Company Reviews (and beyond) — Page 30

It's an incredibly difficult number to perform. For those that have seen either Jaime understudy (Ignacio or Saunders), it appears neither can keep up the required tempo.



Same for the Esparza revival. Heather Laws was incredible as Amy. However, neither understudy could perform the number at her Laws' tempo and it had to be slowed down.

ACL2006 said: "It's an incredibly difficult number to perform. For those that have seen either Jaime understudy (Ignacio or Saunders), it appears neither can keep up the required tempo."

Doyle felt behind the tempo when I saw him too (though he did handle it a bit better than Ignacio did).

Meanwhile, Nicholas Rodriguez is on today as Paul. It's nice that they're giving all the understudies a shot in the roles. Jacob played it Tuesday through Friday (and announced those as his dates at the beginning of the week, so he likely isn't out or anything today). I saw Nicholas earlier this month (opposite Ignacio); he was a great Paul.

Updated On: 4/23/22 at 10:30 AM

Great new B-roll footage. This production really needs to be fully filmed. Cast recording first though.

https://twitter.com/companybway/status/1517878271274328064?s=21&t=SQs_bJsqZxOcrFGNctPjPQ

Do we have any word on Patti’s health yet? Really hope she’s okay.

I’ve seen the show multiple times- With the full cast and intentionally for Simard and Daniels with the other 7 understudies on that day. When I saw Daniels I will say the only person I truly missed was Doyle. Ignacio for was the weakest of the understudies I saw, he was indeed behind tempo- and after reading the Playbill article about Doyle’s warm up daily for the song, he clearly has it down to a science. I also just didn’t find him as connected to Jamie in the book scenes. All that being said, I still think this is the best of this season’s revivals (though I haven’t seen Funny Girl yet) I think it’s a strong contender for the Tony as is Doyle with Patti a lock to win- I wouldn’t be surprised if Simard and especially Elder snuck in as well- Elder has been doing a lot to make the show accessible to people that normally wouldn’t be able to afford tickets, and the Tony’s are just as political as they are talent based.

Updated On: 4/23/22 at 11:46 AM

I think the interpretation of the ending is up to you. Both Elliot and Sondheim said she’s freeing herself from her friends in the end and finally makes her own decision, whatever it is. The first half of “Being Alive” to me makes it clear she’s leaving her friends one by one as she defiantly responds to their spoken lines. I get the sense that her anxiety is relieved when she’s alone in the final moment, blows out the last candle, and she’s happy. She’s made a choice to be happy, whether that’s with or without a man.

Updated On: 4/23/22 at 12:03 PM

Bill Snibson said: "Patti is still out this afternoon, at least. Anisha will be back on as Joanne."

Wonder why the decision to use Simard last night and Anisha today? I don't think Anisha has gone on for either role she covers in a while.

ACL2006 said: "Bill Snibson said: "Patti is still out this afternoon, at least. Anisha will be back on as Joanne."

Wonder why the decision to use Simard last night and Anisha today? I don't think Anisha has gone on for either role she covers in a while."

They seem to be down covers today and need this line-up to make the show happen. Kathryn Allison will be Jenny this afternoon and Paige Faure is back to be the Bobbie Double.

Nikki posted a tribute post with her grandfather-in-law (so, Jeff's grandfather) in her Instagram stories yesterday saying they were laying him to rest. So their family may have been out of town this week for the funeral.

Updated On: 4/23/22 at 03:11 PM

What's been up with Patti? I have been waiting (literally) years for this and am finally seeing it on Friday...I'd be so disappointed if she's out (and my packed trip schedule really doesn't allow for any last-minute shuffling). Any intel on when she's expected to be back?

I’ve seen the show with Ignacio and Doyle, and while Ignacio was great, I understand fully that Doyle understand that character a Little bit more.

His book scenes are stronger and I believe him in a way that I adore, I really adored his performance.

And with that said, I’d give Elder the Tony among all the possible nominees that I’ve seen.

MadsonMelo said: "I’ve seen the show with Ignacio and Doyle, and while Ignacio was great, I understand fully that Doyle understand that character a Little bit more.

His book scenes are stronger and I believe him in a way that I adore, I really adored his performance.

And with that said, I’d give Elder the Tony among all the possible nominees that I’ve seen."

Agreed. Doyle makes it all seem easy which it is not. The song alone is a tough ask but the scene that follows is where the Tony win would come from. Matt Doyle’s take on Jamie is someone having cold feet/wedding day jitters. He is a neurotic mess and the audience feels that. He loves Paul but on the cusp of taking the relationship to the final step he questions everything. Yes the number is built beautifully but don't discredit what Matt is doing. Having seen the 2 covers it became glaringly obvious that Matt understands this character. Jamie teeters a fine line. Matt wins while Ignacio and Saunders, both very talented, fall into the trap of playing Jamie as an angry caged animal. Watching them I felt like Paul dodged a bullet. Matt makes you think “oh Jamie is just being Jamie”. “Not Getting Married” lands not just because a Preacher pops up out of a refrigerator but because Matt Doyle has figured Jamie out.