BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm
BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm
Understudy Joined: 9/2/04
BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm#0
Posted: 10/3/04 at 11:12am
Well, LotsWife had a chance to take in BROOKLYN and boy was it interesting. This longtime theatre goer had never seen anything like this on Broadway. Here's my review (possible spoilers ... hopefully not too many, though).
So we know the overall story, right? It's that Brooklyn was born in Paris and her mother committed suicide because Brooklyn's father left her while she was pregnant. Then Brooklyn sets out to America to find her father and discover "who she is" (which is a bit cliche in this sense). Brooklyn meets up with the incredible, yet a bit overaged, Ms. Paradice. This woman thinks Brooklyn has come to town to steel her spotlight and she challenges her to a "battle of the voices" (I guess you could say). To round this out, she find her father and he kind of denies her for one reason or another ... then somehow throughout Brooklyn finds herself and gains an appreciation for who she is and what she has yet to become.
THE PERFORMERS: This has to be one of the best vocal groups on Broadway. They are really standout performers in every sense of the word. Eden Espinosa is radiant as Brooklyn, but she was so underused here. So many times I felt her whole existance was a bit cliche in the sense of her search for "who she was" and "where does she come from" ... it was a bit out of sorts with the continuity of the other characters. But her's is the central story. Karen Olivo has a fantastic voice and she is quite versatile. As Brooklyn's mother she is very soft-spoken and gentle and kind. Then as the city weed, she's a bit more harsh and outspoken. She fits in well here. Kevin Anderson is extremely sexy and has great vocals. I thought he was the singer on the sampler, but he's not. He's much better than that. Only a few times I felt he was a tad out of place with the other performers. Cleavant Derricks is so great. He's such a vet of the Broadway stage and that comes across. His charisma is infectious and his presence is so welcome when he's on stage. The unique vocal work he displays in quite amazing and I think he fits the stage very nicely. And then there's the AMAZING AMAZING Ramona Keller. Where has this woman been all my life. I saw her in CAROLINE and thought she was a standout, but here she downright steals the show from everyone. Her vocal work is off the charts and she must be commended for her comedic timing. Her spirit and performance is quite infectious. I hope she takes the supporting actress Tony, because she has earned it in this great show.
THE STORY: Weak. It's just a bit thin for my taste. I think the writers have an amazing concept. It's a sweet concept and they want to expand on that. I just think they spread their story thinly over the 2 hours. It didn't expand as well as I had hoped. Certain characters, especially Brooklyn, are just not written well. Eden is trying hard to make layers out of layerless material. Paradice is often seems to be the central character in the show. She's given a varied array of emotions to display and plays on each of them very well. We have Brooklyn's search, the father's demons, Paradice's breakdown, the magic man/streetsinger, the city weeds, etc. etc. Nothing is really exceptionally written here.
THE MUSIC: The songs on the sampler (Once Upon on a Time, Raven, Heart Behind the Hands, Sreetsinger) are the best songs in the show. Also, Paradice's two songs (Superlover & Love Me Where I Live) are great numbers ... on your feet kind of numbers. Eden belts it in OUaT, but it seems like she is so wanting to do it again and doesn't get the chance until Streetsinger. I really wish they had given Karen Olivo more. She's got a beautiful voice. Anderson's songs were just not attractive ... too ballady. His songs brought more depression to his character. He was always breaking down.
STAGING, SET, COSTUMES: The sets and costumes were incredible. I was blown away by how the designers captured the essence of story in the set. It was so creative. HOW DID THEY COME UP WITH ALL OF THIS? Very nice work here guys. The staging was fine. The sampler songs had the best staging ... Once Upon a Time was very breathtaking ... probably the highlight of the show, in a sense. Raven was just simple and so well staged around Ramona, allowing her to do what she needed to get the song out. Streetsinger was pretty. It was a very lovely moment and kind of reminded me a bit of a "Mr. Bojangles" moment. VERY "Mr. Bojangles". So much of the play reminded me of Godspell for some reason. It just had that feel to it. I mean, not the story, of course, but the setting and the staging and everything. It had that eclectic rhythm to it.
So my concern for this show is weather or not it will hold its own on Broadway. It's a lovely show and I know it will only get stronger as it approaches the opening night. I remember reading a comment someone had written on here saying, "Does BROOKLYN belong on Broadway." It doesn't have the scale of Broadway show, but it sure has the heart of one.
Go see it ... support the theatre and this incredible cast.
Updated On: 10/3/04 at 11:12 AM
re: BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm#1
Posted: 10/3/04 at 11:33amGood review! I want to see the show, but its not at the top of my list lol
re: BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm#2
Posted: 10/3/04 at 11:59amThanks for the great review! I'm going october 7th!
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/03
re: BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm#3
Posted: 10/3/04 at 12:02pmgreat review!!! thanks so much! it's eden espinoSA. sorry. that just bugs me.
re: BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm#4
Posted: 10/3/04 at 12:49pmGreat review! I'm feeling very positive about the cast, they all seem to be getting awesome reviews on here about their talent. I'm seeing it next saturday, and I'm really getting excited - I think that this show is definitely worth checking out, though it may not be the next huge hit.
Joined: 12/31/69
re: BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm#5
Posted: 10/3/04 at 1:19pmGood review! I am really excited to see it! I will be seeing it when it is frozen in 10/29
re: BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm#6
Posted: 10/3/04 at 2:13pm
"I will be seeing it when it is frozen in 10/29"
???
re: BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm#7
Posted: 10/3/04 at 3:33pmI've gone a couple of times I like seeing a show change during previews. Its gonna be Wicked at the Tonys all over again, This year Eden and Romona battling it out at Radio City
re: BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm#8
Posted: 10/3/04 at 3:39pmGreat review....quick ?....ive looked but cant find the plymouth's box office number.....anyone know it? thanks
re: BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm#9
Posted: 10/3/04 at 5:16pm
The Plymouth's Theater Box Office:
(212) 239-6200
re: BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm#10
Posted: 10/3/04 at 6:01pm
so would you guys reccomend it?
I have been waiting to see it but a lot of people said it wasnt very good. Should i get tickets?
Is it worth the money for only 90 minutes?
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/7/03
re: BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm#11
Posted: 10/3/04 at 6:12pm
You pretty much summed it up.
I saw Friday evening's performance, and felt very similarly. The cast is AMAZING. I agree that Karen Olivo is a bit underused, Eden is great and Ramona Keller steals the show. I've been a fan of Cleavant Derricks since his Sliders days, and this is my second time seeing him on stage, and I enjoy him immensely. He really captures the soul of the story, I think. I wish there was a little more development of his Streetsinger character though, and his relation to Brooklyn. All that at the end happens kind of fast. Kevin Anderson didn't seem to gel with the others as much while they are City Weeds, but he still was very impressive as Taylor.
Basically, the story needs a little more depth, and a little more to bite into. There's a lot that has potential, but could be worked a little better, or a little more, or have more development that would make it work very well. The music, for the most part, is good too. The sampler songs are clearly the strongest, but I enjoyed the majority of the songs.
The show has a lot of potential, but still has a few kinks to work out. I'm excited to see it again pretty soon to see what is changed and what works better.
re: BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm#12
Posted: 10/3/04 at 6:40pm
Tiny, I think thats Telecharge's number, not the Plymouth....
Understudy Joined: 5/10/04
re: BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm#13
Posted: 10/3/04 at 7:01pmI saw the show Saturday night and loved every second. It was closer to two hours - but it moves so quickly. Great cast and energy and there's a very good feeling about it! Several of the songs stay with you and I'll go back for sure.
re: BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm#14
Posted: 10/3/04 at 11:00pm
WiCkEd4LyFfE, yes, you should buy tix.
Oh.. and it's not 90 min., it's about 110 min
Joined: 12/31/69
re: BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm#15
Posted: 10/3/04 at 11:25pmTiny: When a show is frozen that means that it will no longer be changed or altered (for the most part), it marks the difference between previews and shows after opening night, with previews there is a chance some of what you saw will be changed.
re: BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm#16
Posted: 10/3/04 at 11:32pmOh.. thanks Broadwaychild89, i didn't know that
re: BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm#17
Posted: 10/3/04 at 11:56pm
well personally I LOVED it!!
go go go see it! :)
Broadway Star Joined: 7/8/04
re: BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm#18
Posted: 10/4/04 at 9:43am
Thank you for your detailed review. I love reading other people's view of something I saw. I agree 100%!!!! I believe Ramona steals the show and that Bklyn needed another OuAT "type" number. The Streetsinger one at the end is not enough. To quote girlfriendfromCanada..
The cast is AMAZING. Karen Olivo is a bit underused, Eden is great and Ramona Keller steals the show.
and I LOVE Cleavant's ability to draw me in.. His performance touched me and made me cry. Kevin is foineeeeeeeee as hell and I wish he had another song.
All in all.. I might just have to buy tickets to see it again.
re: BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm#19
Posted: 10/4/04 at 4:30pmwickedfan2, try the rush if you didnt
Broadway Star Joined: 7/8/04
re: BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm#20
Posted: 10/4/04 at 4:38pmthanks tiny - how exactly does the rush work?
re: BROOKLYN (Another Review) 10/2 @ 8pm#21
Posted: 10/4/04 at 5:42pm
It's a great general rush.
You go 2 hours before the show to the box office, and ask for rush tickets. First 5 rows of orch., sometimes center, sometimes side, but great seats for $26
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