Brooklyn September 27, 2004

[Rachel]

Posted: 9/26/04 at 12:14pm

I saw the show last night and promised to give my review. The buzz in the air even before the show started was worth pointing out. The crown was very excited. The Plymouth does ot have a lobby so people were in the street before the house opened. First off it was clearly still "a work in progress" the show was not frozen and that is a good thing. It needs some work but that is expected.

1. Eden was just ok in my opinion. All of the hype about Eden set me up..... Eden was very strong but did not live up to the hype. Once upon a Time and Street Singer weer truly mind blowing...she did well here.
2. Ramona was great. Her character was well developed and she delivered the goods.
3. Kevin Anderson has the "star" quality but in my opinion he is the weakest link...clearly here ONLY because of credits. Pretty voice, pretty face but stuck out like a sore thumb.
4. When Faith comes out at he 15 minute call is horrible...It screams HIGH SCHOOL PRODUCTION
5. Clevant was GRAND! Music Man was fun but he kept the show moving. TOny Nom for sure.
6. Faith was graceful yet street savy a combination I have never seen work as well as it did here. Nice addition.
7. Lights were weak and sound was touch and go...needs to work.
8. Set and costumes were wonderful. Pulled you in. THis in itself is a good show.
9. The story is entertaining yet not rocket science but I am not sure that is bad. Brilliant poetry, words come together like a puzzle. Mark and Barry....WOW! Impressive.
10. The PR for the show is weak. Not sure who is doing it but it is very weak. They need to get out there more.
11. No intermission is fine. A bit uncomfortable but doable.

In sumamry. Show is brilliant. Needs some work but that is underdstandable after all they are still in previews. I see many shows.....this is promising! This show will be around for atleast a decade. People will either LOVE it or not but one thing for sure I have NEVER in all my years witnessed a show that moves the audience like Brooklyn.

[BillyB]

Posted: 9/26/04 at 12:22pm

The musical supervision by John M is also brilliant I must add..tony for sure

[Testing1232]

Posted: 9/26/04 at 12:23pm

Thanks for the review Rachel. Many of the things that you said echo what I said in my review from Friday night, but you really confused me at the end. You state Eden was OK. Kevin sticks out like a sore thumb (which I TOTALLY agree with). The Faith 15 minute call is horrible and High School (which I also agree with)Light and sound need work. Story is entertaining, but not rocket science (or 2nd grade science, in my opinion) ... Yet, in summary you state the show is "Brilliant"? Real confusing. Are you just talking about the storyline/writing? Score? Performances? Your overall review was very similar to mine, and doesnt sound "brilliant".

[Tiny-Toon]

Posted: 9/26/04 at 12:27pm

Thanks for the great review Rachel!

[little_sally]

Posted: 9/26/04 at 12:45pm

Great and honest review.

[wickedfan2]

Posted: 9/26/04 at 1:38pm

I still love it but would prefer if OUAT was done for the showdown like I said in another thread. Paradice to me steals the show when to me it should really be Bklyn since the show is named after her. Cleavant is outstanding and moved me to tears. I would think HE could get a tony nom before Eden does and she's a sweetheart with a voice from heaven so don't get me wrong. Kevin does fine for me and didn't stick out. He is foineeeeee has hell with a voice to match so he's ok.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 9/26/04 at 1:46pm

Agree about Cleavant, Wicked... He deserves a definite Tony Nom !! Eden was okay, but role is not that juicy. Not near as juicy as Elphaba is !!

[Al Dente]

Posted: 9/26/04 at 1:49pm

Here we go with the WAY too premature Tony predictions again. do you all have any idea how ridiculous you sound? It's not even October yet.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 9/26/04 at 1:51pm

Well, movies come out and there is always early Oscar speculation. Its all in good fun. I just bring up Eden's nomination because so many people were handing her a Tony months ago.

[wickedfan2]

Posted: 9/26/04 at 1:56pm

And if anyone is gonna get one to me it will be Cleavant. His acting was so dead one I thought I would cry several times during his performance. He made me feel for him and his voice was amazing, strong and clear.

[Gypsy2]

Posted: 9/26/04 at 3:24pm

Very good review, but her name is Barri, with an 'i', not a 'y'. Sorry. ^_^

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 9/26/04 at 4:27pm

Agreed about Cleavant. Amazing voice and actor.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/26/04 at 5:56pm

FYI -- there is no Tony category for musical supervision/conducting.

[pab]

Posted: 9/26/04 at 6:05pm

I'm more curious as to how she traveled in time (Brooklyn September 27, 2004) to tomorrow to review this show.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/26/04 at 6:06pm

I kinda wondered that too.

[itstheM]

Posted: 9/26/04 at 6:16pm

Nice review. Sounds like this show should be fantastic come opening night!

[Auggie27]

Posted: 9/26/04 at 6:56pm

To echo a couple of posts above: can you tell us more specifically what makes it brilliant? Are there startlingly theatrical moments that are unique, surprising and dramatic? I've heard the fairly pedestrian sample songs, and wonder how such a predictable pop musical vocabulary (echoes of everyting from ANASTASIA the cartoon, to RENT to old shows of the 70s like SHELTER and I'M GETTING MY ACT TOGETHER) can be very innovative--or, critically, shop-stopping (and the lyrics are simple and on the clice side.) So I assumed there was something indefinable "beneath" the words and music, some urgency or high emotional stakes in the characters, book scenes that lift the whole experience. If anyone can articulate what makes it stirring, I'd love to hear more. It's our only new broadway musical with a new score for months -- I think, oddly enough, it makes it a harder sell. As the opening show of the season, all eyes are on BROOKLYN. Sometimes, "all eyes" are hard(er) to please.

Updated On: 9/26/04 at 06:56 PM