Eslgr8 AND L.A. dailies LOVE Reprise!'s Applause

[eslgr8]

Posted: 5/13/05 at 3:06am

I can now add my own words of praise to the L.A. Times and today's additional rave from the Daily News. BWW naysayers will have to eat their words as Sheryl Lee Ralph triumphs in the role of Margo Channing, perhaps the role of her career so far. At last the Strouse/Adams songs can be heard as they should be, sung by real singers, not only Miss Ralph but the exquisitely voiced Kevin Earley and Jean Louisa Kelly. The OBC recording could be thrown into the trash if only a recording of the Reprise! performance were there to replace it. Sheryl Lee Ralph IS Margo Channing, and if it is improbable that an African American actress would have starred opposite Dana Andrews in the 40s, a lack of realism can be excused by virtue of her stellar performance. Miss Kelly matches her scene by scene as the girl-next-door turned conniving bitch, and Kevin Earley proves he can act as well as he can sing, plus perform muy caliente love scenes with Miss Ralph with absolute credibility. The divine Veanne Cox is an absolute delight as Miss Ralph's closest female friend. And all the rest of the cast delivers with equally stellar results. I loved the inventively choreographed dance numbers, especially the 70s gay disco one and the classic musicals pastiche that accompanies the title song, performed by a very talented ensemble! There's nothing creaky about this Applause. A shame that the run is so limited. Reprise! has followed the perfect Pippin with another gem. You don't want to miss Applause!

APPLAUSE REVIEW EXCERPTS:

FROM THE L.A. TIMES
Energetic professionalism marks "Applause," presented by Reprise! at the Freud Playhouse. This amiable revival of the Tony-winning musical based on the film "All About Eve" has a crowd-grabbing efficiency that is often exhilarating.

Director David Lee and choreographer Mark Esposito treat it as a period piece worth another look. The staging trims ballast from Comden and Green's book, which only archivists will miss, and cuts the ballad "Hurry Back," which only Bacall will miss. Harder to miss is the ace ensemble, which sails across the Village-disco high jinks of Margo's "But Alive" and the indestructible title tune.

Lee's colorblind casting may bother purists; that's their problem. (Sheryl Lee) Ralph, less arch-goddess than earth mother, at times drops lyrics and intonation. Nevertheless, she holds her own, offering an easy affinity with (Kevin) Earley's velvet-voiced Bill and a snarling take on "Welcome to the Theatre."

(Julia Louisa) Kelly's Eve would hardly be Ralph's understudy in real life. Yet, this is musical-comedy life, and Kelly builds from fawning fawn to a ferocious "One Hallowe'en" that suggests her next victim will be Patti LuPone's Evita. (James) Avery and (Kevin) Chamberlin deftly underplay their pivotal parts. (Veanne) Cox, adroit as ever, and (John) Fleck, channeling Thelma Ritter as gay caballero, are both sublime.

FROM THE L.A. DAILY NEWS
Playing a part that won Lauren Bacall a Tony, Ralph (an original "Dreamgirl") is vain, delusional, clutching, insecure and - in a word - magnificent. We never actually see Margo act on stage, but of course, the character is "performing" every time she enters a room: her dressing room, a gay bar in Greenwich Village, her own living room. Ralph belts and smolders; she does not mug or over-emote. It's easily one of the year's most stunning bits of acting.

And the production around her is no rinky-dink affair either.

The artful thing about Kelly's work - apart from its contrast to Ralph's - is its air of mystery. Something's clearly off about Eve from the beginning, but Kelly has an earnest, Midwestern genuineness. You want her to be the real deal up to - and occasionally beyond - the moment she's plunging knives into people's backs.

The men get their time as well. Early, long the best voice in Reprise's stable, is boyish and virile as Bill the director, and John Fleck is drollness personified as Margo's bitchy wardrobe man. Evan A. Bartoletti's set suggests bar and restaurant interiors, with a nice backstage backdrop to remind us how much of a theater piece "Applause" actually is. Gerald Sternbach smartly conducts a bigger-than-usual Reprise orchestra - in full view and strongly playing a terrific score.

Overall, a wonderful package, with Sheryl Lee Ralph the ribbon, frills and wrapping paper to make it gleam.

HERE'S THE FULL L.A. TIMES REVIEW:
http://www.calendarlive.com/stage/cl-et-applause13may13,0,281582.story?col

AND THE REVIEW IN THE DAILY NEWS:
http://u.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,211~23542~2866115,00.html







Updated On: 5/14/05 at 03:06 AM

[decotodd]

Posted: 5/13/05 at 12:57pm

I was there on Wednesday, and can confirm that the show is a delight. Sheryl Lee Ralph makes the part her own, Kevin Earle has a gorgeous voice and there is a real chemistry (who'd of thunk) between them. Veanne Cox is charming as Karen and Kevin Chamberlin tranforms Buzz into a lovable lug. Jean Louisa Kelly makes a convincing transformation from waif to viper. Favorite moments include the APPLAUSE number set in Joe Allen's (wonderful choreography and high energy), BUT ALIVE (in the gay bar) and more subdued but equally memorable - Margo watching her younger self on tv in a '40s movie - WHO'S THAT GIRL (with the permanent wave)? James Avery is a towering presence as the producer who's on to Eve (a composite character incorporating Addison DeWitt from the film).

I came with low expectations expecting a campy stinker, but left charmed by the cast and show. The score isn't up there with the pantheon of Broadway shows - but it works in context and it's nice to have a Margo who can actually sing.

Highly recommended for anyone in the southern CA area!

Posted: 5/13/05 at 2:56pm

Hmmmmmmmmm Now I am intrigued!

[got-a-light]

Posted: 5/13/05 at 3:10pm

seeing it tonight! : )

[eslgr8]

Posted: 5/14/05 at 3:22am

My latest avatar is me with Miss Ralph and Mr. Earley, and here I am with the wonderful wonderful wonderful Veanne Cox, who is as lovely in person as she is on stage and on screen.
Updated On: 5/14/05 at 03:22 AM

[apdarcey]

Posted: 5/14/05 at 3:26am

veanne was hilarious in the remake of cinderella and in erin brokavich! not to mention the caroline recording!

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 5/14/05 at 1:21pm

I adore Veanne. Wish I could see this production. She looks fab in that photo, Eslgr8.

[DAME]

Posted: 5/14/05 at 4:03pm

eslgr8,
ARe you sure you are noy a shill? I go tomorrow.. but everyone I know who has gone has thought it mediocre at best. And...by all accounts Ms Ralph does not have her lines down as of last night. And by the way.. I would call the LA times review good. Not great.
( I have never been impressed with reprise producions.. but I will really try to have a open mind)

Oh and by the way; Jean Louisa Kelly is one of our clients. Love her.

Updated On: 5/14/05 at 04:03 PM

[eslgr8]

Posted: 5/14/05 at 4:45pm

Dame, I am "noy a shill," "noy" at all, though as anyone who reads my comments here knows, I tend to find the good in what I see on stage. Happy to say I'm not a cynic where theater is concerned. (Though if you ask me what I thought about the recent and unlamented "Climbing Everest" at the Colony or the abomination called Lovers' Mayhem, which played at the Secret Rose last year, you'll find that I'm quite capable of dislking what I see.) Sorry your friends thought Applause was mediocre. I can't imagine what they could find to criticize in this truly excellent production, other than the score, which Reprise! has little control over. The cast's excellent voices make it sound a hell of a lot better than the OBC recording, at least. And I thought the book was clever and funny, even if it lacked the film All About Eve's classic lines. I cast my vote with Decotodd, the Times, and the Daily News. This production is a winner in my book!
PS: Miss Ralph did not flub a single line Friday night and I defy anyone to prove otherwise!
Updated On: 5/14/05 at 04:45 PM

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 5/14/05 at 4:51pm

Eslgr8, have you seen PLAY WITHOUT WORDS yet?

[eslgr8]

Posted: 5/14/05 at 7:24pm

Yes, I saw it at the beginning of the run and am going back again on Tuesday. It's a show I personnally need to see a second time to thoroughly appreciate, as I'm not a dance connoisseur. I've enjoyed the other Matthew Bourne productions (The Car Man, Swan Lake, Cinderella). This is similar, yet different. A lot of it is choreographed movement, becoming a sort of cousin to dance due to the fact that all the characters are played by as many as 3 different but identically costumed/coiffed actor/dancers, often moving simultaneously, sometimes the same movements, more often different movements, sometimes indicating different attitudes or different time frames. Some scenes, you see the beginning, middle, and end performed all at once. (Does that sound confusing? It is, a bit, but enjoyably so.) The musical score is a variety of jazz themes, which very much fit the mood of the piece. I would say that the first time I appreciated it more than loved it. I was trying to figure it out, plot wise and also what Mr. Bourne's intentions were. Having read a few reviews since then, which helped with those questions, I'm pretty sure I'll like it more on Tuesday. Ask me again then. :) Can't write any more today. I'm off to see They're Playing Our Song, in Brea!

[DAME]

Posted: 5/16/05 at 12:05pm

eslgr8 ,
I went yesterday. I thought the cast as a whole was very good. But what a awful show. Very dated and creaky. The music is boring, and Ms Ralph was ordinary. It was also sad..theater was maybe 40% full. And as far as the LA times review... I do think Reprise has some kind of in with that paper. I have belived that since the Patty Duke Folllies review.

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 5/16/05 at 12:18pm

I saw it and it was definitely a mixed bag. Sheryl Lee Ralph was excellent. Kevin Earley sang beautifully but his acting was mediocre and he had no chemistry with Sheryl Lee Ralph.

Jean Louisa Kelly was also terribly miscast- she didn't have the requisite stage presence in act II. The show itself is dated and the music is forgettable. The staging of the Applause show-stopper was quite disappointing. Veanne Cox was excellent as always-I hope to see her in a lead role soon!

It's by no means a disaster due to Sheryl Lee Ralph's wonderful performance but I definitely don't understand the rave reviews.

[Yorkie1276]

Posted: 5/16/05 at 12:22pm

I wish I lived in California. I hate the show, but the cast sounds great. Sheryl Lee Ralph and Veanne Cox are two of my favorite performers.

Posted: 5/16/05 at 12:37pm

DAME: I am with you on the LA Times thing....Patty Duke was tragic in Follies (in a sad way).

I actually find the best Reprise! offerings have been the One Night Only actual staged readings. (The way it was done in the beginning)

Merrily We Roll Along, Assasins and A New Brain were wonderful.

Wish they would go back to that.

[DAME]

Posted: 5/16/05 at 4:26pm

Singing,
I agree with you. I think they really messed up when they went from staged concert readings to fully staged.

[Sheri]

Posted: 5/17/05 at 6:45am

I'm glad the photos turned out, Steven! And I have to agree, Veanne was an absolutely sweet and gracious woman!

[eslgr8]

Posted: 5/17/05 at 11:19am

Sorry that some of you didn't like it as much as I did, but at least you found parts of it enjoyable. Actually, I thought Kevin did an excellent job acting-wise; that part of his performance was a revelation to me. And I was also very impressed with Miss Kelly. She totally convinced me! So I'm with the Times and the Daily News on this. As for the Times review, you can be as skeptical as you want, but enough people have found the production excellent that it's entirely credible for the Times reviewer to have liked it as much as the review stated. You didn't like the musical itself, but that was something you already felt before seeing this one, so I doubt that this production would have changed your mind. I continue to maintain that Reprise does some of the best work in town and I have eagerly renewed my subscription, while cancelling the Ahmanson and the Geffen. I guess I'd better stop trying to persuade you over to my side. :) The show was packed on Friday night, by the way.

[DAME]

Posted: 5/17/05 at 12:50pm

"I continue to maintain that Reprise does some of the best work in town and I have eagerly renewed my subscription, while cancelling the Ahmanson and the Geffen."

And I think they are very mediocre. Oh well.. different strokes for different folks.

Oh and I also cancelled my subscription to Ahmanson.

Updated On: 5/17/05 at 12:50 PM

[decotodd]

Posted: 5/17/05 at 12:56pm

I've been consistently impressed with their work, especially with APPLAUSE where I was expecting to dislike it. By the way, here's another rave review - this time from the Hollywood Reporter:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/reviews/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000920642

The Ahmanson really has its work cut out for them if they're going to turn around their faltering programs.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 5/17/05 at 1:01pm

Okay -- my two cents. Personally, I think the Reprise shows are incredibly mediocre. That said, they make the majority of CA Theatre look like a night out at the Old Vic.

Why, despite all the talent and money from the entertainment industry, Los Angeles still manages to produce some of the worst theatre in the country is one of the great mysteries of our time.

[DAME]

Posted: 5/17/05 at 1:03pm

I know. I read that review this morning. I am happy for the cast, Really talented people. But my co-workers ( who all went) and I just looked at each other in disbelief. Did we see the same show? Or are we all just so willing to accept borderline crap ( in my opinion with respect to everyone elses) as good ?

[DAME]

Posted: 5/17/05 at 1:05pm

Michael,
Because the talent that is out here is not here to do theater. Plain and simple. This is hollywood.

[KindnessofStrangers]

Posted: 5/17/05 at 2:23pm

I thought the show was mostly enjoyable. The cast worked hard (SLR was in fine voice and is charismatic as all get out, but her performance wasn't exactly nuanced, in my opinion) and the songs are better than reputation would have it. The splashy title number was, easily, the highlight. My problem with the show is the book. I don't like the Addison DeWitt and Max Fabian characters as a composite. Huge mistake as Addison, particularly, is sorely missed. In the first act, you have to take it on faith that Eve is a viper because you don't see or hear evidence of her manipulation. I think I made a mistake in watching the film again a week before the show as it was jarring to see these different interpretations of the characters and the material.

Posted: 5/17/05 at 2:31pm

"Why, despite all the talent and money from the entertainment industry, Los Angeles still manages to produce some of the worst theatre in the country is one of the great mysteries of our time."

This type of blanket statement intrigues me. We've seen some wonderful work at SCR, the Taper, Pasadena Playhouse and the Geffen, to name a few. I would certainly compare the work to things that we saw on our trip to NYC in April.