DRS - Review 7/1, Spamalot review to come *PossibleSpoiler*

[CurtainUp]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 3:08pm

Wow. Certainly a feast for the eyes – not expected from such a comic-based show!! The sets and costumes are BEAUTIFUL and each costume suits its respective character beautifully.

I have never seen such a charming cast.

John Lithgow exceeded my expectations as Jamison. I expected the show to be completely Butz’s, and while he is the scene-stealer, Lithgow was wonderful on his own. He is suave and wonderfully arrogant, practically AND appropriately mentored by Henry Higgins. Lithgow milks each line for all that it is worth and glowing with presence.

The main man of the hour is certainly Butz. His presence is absolutely incredible – it is room filling. His voice has an adorable-nerd little edge too it, perfection for the crude Freddy Benson. His physical comedy is amazing. I truly felt like he was irreplaceable on that stage – I feel like any words I say won’t describe my amazement with him on the stage. How can he play a character so disgusting yet be absolutely charming at the same time?!

Most importantly is not Butz or Lithgow, but how well they play off each other, and they do it beautifully! They have sort of an odd couple chemistry, they were perfect foils. I found Dirty Rotten Number to be absolutely electrifying because of how much energy was just radiating from the stage between these two! Wow – casting individually may not have been much of a challenge, but to find two men with such perfect chemistry!

Sherie – wow. Just adorable – her tone of voice was beautifully flaky and I LOVE her mispronunciations. She just makes the audience just kind of fall in love with her. And, at the end, I couldn’t believe it was the same actress. One doesn’t realize how great she is until the end. Killer stage presence and a KILLER voice! I was just in awe at the finale, that trio singing – just phenomenal. As if the energy wasn’t high enough in the previous number, it only built!

The supporting cast was also fantastic. The characters of Muriel and Andre are a bit superfluous, but they’re a delight, so I don’t really see any harm done! Joanna Gleason is an absolute natural on that stage; she has such a unique way with delivering lines. I think she might just be a one-of-a-kind actress. What a delight to watch.

Joe Cassidy was in for Gregory Jbara – and, my apologies to Jbara fants, he was terrific! Not seeing Jbara I might have been missing something, but I didn’t realize that. He was smooth with Jamison, wonderfully awkward with “Muriel” and then adorable with her in the sweet “Like Zis/Like Zat.” The two had excellent chemistry, even if Cassidy wasn’t who Gleason usually works with. And, after the show, he looked so young – just proving how wonderfully he carries himself onstage!

Sara Gettelfinger was WONDERFUL in her character role. I absolutely love the role and she was just a riot. Can that girl dance!! Wonderful comic skill and wonderful presence. (on a side note, Id never have guessed how GORGEOUS she was until she came out of the stagedoor!)

I feel ensembles are often overlooked, and after seeing this and Spamalot, how amazing they have become! Each soloist was constantly in character and the dancers well poised and looking like they were having a ball.

It certainly was a ball and blast!!!
SPAMALOT to come

Updated On: 7/9/05 at 03:08 PM

[dietcherryemma]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 3:15pm

Lovely review - thanks!

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 4:04pm

Great review!!! I feel bad you didn't see Greg, though my brother, who isn't really into theatre, saw Cassisdy and loved him so I'm glad you ahd a good time! :)

WickedGeek

[Hank]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 7:52pm

Agreed! Great review!
Butz and Lithgrow are as great a pair as there is, and that includes Lane and Broderick.
I also fell in love with Sherie, she's such a dirty rotten sweetie, and what a voice!
Also: re "each costume suits its character beautifully", I couldn't agree more, especially Freddy's.

[almostxfamous]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 8:29pm

Great review, I'm so glad you enjoyed it so much.

I found this show to be completely enticing. Norbert and John are so amazing on stage together, as are Norbert and Sherie, who have so much history. Norbert's comedic timing is absolutely out of this world, and Sherie holds her own in that department too. John is just a legend, that just seeing him is amazing.

I felt the same way after I saw it. Glad you liked it!

[LouieLovesTheater]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 11:23pm

Saw the Wed matinee this week...

Joe C. is getting some major play time onstage. He was on for Gregory Jbara's vacation and he's doing Freddy through Sunday while Norbert is out.

I found him to be a GREAT Freddy and worked so well with everyone onstage.

Was a little disappointed with Lithgow's singing in the theater...not as strong as on the recording.

Sherie, however, sounded/looked like a billion dollars. She's totally worth the price of admission. Actually...the last two numbers (to me) put the capper on an already strong show.

[Cabchic]

Posted: 7/11/05 at 3:39pm

Have you posted your Spamalot review yet? I'm curious to what you thought of Sara Ramirez. I saw you raved over Sherie Rene Scott.

[bella cantato]

Posted: 7/11/05 at 3:44pm

I totally agree to all of those comments! I didnt see Gregory Jbara either but saw his understudy who was fab also. Norbert had me crying until tears were streaming down my face and Sherie completely stole my heart, that lying, cheating, dirty rotten scoundrel!! :) She really does make the audience fall in love with her, doesn't she?