Assassins

I saw it. Before I give my opinion, let me just describe what happened as I entered the theater. You know how the mass of people in the lobby narrows to rows of 3 or 4 abreast as they go past the ticket takers? Well, when that happened I ended up RIGHT next to Stephen Sondheim. Really. He was with Pamela Reed, the actress (and hung out at the bar till curtain).

I had seen this show in community theater but didn't remember much about it. I think it's just a little too "weird" and dark. I mean, even the peppy numbers aren't very peppy. A few of the assassins-from-different-eras chatting together scenes are amusing, but overall -- I don't know -- it's just not that entertaining. A good history lesson. And all the performers are good. I was surprised how much I liked Mario Cantone, because he gives me a headache when he's himself. Cerveris also probably one of the standouts. I feel Marc Kudisch (whose arms are completely tattooed for the role) is wasted. You don't need a matinee idol for that role. If you're familiar with and like the show/score, you'll like this production. But it's a tough sell otherwise.

I disagree. I think this production of Assassins in just right. It needs to be done this way. I think Denis O'Hare shines, James Barbour is wonderful, and Michael Cerveris is amazing. Not to mention the humor provided by Becky Ann Baker and Mary Catherine Garrison, who are great as well. This production also makes some very specific changes that I think are brilliant. I love having the Balladeer become Oswald, and there have been many small musical adjustments that highlight some of their moments very well, as opposed to the last recording produced. There is little I would change about this production of Assassins.

Mistress -- are you going to the night show? So am I! Where are you sitting? I'm ALL THE WAY IN THE BACK...last row of the mezz.

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Kudisch also had a newly shaved head which was very nice.


I saw it the other day. I wasn't all that impressed even though I love all of Sondheim's work. I felt like while it had great moments, it didn't all fit together. It was very slow moving, almost painfully slow moving at times. Or maybe I was just cranky because there was no intermission and I jumped a mile each time they shot off a gun, which was every 5 minutes. Oh well. Michael Cerveris, Denis O'Hare, Mario Cantone, and Becky Ann Baker were the only ones whose performances truly stood out. I was very dissapointed by Neil Patrick Harris, who was very weak vocally.

I think it's an interesting piece of musical theater, and I would go see it again for research purposes, but I have a feeling this run will not be extended and will be heavily criticized by the critics.

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I agree with MR. Jamie Hat. From the time the non-existent curtain rises to the time it "drops", ASSASSINS spirals out of control. in a wonderful way. every assassin is a jaw-dropping knockout. The songs are wonderful (maybe one of SOndheim's top 5 scores in my opinion) and the set is bare, but eerily classy.

as for Kudisch's tattoos, they are faint and undecypherable shapes that resemble a winding figure, possibly being a serpent of some sort...?

GREAT SHOW, CONCEPT, SCORE, EXECUTION.

dbj

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Jamie Hat and NuggetMonkeys -- Were you familiar with Assassins before seeing this production? I said in an earlier post that those who already know & like the show/score would enjoy it.
But I think "virgins" would agree more with liveforeverybreath and MauveRose. It does lend itself to mind-wandering at times.

Denis O'Hare does his TAKE ME OUT shtick in Assassins. Will he also do this in Sweet Charity? No good when you're the same in every role.
Neil Patrick Harris didn't seem to do anything to "become" Oswald; I didn't feel he was portraying a character.
The others were good.

yes i was a fan of the show prior to seeing it performed.
true, true.

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I had never seen the show before Friday night, but i was familiar with the stories of the assassins. I am also familiar with Sondheims work, and was greatly disappointed in the score. I think in a show like Assassins, it is not only the music that is supposed to grab your attention, but also the storyline. Even if the music was AMAZING, there is still the lack of plot that leaves the audience confused.
Oh, and can I say how cute little Eamon is! I wish I was given that oppertunity at such a young age. So cute.

all this talk is making me even more excited. Bare sets usually disappoint me because im an artist but I can see why theyd do that with this show. I like alot of the performers and ive enjoyed the parts of the music that ive heard. i cant wait till tomorrow!

well thats for scene one which is in a carnival.

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Re: Denis O'Hare...

Did you see TAKE ME OUT? He played a character who's almost afraid to express himself though when he does he's verbose and articulate. Body language and line delivery, very shy and halting. Like a nerd trying to break free of his nerdiness.

O'Hare does all that in ASSASSINS too.

I saw him years ago in his big off Broadway project, LONELY PLANET. Don't remember him doing it then, but it was a long time ago.

thank you jamie hat,
i completely agree with your write up of the show.

I knew absolutely nothing about the show before walking into it, and only because I am a roundabout subscriber. It took me a f ew minutes to get past the guns shots but I thought the show was amazing. Also, having seen Neil patrick harris before, I thought he did a great job of entrancing the audience and pulling the show together. After seeing the show I bought the original cast cd and found most of the actors to be rather weak compared wiht the new cast, esp the role of the balladeer. The original walked through the songs without singing much at all. Neil Patrick Harris definitely brought out the best in one of Sondheims weaker scores.

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