Congratulations Taylor Frey!

[hushpuppy]

Posted: 1/15/10 at 11:58pm

Taylor Frey pinch-hit tonight for Cheyenne Jackson, as Woody Mahoney in FINIAN'S RAINBOW and, quite simply, he hit it out of the park. While not as physically imposing as Jackson (and who is?), he nevertheless commanded the stage with charm and charisma. I never thought the book gave Woody and Sharon much time to establish a romance (boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love, boy and girl marry, curtain), and there's really no conflict between, so it's hard to judge the chemistry between them (yeah, chemistry). But Taylor and Kate Baldwin make a dandy couple, his creamy Irish tenor blending perfectly with her lilting soprano on numbers like 'Old Devil Moon' and 'If This Isn't Love'. His 'aw shucks' southern charm never overwhelms the fact that this is a more serious Woody, one who is determined to fight injustice and prejudice, and make a better life for the citizens of Rainbow Valley.

I believe this is the first time Mr. Frey has gone on as Woody. If so, it's a brilliant debut performance. If there is a Broadway God, we should be hearing more from this talented young man.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 1/16/10 at 12:07am

So jealous you saw Taylor! I was looking forward to seeing him tonight, but I couldn't find any discounts for this weekend. He instantly stood out to me in the ensemble the first time I saw the show, and was hoping to get to see him as Woody. Hopefully we'll see Taylor on Broadway again ASAP.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 1/16/10 at 12:17am

This actually wasn't his first time on as Woody. I was there tonight as well, and I can't really agree with hushpuppy on this one. I thought Taylor gave a bland performance at best. It wasn't bad, but it just wasn't interesting. His voice is pretty, but that doesn't cut it with songs like Old Devil Moon and If This Isn't Love. He didn't have the support. He came across as very stilted during his book scenes, and I don't agree with the statement about him and Kate having chemistry. In fact, I never bought her attraction to him. He was far too femme for the part.

[hushpuppy]

Posted: 1/16/10 at 12:18am

For some reason, none of the discounts applied tonight. I stopped by TKTS at 6:20 on my way home from work, got E7 in the Mezz, went home, wolfed down some dinner, got changed, and made it to the St James by 7:50.

And yes, I too noticed him earlier in the ensemble. After seeing him as Woody, in my next life I'd like to come back as his Levis

Updated On: 1/16/10 at 12:18 AM

[Eris0303]

Posted: 1/16/10 at 1:39am

bjh, you beat me to it. I felt as if Taylor was doing his best impression of Cheyenne rather than making any attempt to make the role "his". When I heard Cheyenne was going to be out tonight I wanted to see Brian but he's not going on until tomorrow's matinee.

Also, I bought these discounted tickets a few weeks ago.