Anyone seeing "CORAM BOY " this week? — Page 2

First off, we should say BIG SPOILERS......










The deal with the babies is that The Coram man never actually takes the children to any hospital. He kills them. THe end of act one is the discovery of all of the babies' corpses and the Coram Man is hung because of this crime. As for the ship in act 2, i cant recall the exact plot, but it all makes sense. Shame you didn't follow all that.

Updated On: 4/17/07 at 10:32 AM

SPOILER FILLED & a bit long too









I saw the show last night and I thought it was great theatre. The ensemble is amazing-- to a note they are all wonderful. I especially loved Young Alex and Young Thomas-- the women who played these roles made me believe they were young boys. also loved the villains-- they really made me hate them.

The choir is beautiful and the pacing and staging (the "drowning" scene is quite well done) are great.
It had a strong Dickensian feel and was very atmospheric.

I had no problems following the plot, though I thought at times it was a bit soap-opera-ish-- still, overall it worked for me. I was not familiar with the book, and realized at some point during the second act that the story arc was a bit "predictable", but by this time, after seeing a whole heap of treachery and grostesque treatment of human beings, I was glad to feel comforted by the fact that surely everything would turn out okay in the end, with both boys ending up in a loving family.

By the end of the show I was caught up in the emotion, and felt completely satisfied to have spent the previous 2.5 hours in a theatre. Can't ask for much more than that. I even dreamed about the play last night, which I don't think has ever happened to me.

As a plot note, here's the deal with the ship: The "Coram Man" has told the hospital that he's found "homes" for the 6 girls, but he is really selling them into slavery. They are being loaded onto the ship for that purpose. Toby (the man's own foundling/slave) and Toby's best friend Aaron (along with Meshach who also happened to be the man's son) end up on the ship because the man has plans to sell/kill them as well. They leap over the side of the ship to escape.

I've really resisted posting anything because I've found the early "reviews" of shows in their preview period -- especially after the first preview -- to be a tad premature and a little bit unfair.

With that, I offer that the show is a jewel. Last night's performance was incredibly tight and engaging. I'm honestly shocked that WAT had such a hard time following it, especially given the specific plot points he noted. They all have appropriate lead-in moments that provide some context for what's happening or what's about to happen.

The comments made by TheatreBoy and NewAge, both in terms of explaining plot points and providing some impression of the show, are spot on. The "melodrama" and "histrionics" in some of the scenes will be dialed down once the timing of certain scenes and transitions are worked out; Melly Still [and her assistant, I believe] were in the last row of the orchestra, taking a ton of notes (at least as I saw a fistful of paper at intermission). [Corrected at 2:00 p.m.]

There is "some" indication that time has passed between Act I and Act II, but I think they need to mark the change with something a little more explicit. There is no projection, a la LES MISERABLES or THE COAST OF UTOPIA, to indicate changes in time and place.

All in all, a wonderfully staged production and very compelling story (although, to NewAge's comment about plot trajectory it becomes fairly predictable at a certain point) and you're glad you know there must be a happy ending. Finding the "joy" in life -- that's a good message from the show.

Enjoy! And, after you've seen JOURNEY'S END, you should definitely see this one.

Updated On: 4/17/07 at 12:08 PM

Melly Still is a woman, Smartful Dodger, so it's unlikely you saw "his" notes. :)

WithoutATrace, were you asleep or something?! I don't mean to be rude but the plot, while complicated, is pretty clearly explained and characters and events are well delineated.

I was awake and alert the entire show...I just didn't get it...sorry.

...and thank you, Gypsy9, for your kind comments.

Also, I asked the guy sitting next to me for clarification regarding Act 1 and he changed the subject...he just kept saying how much he "loved it" and thought it was "brilliant."

Updated On: 4/17/07 at 12:56 PM

Thanks for clearing that up, domestic. If you could tell me what excerpts from MESSIAH were sung, that would be appreciated.

---

GYPSY-- unfortunately i am basically unschooled in the specifics of classical music, so i can't tell you which parts were used except to say: the pretty parts? :)

Just got back...the show was visually stunning. A beautiful piece of theater. Yes, there were predictable moments within the plot...but it's a small price to pay for what I just saw. I loved the show and will be going back.

---

Can anyone comment on the performances of Jan Maxwell and Samantha Soule?

---

ac,

Jan Maxwell was a good strong character, definitely worthy of notice...but I couldn't quite understand her motives in her actions. But perhaps I missed it?

THe Playbill lists Samanatha Soule as a choir member. If she was...then, the choir does a fabulous job, but mostly stands on the balcony on the 2nd floor and sings from there.

Yeah six members of the Spring Awakening cast were across the aisle from me...and one in the balcony who I physically ran into in the bathroom. Ouch! :)

---

I thought that Best Play this year should go to Journey's End

I am pretty sure that it is a revival.

I see plenty of critic's "love letters" in its future !!