BKLYN - St. Paul - 6-13-06

[LouieLovesTheater]

Posted: 6/14/06 at 12:36am

Hey all...

So I caught up with DeGarmo and BKLYN tonight...

Oy...

I will fully admit that I went in never really making a connection with the CD save for Once Upon a Time and the total craziness that is SuperLover. However, I really wanted to see the show because I heard that the scenery and costumes were at least more original than the songwriting.

Also...hearing that DeGarmo and Melba Moore were headlining it...I knew it was a must see. I had doubts about DeGarmo but remember this was announced way before she stepped into Hairspray and I think she proved a lot of people wrong with her performance in that show.

I really though that DeGarmo was a great Brooklyn. I wasn't expecting Uta Hagen up there but she really delivered in all aspects of the show. She was into it, was totally in character, looked good in her new short Eden haircut (with dark dye job and all!) and handled the costumes well. Plus, she sang with an amazing set of pipes. I enjoyed that when she came out after (she was first!) she had huge sunglasses on even though it was pitch black out. Very friendly, signed and posed for anyone who wanted a signature or picture (I wanted both...=) )

Also getting special mention was Cleavant Derricks. A strong voice in a totally mediocre and laughable character. Yikes...seeing this Tony winner playing a stick that is supposed to be a saxophone while wearing a rain-curtain lined trenchcoat was a bit sad.

Lee Morgan and Julie Reiber added some nice voices and performances to the mix...although they had some pretty terrible songs/scenes to play. I think Morgan earns his paycheck just by getting through that dope/war flashback scene without laughing (the same couldn't be said for the audience). That scene, however, has the BEST line of dialogue.

Taylor: I'm a monster!
Brooklyn: You're my daddy!

Jacqueline Susann is rolling in her grave right now having died never writing a line that good!

The set was interesting in a poor man's RENT sort of way. The costumes were original to say the least. Lighting was good. The sound mix wasn't the best at The Ordway this go around. The band, under John McDaniel's direction, was solid.

OK...I've delayed this next part long enough.

Let me preface this by saying that Melba Moore could not have been sweeter after the show (I saw someone brought a copy of Purlie for her to sign) and, for 63, looks amazing.

That being said...aside from a strong rendition of Raven her performance is really a Trainwreck. I think she was solid with about 40% of her dialogue and 65% of her staging. Some of the singing was nonexistent. SuperLover and Love Me Where I Live were just jumbles because she either rushed the music or was behind. Even though SuperLover is a 'What the hell?' song to begin with...not understanding the lyrics made it sound like it was in a foreign language.

In her short mini-skirt, puffy coat, and knee high boots she for sure deserves to celebrate Gorgeous Grandma day later this month. Again, that being said, she walks around onstage as if she either a) has recently had double hip replacement surgery, b) has recently broken a kneecap, c) twisted her ankle, d) slept funny on her back, or e) a comob of a-d. I think if they had put her on a Segway or a Motorized Scooter it would have been better. She really looked like she was in pain so I'm not (only) making fun of her. I wonder if she has hurt herself recently.

Her acting scenes again were so rushed that you understood only about 20% of what she said -- when she wasn't going back and starting a sentence over when she messed up the line. Example...

Melba/Paradice "This ain't no Mormon Tab....ernacle....This ain't no Mormon Tabernacle Choir"

Poor Julie Reiber seemed to always get stuck behind her when walking across stage so she was always late for her cue.

As I said before, her Raven was quite strong and she held a great note for a looooooooooong time and that seemed to get the audience on her side again...until Love Me Where I Live which lost us again.

So what does all this add up too? If Melba gets a bit more confidence she could be very strong. I hope for her sake that she really isn't injured and that her lines come to her because she would really make a great Paradice. The other four people are so polished that it really stands out that she doesn't know everything yet.

And I actually feel bad about trashing her because she was so kind after the show...

I'm not saying don't see the show...I think every show needs support and the actors in this one are working hard. I just wish the show wasn't so ridiculous. I'd see each one of these people in a better show...

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/14/06 at 12:48am

I hope she gets better by the ATL run.

[ABoyLikeThat]

Posted: 6/14/06 at 1:16am

Thank you for the detailed review. It seems that Brooklyn is just continually one of those shows that few people actually like. It definitely looks like this cast is going to carry the show. I'm really surprised by Melba Moore's performance though. What has happened to her? I hope she steps it up soon. It's so good to hear that Diana is great in this role. I'm also glad she decided to dye and cut her hair for it. Any pictures by any chance?

[emo_geek]

Posted: 6/14/06 at 1:23am

I love brooklyn. I am sure Melba will get settled soon...she prob just needs more time. I am glad everyone was nice after.

[Tiny-Toon]

Posted: 6/14/06 at 1:32am

Glad you liked the cast!
I'm sure Melba will get better with time- she definitely has what it takes.

[dutch46mill2]

Posted: 6/14/06 at 9:23pm

There are new pictures at Dianad.com. (Diana Live section)She was on Monday at the Mall of America promoting the show and there is a good shot of her signing autographs. She will be 19 on Friday. What an old lady! Future looks awesome for Diana Degarmo. Updated On: 6/14/06 at 09:23 PM

[nannerz60]

Posted: 6/14/06 at 10:29pm

Gosh, I hope Melba is doing better by the end of this leg... Glad to hear Diana did well. Her haircut is really cute and very Eden-esque, judging from pictures. Very cool that the cast came out and signed and posed for you. Hopefully, there's a review from tonight...

[Zachary Goldfarb]

Posted: 6/14/06 at 11:20pm

am i an idiot for not seeing the "diana live" section on the site?

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 6/14/06 at 11:22pm

Am I the only one wondering why Diana bothered to die and cut her hair for the role? Other than trying to look like Eden...

[wicked4life51]

Posted: 6/14/06 at 11:36pm

THERE IS NO DIANA LIVE SECTION ?????

LOL I REALLY WANA SEE THESE PICTURES

[ABoyLikeThat]

Posted: 6/15/06 at 12:03am

My guess is that she didn't want to wear a wig.

Go to www.dianad.com/forum for the Diana Live section. I think you have to register.


Here's one. Updated On: 6/15/06 at 12:03 AM

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 6/15/06 at 12:05am

I'm more wondering why she'd even need a wig. Is there a set look for Brooklyn? I thought she looked fine in the rehersal photos.

kinda off topic but...

That's cool that they printed out new posters for the tour (with a cast listing)!

[wicked4life51]

Posted: 6/15/06 at 12:32am

she looks older i like it