A Walk on the Moon is a beautiful story about losing yourself, rediscovery, redemption and reconnection, with the backdrop of an annual family vacation in the catskills, the moon landing, the war, the 60s counter counter, and woodstock. The movie was brilliant, starring Diane Lane and Viggo Mortenson.
The musical I think did a good job overall adapting the story, and a number of the original songs were catchy (i caught myself unconsciously toe tapping several times), with often clever songwriting that had a contemporary and fresh feel by Paul Scott Goodman(bright lights, big city). A few songs did not work as well or seemed gratuitous (19 songs plus three reprises)
Katie Braybern (olivier award winner for Beautiful london) as Pearl really drove the show with a wonderful performance and singing as Pearl, the housewife who is looking for more out of life. She is worth seeing the show for just for her performance.
The musical choose to emphasize neil armstrong and the moonwalk more prominently than the movie, both in song and an winsome imaginary relationship with the lead character, which may have been at the expense of time for richer character development.
I thought the show moved along at a good pace (2:20) and had some good jokes and more humor infused than the movie, and I think could do even more on the humor side as they develop the show.
I was able to relate to much of the story personally, as I grew up in the sixties, went to family summer cabin vacations, loved the rebellious energy of 1969, and even watched a female family friend of my mothers go through something similar to the Pearl character.
Audience response was medium to strong (it was the sat matinee so a VERY MATURE and not very energetic audience was attending)
I do wish the characters of Marty (played by Jonah Platt who was out so i saw Jeffrey Brian Adams who was fine) and Allison (the angst and rebellion filled teen daughter) showed more depth and nuance as they did in the film. I thought the Allison character was annoying and completely missed the nuances Anna Pacquin brought to the film,.
I thought the sets and lighting were really well done and colorful, including a rotating building, and did a clever job creating the Woodstock scene. Sound was too loud at first but adjusted in the first few minutes, and good the rest of show. Costumes were fine for the era portrayed (the long hair wigs did not look real to me). there is nominal choreography.
I come out as mixed to positive on this one. I enjoyed it overall, but my friend who sees lots of musicals and is about 15 years younger didnt care much for it and couldnt connect with any of the characters. Im very interested to hear the score again and will goldstar my way to another performance for the score and also to catch Platts performance.
I certainly think it can be polished further like most premieres, and think it is already better than some of the awful shows on broadway now, or heading there soon.
To really connect and be a big success, it feels like they have to recreate the same dramatic arc and character unfolding, and re-connection and acceptance that was nailed so well in the movie by Diane Lane, Liev Schrieber as the husband, and anna pacquin as the daughter. If they acheive that, this could be a very successful show and a powerful play with some really good original music.
playing through july 1 at ACT SF of Geary in union square. (will likely extend-it was a full house)
very interested in hearing others on the boards impressions and feedback and also if you see any critic reviews, please post them!
