Saw it last night. Sheer joy. So much has been said of course. I just want to add:
Overture. Sounded better and fuller than expected. Audience applause as it started, then again, when the title number played. An excited house.
WOW! You were all correct about the color. The lights and design make this show pop in a surrealist energetic way. Brilliant.
Chorus: voices so strong and beautiful! Overall much better than the recording. Very surprised at the power and beauty .
Bette. Applause throughout. Not crazy in an interruptive way tho. She exudes such charm.. a conjurer! Very happy to feel she does not steal the show, but true to her character, puts her hand in and stands back.
The supporting players. Wow. Gavin and Tyler, so cute together. Beautifully rendered characters, having a great time. I never liked Ribbons, until now. Kate sang it with devilish zeal.
Each number just rolled into the next like a fast moving train... literally. I got teary 3 times during Act 1, just watching these super talented people enjoying themselves and giving so much.
Hat Shop: Great physical comedy. Wish Beany was a little less broad. Entire scene w the musical numbers amazing.
Gavin with Sunday clothes, blew me away, rolling into the chorus.. then the Hat Shop and the dancing number, all great.
Monologue and "Before the Parade Passes By":
This was the only weak moment for me. Frankly, a real let down. I didn't feel the character's pathos and struggle. Bette was kinda bland and just ok, not bad, but I wasn't moved. Then the Parade number. I was surprised how raspy and off key she sounded. Up until now all good. This was the only time I sensed anything off or grating. I thought she was just tired, forgetting that she just had time off.
Hello Dolly number. Big applause at the top. Bette beautiful!
Bette went up during the title number right before ...I went away from the lights of 14 street. She brilliantly, did 3 funny bits in a row. I remember because I usually just smile at times like this, but I was actually laughing out loud, as she built it into a crescendo, and had us all in her hand.
She totally forgot a line of lyric, and mumbled, and made a face. All laughed. Then when she got to.."and into my personal gaze", she accentuated haze and made a face gesture... which built on the energy and we all now we're with her and laughing together. Then in the next line break, she said, "There's (always) tomorrow night." And that third Adlib sent everyone over the top. Was a great moment.
Again, the great thing for me, was this was not the "Bette Show" it was an ensemble piece, and the entire cast was brilliant and shined throughout.
Oops, went on too long. And there is so much more I could say. Next up, I gotta see this with Donna Murphy.
I do have one question. It seemed like after all of this applause etc. throughout the night, there was only one curtain call after the bows and the curtain came down. It felt to me the audience was stoked and would have liked more. Had this been the general practice?
