I can express more thoughts on this now...as I am not on the run.
First of all, I saw "In the Heights" tonight and while I think it's gonna take choreography at the Tony's, I honestly think the "Crybaby" choreography will give it a run. It's just amazing. It's like Rob Ashford took the best parts from "Wedding Singer", improved upon them and that's almost EVERY song in the show.
I, too, would want to see it again after it's gone through a few weeks of previews.
The first 20 minutes is slow. It is supposed to be funny and introduce the characters, but honestly, they should cut about half of it and focus more on developing the love story between Allison and Crybaby. They literally fall in love in ONE SONG. It's not believable and it makes it harder to be invested in their romance. That is definitely one thing I would work on and I Hope they do.
The set design was pretty minimalistic, but it worked. Allison's balcony set is beautiful and is well used, but other that, nothing too impressive.
The score was repetitive, but funny and I left with a lot of the songs in my head. Like I said, a couple of songs could be cut, specifically, the songs in the first twenty minutes and Harriet Harris' song. I thought her character was good, but her song does NOTHING to further any plot and isn't a big enough song for her to draw in the audience. It kind of seems like an attempt to do what they did with Sharon Wilkins in "All Shook Up" except her big voice made the song work and Harris does not seem to do that, although I am not sure if it's her, as much as the song.
Elizabeth Stanley has a very pretty voice, but she looked and acted much more mature than everyone else. Perhaps thats due to the character, but it kind of threw me off. Particularly because James Snyder as Crybaby has this lovely boyish charm.
Chester Gregory is severely underused and they try to make up for it by allowing him to riff and scat his way through anything that he sings. It seems kind of out of place, but he does what he can with what he has.
The Trio was fabulous. Tory Ross was on for Carly Jibson and she was great. The entire Trio can sing and they were funny and they all gelled very well together.
Although James Snyder didn't really come off as the leader of a gang, he was adorable, he had a great voice (shaky at first, but then great) and a wonderful boyish charm that made you sympathize with him from the start.
I cannot rave enough about Alli Mauzey. She is hysterical, she is crazy and she is so funny. Every scene she is, she steals. Her voice is delightful. The same can be said about Christopher Hanke who is so cute and has great line readings, as well as a great voice.
The ensemble as a whole is phenomenal. I already gave props to Spencer Liff, who deserves them. 23 and assistant choreographer...plus, he dances his butt off. Every dance number, my eyes went straight to him. And him and Ashley Amber have amazing chemistry when dancing. The ensemble is very cohesive, the dances were tight and they all worked so well together. I really enjoyed teh Whiffles, they were so ridiculous but the enjoyment of Crybaby for me was that the whole show poked fun at itself.
Anyway, I know that people have hated it, but I recommend it for people who like fun or campy shows or who really appreciate dancing.
"Less Of A Marilyn, More Of A Jackie"
www.richardhblake.com
I really think there is so much to love about this show if people give it a chance. It is sarcastic & sexy. I hope they work out the issues it has.
