Dancing in the Dark: my review-POSSIBLE SPOILERS

[Elphaba]

Posted: 3/16/08 at 12:25am

so today we drove down to San Diego to see Dancing in the Dark. It was also the day of their St. Patricks Day parade, so the park was very busy.

I did not know we had 3rd row tickets on the aisle. Simply amazing seats, but then there is not a bad seat in the Old Globe.

It is put simply a wondrous musical, that makes you smile, and laugh.

Beth Leavel was amazing as Lily Martin, fantastic voice, a terrific actress whose one liners and even her facial features had us constantly laughing. Her role as Adam Hellers wife (he was Lester Martin) was totally believable, as the interaction of the two was great. They played off each other well.

Sebastian La Cause as Paul Byrd was dynamic, and I truly believed him to be the self-centered, evil character that he portrayed, and the opening scenes with him shirtless and in tights made me want to do evil things to him. He became his character, and damn the man can dance.

Patrick Page (Jeffrey Cordova) at times stole the show. An exceptional performance by an exceptional actor, and I only wish I had seen him play Macbeth. What I really liked was having a gay character who wasn't stereotypical.

Mari Davi as Gabrielle Gerard was simply stunning, great voice, great dancer.....really fun to watch.

Scott Bakula......SCOTT BAKULA??? I truly was prepared to be less than thrilled, but dang the man can sing, dance, and move around like nobodys business. He is the consumate professional, and made the role of Tony Hunter truly inspirational.
I had NO idea he had this kind of talent......I will never view him in quite the same vein, and can only hope that on a future episode of Star Trek he breaks into song.

Kudos to a couple of ensemble members, Adam Perry and Kiira Schmidt. Adam is an amazing dancer, and I was mesmorized watching him dance (and he isn't too hard on the eyes). Kiira had us all laughing, as she is extremely funny and simply knew how to deliver her lines in the funniest way possible.

Everyone worked well together, and you did get the idea that the cast was more of a family, an idea so important to this show.

The number with Scott, Adam, and Beth playing the baby triplets was outstanding, and done in a way I had not expected.

So, afterwards we went to the stage door as we were hoping to meet Beth, as a mutual friend told her we'd be there.

We happened to be standing next to Mara's future mother in law, so we got to meet Mara, delightful, and so friendly, even when telling us that Beth had slipped out the side door.
She was so apologetic, and that touched me......and was not a problem at all that we didn't meet her.

Then out comes Scott Bakula, with kids and wife in tow. He is one of the nicest men I have ever met, and just talked to us all for a bit, like we were old friends.......just so cool. His daughter is too cute, and we were really touched that he took the time.

All in all an amazing experience and when, note I did not say if, it comes to Broadway, GET TICKETS........

And I certainly hope they do not change at all the "ballet" which has some suprises all it's own.....really really HOT!

If you live in So Cal, RUN, do not walk, and get tickets!

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 3/16/08 at 12:27am

I hated the show, but I also saw it on the invited dress and it hasn't gotten better.

But, you were also there today?







Posted On: 4/16/08 at 8:27 AM Updated On: 4/12/08 at 12:27 AM

[Elphaba]

Posted: 3/16/08 at 12:36am

yeah, we were there, saw the show, and left.....would have been nice to meet you. Next time, I'll PM.

way too many drunk leprechans stumbling about

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 3/16/08 at 12:37am

Way too many?

That is an understatement.

[scaryclowns223]

Posted: 3/16/08 at 12:38am

Thank you, Elphaba, for posting a review.
I've been having trouble finding a review for this one, so I'm glad you posted this.
A truly wonderful cast and a wonderful playwright, gee I hope this comes to Broadway.

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 3/16/08 at 1:37am

I posted the San Diego Union Tribune and SANDIEGO.COM reviews in another thread. Sounds like old-fashioned musical theatre shmaltz- the kind that I can't help but love.

Updated On: 3/16/08 at 01:37 AM

[Elphaba]

Posted: 3/16/08 at 10:24am

and Broadwaybaby exactly part of why we loved it.

[FranklyMyDear]

Posted: 3/16/08 at 11:18am

can you please elaborate on the "drunken leprechauns"? THANKS!

[Elphaba]

Posted: 3/16/08 at 3:56pm

all of the drunken say 18-25yr olds stumbling around the park coming back from the St. Patricks Day parade on 6th Ave, on the other side of Balboa Park......some even were arguing with acop......very stupid

Posted: 3/16/08 at 4:22pm

Awesome- I would love to see this show! (or at least see them perfrom "Tiplets" on the Tonys!)

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 3/16/08 at 4:25pm

Scott Bakula has been in three Broadway shows and received a Tony nomination for ROMANCE/ROMANCE.

[matty159]

Posted: 3/16/08 at 5:32pm

Really enjoyed Scott Bakula on the Anyone Can Whistle concert recording. I hope this makes it to the East Coast!

[Eris0303]

Posted: 3/16/08 at 5:44pm

Scott also sang on the TV show "Quantum Leap" more than once. His "Imagine" is stunning. He also sang in the children's film "Cats Don't Dance."

When I heard that he'd been cast as Tony I was quite excited and I hope this show transfers to Broadway with the cast intact.

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 3/16/08 at 5:48pm

I don't see the show making it to NY or even crossing state lines after getting assasinated thorougly on the ATC board. I have to say that people on this board have been rather respectful.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 3/16/08 at 6:02pm

"I have to say that people on this board have been rather respectful."

it has nothing to do with being respectful......it has to do with the fact that I saw an excellent show, with an extremely talented cast.

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 3/16/08 at 6:15pm

I have heard the most preposterous criticisms of the show including someone on calendarlive.com who complained that the score was "totally unmemorable". Say what you will about the show, but nobody in their right mind will criticize the show for its classic score.

Posted: 3/16/08 at 7:11pm

If the score is "Unmemorable" how is it that people remember it more than 70 years after it's debut?
Updated On: 3/16/08 at 07:11 PM

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 3/16/08 at 7:41pm

Two quotes come to my mind:

Jan Sibelius- No one has ever erected a statue of a critic and Ann Richards- It's easier to kick down a barn than to build one.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 3/17/08 at 7:41am

Did "Two Faced Women" manage to make it's way into the show? It was in the film but was eventually cut.

[the_white_page]

Posted: 3/20/08 at 12:06am

We just put an interview with Beth Leavel up on www.bethleavel.com

She talks a little about the new show and about a lot of random things. :)

Plus, all the reviews of the show are up on our site as well. :)

[Annie3]

Posted: 3/20/08 at 10:36pm

I was able to see Dancing and I really loved it. Yes it needs a bit of work but the cast is amazing and I really think this show deserves a chance on Broadway. "Triplets" was great fun and I think "Sweet Music" was one of the best parts of the show. Anyway I really hope Dancing in the Dark comes to the East Coast! :)