"Caroline, or Change" at the Tonys

I can't say I really appreciated Ms. Pinlin's rendition of her number - but, owing to her schedule (especially over this particular weekend) it's hardly surprising. And I certainly wouldn't take it as an indication of what is normally presented. My real question - for those who have seen and admired the show - is, "Is that really the best representation of the show as a whole?" I was blown away by the energy and personality of Anika, and would like to have seen her perform in some way. But really, my point is, for those of us unlucky enough not to have the opportunity to see the piece, I really didn't feel their choice gave me any idea as to why I should.

Namo knows I didn't love the show as much as apprecialted it but I will agree and say that was far from the best representation of the show. You wouldn't get a thing about it from that performance.

Is it usually a powerful, pivital moment in the show (seems that it ought to be) and this was just a bad performance? Was her voice bad? She seemed to be yelling, growling almost, to get it out....does she SING those loud passionate portions or is the yell/growl a more appropriate description?

From what I understand of the show (I haven't seen it yet), it seems like it would be hard to pull anything out to represent the show for the Tonys. The song didn't make much sense out of context, but in these types of shows, almost nothing makes sense out of context. I think Namo feels the same as I did when I saw Marie Christine and The Light in the Piazza. Both are extremely artistic, heady, and unconventional musicals that are designed more to make the audience think than to simply entertain or provide some toe-tapping songs and nifty scenic designs and choreography. I really couldn't hum anything from either show (excpet maybe the Cincinnati number in Marie Christine), but both of the shows were extemely memorable and left a long-lasting impression with me. I was thinking about them for days afterward and I wanted to see them again because I knew there was even more I could learn from them. I think Caroline or Change will have the same effect on me.

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Nope because it wasnt boring.
You have to listen to the words of that song to really gets its meaning.

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I guess that makes me an idiot - thanks for the clarification.

I thought that Donna was incredible too...but in comparison to the gravity of the roles that each of these three women played, I would have much rather see one of those three that I have mentioned win, before Donna. Although she worked her behind off in the role of Ruth Sherwood. I was completely impressed with her, in my humble opinion.

Cheers,
The Balladeer

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How about "1943" which features Caroline, Radio and the Washing Machine that comes early in Act II?

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I thought Caroline or Change was extremely boring as well. I've never dozed off in the theatre before this show. I kept hearing things about the song Lot's life and after it happened I didn't realize that was the "show-stopper". There were nice parts but I was not impressed. I agree there were better songs they could have done to sell the show better.

I have been reading posts all day criticizing Tonya's performance lastnight and it may just be me but I thought she was outstanding. Yes she is sick and cracked some but her acting was fierce! I found that Tonya nailed 90% of the song lastnight and a lot of the "problems" (i.e. screeching and yelling and off pitch) people had arent problems. See the show! I think they are acting choices made by her to add depth, levels and emotion to the character of Caroline. This song is the only time we get these things from Caroline, and she really just unravels and falls apart. There is one part where she is singing the the word flat over and over again and I believe on the last "flat" that Tonya purposely creates a dissonance with her notes and the music. (She clearly could sing this song perfectly the way its written on paper, but I think she choses to go beyond the step of singing it perfectly she embodies the character and what the character is feeling at that time and if you see the show Caroline definitely wouldn't be singing a pitch perfect flawless solo.) Try looking at her performance from that position (remember this is Tony Kushner's new character study "musical")and watch the tape again. Or better yet go see it, in context in the show and I guarantee you will be blown away. Tonya Pinkins is a sensational talent.

Jai

I thought Tonya did an amazing job. The energy she puts into that role is unbelievable. Yes her voice was a little weak last night but that doesnt surprise me. She is onstage for almost the whole show. She maybe has one or two spoken lines and the rest is singing. After 8 shows a week doing that much in the show I'm not surprised at all that her voice is a little weak. Plus I felt that it almost to the character. It was almost as if she was getting so worked up that she couldnt speak.

I saw her Sat. evening (5/29) and she was very hoarse then too. I assumed it was a character choice, but apparently not.

I love all of the music from CAROLINE OR CHANGE, but that song just doesn't work out of context. Those who hadn't seen the show really wouldn't have understood what the heck was going on.

Are there any plans to make a OBCR for CAROLINE?

did anyone notiice how flat she was at certain parts of the song? I loved the song and can't wait for the cd, but she was siick.... one of the reasons that solos shouldn't be done at the tony's.