Cabaret revisited

[cabarethed]

Posted: 7/23/03 at 3:25pm

Well, on Sunday I went back to Cabaret, and it'll most likely be my last of the summer...very unfortunately The only thing that can pull me back will be an announcement of a certain cast member taking a vacation, or my friend successfully getting me to go so we can get drunk and make fun of the certain cast member (obviously not during the show!) Of course I'll be at Bryant Park and all.

The only positive thing I can say about Mr Jon Secada is that he's more comfortable in the role and it's obvious that the directors came and helped him clean up his performance (other teensy things that the hardcore fan would notice had also disappeared from the show). I'm sorry, but everything I've said before still holds. He's terrible. I have no clue what his take on the role is. Silly little boy maybe? Yeah, sorry, doesn't work.

Now...first Liz McConahay, the brand new Kost. WOW. I never saw Michele Pawk, but from what I've gathered, I think Liz is a great deal like her. I like her look, she resembled Magenta from RHPS a lot. She's SO strung out, but in a more sexual way than Candy Buckley. She's a lot harder with her interpretation, which works beautifully. I LOVED her performance during Tomorrow Belongs to Me reprise. The malicious look she gave Frl Schneider was PERFECT. She sang Married beautifully too. I really hope they keep her on for a long time.

Melina Kanakaredes....oh.My.GOD. She was WONDERFUL!! I'm so upset that I'm limiting my Cabaret experiences now b/c she was so glorious. I just want to see her again and again! Unfortunately, money and the want to save for other shows this fall is holding me back. Oy, maybe I'll end up back....she was just wonderful! She's just so....seductive and dry witted, and Sexy, and not very cutesy. Not so smiley/optimistic during certain parts...gin soaked, but not in a TOTAL junkie demeanor right away....the roots of this behavior are seen right away and is totally believed as it builds. It's so cool to see Cliff (the always magnificent Rick Holmes) really be seduced by the more "worldly" Sally into the madcap decadence. You understand why this "confused" man would take to her. Sigh. It was fantastic. They have nice chemistry too. Oh and her acting....oh beautiful. Singing, great. Dancing, great. Mein Herr was the best I've heard it in forever. FIERCE. Man, she's right up in the top Sallys. She was simply outstanding. I would LOVE for her to stay on for a long time. Oh if only she and Raul could have headlined together. That show would've brought tears to the eyes....Raul/Melina and Matt/Kate. And Heather as the permanent u/s, lol.

Can you tell I enjoyed her? Hee. I also had one of the greatest stage door experiences with her. She was so touched by my genuine compliments that she reached out and hugged me, telling me that I made her week. Such a nice lady and so beautiful.

I do definitely recommend the show now. With the exception of Tom Bosley and Jon Secada's performances, the cast is in great shape. (Bosley hasn't changed one thing about his mediocre, unemotional performance since the day he started, and I HATE how they have to lower the songs for him).

[Becky]

Posted: 7/23/03 at 3:45pm

"Bosley hasn't changed one thing about his mediocre, unemotional performance since the day he started"

I'm disappointed you didn't care for him. I've only seen about 3 other men play his role, so I don't have a *huge* frame of reference....but I really enjoyed his performance the few times I've caught him now. I felt like he had a tenderness that I hadn't seen before, although he is a little low key with his characterization. I was moved by his facial expressions - they spoke volumes, and I told him the last time I was there that he really made me care about his character. He told me that he had a lot invested in this role because he lost a great uncle in the holocaust, and he thanked me profusely for my words.

I completely agree about Jon Secada. It's like it wasn't even the same show watching him struggle up there. Kinda felt like an "Emcee Karaoke Night" at Studio 54

Thanks for your review, I always enjoy reading what you think of the show.

[PJ]

Posted: 7/23/03 at 4:10pm

Who are your favorite Sally's, cabarethed?

[Benzy92]

Posted: 7/23/03 at 5:29pm

Cabarethed...
You liked Molina Govich? I didnt like her acting that much but her singing was great.

[cabarethed]

Posted: 7/23/03 at 5:44pm

Wait Benzy, I'm confused...are you talking about when I saw Milena Govich understudy years ago? Because I'm talking about Melina Kanakaredes, the new Sally this summer. I did really like Milena though, more for her singing than her acting. She was great with Matthew Greer.

PJ, this is my ranking of Sallys (that I've seen live):

Heather Laws
Kate Shindle
Melina Kanakaredes
Gina Gershon
Lea Thompson
Deborah Gibson
Jane Leeves
Milena Govich
Brooke Shields
Molly Ringwald

[Deannaizme]

Posted: 7/23/03 at 6:27pm

Sounds like Melina is just great! I hoped she would be. I was less optimistic about Jon Secada.

I also thought Tom Bosley's performance was less than inspired. He's a wonderful actor, but he just didn't do well with the singing he had to do. The best Herr Schultz I saw was the one who was in the first national tour with Alma Cuervo (sp?). I *think* it was Hal Robinson, but I could be mistaken. (Does anyone know) The name escapes me at the moment. His performance was very sweet, very touching, and he did quite well with the music.

~D

[cabarethed]

Posted: 7/25/03 at 10:59am

Yeah, that was Hal Robinson. I saw him once when he had a month long run, he was good.
I almost feel guilty now for thinking what I did about Bosley!! I understand his acting choices, I guess I just don't really like them, but that's just me. I think this could be combined with other petty factors. I really hate the huge ovation he gets every time he walks in Only b/c Everyone starts whispering in the theatre and it's just the rudest, most disturbing buzz. I mean really...it's such a slap to the other actors who are just trying to do the scene. That's not his fault though. The other reason is that he was rude to me outside, when I didn't do anything to warrant it. A month later, I saw him pull the same behavior with another fan. He was fine on Sunday, and I understand that actors have lives and aren't obligated to do stage door...but he could just go out a different exit if he really wanted to. Oh well.

[Benzy92]

Posted: 7/26/03 at 10:49am

oops I'm stupid... I knew you were talking about Milina. I wanted to ask IF you like Milina Govich but I got your answer anyways now. LOL

[JO125]

Posted: 8/1/03 at 4:43pm

I guess I shall get a taste of Jon Secada's performance at Bryant Park on Thursday. Well, I will enjoy seeing Heather Laws perform. I enjoyed her last year in Bryant Park--never did get to see her in the show--Molly always seemed to be in.
Jon Secada at Broadway in Bryant Park

[luluhed]

Posted: 8/1/03 at 5:24pm

Cabarethed, you really didn't like Molly. I saw about 4 different women in the role and I thought she was the best. The worst I saw was Jennifer Jason Leigh.

[PJ]

Posted: 8/1/03 at 5:38pm

I think Molly is a good actress. I haven't seen her live but I'm sure she did the role justice in her own little way.

[luluhed]

Posted: 8/1/03 at 5:44pm

Lol, PJ-part of the reason I liked Molly as Sally is that I'm to understand that Sally theoretically is not a great performer, but a struggling one. Molly came off that way for me in the role. Perhaps it was a choice she made, or perhaps her singing and dancing falls into the 'Sally' category. No offense meant to Molly, I think she's a fine actress.

[PJ]

Posted: 8/1/03 at 5:50pm

I liked her rendition of "Mein Herr," but I have to say that her "Cabaret" was only so-so at best up until the big finish where she belted out the last few notes of the song. She seemed very bubbly and vivacious in the first act, and then in the second act she kicked her acting into 3rd gear. Some of her scenes during the end were very good.

[cabarethed]

Posted: 8/1/03 at 6:12pm

True, I didn't like Molly, but overall I thought she sang, danced, and acted the part okay. From January-March 02, I really loved her, and even through my dislike, I believe she rocks her last scene beautifully. However, as time went on, I just thought she was going through the motions. She was just too prissy and mechanical...the naivete was worse than Cliff's. Never do you think of her as a party girl, just a spoiled brat. I don't particularly care for that interpretation...I'd at least like her to be steeped a little more into the party life of the time period. On a catty note, she whined to the point that my nerves were grated and I was actually ready to jump up and punch her...and I am extremely anti-violence.

Jo125, I am going to be at Bryant Park this week! I almost cried when I found out Secada was going to be performing his worst number there.

[JO125]

Posted: 8/1/03 at 7:30pm

Okay, I guess I will add my two cents about Molly. I saw her several times, and thought she was okay, but not great. I enjoyed Milena Govich much more when I saw her understudy the role. I also enjoyed Gina Gershon. I liked Lea Thompson the first time I saw Cabaret, with Michael C. Hall who was stunning in the role of the emcee. Totally turned me on to the show. Matt Mcgrath was out the day I was supposed to see him. Loved Raul as the emcee, and was unfortunate at least twice to find him out after bringing people to see the show. Molly was always there, though, and I would find myself hoping to see Heather Laws.

Cabarethed, I will be at Bryant Park on Thursday, hopefully with a mutual friend.

[PJ]

Posted: 8/1/03 at 11:14pm

Heather Laws...there are no words in the English language to describe how much I enjoyed her performance. She understudied Molly when I saw the show and Heather just blew me away. I unfortunately hated her at first because, she of course was not Molly. And Molly was who I had paid to see. It was a major bummer for this tourist and his tourist mother.

[JO125]

Posted: 8/2/03 at 4:37pm

Did anyone else see On Stage (on NY1) this morning? They had an interview with Jon Secada and showed some clips of his performance as the emcee. I was not impressed, sorry to say.

Well, for anyone interested, the show is repeated Saturday night 7:30, Sunday 9:30 AM and 7:30 PM, Monday 9:30PM (I think) and then 12:30 AM (again not positive--I always watch Sat. and Sun.)

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/5/03 at 4:43pm

Now why doesn't some inventive Broadway producer come up with the right vehicle to star Jon Secada and Melanie Griffith? I can see the line at the box office going half way down the lobby already! Imagine the frenzy at the TKTS Booth?

[luluhed]

Posted: 8/5/03 at 5:02pm

LOL!

Posted: 8/5/03 at 6:33pm

I wouldn't think Jon Secada would be good, but to cast him as Emcee, blah, I mean that's a Tony Ward winning role! Not some toss up. He could've maybe starred in RENT as Bennie or something, but NOT Emcee! O lord.

[luluhed]

Posted: 8/5/03 at 7:15pm

I saw that piece with him last night on On Stage. They showed a short clip of his emcee. Take my word for it-that short clip was enough. Too much, actually.

[cabarethed]

Posted: 8/5/03 at 10:50pm

You're killing me, Dollypop.

[JO125]

Posted: 8/8/03 at 1:18am

Saw Cabaret performance in Bryant Park. Loved Heather Laws. What a wonderful performance

Jon Secada--I don't get it. He sang "I don't Care Much" as if it was just another pop song. I sensed no hint of the emcee character in his rendering, no attempt to actually "act" the role. Did anyone else there feel this? Can someone who has seen him in the show tell me, is this the way he performs the role on stage, or was it a "special" version for the Bryant Park crowd?

[cabarethed]

Posted: 8/8/03 at 3:29am

It was and wasn't "special." The frightening thing is, that's the best I Don't Care Much I've heard him do (granted, I've only seen him twice). He usually emphasizes words at the strangest time and paces it differently. He still did, but today was the most traditional, yet the most pop. What the hell was with his opening "mmmms???" I almost died laughing on the spot. And people thought he was all into it...he was just playing to the masses. Bleh.

Heather was as radiant as ever!

[JO125]

Posted: 8/8/03 at 2:48pm

Yes, Cabarethed, I also find that frightening, that it was the best you've heard him sing I Don't Care Much. I am shuddering as I write this. I suppose you were not among those fans requesting autographs after his performance. I was going to mention those "mmmmmms" also, but it was late and I couldn't remember if they were "mmmmmms" or "ooooooohs". Thank you for clarifying that. I actually thought that the song lapsed into a little more traditional style for a moment, but then he began to play with his pitch in a very "pop" style, and my friend (the other "Jo"-you know who I mean) and I, just looked at eachother and laughed.

Don't get me wrong, Jon Secada has a lovely voice, and obviously a wonderful pop career and fan base, but "pop star" does not "broadway actor" make. I get this impression of him performing Cabaret as if it were a pop concert--The emcee as frustrated pop star--maybe that is his take on the role? Again, I haven't seen him perform the role--just wondering.