"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
Yes, it is a very colorful production. However unless they fix the major issues with the book, I have a feeling the production won't have much of a life past the current tour.
Looks cute. I worked with Jenna Coker many years ago in Virginia Beach - she has a great belt!
"I don't really get the ending,all i can go with is when after several months,Judith saw Pat sang,and later she kissed him on the toilet,after that the story back to where Pat went down from the stage after he'd sung,and he went to the italian lady.I just don't get it,what Judith exatcly meant when he kissed Pat that she had seen,and did Pat end up together with The Italian Lady?Please help me,thank u very much!"
Quote from someone on IMDB in reference to a movie he/she didn't understand. Such grammar!
Yeah, this was a CRAZY show...I just never knew what to make of it. Jenna Coker has NOTHING to do but grunt like a pig (literally). There are some cool flying effects and a good wealth of design that went into it. I was actually shocked at how much big name talent went into this show. It just really wasn't very interesting. Poor Nancy Anderson...she's really saddled with a totally dreck-tastic role.
poor tom hewitt, can the man get just one good show? he hasn't done anything successful comercially or critically probobly since rocky horror in 2000
"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel
Well, he did recently win a regional Best Actor in a Play award for his performance in Travesties in Connecticut...he got very well-reviewed. And he also did the Urinetown tour...I don't know how well the tour did fiscally, but the show itself is sort of a critic's darling.
Did anyone else find it really odd that Dolittle should spend the entire musical searching for the Giant Pink Snail or whatever the heck it was called only to ask it 'Hey dude, can you give my friends a ride home?' Wasn't this thing supposed to know the secrets of life or something?!!
I found a great disparity between the colorful costuming & sets and the heavy tone of the book and music. I wished Tom Hewitt sang more instead of the Rex Harrison impersonation. The actors conversing with puppets were inconsistent with their focal points, and frequently addressed the puppeteer, tearing away at the magic.
Regarding the stripteasing llamas: I was thoroughly unimpressed with Mr. Ashford's choreography; took the wonder right out of the pushmeepullyu. I was torn from the fantasy of the show, trying to figure out why on earth an animal would be doing a burlesque striptease. Out of the mouths of babes, my preschooler asked why the llamas were shedding so much. Such beautiful dancers, and the choreography simply didn't do their talent justice.
That said, I enjoyed the seal's lament very much. Sophie's puppeteer, a lithe dancer, being tossed and turned gracefully on the shoulders of men while she made the puppet "swim" through the waves lamenting the separation from her love. Very inspired. If only the rest of the choreography...
On a technical note, the shell of the pink snail rippled in the wind as it moved onstage, further destroying the illusion of an ancient shelled creature capable of transporting people long distances. Came across very amateurish.
My kids sat mostly attentive through the show, although the preschooler fell asleep in the second half. For a show that was heavily marketed with "family appeal," the costuming and sets lived up to the billing; the songs and storyline fell dismally short. I'm glad I saw it, as were my kids, but I wouldn't go out of my way to see it again. The talented cast did what they could, but this tired show needs lots of caffeine to make it to Broadway.
i completely forgot about the urinetown tour.. i feel dumb now
from the reviews in this thread it seems that the production suffers from mis-used talent, overblown visuals, and ametureish direction.... hmmm sounds like dracula
"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel
