"Change" is (damn) good

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 7/31/04 at 9:15pm

this saturday i had time for a thursday night show, and after much internal debate over what to see (aida- but ive seen it twice and will go again next month, rent- but theres a damn spice girl in it, hairspray- on tkts? yea right.) i decided on tkts tickets to "caroline or change".
though it was tony kushner's involvement that lead me to the theater, it was much more that that which kept me transfixed by what i was seeing while i sat there watching this show, a show that many have called "difficult to sit through" or "tedious". i'll admit there were times where i sorta longed for a repeating chorus or for a few minutes of dialouge so i could keep track of which song was which, but after a while the array of beats and voices, and the powerful (BEYOND TONY WORTHY) performance by tonya pinkans pulled me into it. that woman puts her soul into that character, and was more than deserving of the roaring standing ovation she recieved.
granted, her voice seems a bit worn-out, and like at the tony awards, she cracked a little on the high parts, but still managed to give so much to the character that any momentary vocal imperfection was easily forgiven (by me at least)
anika noni rose was wonderful as carolines spirited daughter, emmie, though i wouldnt slap her with the title "scene stealer", a title she so often she seems to get stuck with. stealing scenes is something that kristin chenoweth does, ms. rose was great about sharing her scenes, i never felt like she had pulled the attention away from tonya. she's the light in carolines darkness, so naturally the audience is going to like her, she doesnt have to, and therefor doesnt, overdo it.

well, i could go on forever (i seem to have already) but i want people to read this so they go see it, so let me close by saying that this is a brilliant piece of art. no, its not easy viewing, and nothing is handed to the audience on a platter, but if you take the leap of faith, and see it, you shouldnt regret your decision. "caroline or change" is the best show ive seen all season (including "wicked" and "avenue q") it was tragically overlooked at the tonys, but i feel (and hope) it will take it's place among the great pieces of musical theater. only time, and "change" (in people's perspectives of what a broadway show can involve) will tell.

[ponine24601]

Posted: 7/31/04 at 9:20pm

thanks so much for the review! i HAVE to see this show now.

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 7/31/04 at 9:31pm

yea! be sure to tell me and everyone else what you think when you do see it

ive recruited! Updated On: 7/31/04 at 09:31 PM

[ponine24601]

Posted: 7/31/04 at 9:34pm

will do!!

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 7/31/04 at 10:02pm

*bump* come on people!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/31/04 at 10:06pm

I have to see this sometime. Is this show going to be open for awhile, and how long is Tonya Pinkins staying in it? I'd like to see her. Updated On: 7/31/04 at 10:06 PM

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 7/31/04 at 10:13pm

as far as i know, it isnt closing and she isnt leaving. i think hers will someday be thought of as a legandary performance, dont miss it

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 7/31/04 at 10:21pm

I still feel very mixed about Tonya's performance. She was very one-note throughout the entire first act and much of the second. However, "Lot's Wife" was AMAZING. She had been sobbing out of my mind, and I NEVER cry at shows (only at movies!). If that one song was the whole show, then her performance would have deserved more than just a Tony. However, IMO, one song just isn't enough to make or break a performance.

As for the show, I really liked it. It got a little slow at parts, and I was not enjoying myself for a lot of it for other reasons (*food poisoning*) but the music was beautiful, and the cast was very talented. It was one of the most moving theatrical experiences I've ever had, though not the kind of thing I would repeat over and over. I did really like it though-very touching and one of the best scores on Broadway today.

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 7/31/04 at 10:26pm

I'm not going to be able to see it, because my parents will never take me to it, but I will get the cast recording once the show closes. That way, I won't feel even more depressed that I can't go, because it will have closed.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 7/31/04 at 10:36pm

Goin again on Tues ! Thanks for the review ! Yes, the show is awesome !!!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/31/04 at 10:47pm

Great review, nystateomind! I'm glad you were able to make up your mind, and that it ended up being a good choice for you! I knew you'd like it.

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 7/31/04 at 11:03pm

thanks for reccommending it, luvtheemcee.

" She was very one-note throughout the entire first act and much of the second. "

ncybabe- i understand why you feel this way. i think that if you can see the power and intensity of "lot's wife", than you have to take the fact that the character represses these emotions during the rest of the show, and with so much passion inside of herself as a performer (as exemplified in "carolines turn" aka, "lots wife"), i think it is safe to assume that it takes a lot for tonya to control her emotions throughout as well, thats why i loved her so much.

o yea, when she goes "flat! flat flat!" at the end of that song, and holds that glarious, deep note for a long time, i started clapping and i was the only one! kind of embarrassing, but i actually kept on clapping for a few seconds because i was so moved.

Updated On: 7/31/04 at 11:03 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/31/04 at 11:05pm

No problem, dear!

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 7/31/04 at 11:09pm

The slower part of the song ("Murder me God...", etc) had me sobbing out of my mind. Not many performers can do that to me. In fact, I think she was the only performer who has ever made me cry, not including final performances. I would not have been disappointed if she got the Tony, even though deep down I wanted Idina to win.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 7/31/04 at 11:11pm

I always start to tear when ***** (SPOILER TO FOLLOW ) ******

Caroline grabs Emmie and hugs her towards the end. Gets me every time !!!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/31/04 at 11:17pm

This is the most effective and the most ambitious new musical in a very, very long time. It's score is not hummable but it is a great motown-opera kind of peice. Although the show has it flaws, its cast is perfect. Pinkins hits every note right on the money. This is a soon-to-be-legendary performance that should NOT be missed. The show is appealing, fresh, and wonderful. Caroline is an amazing feat in the history of musical theater. What a show!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/31/04 at 11:18pm

And Lots Wife is the best 11 O Clock number since Roses Turn. AMAZING!!!!

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 7/31/04 at 11:20pm

I forgot that one, Testing. That had me SOBBING. As did the entirety of "Lot's Wife" after the song gets quiet and sadder, and the last dialogue between Caroline and Noah. OH-and the mom's teary little monologue about her relationship with Noah. It's a sad show!

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 7/31/04 at 11:21pm

absolutly agree on that last statement, so powerful.

i dont know about not hummable, ive been doing that humm that the washing machine does all day! j/k, i know what you mean, thats why some people say it is so difficult, and also why its so great

[Plum]

Posted: 7/31/04 at 11:37pm

She's the light in Caroline's darkness, so naturally the audience is going to like her; she doesn't have to, and therefore doesn't, overdo it.

My thoughts exactly. Rose has the more endearing part, and she plays it well, but Pinkins shatters the theater with her performance. The character of Caroline, like the show itself, is hard to get to like, especially in Act I. But once you understand them better, they're amazing.

Was making Caroline such an unsympathetic character in the beginning a poor dramatic choice? Maybe. It's been said that if you "catch" the audience in the first 15 minutes or so, you have them for most of Act I. Caroline doesn't do that so well. But if you're willing to hang on, the payoff at the end is tremendous.

Thanks for that review.

[sweetiedarlinmia]

Posted: 7/31/04 at 11:41pm

everytime i read one of these posts, it makes me wish it were 8/11 even more b/c thats WHEN I'M GOING!

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 7/31/04 at 11:58pm

the show was so captivating for me when i saw it, that i spent $30 on the cast recording, and as ive been listening to it today, ive been realizing that there really are layers upon layers of metaphors and symbols in the show that i didnt notice the first time, or didnt have time to digest. i also reccommend the cd, it really helps to let you in on the shows subtext.

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 8/1/04 at 3:15am

This show sucks.

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 8/1/04 at 12:56pm

bronxboundexpress- is there any show you DO like?

I saw CoC when I was in NY at the beginning of July after convincing my little sister that after I had to sit through Fiddler, she had to sit through this. She ended up loving the show, as did I. It is so powerful on so many levels. Out of the 2003-2004 season shows, this was by far, one of my two favorites.

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 8/1/04 at 1:36pm

"This show sucks."

i realize that responding to such a comment only makes me look stupid too, but i really cant help but ask how in the hell you can have the nerve to say that and not back it up AT ALL?