Curtains Review - LA 08/13/06

[mlsheehan]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 8:50am

I have to say, I had a terrific time at Curtains yesterday. It’s an old-style, book musical - certainly nothing groundbreaking, but highly enjoyable. It gently pokes fun at theatre and is a bit of a mystery. However, it seems the show’s main objective is to entertain. I laughed many times during the show and found the book witty and fun. There were a few missed jokes, but the crackerjack cast was able to sell almost everything. I’m not going to give away any of the plot as most haven’t seen it. I don’t believe that are any truly surprising elements in the plot. It pretty much works the show-within-in-a-show concept as the performers try to salvage a show that’s been savaged by the critics mixed with a murder mystery as the leading lady of the show ends up dead. It doesn’t cover any new territory on either front.

David Hyde Pierce gives a lovely performance. He uses the lower register of his vocal range to good effect and lost many of the fussy mannerisms that so endeared him to Frasier audiences. I will admit that his Boston accent was a bit wobbly, but that’s really my only quibble with his performance. He has a winner of a role, and I hope he gets the chance to bring it to Broadway. Debra Monk has probably the next largest role, and I’m happy to report that she was phenomenal. She puts over her songs with panache and was in great voice through out. It probably helps that she has some of the stronger songs and better quips from the book. Karen Ziemba does first rate work (as usual) – truly a triple threat – wonderful acting and stage presence, beautiful singing voice and dances quite nicely. Edward Hibbert is the other stand out for me in a part that plays to his strong suit. He has many of the best lines as the slightly fey, sardonic Director. The balance of the cast is spot on.

While this may not be top drawer Kander and Ebb, it’s certainly no embarrassment. I believe that are a couple of gems in the show that will make nice additions to their oeuvre. “What Kind of Man?” is a fun comic song as is “He Did It”. There are a couple of nice ballads in “I Miss the Music” and “Thinking of Him”. And there is one possible show anthem (with a little tweaking of the lyrics), “Show People”. I believe the score will grow on folks with a little more familiarity. I found the lyrics to be quite strong on many of the songs.

My one complaint was that I thought the choreography could have been a lot stronger. There were a couple of sections that were just begging for an explosive set of movement, but it usually just ending in a can-can type chorus line. More innovation choreography would definitely send this show into the hit register.

I give this show 3 stars (out of 4).

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 9:12am

I hope it can come to UK!
And a note... Kander & Ebb musicals always works best with Fosse's choreography imo

[mlsheehan]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 9:32am

Fosse would have brought a whole new dimension to the show, which tends to the sunny. I could see a whole sinister underside being emphasized by Fosse. I believe it would have worked. Could have been a masterpiece, at least in my mind, but it would have been a truly different show than what is on stage right now.

The current show could use someone like Jerry Mitchell to bring some athletic-style dancing (like the revival of La Cage). It's a shame he's tied up with other project, because, in my opinion, he would be a good fit for the current production of the show. Perhaps, Tommy Tune could be brought in. I could see him adding some zip to the proceedings. It's right up his style, also.