#1
Posted: 8/11/11 at 10:41pm
#2
Posted: 8/11/11 at 10:46pm
I can't really tell from BWW's review roundup (you need to find someone who can pull quotes from reviews better, guys!), but I'm sensing reaction is mixed to this.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#3
Posted: 8/11/11 at 10:54pm
I think "ouch" is too strong a word. He's written harsher reviews before. I'd call that a mixed-to-negative, yes, but he didn't go after it too strongly. This review is spot on, I think, both in his opinions and the tone in which he chose to critique.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#4
Posted: 8/11/11 at 10:59pm
He always finds a favorite performer in every review he writes (Annaleigh). I feel like that brings a slightly more positive tone to some parts, and he did mention positive audience reactions, making him seem like the "party pooper" at the show.
#5
Posted: 8/11/11 at 10:59pm
I'm surprised by his praise for Annaleigh Ashford, who is the epitome of miscast as Maureen.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
#7
Posted: 8/11/11 at 11:49pm
Search through Brantley's past reviews. His "favorite" is almost always the pretty young blonde, to a frightening degree of recurrence.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#8
Posted: 8/11/11 at 11:50pm
Ah, yes. I forgot he has Chenoweth Syndrome.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
#9
Posted: 8/11/11 at 11:57pm
I think he knows that whatever he writes, the show will still sell, so he's pretty easy on it.
#10
Posted: 8/12/11 at 12:34am
I think Annaleigh rocks as Maureen. I love the new take on the character. She is sexy with a sense of twisted humor.
Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder
#11
Posted: 8/12/11 at 1:03am
I'm glad Annaleigh got praised. I've never seen her in the role, but I like the actress.
I like your imperturbable perspicacity.
#12
Posted: 8/12/11 at 1:04am
Eh. I think the show just reeks of commercialism now.
#15
Posted: 8/12/11 at 1:28am
I agree and LOVED Annaleigh as Maureen. Thought she was fantastic and played the part like it is supposed to be played!
#16
Posted: 8/12/11 at 1:32am
Yes now. The original production was brilliant, and even with it's subsequent casts, I think it still had some raw energy about it. This one just seems like a group of privileged teens playing dress up.
#17
Posted: 8/12/11 at 2:09am
i LOVE annaleigh ashford and am glad she got the write up.
for me, the show does reek commercialism, but only from the way it's been marketed and produced over the years. I'm just a smidgen to old to be a born and bred RENT-head.
I'm not surprised by Brantley's critique, and still, it's not super lethal.
However, it can't be denied that the original was a defining moment for contemporary musical theatre. A real game-changer, and it deserves its place in the lexicon.
I feel Brantley would have given this production better reviews 10+ years from now. It's too soon.
Whenever I think of RENT and RENT-heads these days, I say a prayer of thanks to the heavens for allowing "Next to Normal" close before it became the next example of turning a special piece into something of calculated emotional commercialism.
for me, the show does reek commercialism, but only from the way it's been marketed and produced over the years. I'm just a smidgen to old to be a born and bred RENT-head.
I'm not surprised by Brantley's critique, and still, it's not super lethal.
However, it can't be denied that the original was a defining moment for contemporary musical theatre. A real game-changer, and it deserves its place in the lexicon.
I feel Brantley would have given this production better reviews 10+ years from now. It's too soon.
Whenever I think of RENT and RENT-heads these days, I say a prayer of thanks to the heavens for allowing "Next to Normal" close before it became the next example of turning a special piece into something of calculated emotional commercialism.
#18
Posted: 8/12/11 at 8:43am
I thought the review was pretty fair. I also loved Annaleigh- mostly because she brought something completely different to the role. The rest of the show was, as Brantley said, not too far from the original. I can understand why people think it's "too soon," but I'm just happy to be able to see Rent again in an intimate setting. Of course this production isn't ground-breaking, but it's entertaining as hell :)
#19
Posted: 8/12/11 at 9:36am
"audience members...roared and hooted throughout"
That not only keeps me from wanting to see it, but makes me want to avoid the block the theater is in.
That not only keeps me from wanting to see it, but makes me want to avoid the block the theater is in.
#20
Posted: 8/12/11 at 10:01am
I think Rent is suffering the same fate as A Chorus Line. It was such a product of its time in the theatre world and a result of the people who "inhabited" it originally, that future productions feel like "younger siblings playing dress-up."
Perhaps Brantley is drawn to Ashford's performance because it is the least like her original counterpart's and more like a fresh new interpretation. Consequently, it warrants the least amount of comparison from this critic. I agree with his qualification that perhaps it should be seen and reviewed by someone who didn't see the original production(s). He's admitting his own bias. But it's a genuine criticism for anyone who did see the original production and original cast. He feels it just doesn't measure up.
Perhaps Brantley is drawn to Ashford's performance because it is the least like her original counterpart's and more like a fresh new interpretation. Consequently, it warrants the least amount of comparison from this critic. I agree with his qualification that perhaps it should be seen and reviewed by someone who didn't see the original production(s). He's admitting his own bias. But it's a genuine criticism for anyone who did see the original production and original cast. He feels it just doesn't measure up.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#21
Posted: 8/12/11 at 10:57am
I completely agree that Ashford's performance stands out the most because she makes the boldest choices that go in the furthest direction from her original predecessor.
Unfortunately, since they're the same choices and characterization she uses in every single role she plays, it had no effect for me. If you've seen her once, you've seen her a thousand times.
Unfortunately, since they're the same choices and characterization she uses in every single role she plays, it had no effect for me. If you've seen her once, you've seen her a thousand times.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Updated On: 8/12/11 at 10:57 AM
#22
Posted: 8/12/11 at 11:38pm
Yes, the East Village and more specifically Alphabet City has lost it's grit. I am back living in NYC after being in Miami for 11 years and I was blown away at the changes. You can actually walk down Ave C between 2nd and E Houston without fear of getting jumped.
But to be honest...I kinda liked some of the changes...
But to be honest...I kinda liked some of the changes...
#23
Posted: 8/13/11 at 1:37am
As someone who has seen several of the later casts of Rent at the original production (up to the final tour), I feel like the show still had the raw energy even if the actors didn't live in that world or have that experience (let's face it, AIDS and NY were very different even 2 or 3 years ago compared to the 90's).
I thought Brantley's view was pretty fair, but I think the actors got the short end of the stick on this one. I saw some great performances from several actors in addition to Annaleigh.. if it felt like they didn't feel at home on the set and costumes, then maybe that's where the problem lies...
I know it sounds simple and like I'm a purist, but if the cast isn't given the appropriate tools to work with then it can affect the overall production.
I thought Brantley's view was pretty fair, but I think the actors got the short end of the stick on this one. I saw some great performances from several actors in addition to Annaleigh.. if it felt like they didn't feel at home on the set and costumes, then maybe that's where the problem lies...
I know it sounds simple and like I'm a purist, but if the cast isn't given the appropriate tools to work with then it can affect the overall production.
So, that was the Drowsy Chaperone. Oh, I love it so much. I know it's not a perfect show...but it does what a musical is supposed to do. It takes you to another world, and it gives you a little tune to carry with you in your head for when you're feeling blue. Ya know?
#24
Posted: 8/13/11 at 1:44am
Maybe it wasn't the best idea to have Greif direct it again.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#25
Posted: 8/13/11 at 1:45am
Interesting and valid point!
So, that was the Drowsy Chaperone. Oh, I love it so much. I know it's not a perfect show...but it does what a musical is supposed to do. It takes you to another world, and it gives you a little tune to carry with you in your head for when you're feeling blue. Ya know?
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