I went and saw this alone, since everyone else I was traveling with preferred to see The Buena Vista Social Club, which all loved. Since I don't like Latin music, I decided to pass and to see the new star that has been born.
I had a really enjoyable time, although I agree with a lot of the criticism that has been directed by members of this board. The book is really an issue. I assume that Faith Prince was desperate to work, because her role and the story arc was a complete waste of stage time.
Positives:
Jasmine Amy Rogers was wonderful. She deserves all the great recognition she has received, and I am really happy that she has the Drama Desk and Outer Critics awards to take with her, reservations about those awards acknowledged. She managed to stay in character throughout the show, despite the character being a caricature. She was funny, she danced well, and she sang terrifically. Her 11 o'clock number was just great entertainment.
The costumes were terrific, particularly the black and white / color ones. I also thought the sets / projections were much better than other posters have opined on. I thought that the projections were actually very effective.
The choreography, while not necessarily original, were well-suited to the show and very entertaining. Every time the book started to sag, you got a big, bright production number to brighten things up.
While the score was not perfect, I thought there were a lot more good songs than it was given credit for. Yet, I will admit that I did not leave the theatre humming any of the songs.
It sort of reminded me of a tier two musical from the 60s that would have run a season, but with a 'star-making' performance. Enjoyable, but not memorable.
Negatives:
No one else in the cast came close to engaging the audience. Her leading man was likeable, but had zero charisma. Faith Prince is probably embarrassed that she is even required to say her lines and sing what she has been given.
The book is lousy...but the score and choreography did enough to compensate that I really did enjoy the performance.
Without more work to the book in particular, this was never going to be a hit. I do wonder whether it might have had a better chance at a decent run if it had opened in the fall, where it might have gotten a little more attention.
In any event I am glad that I saw it, and I do think that Jasmine would have won the Tony as recently as last season. I did not see the original lead in Hell's Kitchen, but the role was just nothing special.
Updated On: 6/6/25 at 08:35 PM
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