarious as the Attorney General and a cronie of Cruncher, Alex Howley as the Seamstress, and Bruce Merkle as The Boy.
One thing about this cast too is it is partially made up of students in FSU's Master of Theatre program which is housed at the Asolo. Many of them are not singers so I wanted to note that they do a wonderful job with the music.
I hope I didn't forget anything. The buzz in Florida is good and the run is officially sold out. If you have any additional questions feel free to ask.
There's a few things I want to set out before I give my thoughts.
1. As I have always been open about on this board I do have a connection to the show so feel free to take my thoughts with a grain of salt.
2. I really do love this show and want it to be at it's best so I am really trying to not hold back in my thoughts unless I feel it will give away too much of the plot.
The first act began differently than I expected. (An added prologue) I only had one small qualm with it, but I will not share what as it would give away a major plot point.
I feel the entire production moves very well. Michael Donald Edwards has done a great job of keeping the show moving. Tony Walton's set also helps to keep the transitions between scenes very fluid. The set accents the show wonderfully. It really is almost as if it is another character in the show, but at the same time it doesn't distract you from the story line. It is seamlessly interwoven. Richard Pilbrow's lighting is well done and I can say without a doubt in my mind groundbreaking. I got to talk to the ME about it and the theatre nerd in me is really excited about what he's developed. Costumes (David Zinn) are designed in a way to connect the styles of the time period to modern ideas about clothing, and I feel they do that very well. The wedding veil you can see in some of the photos seems simple but is ingeniously used. Warren Carlyle's choreography and movement aid this piece well and goes hand in hand with the rest of the creative team in keeping this show moving when it could easily drag.
The first act does need some tightening as has been mentioned elsewhere. The song "No Honest Way" is called by some superfluous. However in that scene there is a key plot point addressed that is important to the show. It is easily one of the audiences favorite songs, and provides some much needed humor in a heavy show. On the note of humor, Jill Santoriello does a wonderful job with it in the show. The humor welcomely lightens the mood at times, but at the same time it doesn't disconnect the audience from the story or the mood. There are a few staging things that I think could help to tighten things up, but on the whole it flows pretty well.
I have much less to critique in the second act. It is a roller coaster ride. There is a new Act 2 opening song called "Everything Stays the Same" that I find stunning. Warren Carlyle's work really shines in this number in my opinion. Overall it is very emotional, and can say I honestly cried more than I have at any other show I have seen. Trembling lower jaw and all during curtain call.
Now onto the actors...
James Barbour (Sydney Carton)-I had seen two presentations of the show before and thought he was a great talent, but didn't understand the obssession some people seemed to have with him. I see it now. This role really is perfect for him, and he had the audience in the palm of his hand. If he makes it to Broadway in this, I think he will easily get the Tony. It is one of those once in a lifetime marriages of an actor and a role.
Natalie Toro (Mme. Defarge)- I would go see this show again and again just to see her performance as Mme. Defarge. She is a phenomenal talent and really embodies the rage and revenge that has taken over her characters life.
Nick Wyman (Barsard)- Hilarious, treacherous, touching. He manages to get a wider variety of emotions out of me than any other character. He does a great job, and has a lot of nuance to his acting that I notice and appreciate.
Alex Santoriello (Dr. Manette) -Does a great job in the role, you really can see and feel his journey throughout the show.
Les Minski (Evremonde)- Wonderfully evil in the role (but very nice in real life) he does a great job.
Joe Cassidy (Ernest Defarge)-Plays the role well, and shows his characters growth well. Especially touching in a new Act 2 song called "Goodbye".
Jessica Rush (Lucie Manette)-She has a beautiful voice, but I would personally love to see more emotion in her portrayal. I could hear it in her singing and see it in her movement, but not necessarily in her face as much as I would have liked. (Of course it could be due to the fact that I forgot to bring my contacts with me. I only have a mild prescription.)
Derek Keeling (Charles Darnay)- I found him to be a very charming actor, but his vocals need a little work. While in some songs he sang beautifully, others sounded more unsure. Hopefully he will become stronger overall as the run progresses.
Michael Hayward-Jones (Jarvis Lorry) Very adept at playing the stiff, stoic banker, and also showing the characters soft inner side.
Katherine McGrath (Miss Pross)-Hilarious in her role! She is tough, and sarcastic, but also is great at showing her characters softer side.
Craig Bennett (Jerry Cruncher)-Another great actor here. He plays his role well.
Really a top notch job by everyone else in the cast. A few other standouts are Tim Hartman who is hilarious as the Attorney General and a cronie of Cruncher, Alex Howley as the Seamstress, and Bruce Merkle as The Boy.
One thing about this cast too is it is partially made up of students in FSU's Master of Theatre program which is housed at the Asolo. Many of them are not singers so I wanted to note that they do a wonderful job with the music.
I hope I didn't forget anything. The buzz in Florida is good and the run is officially sold out. If you have any additional questions feel free to ask.
My avatar is a reminder to myself. I need lots of reminders...
Updated On: 11/15/07 at 01:34 PM
