Anyone Can Whistle-Ravinia-Review

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 8/27/05 at 2:10am

The pre-show discussion with Sondheim was very interesting just for the fact that I got to see my idol in person! The questions were quite boring and not of the calibre that I would have expected they could have asked. I guess that's what you get when the guy picked them at random! What a waste of a half an hour with a genius! Next time choose the questions carefully! But Sondheim was an absolute gentleman and a hit with the crowd. Very comfortable man.

Well first off let me say that I am never washing my right hand. The hand that shook Sondheim's hand shall never feel the suds of soap! That being said this evening was decidedly mixed in my eyes. Besides the fact that I met my hero (which was absolutely amazing) the show itself was slightly underwhelming.

Patti Lupone didn't sound as sterling as I had hoped. Part of this is no doubt due to the poor sound design which made it very difficult to hear the singers. When you can't hear Patti Lupone singing, there is most certainly a problem. She was a very impressive actress and I can't wait to see what she does with Mrs. Lovett. Her upper register seemed kind of lost today, she may be under the weather but I'm not sure.

Michael Cerveris, with his long hair looked like Donny Osmond. He did an excellent job overall, the Act I closer (the name escapes me) was very enjoyable and the great part was that I was actually able to follow it! It'll be interesting to see Mr. Cerveris do Sweeney as he is not an imposing physical figure and is quite thin with a powerful upper register and a less natural lower register. He will be a very interesting Sweeney, someone unlike what we have seen in the past.

The woman of the evening however was Ms. Audra McDonald. An absolutely stunning actress, vocal presence, beauty and talent this magnificent gem of a performer SOLD everything she was in. Some actresses can sing a song, Audra McDonald can PERFORM a song. She blew me away. The audience at the end of "There Won't Be Trumpets" seemed to never stop and she got just as much applause for every solo afterwards. Her "point-by-point" monologue was hilarious and solidified her comedic chops and stage presence. Audra McDonald is a force to be reckoned with.

I think the main problem with Anyone Can Whistle is probably the book. I got the impression that the book thinks it's funnier than it actually is. The jokes are not natural and seem very forced. Having said that I applaud all of the actors who managed to make milk flow from that dull stone of a book! Ray Wills works very hard in a thankless role. I can't wait to see him move up because he really has that spark. He landed jokes that I didn't realize were jokes. I just laughed for him and with him. John Mahoney (the dad from Frasier and a Tony Award winner for House of Blue Leaves) seemed underused and underrehearsed.

The direction was nothing particularly special, some odd choices such as having the final kiss be off in a random corner while the entire ensemble stands center. I just didn't know where to look.

In order to improve the show as a whole they need to eliminate one of the ballads and push the intermission to about a quarter into the second act. A half hour first act and then a hour and a half (or so it seemed) second act is unacceptable and not particularly easy to sit through after a while in uncomfortable seats! I think if you put this book into a script-doctors hands you'd be in much safer waters as a musical comedy.

Overall it was a very interesting night. I had a lot of fun and I made a lot of memories. I noticed a lot of things that could have been done differently and I noticed a ton of things that I absolutely adored and most of all, respected. Paul Gemingani (forgive the spelling) and Patti Lupone have a playful relationship. Might I add he is particularly fun to watch conduct!

I can't wait for next years concert!

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 8/27/05 at 2:20am

is there going to be a concert next year for sure?

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 8/27/05 at 2:46am

Anyone Can Whistle was written as a three act musical... back when there were such things... so the intermission doesn't usually go there... the sound was quite wonderful on Thursday as it almost always is at Ravinia... too bad it wasn't up to snuff this evening...

kc

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/27/05 at 10:15am

Jai I've heard LOTS of discussion out of Ravinia that they WILL Continue the Sondheim series, even though it has "ended" with ACW.

And since I wasn't there, I can't judge, but I have ALWAYS had trouble understnading LuPone. Even in the recent Candide video she was unintelligible. I think that is part of her schtick now.

[Kringas]

Posted: 8/27/05 at 11:39am

I think that's always been part of her schtick, Joe. There's a song called "Patti LuPone" on Forbidden Broadway Volume 2 that makes fun of it. It's actually quite hilarious.

That being said, it kills me that I missed this concert. I'm only in the next state over! Oh well.

[Glebb]

Posted: 8/27/05 at 11:46am

Nice tutu Kringas!

[Kringas]

Posted: 8/27/05 at 11:56am

Thanks. It compliments the tiara, don't you think?

[Glebb]

Posted: 8/27/05 at 12:09pm

I believe so.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 8/27/05 at 12:20pm

It really was a beautiful night, perhaps I sounded too cynical when I wrote the review (it was early in the morning). I loved being around all my theatrefolk and seeing all these legends. My girlfriend was bewildered when I go "That's Lonny Price! He was in Merrily We Roll Along and wrote, directed and starred in "A Class Act" She just gave me this look of "Whaaa?" but we both had a great time.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 8/27/05 at 12:38pm

Another review:

Sumofallthings was absolutely right in the original review. The concert was enjoyable, even though the show itself is perhaps a strange choice to do a concert version of. John Mahoney DID seem indeed underused and completely unrehearsed. Patti was in full diva mode, in her fantastic pink costume and getting carried on and offstage. Michael Cerveris rose above his ridiculous wig and gave a wonderful performance. But it was Audra who was the woman of the evening - and the extended applause following most of her songs proved it. The woman is amazing! Her voice is thrilling, she's gorgeous, and she's funny too!

An interesting directors choice was to take Schub, Cooley, and the other flunkie (whose name escapes me) and turn them into the Marx brothers. It was a wonderful way of showcasing the absurdity of the local government, and provided a few laughs.

It was an enjoyable evening - and I wouldn't be surprised to see the Sondheim series continue, even if Audra, Michael, and Patti aren't involved.:)

Cheers. Happy Saturday!

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 8/27/05 at 12:45pm

The sound design was in fact the problem. I could understand the actors perfectly when I could hear them.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/29/05 at 10:37am

You know, sum, I agree with everything you said. I actually had a feeling of disappointment as we were leaving Ravinia. However, I think the problem is that I had expected way too much. I had built the production up so much in my mind that I had forgotten that this musical was incredibly early Sondheim and that it was a flop. After seeing the concert, I can now see why the show was a flop. But none of this is to mean that I didn't enjoy myself because I absolutely did. I did hate the wig Cerveris was wearing. My friend who was visiting me for the weekend said it looked like a mullet wig from an after Halloween sale at Spencer Gifts. Cerveris is a sexy bald man and he should be allowed to flaunt that.

There were also two other things that pissed me off about the performance, but it wasn't the performance's fault. First of all, I was super excited when Paul Gemignani took the stage because, in my mind, he's a celebrity and a legend. So when he came out to take the stage, I gave him a little whoop. There was this old lady sitting directly in front of me and she turned around and gave me the dirtiest look. I did it again when the each of the main performers took the stage because, hello?, why wouldn't you and every time, she turned around and glared. I gave her dirty looks back. THEN, the people sitting behind me at intermission talked really loudly and rudely about how they couldn't see and if someone could switch seats with them because I was too tall. First of all, I am only 5'9" and, secondly, why were people intent on making me feel bad? OK, that's the end of my tirade about how rude people are. I did love Ravinia, though, and thought the concert grounds were amazing! It was like being at a really beautiful summer camp.

OH! One more thing: Was anyone there on Saturday night and suddenly all those fireworks started to go off in the distance? Then, the finale of the fireworks coincided with the big moment when Audra finally whistles. I was so astounded that the timing was so bad. There were definitely some unfortunate things involving the performance.

But again, I truly did enjoy myself as I had never heard Patti or Audra sing before. But now I can see why they are so revered by most.

[Luvinbroadway]

Posted: 8/29/05 at 11:24am

From the Chicago Tribune:
"Which brings us to the tiptop concert version performed over the weekend at Ravinia. This was the fifth annual Sondheim score to be showcased here, and the third featuring Audra McDonald -- performing with optimum polish and fire, as if she'd been rehearsing for months -- alongside the better-than-ever Patti LuPone, as well as the distinctively off-center Michael Cerveris. Again these three were backed by musical director and Sondheim veteran Paul Gemignani, this time leading a 22-piece orchestra."


Go PATTI, AUDRA, and MICHAEL!
Cant't wait for Patti and Michael in SWEENEY!
Ravinia

[kgee30]

Posted: 8/29/05 at 11:24am

"There was this old lady sitting directly in front of me and she turned around and gave me the dirtiest look. I did it again when the each of the main performers took the stage because, hello?, why wouldn't you and every time, she turned around and glared. I gave her dirty looks back."

Nice. I did the same with the gentleman sitting to my right on Friday, who turned in his seat and stared at me every time I clapped or laughed (needless to say, I clapped and laughed A LOT). After the show, I turned and very politely told him that I hoped he enjoyed himself, and that he could now take the stick out of his ass. Nobody has the right to stomp on my enthusiasm.

Overall a very enjoyable evening. Michael played it very guileless, sweetly, but he ultimately didn't make much of an impression (of course the character has always struck me as a complete cipher, and the wig did him no favors...what on earth was the point of that? It made him look like a teenager on "That 70s Show."). Audra was phenomenal, a showstopper in every sense, a complete and utter joy, her line delivery, her voice, all of it perfection. And Patti kicked it like nobody's business; the lady is truly fearless. You want star power, look no further. She is steeped in it.

Overall, though, I felt a little let down, too, not because of the performances, but because it was the end of something so special. Regardless of whether or not they continue next year (oh my God, just do it), it was still...the end. But mostly I was sorry they'd chosen to go out with this show, which despite all its charms and the lovely music, and the welcome silliness, simply does not resonate. Deep down there's nothing to hold on to, because there's nothing deep down about it.

I really do wish they'd flipped it with "Sunday in the Park with George" and ended with that instead -- with the parting shots of the little rehearsal reel they played over those gorgeous final notes. That felt like a proper ending to me; I remember just floating away.

[kyle.]

Posted: 8/29/05 at 11:27am

i saw the 3 of them in sunday in the park with george last year.

you havent seen the song Move On until you have seen audra perform it with tears running down her face.

amazing.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 8/29/05 at 11:37am

Anyone know of any pics - promotional or other - of this Anyone Can Whistle concert?

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/29/05 at 12:02pm

I wish I had the cajones to do that, kgee. I shouldn't have let it bother me. I even noticed that at times she didn't even clap at the end of songs. I wanted to smack her, but she was old and therefore that probably would have been wrong. I don't know why you would even spend the money on pavilion seats if you're intent on not having fun. But I will scream at Paul Gemignani all I want! So there!

I do hope Ravinia continues with this next year. Even though I'm complaining about some things, I did truly enjoy myself and I'm sad that it's over now. I loved loved LOVED Patti in her pink outfit. She made me so happy just being the wonderful performer she is onstage. And I swear I gasped when Audra McDonald started to sing "There Won't Be Trumpets." It was so beautiful. And did anyone else love the subtitles schtick during "Come Play Wiz Me"? I thought it was very clever and well done. I also want to mention that I thought all the supporting players were wonderful. I was honestly very impressed by everyone in the show. I just sort of feel like the show wasn't good enough for them. I love Sondheim, but he came so far after Anyone Can Whistle with his next shows. But I guess not every show, especially his first, can be amazing. Yet I appreciate the show and the music for what it foreshadowed.

[kgee30]

Posted: 8/29/05 at 12:34pm

Yes, I thought the staging was done quite well - the subtitle cards were a great touch. I liked that the orchestra was sequestered to the left this year, rather than plopped right in the middle of the stage -- a little less intrusive than in the past, when they tended to take some of the focus away from the actors. The rest was sparse but effective.

Having the "regular" townspeople dressed in red & white and the cookies were in blue & white was also a clever way to help the audience differentiate -- nice bit of shorthand there.

Patti's costume was indeed divine, and totally suited the character. I'm so accustomed to Madeline Kahn on the live recording, and she seemed to underplay (brilliantly), while Patti went full-out bossy & brassy – subtle she was not, but extremely effective, and funny as hell. Updated On: 8/29/05 at 12:34 PM

[K8eeyore]

Posted: 8/29/05 at 1:18pm

Yes, those fireworks were annoying on Saturday. I was on the lawn, so I couldn't actually SEE anything, but aurally, the concert was exquisite. Patti and Michael were excellent, but Audra just blew everyone else out of the water!

BTW, did anyone else notice that Patti's son was playing the telegraph boy?

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/29/05 at 1:31pm

Really? That's so cute! That part made me laugh. It was also one of the few moments that John Mahoney was not underused. I'm so glad I'll be seeing him perform at Steppenwolf next year, as this show was definitely not, hmmmm, how do you say, a time for him to really show off and shine. On a bright note, he is ADORABLE in person. I wanted to rush the stage, snatch him off his little stool, and smooch him.

[kgee30]

Posted: 8/29/05 at 1:45pm

Review (& photo) here: http://www.talkinbroadway.com/regional/chicago/ch72.html

[diva007]

Posted: 8/29/05 at 2:18pm

I thourougly enjoyed myself on Friday. Audra was amazing, but then again would you expect any less. I actually got to meet Audra and Michael after the show. They were so nice. Michael talked with us for a good 20 minutes . . .and he is really HOT up close. I am choosing him as my ne fantasy boyfriend!!

[Justin24601]

Posted: 8/29/05 at 5:00pm

Patti can do no wrong, but yes, Audra stold the show. I hope Patti steals that pink costume and e-bays it... wig and all.

How did you feel about Sondheim trying to tell us the assylum wasn't an assylum.... rewriting history?
Updated On: 8/29/05 at 05:00 PM