CapnHook's Thoughts on LEGALLY BLONDE, 110 IN THE SHADE, and LOVEMUSIK

[CapnHook]

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.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 5/6/07 at 11:44pm

In Hal's defense...he is gettin' on up there.

However, I must disagree with your dislike for the camp factor of LB...the source material is campy, and most anything O'Keefe touches is campy, that's kind of the point. Sometimes you need a campy fun musical that doesn't take itself seriously, or has serious overtones.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/6/07 at 11:47pm

<< 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.

>>

***** SPOILER ***********************************************












I wanted her to tell them both to take a walk !! :))

She realized that she was a beautiful woman, and no longer needed either of them to make her believe it !

[CapnHook]

Posted: 5/6/07 at 11:59pm

I am unfamilar with the LEGALLY BLONDE source material, but that should not matter. The show needs to be its own. Which it was.

And I knew before hand it would be camp. There is nothing wrong with camp. I like camp. But a lot of the camp elements to the show were not neseccary in the least. They were distracting from the action of the show. I'm sorry I can't be more specific, because these moments were slight and thrown in there.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 5/7/07 at 12:00am

Elle taught me to believe in myself and not to judge a book by its cover!

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 5/7/07 at 12:27am

^Do you ever make a post that actually has information or something of substance to contribute?

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 5/7/07 at 12:29am

I definitely agree with you about the ending of 110--wasn't expecting that at all. From the moment she stepped on that stage she had me in the palm of her hands. Her Act 1 finale was incredible. I definitely want to see this again!

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 5/7/07 at 12:59am

The music was "meh?" Meh? Meh! MEH!

[gumbo2]

Posted: 5/7/07 at 1:00am

Thanks for the reviews! I'm excited to get to New York and see for myself. Despite what people say about Lovemusik, it's probably the show I'm most looking forward to seeing.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/7/07 at 1:01am

The music was "meh?" Meh? Meh! MEH!
LOL...
You're really gonna have to explain that one, CpnHook.
I've heard a lot about Kurt Weill's music...but meh?!

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 5/7/07 at 1:07am

And isn't a blow out a BAD thing?

Michael Cerveris was FAR from bad.

LOVEMUSIK is definitely a show you need to know the story before going in. Doesn't say much about the show - but it says a lot about the tremendous jobs the actors are doing.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 5/7/07 at 12:13pm

BSoBW2 -- I knew nothing of their story before going to see the show. Of course that's one of the turn-offs.

About the music - seperately, the music was stunning. The performances of the music, especially on Donna Murphy's part, were AMAZING and in Murphy's case, THRILLING for some songs. However, the way they were blended into the show mostly didn't work. When it did work, BOY did it work. But it just didn't click. The mood and pace suffered. That's where "meh" comes from.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 5/7/07 at 3:30pm

CapnHook- I "totally" agree with you in regards with "LOVEMUSIK".
I was not happy with that musical at all, the german accents & bertolt character were annoying, stage is soo dark & red. Hal Prince direction was very dispointing ! He had done the same sh*t with Parade & Cabaret (though these two worked) --- 1st musical -- I ever walked out !

Audra - she is great and I LOVE HER too but I think Christine Ebersole is a sure win for "Tonys" . (No one is stealing the Tonys for my girl--Christine)Someone post in this message board that Christine Role is "harder" than Audra ...that's why she is going to win !


Updated On: 5/7/07 at 03:30 PM

[CapnHook]

Posted: 5/7/07 at 11:15pm

In my opinion, the accents and "darkness" to the show were just fine. I think it had book/pace issues.