Saw the show last night...WOW. This was one of the more thrilling and emotional nights that I have had in the theater in a long time. Laura Osnes gives one of her more emotional performances to date...and proves she is worthy of much deeper characters then she has been getting. There really are no words to describe Steven Pasquale's performance. I will just say as someone who does not genuinely become emotional at the theater, his "Soliliquy had me tearing up the end. I definitely got chills in the last 2 minutes of that number. In the past the choreography of Rob Ashford has left me kinda "eh", and in the "June is Busting out all over" number I didn't find it very thrilling. Well he more then makes up for it in the Ballet in the second act. Just like Mr. Pasquale's performance, there are no words. A huge shout out for Joffrey Ballet dancer Abigail Simon as Louise, who not only dances superbly, but acts the hell out of that scene. Once again, the chills came. So just like everyone else on this board, if you are in the Chicago area definitely get your ticket to this once in a lifetime experience.
I did Stagedoor at the end, and a note to the lyric opera...next time you do a show with this type of broadway cast, it might behove you to set up a barricade. There weren't a ton of people, but enough to create a crowd. I felt so bad for Steven Pasquale trying to maneuver his way out. Did get to meet Larua Osnes though, so sweet and she signed my drawing and even asked me for a copy to send to the Lyric for her, which I will definitely be doing.
Here's what Frank Rich tweeted from the show tonight. Would love to see the Nytimes review this.