#1
Posted: 5/6/07 at 11:38pm
For the nit-picky morons who can't tell by the thread title, this post will contain spoilers. ...duh!
LEGALLY BLONDE
I give the show a B.
I was entertained and engaged throughout. I was interested in the story. I didn't care about the main character (Elle)'s objectives until Act II. The set and choreography were stand-outs. No stand-out performances, but the good thing is that no one was awful. I'd say if BLONDE gets any acting nods, they would be "filler."
Kudos to Jerry Mitchell on his directorial debut! Job well done. THAT being said, I didn't agree with many of his choices in the show. I didn't understand why there needed to be a 4 minute Riverdance number in the middle of Act II. It was a poor excuse of a need for a transition and using the dance to showcase his choreography, despite how well it was executed.
I disliked a lot of the camp in the show. I think they made Orfeh's character too important. I never cared about her need for a relationship. I also think Borle's desire for Elle could have been featured more, whether this is a book issue or an acting issue (I think it is the former) I am not sure.
Most of the songs were not memorable, partly because of the lyrics. "Omigod You Guys" and "Legally Blonde" were the only memorable numbers. "Omigod You Guys" is stuck in my head even as I type this.
I have not seen the film, but a lot of the plot was predictable, especially when the maid said she got a perm and took a shower afterward. Did they really need to go to the bathroom to explain it? A waste of time, IMHO. Get to the good stuff.
An enjoyable evening in the theatre. I think WEDDING SINGER, a show of similar flavor, was better. It's not a show I would want to see again, but I didn't mind seeing it once.
Tony predix: Set, Direction, Choreography
110 IN THE SHADE
In my opinion, Audra Macdonald is the only competition Christine Ebersole has for the Tony. Her performance was beyond brilliance. She got show-stopping applause twice. I wouldn't be surprised if she TIED Ebersole for the Tony.
The set design was simple but effective, functional, and looked great. It was a supporting character all on its own, thanks to the way Lonny Price staged it. The lighting was also pleasant and stunning.
The cast was great. I enjoyed everyone except John Collum. He was a bit...."slow." It's as if he gave line readings to an audience full of first graders. I also liked that the show was cast color-blind.
I hated the use of audience exits/entrances. Distracting.
What took me by surprise and was odd was who Audra ended up with in the end. I wanted she and the rainmaker to stay together. I never cared for her and the sheriff. I was confused when she chose the sheriff and was genuinely happy with it.
Audra Audra Audra. LOVED her. Her Act I Finale was breath-taking.
I give the show a B+. I'd see it again!
Tony predix: Leading Actress (Audra), Best Revival, Best Set Design.
LOVEMUSIK
I give the show a C. I'm surprised they want a commercial transfer.
Donna Murphy was the best thing about the show. Michael Cerveris was...very good...but not a blow out.
The music was meh. The show was slow-paced and dull at times. It wasn't engaging and I zoned a couple times.
I wouldn't see this again. I was disappointed with Hal Prince's direction. I expected more from a 20-time Tony winner. Act II was 100% more engaging than Act I. I felt like Act I could have been compressed to a few scenes of exposition.
I have now seen every new musical of the Tony season, except for GRINCH and THE TIMES.
LEGALLY BLONDE
I give the show a B.
I was entertained and engaged throughout. I was interested in the story. I didn't care about the main character (Elle)'s objectives until Act II. The set and choreography were stand-outs. No stand-out performances, but the good thing is that no one was awful. I'd say if BLONDE gets any acting nods, they would be "filler."
Kudos to Jerry Mitchell on his directorial debut! Job well done. THAT being said, I didn't agree with many of his choices in the show. I didn't understand why there needed to be a 4 minute Riverdance number in the middle of Act II. It was a poor excuse of a need for a transition and using the dance to showcase his choreography, despite how well it was executed.
I disliked a lot of the camp in the show. I think they made Orfeh's character too important. I never cared about her need for a relationship. I also think Borle's desire for Elle could have been featured more, whether this is a book issue or an acting issue (I think it is the former) I am not sure.
Most of the songs were not memorable, partly because of the lyrics. "Omigod You Guys" and "Legally Blonde" were the only memorable numbers. "Omigod You Guys" is stuck in my head even as I type this.
I have not seen the film, but a lot of the plot was predictable, especially when the maid said she got a perm and took a shower afterward. Did they really need to go to the bathroom to explain it? A waste of time, IMHO. Get to the good stuff.
An enjoyable evening in the theatre. I think WEDDING SINGER, a show of similar flavor, was better. It's not a show I would want to see again, but I didn't mind seeing it once.
Tony predix: Set, Direction, Choreography
110 IN THE SHADE
In my opinion, Audra Macdonald is the only competition Christine Ebersole has for the Tony. Her performance was beyond brilliance. She got show-stopping applause twice. I wouldn't be surprised if she TIED Ebersole for the Tony.
The set design was simple but effective, functional, and looked great. It was a supporting character all on its own, thanks to the way Lonny Price staged it. The lighting was also pleasant and stunning.
The cast was great. I enjoyed everyone except John Collum. He was a bit...."slow." It's as if he gave line readings to an audience full of first graders. I also liked that the show was cast color-blind.
I hated the use of audience exits/entrances. Distracting.
What took me by surprise and was odd was who Audra ended up with in the end. I wanted she and the rainmaker to stay together. I never cared for her and the sheriff. I was confused when she chose the sheriff and was genuinely happy with it.
Audra Audra Audra. LOVED her. Her Act I Finale was breath-taking.
I give the show a B+. I'd see it again!
Tony predix: Leading Actress (Audra), Best Revival, Best Set Design.
LOVEMUSIK
I give the show a C. I'm surprised they want a commercial transfer.
Donna Murphy was the best thing about the show. Michael Cerveris was...very good...but not a blow out.
The music was meh. The show was slow-paced and dull at times. It wasn't engaging and I zoned a couple times.
I wouldn't see this again. I was disappointed with Hal Prince's direction. I expected more from a 20-time Tony winner. Act II was 100% more engaging than Act I. I felt like Act I could have been compressed to a few scenes of exposition.
I have now seen every new musical of the Tony season, except for GRINCH and THE TIMES.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
