#1
Posted: 9/26/04 at 1:33pm
Brooklyn (Preview: Sept 25, 2004 8 PM)
I am normally a lurker on the board, but I actually have a lot to say about this show. It is all my thoughts/opinions, of course, and wanted to get it off my chest, with other people who are as enthusiastic about theatre (and new shows) as I am. That being said here is my review.
Coming into the theatre I looked at a pretty cool idea of a set. It seemed to be functional for what was needed throughout the show. And the idea of the set design was great, very cool to look at, fun, and embodied the story that was going to be told. However, it felt almost unfinished, which seems to be the theme of Brooklyn.
I felt the story was rushed. Rushed to get out this season. The plot is basic, and easy to follow, it was a “cute” story/fairytale. However, I think it needs A LOT of work. It should be off-Broadway, working to get to Broadway, not opening on Broadway in a month. The story itself felt like a slice of Swiss cheese, a lot of holes that needed to be filled. There is more of a story that wants to be told, but wasn’t. It is almost huge voids in the character developments (NOT the actors fault, but the writing) and I left saying “huh, okay” and not “oh my god! What a beautiful story.” Or even “What a cool story!” Which is sad for me, because I fell into the whole hype of Brooklyn, I was so excited to see it, and felt that the writer, and the even the producers, rushed to get it out there and didn’t finish the story they had to tell.
I think part of the problem is that they couldn’t pick what story, or theme, they wanted to express. Is it about a girl and her father? Is it about giving to charity? Is about war? Is it about family (and I use that word freely here)? Is it about art? Maybe it is about all of these things, but not one was fully developed to what it could be.
I also think that part of the problem was in the directing. I don’t understand some of the choices that were made (again NOT by the actors). There was one moment that really sticks out to me… there is a scene where Taylor (played by Kevin Anderson) is shooting up, and there is this unnecessary lighting effect, that just made me go “What the hell was the director thinking?” (And yes, that is the director, because it is his artistic vision, and the lighting designer gives it to him) There were other moments when I thought the blocking was messy. And I had a hard time thinking of what he was thinking, as a director, at that moment to give them that sort of blocking.
I did love the music. I thought the lyrics, and music were beautiful. Pretty, fun, a lot of energy. Great, great music. The “theme” song of the show started to get a little annoying after a while, but it was great music. I can’t think of a better word. But I was not let down there at all. It almost felt like they had all these great songs, so they tried to build a story around it, and that is what happened to the show. Because the music is just wonderful! I am not singing them today, but still great music.
As far as the actors go. What a talented cast. Being honest now…. I think Ramona Keller, Karen Olivio, Cleavant Derricks and Kevin Anderson were all wonderful. Ramona and Karen were above all else. They are great singers, had GREAT energy on stage, had a full character. Now, Eden Espinosa was wonderful as well. However, I went in expecting SOOOO much from her (from all this hype) and was a little let down. I thought her character was fun to watch, she is very pretty, and has a beautiful voice… except for those annoying (yes, I said annoying, to me they were) high notes she hits throughout the entire show. I would understand once during a song… yes she can hit them, we understand, but when the person sitting next to us was covering their ears when she hit those notes, you know it was too many, for no real reason (just to showcase her amazing gift) except to make his (and my) skin crawl. I think that “Streetsinger” (which is her last big number with Cleavant Derricks) was amazing. It was in her lower register and worked so well. She sounded so beautiful. If only she had done that (or maybe it was the composer/Musical directors choice?) more, I would have enjoyed her entire performance. But in general, I think the cast was great. And I really hope Ramona is nominated for a Tony this year, because she was just so funny, dead on, with great energy, a beautiful voice, and so wonderful to watch!
I also noticed a few tech issues that I am sure they will address. Seeing as it is only their 4th (I think 4th?) performance. But my friend did not really notice them, so it is just me and my sick, twisted way of looking at the tech stuff as well (hey what can I say? Being an SM does that to you). And it was mostly timing, and scene shift issues they need to work on, I think. Which, adding to the scene shift stuff (the actors do them), I really think an ensemble is needed for the show. It would fill it up more. But that is a whole different story.
One last thing, I think that the show is too long to run without an intermission, but yet too short to have one. I think that they should add or take away from the story. Of course, if you have read this whole thing, the story needs work/reworking anyway, so adding might help, if it helps in the character and story developments.
Okay, it was a nice show. It wasn’t anything that I will force all my friends and family to see, but it was cute. It was entertaining, and if it wasn’t for the annoying 4 year old (or whatever he was) behind me being cranky because he was tired, and the fidgety old man in front of me, it would have a nice (not wonderful!) evening at the theatre. Just sadly (and I am very sad I feel this way) nothing to write home about.
I am normally a lurker on the board, but I actually have a lot to say about this show. It is all my thoughts/opinions, of course, and wanted to get it off my chest, with other people who are as enthusiastic about theatre (and new shows) as I am. That being said here is my review.
Coming into the theatre I looked at a pretty cool idea of a set. It seemed to be functional for what was needed throughout the show. And the idea of the set design was great, very cool to look at, fun, and embodied the story that was going to be told. However, it felt almost unfinished, which seems to be the theme of Brooklyn.
I felt the story was rushed. Rushed to get out this season. The plot is basic, and easy to follow, it was a “cute” story/fairytale. However, I think it needs A LOT of work. It should be off-Broadway, working to get to Broadway, not opening on Broadway in a month. The story itself felt like a slice of Swiss cheese, a lot of holes that needed to be filled. There is more of a story that wants to be told, but wasn’t. It is almost huge voids in the character developments (NOT the actors fault, but the writing) and I left saying “huh, okay” and not “oh my god! What a beautiful story.” Or even “What a cool story!” Which is sad for me, because I fell into the whole hype of Brooklyn, I was so excited to see it, and felt that the writer, and the even the producers, rushed to get it out there and didn’t finish the story they had to tell.
I think part of the problem is that they couldn’t pick what story, or theme, they wanted to express. Is it about a girl and her father? Is it about giving to charity? Is about war? Is it about family (and I use that word freely here)? Is it about art? Maybe it is about all of these things, but not one was fully developed to what it could be.
I also think that part of the problem was in the directing. I don’t understand some of the choices that were made (again NOT by the actors). There was one moment that really sticks out to me… there is a scene where Taylor (played by Kevin Anderson) is shooting up, and there is this unnecessary lighting effect, that just made me go “What the hell was the director thinking?” (And yes, that is the director, because it is his artistic vision, and the lighting designer gives it to him) There were other moments when I thought the blocking was messy. And I had a hard time thinking of what he was thinking, as a director, at that moment to give them that sort of blocking.
I did love the music. I thought the lyrics, and music were beautiful. Pretty, fun, a lot of energy. Great, great music. The “theme” song of the show started to get a little annoying after a while, but it was great music. I can’t think of a better word. But I was not let down there at all. It almost felt like they had all these great songs, so they tried to build a story around it, and that is what happened to the show. Because the music is just wonderful! I am not singing them today, but still great music.
As far as the actors go. What a talented cast. Being honest now…. I think Ramona Keller, Karen Olivio, Cleavant Derricks and Kevin Anderson were all wonderful. Ramona and Karen were above all else. They are great singers, had GREAT energy on stage, had a full character. Now, Eden Espinosa was wonderful as well. However, I went in expecting SOOOO much from her (from all this hype) and was a little let down. I thought her character was fun to watch, she is very pretty, and has a beautiful voice… except for those annoying (yes, I said annoying, to me they were) high notes she hits throughout the entire show. I would understand once during a song… yes she can hit them, we understand, but when the person sitting next to us was covering their ears when she hit those notes, you know it was too many, for no real reason (just to showcase her amazing gift) except to make his (and my) skin crawl. I think that “Streetsinger” (which is her last big number with Cleavant Derricks) was amazing. It was in her lower register and worked so well. She sounded so beautiful. If only she had done that (or maybe it was the composer/Musical directors choice?) more, I would have enjoyed her entire performance. But in general, I think the cast was great. And I really hope Ramona is nominated for a Tony this year, because she was just so funny, dead on, with great energy, a beautiful voice, and so wonderful to watch!
I also noticed a few tech issues that I am sure they will address. Seeing as it is only their 4th (I think 4th?) performance. But my friend did not really notice them, so it is just me and my sick, twisted way of looking at the tech stuff as well (hey what can I say? Being an SM does that to you). And it was mostly timing, and scene shift issues they need to work on, I think. Which, adding to the scene shift stuff (the actors do them), I really think an ensemble is needed for the show. It would fill it up more. But that is a whole different story.
One last thing, I think that the show is too long to run without an intermission, but yet too short to have one. I think that they should add or take away from the story. Of course, if you have read this whole thing, the story needs work/reworking anyway, so adding might help, if it helps in the character and story developments.
Okay, it was a nice show. It wasn’t anything that I will force all my friends and family to see, but it was cute. It was entertaining, and if it wasn’t for the annoying 4 year old (or whatever he was) behind me being cranky because he was tired, and the fidgety old man in front of me, it would have a nice (not wonderful!) evening at the theatre. Just sadly (and I am very sad I feel this way) nothing to write home about.
I would surely like to read them. I also like hearing your perspective as a SM, very important job and extremely interesting to me.
