Andy Blankenbeuhler: One trick pony?

He seemed to be the new whiz kid on the block last year with In The Heights, but his work in 9 to 5 didn't seem to resonate with many of the critics. I wonder if he'll fare better with The Wiz?

VARIETY

"Blankenbuehler's "In the Heights" moves were an organic physical expression of those characters' desires. Here, his slinky dance idiom is out of sync with the comic tone. His fussy scene segues, coupled with the cumbersome hydraulic shifting of panels, pillars, desks and overhead lighting tracks in Scott Pask's busy office set, inhibit momentum and crowd the characters."

Associated Press
"Andy Blankenbuehler's choreography seems to celebrate the late 1970s, not exactly disco but very "Saturday Night Fever," with arms and legs flailing."

Ny daily news
"Choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler ("In the Heights") has pounced hard on the notion that the boss is a jerk, but the many herky-jerky dances get repetitive and distracting."

Backstage
"Andy Blankenbuehler's choreography does well in the office scene changes, creating a unique physical style that seems to reference 1970s disco moves but incorporates the frustration of these unhappy workers. Unfortunately, his work in the production numbers is never more than serviceable."


The Wall Street Journal
"Andy Blankenbuehler's pointlessly busy choreography seems to have been designed to cover up the dramatic inertness of the score: The dancers never stop moving. (Neither do the sets.)"

AM NEW YORK
"Andy Blankenbuehler?s choreography is frenetically excessive and distracting, only serving a real purpose in the title song."

Updated On: 5/2/09 at 12:46 AM

This is exactly what I felt about the choreography in 9 to 5. I loved his work in In the Heights and he totally deserved that Tony. But here, it's busy and inorganic and without reason. It often looked silly. It may have been better if the choreography were edited and simplified.

~Steven

"Not to justify him"

You just did.

"I haven't seen 9 TO 5 so can't say much"

Then how can you be a fair judge?

"but remember this time he was working with Joe Mantello who seems to have very little understanding of how to direct this kind of musical, as a director, he should have been able to get better work out of Blankenbeuhler."


Unless you were a member of the creative staff, watching the entire process unfold, you have no idea how much say/control/input Mr. Blankenbeuhler had.

Perhaps he just isn't THAT good??? Consider it...

the term one trick pony would imply he could only do the same thing for every show which he hasnt...one hit wonder would be more appropriate if it were even appropriate at all to give him such a title.

lets give the guy a few more goes before we give him any title at all...

Updated On: 5/2/09 at 02:52 AM

^^^

Your post .... it confuses me... kthnxbye.

John Doyle, anyone?

---

I think he will do justice to the Wiz.

---

Well even if the show IS a stinker, look what Rob Ashford did with those scene transitions in Cry Baby. They were clever, witty and the best part of that show. ( which was also a stinker)

I also enjoyed the choreography in 9 to 5.

And you really can't call him a "one trick pony" if you're only comparing 9 to 6 and In the Heights. He's done many other shows. What he did with the premier of Waiting for the Moon, for example, was great but NOTHING like 9 to 5 or In the Heights.

perfectliar

"And you really can't call him a "one trick pony" if you're only comparing 9 to 6 and In the Heights. "

what is 9 to 6?

---

I thought the choreography was great, transitioning from robotic, machine like movements (mimicking office machinery and robots in a way) to the more fluid, funky, disco vibe as the show progresses. The dancers are a metaphor for the transitions in the women and the office staff, from "cogs in the machine to living, breathing people). I thought it was wonderful.

---

My original post was based on the reviews i read. I have not seen the show yet so i reserve my opinion on it as a whole. Unfortunately, from the television clips, interviews, and youtube clips, I'm not that thrilled with the music i've heard, nor the scene work. It looks like the performances are fun, so I'm sure I'll see it, though at discount prices.

Thank you Joey ! For putting that into perspective. They DO say that the third time is a charm.