Was also at the invited dress tonight. Echoing the positivity, and I was NOT going in with high expectations. A few thoughts:
1. This piece is so relevant in the age of 45. If there are any “West Wing Weekly” fans on the board, there were more than a few “Trump ayayay” moments, which the audience vocally responded to on several occasions.
2. The sight of Kristen Blodgette’s ass means some damn good sounds coming from the orchestra in front of her, and this was no exception. The score is as thrilling as it can sound.
3. The multiple-Eva concept grated as a commentary device about halfway through. Overall, I thought it was less-successful than the “ghost Norma” in the “Sunset Blvd” revival, although (without spoiling exactly how it worked) there was one song in Act 1 that functioned better than I’ve ever seen as a direct result of this concept, so I’m happy it’s there.
4. Very clever staging from Sammi Cannold, who clearly loves this material. As stated earlier, “Don’t Cry...” is a highlight, as is the opening sequence. She gets the ball rolling, showing us the pathos of an Eva never fully satisfied, even in death. There’s even a moment or two of the concept album reinstated. Respectful nods to the original Prince staging (is it even possible to make “Art of the Possible” work without the musical chairs?), and some very amusing—frequently humorous—touches throughout.
Show started pretty much right at 7:30 (EDIT—was it later than that? I rushed in just after quarter past 7, and I didn’t feel like we were waiting too long. Granted, that was with a trip to the bar, the bathroom, and the hike up to the mezz), and I was on the N by 9:55.
"When you start looking at your watch--as I do at other people's shows--you know you're in trouble."
-Hal Prince
Updated On: 11/12/19 at 11:49 PM
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