Delphine's B-Way Experience

[Delphine]

Posted: 8/15/04 at 4:06am

A warning to all who dare read this: I am about to go on a tangent. Read what you will, but beware. When I rant, I rant.

Okie-dokie. So this past week this California girl has been hanging in NJ and NY. My list of shows I saw:

Tues.- AVENUE Q
Wed.- RENT
Thurs.- AIDA

So let’s begin.

Avenue Q- Amazing. Amazing amazing amazing. I have never laughed so hard in live theatre. Every joke was perfect, the puppets worked so well, and the use of a television screen was quite clever. I have to say, that cast was absolutely perfect. It’s hard for me to imagine a better cast in this show.
A look into the psychopathic side of Delphine: I started freaking out when I saw the understudy slip. I pulled it out, and there it read Princeton/Rod… Barrett Foa. I was really, REALLY upset. I wanted John. I mean seriously. I. Wanted. John. John was the cast member I most wanted to see. John was the star! He was my love! How could this happen to me! I began to rant angrily at my father, telling him that “it sucks to be me” since I wouldn’t get to see John. Then came the tears. Yes, tears. I actually cried a bit. I really am a bit crazy!
But be the time “If You Were Gay” rolled around, I was like, “John Who?” It was all about Mr. Foa! I actually liked him just as much as John, if not more. Sure, he didn’t hit some of the higher notes, and yah, his puppeteering skills could have been better, but overall, he was just amazing. He absolutely stole the show. I walked out of the theatre completely smitten (and so, I think, did my Mom J).

YOU GO BARRETT!!!

Rent- Alright, we all know about RENT, so I’ll just dive right into the performances.
The current cast is poor, as we all know. I would just like to say that by the end of the night I just wanted to slap Matt Caplan. He was the most annoying little brat I have ever seen on any stage. His “Goodbye Love” was terrible. I mean TERRIBLE. His Mark was very one-sided, and I saw no character development. He ruined Mark for me.
The Maureen and Joanne (I’m sorry that I don’t remember their names) were only alright. They seemed a bit out of it. I just don’t feel like they did much with their characters. They weren’t bad, but they weren’t great either. Same with the rest of the cast (except our Collins was very good).
Although, there were three people that stood out in my mind as being exceptional performers.
The first were Jeremy, Roger. He was a violent Roger, but I really felt sorry for him, especially in “Your Eyes” and “One Song Glory”. His voice was absolutely stunning. Just jaw dropping. His “OSG” was maybe the most exciting piece I have ever heard performed live. He was that good.
Then there was Jai, our darling Queer Eye. He was so vibrant and energetic, and he could really sing/dance/act. His “ICY” was really fun, and I loved his “You Okay?” It was so painful to watch him dying. I pretty much cried through the entire Second Act.
Now, what you’ve all been waiting for: Melanie Brown (Scary Spice). I loved her. I admit, her “OT” dance left much to be desired, and she didn’t have the vocal range of most Mimis. But her voice, even with the accent, was so beautiful. It was a lot like Daphne’s in that it was very ethereal, and it gave a sense that she was already on her way off this earth. The highlight of the show for me, besides “OSG”, was definitely her “Without You”. That was definitely her shining moment, and I think she acted it perfectly. Vulnerable, weak Mimi who just doesn’t know how to control her spinning world was how I saw it through Mel’s eyes.

Aida- Adam Pascal. He was the reason I went to see the show. I knew nothing about the show before, had never heard its music, nothing. But I was gonna see Adam, no matter what. Adam was def. my favorite part of the show. It was great to finally see him live. His “Radames’ Letter” was just sublime, as was his “Fortune Favors the Brave”.
Deborah Cox was also outstanding vocally. I can’t fully judge her acting because I’m not familiar with the role, but I will tell you that she was a pleasure to listen to.
As for the actually show, I wasn’t all that impressed. Aida is a classically styled show, with big sets, costumes, dance sequences, production numbers, etc. I prefer a show that relies more on the character and plot than the razzle-dazzle aspects of production, and for that reason I tend to gravitate more intimate/challening/complex/intelligent/indie/avant-garde shows. Aida is definitely not one of those shows. But that’s not to say that I didn’t have a fabulous time. Aida is great for a fun night out, a confection though it may be, and I’m still humming “The Gods Love Nubia”. So there!
A look into the psychopathic side of Delphine: During "Elaborate Lives", which is a very serious song if you don't know, I was laughing uncontrollably. I actually had to cover my mouth with my hands in hopes that the actors on stage wouldn't hear. What was I laughing about, you ask? That's the weird-Delphine moment part. I was thinking about Adam's sandal. Don't ask, 'cause I don't understand myself.


If I feel up to it, I may post any photos that I have, but chances are that won’t be happening.

Anyway, that’s my NY theatre experience.
Updated On: 8/15/04 at 04:06 AM

[WiCkEd4LyFfE]

Posted: 8/15/04 at 9:21am

Glad you had fun! You are so lucky to see three shows in three days!

[Delphine]

Posted: 8/15/04 at 1:01pm

Why thank you, WiCkEd4LyFfE! Have you seen any of those shows recently?

[insomniak]

Posted: 8/15/04 at 1:08pm

Thanks!

But Adam's sandal? Why is that funny? I started laughing when I read that part, I don't know why. Did he hit the 'Will Forget'?

[Delphine]

Posted: 8/15/04 at 1:11pm

I trully don't understand the sandal think myself. I just was really out of it that day (it must have been the heat) and I looked at Adam's sandal. His sandal was really funny at the time. And then, to me, it was even funnier that it was on Adam. I was all, "Why is that freaky sandal on Adam? OMG! That's hilarious! Look at them!" I'm not going to continue to where my warped mind led after that, 'cause then it got too weird, even for me.

And yes, I do believe he hit the "Will Forget", He was truly amazing. Better than on any recording. Updated On: 8/15/04 at 01:11 PM

[ponine24601]

Posted: 8/15/04 at 1:12pm

i'm so glad that you had fun!!!! adam's sandal? hahaha. sorry that made me laugh. the second time i saw AIDA Adam's sandal fell off during that scene and he didn't notice it. i was laughing so hard my friend had to shut me up. then he finally noticed it and made a comment about it. sorry my randomness. anyway....i'm glad that you enjoyed the shows!

[Delphine]

Posted: 8/15/04 at 1:14pm

Thank you Ponine! And now I know that I'm not the only one who noticed his sandals (even if your experience was a totally different situation)...

[ponine24601]

Posted: 8/15/04 at 1:16pm

he was having a bad show that day when it came to costumes. his shirt began to fall off during the 'fortune favors the brave'. i didn't mind though! haha.

[Delphine]

Posted: 8/15/04 at 1:18pm

Ooh, I wouldn't have minded that either!