Benjamin Eakeley Love Thread! — Page 2

You're looking at two separate issues. The first, and more valid in my opinion, is that his performance brings nothing new to the table. You're being critical of his acting, and therein of his portrayl of Anthony. That's valid, if you thought he looked bored, or too casual. That could be said of any actor who turns in a less-than-commendable performance, instruments aside. The second is about the instrumentation. Do you just say he "looked bored" because during the scenes with Johanna he didn't play cello, and there was less action than you're used to seeing, or did he truly look bored? Were you just disappointed in what you saw because you had seen it previously in another, more effective way? I didn't see him, so I don't know for sure, but hopefully you can understand what I'm saying -- he could have been bored and just casually glancing around the theater, or you could just think that in being overly critical. And, if that were the case, a better performance, even without the cello, might warrant less criticism. However, I do get the impression that you think he looked bored because since he didn't play the cello like you were used to, he had less to do.

For the record, Doyle did *not* do the instrumentation in his head beforehand. The instrumentation and orchestration were figured out based on what he had, and he *happened* to end up with this pair of cello players for Anthony and Johanna. It worked so well in London that it was purposefully kept in the States. Yes, it's symbolic, but he didn't predetermine it to be that way. So, to say that *not* having the cello ruins Doyle's original vision, or his entire vision or whatever, is simply incorrect. His vision did not at all consist of specifics, but rather a way to work with what he had. You have to remember that this production began as a very sparse financial "make do" situation. Because of the degree of specificity to which it's tailored to *this* cast, you've got to be willing to have some flexibility. That's just the way it is.

I love it when people criticize actors, or dislike their performances, but still post stage door photos with them and make display of the fact that they met someone. But that's a separate issue.

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Updated On: 7/4/06 at 02:20 PM

I'm not critical of him at all as an actor. I just think he was mis-cast in the role. What is he supposed to do when everyone else is playing? Play an invisible instrument? Watch everyone? Stare straight forward?

He could easily fit as a Swing in Rent and u/s Mark and Roger. I could see him playing Fiyero and being a kickass Rod/Princeton.

Updated On: 7/4/06 at 02:27 PM

I just think he was mis-cast in the role.

But someone can't be miscast in a role if there is no mold they're trying to place him in. This is the way they cast understudies for every. single. role. in Sweeney. It's not like Ben E. is the only person who doesn't play the instruments of the role he understudies. And for the record, Ben is a concert pianist. It's not like he is without any form of musical talent.

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Updated On: 7/6/06 at 04:20 PM

Being mis-cast is different than lacking dedication.

Perhaps it was a bad choice to cast someone who couldn't play cello in a role such as this. (That's a matter of personal opinion.)

But I doubt he isn't dedicated.

I saw Ben as the Beadle last night. I didn't love him, didn't hate him. He was fine. I didn't notice any drastic differences from Alex, other than that he was a little bit more obviously ominous. I think he puts a little more emphasis on being creepy. He played clarinet where Alex would have played trumpet, for all of you who complain about understudy instrumentation. It works musically since the two are in the same key; it did look a little asymetrical at some points, like when the Beadle and the Judge are at the table and both typically play trumpet, but I don't think that at all would have bothered someone who had never seen the show before, so I can't say it was a big deal.

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I just saw Ben yesterday at the matinee as the Beadle and he was amazing. I've never seen Alex but I thought Ben did a fantastic job.

Yeah.

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I had a dream last night that he was on Mano and this just made me remember it. Thanks!

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I can't wait to see 3 clarinets in the show!

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I saw Ben Tuesday night as the Beadle. True enough he doesn't play up the creepy angle that Alex does, so he didn't get the laughs, I thought he was fine playing the role, did great on the piano, and he had a beautiful voice. Handsome fellow too.

Oh, and 30/90, did you really want to post your pic with the guy if you went on to question the reason for his being in the show?

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That was comprehensible. I'm glad you enjoyed his performance, and got to talk to him at the stage door, he is definitely one of the sweetest people you could meet.

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I saw Benjamin Eakeley as Anthony this past Thursday (7/20) and he was quite good, but nothing special. His "Johanna" didn't soar the way Benjamin Magnuson's did (which I saw on 7/1 and I prefer Magnuson's mannerisms in "Kiss Me" more.

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Updated On: 7/25/06 at 02:14 AM

there were maybe 2 songs where the effect of the dueling cellos is cool

The thing about the instrumentation, though, is that it's not only about the effects during the songs, but about the connections created that stay throughout. There are tons of little things that go on, and the larger metaphors that are created aren't really meant to just be noticed in a song and then forgotten. There are so many little details in the physical manifestations of the orchestral arrangements, which is, IMO, the beauty of the whole thing. I'm not saying it creates a huge hole, but overall the way things work themselves together is a much bigger deal than just what goes on when they're in the foreground.

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