#1
Posted: 7/7/08 at 5:58pm
Lazy? Unnecessary? Not Enough Star Power? Boring? I've heard all these comments, and more, used to describe the negative aspects of City Center Encores! Summer Stars production of Damn Yankees. Well, I respectfully disagree. I've always been a fan of the show and this production only heightened that opinion. With a great orchestra led by Rob Berman the Adler/Ross score sounded fantastic! Yes, the direction of the transitions between song and book scenes was clunky and I can only imagine that George Abbott's direction was cleaner. The ensemble performed with gusto and pizzazz and every actor, no matter how many lines he or she might've had, did his or her part to help move the show along at a brisk and comical pace. Starting off with P.J. Benjamin, in the role of Joe Boyd, he was just sensational. He delivered the sweet and touching "Goodbye Old Girl" very well. The two other major standouts from the ensemble were Veanne Cox and Kathy Fitzgerald. They were a great comic duo that just cracked me up from the minute they walked on stage.
One of the best numbers of last night's performance was the most famous number in the show "Heart." It was thrilling, yes thrilling, seeing Michael Mulheren (Van Buren) and his boys perform this song with no shyness about just facing the audience and letting it hit you like a wave of musical comedy bliss. Another number done by the male ensemble, "The Game," was also performed excellently and their dancing was great during "Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo."
Cheyenne Jackson having the oddest/hardest role in the piece, Joe Hardy, did pretty well in the role. His singing was of course excellent, but there were moments in certain scenes with Mr. Applegate that he seemed to lack that overall “leading man" presence or acting ability. His entrance in "Goodbye Old Girl" was so powerful that it carried him through the 1st Act. But, overall I did feel for the character and that's what counts.
As the Devil's assistant, Lola, Jane Krakowski gives a sweet and complex performance. She has the power to be sexy, dance up a storm and of course show off the powerful set of pipes she has. She has excellent chemistry with both Sean Hayes and Cheyenne Jackson (making their duet in "Two Lost Souls" just a joy to watch). I said her performance was complex because as Lola (in the beginning) she was so over-the-top sexy that it made me believe that Lola really didn't know how to be truly sexy. Then when the real Lola lets herself go in the dance section of "Two Lost Souls" it was like she had found her true sexiness (that was Krakowski's best moment, no doubt). Although she did dance up a storm, it was her dancing that proves to be the only negative aspect of her performance (and this was in previews, so her dancing can still grow). There are certain Fosse moves that just make the overall impact of such numbers as "A Little Brains, A Little Talent" and "Who's Got The Pain?" completely effective. Unfortunately, Krakowski does not pull them off as well as I would've liked (John Selya , on the other hand, was pretty amazing during "Who's Got The Pain?" and Krakowski did keep up with him). In the case of "Whatever Lola Wants" it felt like she was more comfortable rushing through the dance section because it was not sharp and she really didn't “mark” the moves very well. Again, she is a good dancer and this wouldn't even be that much of a problem except this is a role created for Gwen Verdon, by Bob Fosse. I hope that Jane continues to challenge herself over the years!
Sean Hayes gave a welcomed and impressive NYC stage debut last night. As Mr. Applegate, or the Devil, he really carried the book scenes he was in and made his big solo number "Those Were the Good Old Days" into the showstopper it should be. Were there signs of Jack McFarland? Yes, but I think they were just signs of Sean Hayes instead. Even Ray Walston, who originated the role of the Devil, had his own comic style and phrasing which he brought most of his comedic roles. Well, Sean Hayes does the same. And it worked!! His voice was on the raspy side (maybe from that rumored cold), but I honestly think that he possess a better and stronger voice than even Ray Walston. If there was one complaint I had, it would be his laugh during "Those Were the Good Old Days." He should find a "devilish" laugh and make it his own and then he will have rightfully owned his number (he is more than half way there). Bravo!!
If there was one person who was absolutely perfect in the show, it was Randy Graff. She created a warm and honest character and made the most, vocally and emotionally, out of every word she sang. She was truly the heart of this production!
Thanks again Encores! for giving us another great reproduction of a classic Golden Age musical!
One of the best numbers of last night's performance was the most famous number in the show "Heart." It was thrilling, yes thrilling, seeing Michael Mulheren (Van Buren) and his boys perform this song with no shyness about just facing the audience and letting it hit you like a wave of musical comedy bliss. Another number done by the male ensemble, "The Game," was also performed excellently and their dancing was great during "Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo."
Cheyenne Jackson having the oddest/hardest role in the piece, Joe Hardy, did pretty well in the role. His singing was of course excellent, but there were moments in certain scenes with Mr. Applegate that he seemed to lack that overall “leading man" presence or acting ability. His entrance in "Goodbye Old Girl" was so powerful that it carried him through the 1st Act. But, overall I did feel for the character and that's what counts.
As the Devil's assistant, Lola, Jane Krakowski gives a sweet and complex performance. She has the power to be sexy, dance up a storm and of course show off the powerful set of pipes she has. She has excellent chemistry with both Sean Hayes and Cheyenne Jackson (making their duet in "Two Lost Souls" just a joy to watch). I said her performance was complex because as Lola (in the beginning) she was so over-the-top sexy that it made me believe that Lola really didn't know how to be truly sexy. Then when the real Lola lets herself go in the dance section of "Two Lost Souls" it was like she had found her true sexiness (that was Krakowski's best moment, no doubt). Although she did dance up a storm, it was her dancing that proves to be the only negative aspect of her performance (and this was in previews, so her dancing can still grow). There are certain Fosse moves that just make the overall impact of such numbers as "A Little Brains, A Little Talent" and "Who's Got The Pain?" completely effective. Unfortunately, Krakowski does not pull them off as well as I would've liked (John Selya , on the other hand, was pretty amazing during "Who's Got The Pain?" and Krakowski did keep up with him). In the case of "Whatever Lola Wants" it felt like she was more comfortable rushing through the dance section because it was not sharp and she really didn't “mark” the moves very well. Again, she is a good dancer and this wouldn't even be that much of a problem except this is a role created for Gwen Verdon, by Bob Fosse. I hope that Jane continues to challenge herself over the years!
Sean Hayes gave a welcomed and impressive NYC stage debut last night. As Mr. Applegate, or the Devil, he really carried the book scenes he was in and made his big solo number "Those Were the Good Old Days" into the showstopper it should be. Were there signs of Jack McFarland? Yes, but I think they were just signs of Sean Hayes instead. Even Ray Walston, who originated the role of the Devil, had his own comic style and phrasing which he brought most of his comedic roles. Well, Sean Hayes does the same. And it worked!! His voice was on the raspy side (maybe from that rumored cold), but I honestly think that he possess a better and stronger voice than even Ray Walston. If there was one complaint I had, it would be his laugh during "Those Were the Good Old Days." He should find a "devilish" laugh and make it his own and then he will have rightfully owned his number (he is more than half way there). Bravo!!
If there was one person who was absolutely perfect in the show, it was Randy Graff. She created a warm and honest character and made the most, vocally and emotionally, out of every word she sang. She was truly the heart of this production!
Thanks again Encores! for giving us another great reproduction of a classic Golden Age musical!
Updated On: 7/8/08 at 05:58 PM
