"Wait, wait, wait... I'm pretty sure I'm just having a weird dream now and this isn't really happening, but did you really just say that Terrence Mann sings a song about being raped by a giant squid? MY JAW IS ACTUALLY TOUCHING THE FLOOR."
Actually, I wouldn't say his character gets raped...more like a one night stand (that he doesn't really get the option of saying no to, but he's drunk enough at that point not to quibble) and it leaves him being more sympathetic to his wife in the end. Plus it gives him the opportunity to actually really SING, and OMG does he ever! I was soooooo pleased to hear him let loose with that gorgeous baritone of his. prior to the big solo he really doesn't sing that much at all.
My husband and I drove from Ohio this weekend to see the show and we saw the 2nd preview last night. It was hilarious! So worth the money and the drive! I wouldn't mind going to NY in the spring to see it again after it opens on Bway. I will agree with the poster who said that Terrence Mann's character's confession to a hurtful intention at the end does seem a little underdeveloped, and this is primariy due to the fact that when it is brought up earlier in the show it comes out in a section where too much other dialogue is going on and it is not done very cohesively so that it is a bit lost on the audience. I think maybe they need to isolate him onstage for that moment to make it clear what he is talking about and what he is doing.
The casting is perfect. Bebe's dancing is wonderful and it is so tailored to her character (not to mention her dress), it's exactly the way you would imagine Morticia would dance. Nathan Lane never does anything badly and he throws himself entirely in the role of Gomez, down to growing a real mustache for the shows (they said that this morning on the local radio in Chicago) and the Spanish grandee accent. He's hysterical, moves well and can be very touching and sympathetic at times like the song "Happy/Sad"--the "Daddy's little girl is growing up moment" with Wednesday. Carolee Carmello steals the show slowly, starting out a bit goofy as the mousy wife who talks like a Hallmark card and slowly turning into the unhappy affection-starved woman, a perfect parallel to Morticia who worries that she is getting old and passe'.
The kids are a decent bunch, each playing the appropriate part in the story, although Lucas does seem to be a bit of a cipher--kind of the bland romantic character (not the actor's fault at all, he's very good in the role--it's just that the show is chock full of extremely big "characters" and he pales in comparison to some of them). The Lucas and Wednesday number is great with an interesting twist, and Krysta Rodriguez shows some serious pipes in her opening number, "Pulled". (I found that song kind of reminded me of "Loathing" from Wicked)
Cousin Itt and Thing make brief cameos and a homage to the TV shows' opening and theme song is cleverly worked in. Jackie Hoffman's part really isn't big enough to truly let her shine, but she does get to bring down the house with the best one-liner in the show (at the performance I was at, the show actually stopped for almost two minutes at that joke beacuse people were still laughing). Kevin Chamberlin is so perfect as Uncle Fester--not only does he look the part, but he even has the quirky voice to match! His song about being in love (I won't spoil the joke by saying who with, but I will say it's the last thing you'd imagine) is a hoot!
All in all, this has serious Tony contender written all over it. The finale dragged a bit and the first act was a little long (an hour and a half), but I suspect some nips and tucks will take care of that. Although I hope they don't cut any of the songs. I don't think that there was an ineffective song in the score. So it was definitely worth seeing! Looking forward to it making a big splash on Broadway!
Updated On: 11/15/09 at 05:55 PM
