Anyone at the Purlie rehearsal tonight?

Posted: 3/30/05 at 10:53pm

It's a lot of fun. The performances/production are terrific as usual, and the book isn't the quite the ball and chain that it can often be at Encores. Blair Underwood is really charming, but his energy seemed somewhat low compared with the rest of the cast. It's unclear to me if he was holding back on purpose, or if it is the difference in transitioning from the small screen to the 2700+ seat City Center.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/30/05 at 10:54pm

I went. I'm working on my post about it, which probably won't be up until tomorrow. I'm way out of it today.

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 12:10am

How do you get to go to rehearsals? I haven't seen tickets for it.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 12:14am

They're invited dress rehearsals. I got tickets through my theatre class; there are lots of student groups who go. I'm not sure how else you can get in, though.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 1:27am

Yay! I'm going tomorrow night!
That opening number better be damn good. It's one of my favorite opening numbers of all time!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 1:29am

Opening number is so damned good.

I'll do my full post tomorrow.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 1:30am

Thank God! Thank you, Emcee!!!!

Posted: 3/31/05 at 9:25am

I get my tickets as a member of City Center. I'm not certain if there are other ways than membership or invite.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 9:38am

You can't buy tickets, if that's what you mean. I saw some Broadway actors, and stuff, too. Obviously they get invited, but like I said before, there's a pretty high volume of student attendance. I'm from Columbia, and I know last time there were a lot of NYU students. Last night, there were a lot of young kids, too. I think it's great, since usually City Center tickets get kind of pricey.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 11:43pm

We just got back and loved it !!! Brair Underwood was okay.. very charming, agreed, but vocals are lacking. Luckily for him, his songs are not that vocally challenging. Loved Doug E. Doug.. his comic timing was excellent. Lillias White, who was good, but seemed a bit subdued, brought the house down during "He Can Do it". Entire ensemble very good. All that aside, Anika Noni Rose is the reason to see this production. She has the voice of an angel, and it is so effortless. Her talent really has no boundaries !! Cant wait to see what she does next !

Only problem that we had were the seats. Pretty bad sightlines rear mezz at city center.... but still a great time !

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 11:48pm

I have handwritten notes that will become a BroadwayWorld review that will eventually become my review for class. Maybe I'll type it up in a few minutes... I'm so behind.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 11:53pm

I just got back from this show, also. It was such a fantastic night. Lilias White and Anika Noni Rose blew the roof off the house with their duet. I really want to go back and see this again.

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 4/2/05 at 12:19am

I didn't know Lilias White was in it!! I'm definately going now!!

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/2/05 at 12:20am

Agree, Matt !! Going to see "On Golden Pond" tomorrow mat, and thinking about hanging around to see "Purlie" at night.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/2/05 at 1:01am

Okay, here we go (Dress rehearsal, March 30):

First off, there was a really nice, short speech given about Ossie Davis. I had the pleasure of working with him about two years ago, and it was a wonderful experience. I was glad to see that he got the acknowledgement he deserved.

The biggest problem with Encores! is the holes that are in the book, and that therefore end up in the story. If you're not familiar with the musical (which I haven't been at all when I've gone to Encores! stuff), I feel like you're more likely to have trouble getting the entire story. For most of the first act of Purlie, I had very little idea what was going on,and there felt like there was a lot missing. For example, Lutiebelle has her entrance, and then minutes later she's professing her love for Purlie. If there was any background to that, I missed it. It was a bit better in Act II, but I continued to find it less-than compelling, but I have a feeling that's because there was a lot I missed.

Some of the comedy is very obvious, while a lot of it is very ironic, too, creating an interesting mood. The issues of racism and segregation with which the plot deals is very serious, yet it's handled lightly, and we're called to laugh at many instances of its treatment. I was kind of surprised by that, again, since I lacked familiarity with the show, but I guess that in itself is what's funny. I'm not really sure why some jokes were laughed at; even though they were clearly jokes, they were about serious issues that don't seem like jokes about them would or should make people laugh.

I loved the score, though, and that's really why you go to these productions. It's lively and a lot of fun. I loved the energetic dance break in the opening scene, and there was that stunning, chilling moment at the end of "He Can Do It" when Anika Noni Rose and Lillias White sang together. The audience went wild for them, and rightfully so.

Anika's range is astounding. She has a full, powerful voice, and sings like an angel. I can never believe that that voice comes from her. The highlight fo her performance was definitely "I Got Love."

Lillias White gave Missy the perfect attitude, I thought, and has such a strong voice. I wish she had more of an opportunity to sing, though.

Doug E. Doug can't sing, but he makes up for it with his comedy, whether it be silly physical awkwardness, delivery of his lines, or over-exaggeration of the most normal facial expressions.

Blair Underwood's voice is like velvet and he exudes a ton of charisma and presence, but it was very difficult to understand what he was saying. He sounded like he was mumbling, but it also sounded like he mic may have been having some issues. It sounded sometimes like he wasn't mic'd as well as the others, which is possible since it was the dress rehearsal and they were still working out technical issues.

John Cullum is obviously an excellent comic, and it was a pleasure to see him again after Urinetown. He did his "don't be the bunny" ears when he bowed at curtain call.

The Encores! orchestras always amaze me, and in a setting like this, the musicians finally get the recognition, acknowledgement and appreciation they deserve. They did a beautiful job with the overture and entr'acte.

Overall, liked it a lot. Is there more than one recording of Purlie? I think I'm going to buy one, so if yes, I'm now taking recommendations.

[pab]

Posted: 4/2/05 at 9:00am

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