#1
Posted: 7/23/09 at 2:29pm
Back again from another fun afternoon in Bryant Park. After a change last night, Next to Normal switched dates with Wicked. Big let down being that I've been most excited to see Next to Normal and now they are performing on a date that I can't make it.
On to the show....
Vanities - Didn't imagine I would like this, but I actually thought the performance was pretty good. Catchy songs, but evidently it is already closing August 9th after just opening up last week.
Rock of Ages - Why did Rock of Ages not get the memo that all the shows are performing with the actual performers this year? So far, they have been the only show to perform with a lot of understudies. Too bad because they could have sold a lot of tickets with Constantine and Mitchell Jarvis there. Regardless, it was definitely a fun set. They did "High Enough" "Wanted: Dead or Alive" and "Don't Stop Believin'." Best part of the set was the fact that an 80 year old sitting in front of me put up a metal sign with his hand during "Don't Stop Believin." I thought Constantine's understudy wasn't anywhere near as good as he is vocal wise, but oh well. The show has been packing the house since it opened in April, so they should be fine. If you like 80's rock and Broadway and don't mind a lighthearted night out, it's an excellent show and one of my current faves playing now.
Mary Poppins - Scarlett Strallen - she was SO GOOD! Honestly, she was probably better than Ashley Brown who I loved in the role. They did "Practically Perfect" "Let's Go Fly A Kite" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious".....great job today, and great cast. It still amazes me watching them dance and spell out all the letters so fast - talented! And truthfully, I hate to say it - but this show definitely has that Disney magic.
Wicked - Another excellent cast. The new Elphaba - Dee Roscioli, was great as was the girl playing Glinda. They did "As Long As You're Mine" "Popular" and "The Wizard and I"...gotta say, the girl who did "Popular" actually got me to laugh out loud because she had some amazingly funny motions. She really got into it. Impressive being that I've heard the song 100 times.
Overall, this was the Broadway in Bryant Park show I enjoyed the most so far out of the 3 weeks. All great performances today. Still some issues with the sound as I was 10 rows back and it seemed pretty low in volume there.
On to the show....
Vanities - Didn't imagine I would like this, but I actually thought the performance was pretty good. Catchy songs, but evidently it is already closing August 9th after just opening up last week.
Rock of Ages - Why did Rock of Ages not get the memo that all the shows are performing with the actual performers this year? So far, they have been the only show to perform with a lot of understudies. Too bad because they could have sold a lot of tickets with Constantine and Mitchell Jarvis there. Regardless, it was definitely a fun set. They did "High Enough" "Wanted: Dead or Alive" and "Don't Stop Believin'." Best part of the set was the fact that an 80 year old sitting in front of me put up a metal sign with his hand during "Don't Stop Believin." I thought Constantine's understudy wasn't anywhere near as good as he is vocal wise, but oh well. The show has been packing the house since it opened in April, so they should be fine. If you like 80's rock and Broadway and don't mind a lighthearted night out, it's an excellent show and one of my current faves playing now.
Mary Poppins - Scarlett Strallen - she was SO GOOD! Honestly, she was probably better than Ashley Brown who I loved in the role. They did "Practically Perfect" "Let's Go Fly A Kite" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious".....great job today, and great cast. It still amazes me watching them dance and spell out all the letters so fast - talented! And truthfully, I hate to say it - but this show definitely has that Disney magic.
Wicked - Another excellent cast. The new Elphaba - Dee Roscioli, was great as was the girl playing Glinda. They did "As Long As You're Mine" "Popular" and "The Wizard and I"...gotta say, the girl who did "Popular" actually got me to laugh out loud because she had some amazingly funny motions. She really got into it. Impressive being that I've heard the song 100 times.
Overall, this was the Broadway in Bryant Park show I enjoyed the most so far out of the 3 weeks. All great performances today. Still some issues with the sound as I was 10 rows back and it seemed pretty low in volume there.
