Andy Blankenbeuhler: One trick pony?

[CukorLover]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 12:46am

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

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 12:51am

Two friends of mine saw it and one of the first things they said about the show is that the choreography was really repetetive and got boring. They both loved the choreography in "In The Heights" but wondered what happened with 9 to 5.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 1:17am

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

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 1:20am

Not to justify him, and I haven't seen 9 TO 5 so can't say much, 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. I thought his choreography for IN THE HEIGHTS was spectacular so I hope it wasn't a fluke.

[JazzSquare55]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 1:35am

"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...

[Brick]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 2:49am

One trick pony?

You are asking this after comparing only two works?

I'm sorry, but that's ridiculous.

[hl2522]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 2:52am

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

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 2:54am

I, for one, loved his choreography for 9 TO 5. I think it has echos of his IN THE HEIGHTS work but it feels very different to me at the same time.

[JazzSquare55]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 3:03am

^^^

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

[leefowler]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 3:18am

I know Andy, and he's a really talented guy. To dismiss because of his SECOND show seems a little premature, don't you think?

I haven't seen 9 to 5, but the dancing on that stage will be the result of the chemistry of a lot of people. I'm sure Andy's contribution was affected by what Joe Mantello was asking for, and by the songs Dolly wrote.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 4:06am

John Doyle, anyone?

[wickedfan]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 9:13am

I think this is his third show. The Apple Tree was his first.

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 9:20am

I think he will do justice to the Wiz.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 9:42am

I think the problem was the show, not him. It wasn't the easiest show to choreograph. I also think Joe Mantello should take part of the blame. There were very any numbers really that called for great choreography.

[CukorLover]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 10:36am

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)

[bjh2114]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 10:47am

I still maintain that the 9 to 5 choreography is fantastic. It's totally appropriate for the show, and it does what it's supposed to do. Some of the papers criticized him for the scene change choreography being too distracting, but (and I can say this as a choreographer myself) a lot of times the purpose of scene change choreography is to do just that. Andy is definitely not a one trick pony or a one hit wonder. The dancing in 9 to 5 has a totally different feel than the dancing in In the Heights.

[perfectliar]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 12:42pm

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.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 12:47pm

Why? What did Andy Blankenbeuhler ever do to you?

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 12:49pm

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?

[JazzSquare55]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 2:26pm

His typo of a number doesn't really excuse the fact that you are incapable of knowing the difference between a "one trick pony" and a "one hit wonder" ... which he is neither of.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 3:20pm

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.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/2/09 at 3:43pm

His typo of a number doesn't really excuse the fact that you are incapable of knowing the difference between a "one trick pony" and a "one hit wonder" ... which he is neither of.

Just because you created a new screen name (AGAIN!) doesn't excuse the previous lies and misrepresentations you claimed as true on this board.

We told you to go away as TooDarnHot.

We told you to go away as TheCharleston.

And now we're telling you to go away as JazzSquare55.

[CukorLover]

Posted: 5/3/09 at 5:13pm

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.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/3/09 at 5:17pm

Your original post was based on bitchery, nothing more, nothing less.

[CukorLover]

Posted: 5/3/09 at 5:31pm

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