I'm not even sure those pictures fully give the show justice, but they're not bad. I really really loved the show tonight. Yes it could use some tightening up and fine tuning, but given that it's only been running a week, ever, I think it's a really solid start. I loved their use of projections to enhance the world they created, The choreography was subtle, yet effective, and the moments when Amelie's imagination comes to life were done just enough so that they weren't over the top, but it got the point across. I do think the beginning needs to be condensed a bit, but I didn't hate it or anything, I liked it as is, but I do think it takes a little too long. The opening number was wonderful though and I adored the way it was framed (pun intended!) The cast was WONDERFUL, I found Samantha very endearing and what I loved was how even though Nino and Amelie don't even really interact til the end, there was a clear pull of them toward each other, and there was a genuine curiosity and pull. They really illustrated well what it was about each other that caught their eye, which made the moment when they're finally face to face, a wonderful pay off. The supporting cast were lovely as well, they populated Amelie's world beautifully and took the opportunities to shine when they were afforded to them. Each of them stood out to me in different ways at different times.
I haven't seen the movie in over 10 years, so I didn't remember much about it, but what I found to be amazing was how there were moments in the show where right as something was happening, or right before it happened, in my head I was like I REMEMBER! which is amazing, especially for me, because I have a terrible memory and only saw the movie once.
JBroadway said: "I actually said "wow" at a few of numbers. I really loved "The Girl With the Glass," and "Halfway to Go" (with the sheet of red cloth across the stage), and "Stay," the door duet. Those numbers were really all stand-outs to me. It wasn't because their melodies were memorable, but because of how they were written and the emotion significance they had."
This exactly! Down to the last song, I completely agree with you, those were without a doubt the strongest most wonderful numbers (though I'd also give a shout out to Nino's song when he's hanging up the fliers, I loved that one as well) The Girl with the Glass was truly special, both in performance and lyrically. I think that was the song that got to me the most emotionally. It felt like the first time Amelie was honest with herself, which then in Stay, it was the point when she was the most honest with herself and her own fears, and the staging of that number was stunning. Halfway to Go was built on a concept that I think about once in a while because it really messes with my head, and I think that's a large part in why I loved it so much, and (spoiler alert) the pay off of it at the end, when Nino finds the way around there always being half way to go, by meeting her halfway really made me smile, it was a subtle, but powerful call back.
Also as a side note, the whole thing with the figs had me cracking up, maybe the fruit stand parts weren't needed, but they sure were delightful to watch so I can't say they have to go. The Gnome part also was amazing. Pretty much any scene in the Cafe was wonderful as well, the was a great set and always had such vibrant life whenever they were in it, and by about halfway through the show, you already knew that something funny would happen once you were there.
That's all I can think of off the top of my head, and maybe I'm just not the overly critical sort, but there was just nothing specific I could find to complain about, all I see that it needs is general polishing up. I will definitely be going back to see this again before it closes (before I was just going to go if I could happen to get tickets for one of my days off after I get my work schedule, but now I'm actually going to request a day off because I want to buy tickets in advance and not risk them selling out.)
Also, JBroadway, I have to ask you (slight spoiler for the end), since you said that the technical equipment they were missing were the elevators that made things rise out of the stage, at the end of your show, were Amelie and Nino lifted up behind the rest of the cast? I'm just curious if they finally got things squared away with that or if it was always there, because it seemed to be the kind of thing they said was missing exactly.
Updated On: 9/4/15 at 05:42 AM
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