Ave Q, White Christmas on Dec 7

[jejr]

Posted: 12/8/08 at 4:07pm

First, AVE Q: I've seen the tour version 5 times I wanted to see the differences in the Broadway and tour productions. First, I don't know if it was my imagination but the set on Broadway seemed a bit smaller than the tour. This might be because the tour would play much bigger stages than the Golden. Some of the effects were better on tour, especially the beds that become rockets. Now the performances: Howie Michael Smith was a real disappointment. His voices sounded like young kids. Princeton sounded like a 12 year old. Rod really had no character at all and "My Girlfriend Who Lives in Canada" got only a small applause and he did the "look it's over" thing three times to get a good reaction. His manipulation of the puppets was too broad and lacked subtlty. The highlight of the show was Carey Anderson. I've seen three different Kate/Lucy performers and Miss Anderson is simply outstanding in every aspect. The two characters are completely different as though two actresses were doing them. She is the BEST I've seen.
Minglie Chen was on as Christmas Eve and she was perfect. I much preferred Christian Anderson as Terkkie/Nicky over the tour actor. Anderson was a bit more laid back and subtle which worked much better for me.
Other than Mr. Smith, my only disappointment was the "human" costumes for the main characters. They looked shopworn and need to be replaced.
WHITE CHRISTMAS: I don't know what show the critics saw, but this production is perfection. Based on the film, there are enough changes that it is not the same thing at all. There is much more great music, the dancing is fantastic. I could have watched "I Love A Piano" all night. The singing is wonderful. Sets and costumes are right on. The cast could not be better. You never miss the film originals - well maybe Rosemary Clooney".
Jeffry Denman is MAGNIFICENT. A fantastic dancer and great singer. The whole cast is great but Jeffry really stood out. Talk about real star quality.
The only disappoint is that theater. It is uncomfortable and the seats are much too close together. My knees kept hitting the seat in front of me.
All in all, they were two excellent shows 10 stars for White Christmas and 7 for AVE Q
Updated On: 7/9/09 at 04:07 PM

[CyCoSpAz2]

Posted: 12/8/08 at 4:19pm

I agree completely about Howie Michael Smith.

[lesmis]

Posted: 12/8/08 at 8:44pm

I saw Ave Q on 12/6 and I agree with you about Carey.

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 12/8/08 at 8:52pm

I agree with you on Howie and Carey.

I've also seen Johnny T and Barrett. My favorite was Barrett, followed by Johnny T, followed by Howie.

[steven22]

Posted: 12/8/08 at 8:58pm

Howie was great when i saw Q..but he has been in it way too long..but then again..Justin Johnstohn...rent...

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 12/8/08 at 9:00pm

I saw Howie when he was new in Q and I was never all that fond of him.

But then again, to each their own

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 12/8/08 at 9:02pm

I saw the tour on Dec.7th in FL, loved every second of it. Rob McClure was out, but his understudy Seth Rettberg was pretty fantastic. The highlight was Anika Larsen's Kate/Lucy, pure comic brilliance and her vocals were terrific, she was adorable too. Sala Iwamatsu was a freaking riot as Christmas Eve, and I actually preferred her "The More You Ruv Someone" to Ann Harada's on the cast recording (though I like that one too).
Either way, AVENUE Q is a fantastic show, really enjoyed it.

[dg22894]

Posted: 12/8/08 at 9:11pm

Rob should be doing the Broadway show