Eslgr8 bids farewell to New York with a return visit to D.R. Soundrels!

[eslgr8]

Posted: 6/18/05 at 3:28pm

MY DRS REVIEW IS DOWN A WAYS, AFTER THE SWEET CHARITY AND ALL SHOOK UP AND PIAZZA AND SOFTBALL AND WICKED AND MATT MORRISON AND SPAMALOT STUFF AND THE RESPONSES TO ALL THAT.
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(Scroll down a ways to read about Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.)
As I've been posting here for quite a while and have become one of the "experts" and "guides" to the L.A. theater scene, I've decided to let you New Yorkers know that I'll be in your fair city starting Tuesday morning!!! I just started this "vacation in New York" thing last year, and this will be my lone 2005 trip. I'm seeing (in chronological order) Sweet Charity, All Shook Up, The Light in the Piazza (BIG thanks to mikewood who's buying my Chitty Chitty ticket and thus allowing me to see TLITP!), Wicked (3rd time but 1st with this cast!), Spamalot, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (I was I believe the first to post raves about this show last September when I saw it in San Diego). I'll be staying at the DaVinci Hotel on W. 56th (Broadway and Upper West Side adjacent) and posting at BWW.com during the trip (at that big Times Square Internet Cafe). Anyone who's available for lunch, coffee, an early dinner, or just a "hi," PM me.
Steven Stanley aka eslgr8
(Lucky to be standing in my latest avatar next to the very handsome and charming James Barbour, whom I saw last night in The Ghost and Mrs. Muir)










Updated On: 6/26/05 at 03:28 PM

[eslgr8]

Posted: 6/18/05 at 7:58pm

I just realized that the dates I'd originally posted were a bit confusing. I arrive on Tuesday June 21st at 7:00 am and leave the 25th at 9:45 pm. A very short trip, but 6 shows crowded in and some time for sightseeing. Looks like I can pack light. Just short sleeved shirts, and an umbrella in case of thunderstorms. Not used to humidity in LA but I'll survive. :)

[eslgr8]

Posted: 6/22/05 at 11:04am

I didn't know how much to expect of this re-revival. Someone here said it was "regional theater" quality. I've seen lots of very good regional theater and this was not regional theater. It was Broadway quality all the way, from the orchestra to the sets to the choreography to the performances. I was engaged and delighted from start to finish.
First of all, Christina Applegate brings to Charity a quality none of the other famous Charitys have before: an absolutely delicious cuteness and adorable likeability. The bubble-gum colors of the sets and costumes are a reflection of the unique star quality she brings to the role. Her Tony nomination was not bought by producers or sympathy. She commands the stage at all times. A true star performance. She may not be doing the dance steps a Charlotte Damboise would have done, but what she does looked perfectly executed to me. The role doesn't call for a great singer, but Christina sings better than countless other stars have done in past shows. And her acting: simply sensational. Every comic moment done to perfection, and those were real tears at the end of the show. I know. I was 2nd row center.
(Speaking of which, when you're second row on Broadway, it's like being in the orchestra pit in most LA theaters, as the orchestra is completely under the stage. I love it!!!)
The revelation of the evening for me was Denis O'Hare. I applauded his entrance as a salute to this OPENLY GAY Broadway star. I'm an actor, and pretty good at comedy, but when I see a performer find things to do with a part that would never in a million years have occurred to me to do, I'm in awe. Denis O'Hare surely got more laughs and brought out more of Oscar's nebbishy uniqueness than anyone else who's played the role before. How could he not have been nominated for the Tony.
The rest of the cast was wonderful (I saw understudy Joyce Chittick as Nicki and she was right on.)
How can anyone say this was regional theater quality. The sets were clever and gorgeous as were the costumes, and the orchestrations outstanding. And then there's the ensemble. That's where you can usually see the difference between regional and Broadway. Each performer seemed to be handpicked among dozens of aspirants. They looked their parts, besides being able to sing and dance and act. Manuel Herrera finally gets to be seen out of monkey costume, and he must have the best hair on Broadway.
I bought the new CD at the theater which I'm going to listen to now. The original with Gwen Verdon is fine, but it doesn't sound like the current show, and I want to remember what I saw last night.
Today:
All Shook Up matinee.
The Light in the Piazza tonight.
Both are FRONT ROW CENTER OR CENTERISH SEATS!
Tomorrow: Wicked
Friday: Spamalot
Saturday matinee: DRS
I'm at the DaVinci Hotel on W 56th Street. Cheaper than the Milford Plaza, and charming as can be. Only 30 rooms. Very European. Recommended.
If you want to get in touch with me, leave me a message at the hotel. Steven Stanley #405 [phone]) I'd be happy to see any BWW people during my brief stay here.
Having a great time!!!
Steven :)
Updated On: 6/22/05 at 11:04 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/22/05 at 11:09am

"I've seen lots of very good regional theater and this was not regional theater. It was Broadway quality all the way"

THANK YOU SO MUCH. My thoughts exactly. I went into the show with those comments in mind. And once the show was going on I was SHOCKED people thought this was like a regional production. I agree it was VERY professinal, and completely Broadway quality.

I find that interesting you saw Joyce as Nickie. She is SOOO fabulous in the ensemble, I would imagine she makes a great Nickie - even though Janine is fabulous.


Updated On: 6/22/05 at 11:09 AM

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/22/05 at 11:31am

I saw the show on May 26th. It and ...Putnam County Spelling Bee were my two favorites out of all of the musicals I saw that week. I am trying to figure out just what people who are putting it down want from this show? It's simply wonderful!! people are talking about Ms. Applegate's voice not being that great....well, hello? Verdon and McClaine are not the vocalists of our time!! The ONLY thing that I noticed is that some of her choreography was a bit repetitive. But that's not her fault. Loved O'Hare. I applauded his entrance not because he is openly gay but because I liked him in Assassins.

eslgr8, I too have started a yearly trip to New York. (Started last year with Wicked, Raisin in the Sun, BARE, Assassins and Caroline or Change". But I am going back again in the fall for an event. While there, I plan to see Charity again. It was that good! Saw ...Scoundrels. It was fun but not my favorite. I do, however, enjoy listening to the CD after seeing it. (But I am glad I was given the CD at the show as I don't think I would have run out and prchased it right away).

Just my 2 cents!

[Princeton78]

Posted: 6/22/05 at 12:03pm

There has been a large amount of badmouthing of this show, and yet, I haven't read a negative review here in a long time. It seems as if the people are speaking.

[timote316]

Posted: 6/22/05 at 12:10pm

Everytime I think about the show, I think of different aspects I liked about it. I didn't like it at first, but, now, I'm wishing I had gone and seen it a second time (and wish I could convince my friends to go see it in NY!).

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/22/05 at 12:45pm

I think it's great that Charity proved everyone wrong. The audiences are LOVING it, they are eating it right up. They are very pleased with Christina and Denis. The show is making a nice sum of money each week - I hope the attendance can improve over the summer. I think Charity is here to stay regardless what some critics said - and lets not forget that some critics did rave about this production Updated On: 6/22/05 at 12:45 PM

[shira467]

Posted: 6/22/05 at 12:48pm

I have to say, I saw it and Boston, and thought it was atrocious - but based on the word of mouth, I will revisit it, as I think it's improved tremendously.

[justme2]

Posted: 6/22/05 at 1:06pm

Agree, agree, agree (with eslgr8, that is!). It's nice to see that people who enjoyed the show are coming forward as often as the detractors are.

This show is in no way regional quality, nor is Applegate the horrible singer, dancer, and actress that her detractors are making her out to be.

And for those who saw it in Boston, MN, or Chicago....you saw a show in PREVIEWS. I saw Lennon in SF during previews, and learned yesterday that the show has changed a good 40% from what I saw in SF! I will not be able to comment on the show any longer on these boards, as what New Yorkers will be viewing on stage will be different from what I saw!

Lesson? DO NOT take the word of mouth about any show in previews as a review. Make up your own mind. Or...go again and see the FINAL product! :)

Posted: 6/22/05 at 1:11pm

Steven, if youre not doing anything Thursday morning, come down to the Broadway Show League games in Central Park- Hecksher Fields entrance is on 63rd & Central Park West.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 6/22/05 at 8:42pm

I saw the show both in Boston and on Broadway. The current production is miles better than the one in Boston. I think it has improved so much. And Christina really makes the show so much brighter. As professional as Charlotte is, I thought Christina brought a certain lovable quality that was missing from Charlotte's performance. Then again, I saw her first performance in the role, ha. But I'm glad you enjoyed, Steven!

Steven, when on Saturday do you leave?

~Steven

[eslgr8]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 12:07am

First of all, thanks for all the nice remarks about Sweet Charity. I'm glad to know that so many of you liked it as much as I did. Shira, though you don't like physical comedy, and this show has a lot of it, I'm sure from what others have said that it's a much different show than you saw in previews.
As for today.
Well, my head is still swimming with the gorgeous melodies of The Light in the Piazza, but I will return to the matinee of All Shook Up and to a very different musical, though interestingly both are set in the 50s.
Three such different shows yet each succeeds marvelously at what it sets out to do. Charity--a "late Golden Age" musical semi-classic revived with a new look and stellar performances. All Shook Up--a "jukebox" musical that works. And Piazza, musical theater at its most brilliant, this year's Caroline, or Change.
All Shook Up is a jukebox musical, but I haven't read elsewhere what occurred to me today. The 50s/60s Elvis movies were "jukebox" musicals too! So why not write a new one for 2005 with the songs that were inserted into the flimsy Elvis plotlines--but this time with a very funny and clever book by Joe DiPietro and a fellow named Will Shakespeare.
One comment about the Palace Theatre. It's got two high balconies. Maybe that's why the stage is sooooooo very high above the front row. I saw ASU "from the knees up" mostly. But I can't complain as I got to sit so close to Cheyenne Jackson. What legs he has! ENORMOUS! And the rest of the body gorgeous to match. But not just that. Star quality, an Elvis-like voice, excellent dancing ability. Magnetic! If only Hollywood would cast an openly gay actor in this kind of role!
The revelation for me was the adorable and pure-voiced Jenn Gambatese. She's exactly the kind of girl I'd get platonic crushes on early in my life. Perfect casting of a perfectly adorable and talented young star in the making.
Everyone in the cast was wonderful in their parts (I'm running out of superlatives, aren't I?) The understudy today was Justin Bohon as Dean and besides the fact that he's "just my type," as they say (am I revealing too much about myself), he couldn't have been better in the role. And this is an actor who ORIGINATED the role of Will Parker in the recent Oklahoma revival (well, he didn't originate the role originally, but he was the first to play in in the rererevival) and was nominated and WON awards for it!
This is what I meant in my Sweet Charity review about Broadway ensembles being so special. Every one of them could play leading roles if not on Broadway then certainly in major regional theaters. Michelle Kittrell from Hairspray is understudy/ensemble in this, for example.
I had fun looking at the different "chorus" members and deciding which role they were covering. I was almost 100% right. There is so much talent to choose from on Broadway that the casting people can finetune the ensemble so that each member adds his/her own special unique quality to the show.
One thing I loved about ASU was the Shakespeare inspired gender bending.
SPOILER: When Chad kisses Ed not knowing that Ed is really a girl, and then announces to the whole town that he love "him," as a gay man I got a special joy, but I think for even the more conservative or societally clueless in the audience, this was food for thought.

My only disappointment. I was within "touching distance" of the conductor; unfortunately it wasn't Stephen Oremus today. But I told his assistant conductor (also a cutie) that Mr. O was robbed of a Tony nomination for his arrangements.
The Act 1 Finale of Can't Help Falling In Love is worth the price of the CD.

I won't have time to write about Piazza tonight. It's getting late.
Tomorrow is Wicked. I saw it twice last year with Idina and Jennifer. I now get to see it with an almost 100% different cast, and I can't wait!
Oh, and I am planning to go the the Broadway softball game tomorrow! Thanks for the tip, Mistress.

PS: The new Sweet Charity CD is wonderful. It captures Christina and Denis' charm perfectly, plus has the "new" song added to the revival and some great 1963 renditions of Charity songs by Cy Coleman.

Steven Stanley
Updated On: 6/23/05 at 12:07 AM

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 8:33am

Great reviews so far, Steven. I'm really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Piazza. I'm glad that you're enjoying your theatre marathon.

[liotte]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 9:08am

Great reviews! Glad you are having a good time in NY!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 9:19am

Justin Bohon went on as Dean?!?! He's so talented, and sadly underrated. *claps for Justin* Glad you enjoyed him!

[tpdc]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 12:07pm

I also saw Justin Bohon as Dean at last Saturday night's performance. I thought he was excellent. As far as jukebox musicals go, ALL SHOOK UP is pretty much at the top of the list. I do hope it can ride out the summer and hang on until the end of the year. It's a tourist show but they seemed to like it a lot. Jackson was as terrific, and as hot, as you wrote.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 12:43pm

I am glad you are having a great time, I am so jealous !! Thanks for your great reviews ! Can't wait to read your thoughts on Piazza and the glorious Matt !!

[eslgr8]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 2:46pm

Today has been a fantastic one so far! Thanks to Mistress_Spouzic, I heard about the Broadway softball games in Central Park. So, on a gorgeous Thursday in June, I got to watch many of the cast of All Shook Up, whom I'd enjoyed so much yesterday, play against Phantom. The pitcher was none other than Justin Bohon! Michelle Kittrell had the megaphone and was leading them in All Shook Up songs with revised lyrics to cheer on the players. August Eriksmoen, yesterday's conductor was on the team, as was cute Justin Brill. Nikki M. James, Lorraine, was in the stands. And Cheyenne Jackson showed up (shirtless) walking his dog. Before leaving, I introduced myself to him and told him how much I appreciate his being out. He was very gracious and said he recognized me from my front row center seat. Needless to say, I was feeling quite happy at that time!
Then I went over to the Hairspray game where I had a nice chat with Mistress S., was THIS close to Richard H. Blake, whom I saw as Link last September! I also got to meet Broadwayguy2, finally, and that was a thrill as well!
So...
On to Light in the Piazza:
I had maybe the best seat in the house, front row right behind Tony Winner Ted Sperling conducting the orchestra. (He was doing crossword puzzles between the songs, and a young and handsome cellist (looks AND talent!) was reading the paper when the music ceased.
But I digress...
The Light in the Piazza was as mesmerizing and moving as I had hoped and expected. Everything about the show is superlative, from the music by Adam Guettel (no way this music is too complex to be hummable; the songs echo in my head long after they end) to Craig Lucas' suprisingly funny and touching book. Of course the Tony winning sets, costumes, and lighting are superb. It is by far the most gorgeous show imaginable.
And the performances: from the wry and loving Victoria Clark to the incandescently lovely Kelli O'Hara to the beautiful purity of Matthew Morrison's Fabrizio, supported by the most amazing cast of singing actors. No understudies last night. I felt so fortunate to see the full original cast.
I hope that someone in LA will bring the whole cast west, as they did with Caroline, or Change so that I can see it again in 2006. For now, I will keep the memory of last night's performance alive inside me, and listen to the OBC CD again and again, now able to visualize the songs as well as knowing what happens between them. (I had seen the 60s movie recently on TCM, which only made me appreciate the superior musicalization even more.)
It's been a wonderful trip so far.
And tonight before Wicked I'm planning on joining Mistress S at Seth's Chatterbox to see Mr. Matthew Morrison's interview (and I'll be wearing my Piazza t-shirt (easily the most beautiful design available now.)
More on Wicked after I see it tonight.
Thanks for reading and enjoying!
Steven :)

[NJgirl]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 2:55pm

I too saw Justin Bohon as Dean at the end of May when I saw the show. He was amazing and told him so at the stage door. We didn't realize we had an understudy til we were leaving the Palace and passed the cast board (sadly our Playbills were missing the understudy insert). We were running late and didn't pay attention on our way in..we just wanted to make it our seats before curtain which thankfully we did.
I enjoyed Justin's performance and would love to see him as Dean again.

~Cristin

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 3:17pm

I'm so glad you enjoyed ASU! haha I think you're living my perfect NYC vacation. I've always wanted to go to a Chatterbox and a broadway softball game! :-p

[shira467]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 2:31am

I'm THRILLED that you loved Piazza (I talk about it enough, so YAY for other people loving it!)

[eslgr8]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 11:03am

Thanks to Mistress_S, I discovered restaurant row last night. While waiting across the street from Don't Tell Mama for Mistress to arrive, who should cross my path but Justin Bohon (3 times in two days I see him) and a scowly David Hyde Pierce (the way Nathan Lane used to seem before he came out). And just as Mistress arrived, who should be behind her but Jerry Mitchell. I blurted out "You're Tony Award Winning Jerry Mitchell," to which he replied, "And you are?" So I told him, and said "Thank you for the kiss!" Not that he kissed me, of course, but referring to the Tony kiss with his longtime boyfriend. Then Mistress and I went into the club.
Matthew Morrison's interview with Seth was delightful and funny and he was absolutely adorable. He's a California boy too, like eslgr8. This is someone who's truly been blessed, with amazingly good looks, charm, talent, and luck. Almost out of high school he gets his first Broadway gig. Most actors would be happy to just do one show after another, but Matt said he doesn't want to get stuck in this. He definitely sees himself with a successful career in TV and films (in addition to Broadway) and I'm sure he'll have it.
At the end, when everyone was applauding, he suddenly pointed me out as the person who'd stood up first at Piazza. (Rather than wait for Kelli or Victoria, I felt that Matt deserved a standing ovation.) I said, "Yes, I was the first one to stand." He said it was obvious that I really enjoyed the show. I said, "Yes, I've been told that I overreact to shows." He said, "That's great. We all remarked that we'd never seen someone with so much joy written all over his face," or words to that effect. He had to rush to the theater, so no time for any additional chitchat time, but I was glad that I had made an impression on the cast. (And that, after Cheyenne had recognized me from my front row seat at ASU!)
So...
Last night I saw Wicked for the third time. I'd fallen in love with the CD last year to the extent that I listened to it solid for a week to ten days after getting it. So when I visited NY last September I knew I'd want to see it more than once. I reserved seats for both of that week's matinees. The show did not disappoint. Idina was as spellbinding as I'd anticipated, and Jennifer Laura was on her way to being the "definitive" Galinda.
Returning to the Gershwin, it was as if time had stood still, but aside from Michelle F. and William Y. (who was out both times I saw it last year) it was an all new cast. (And NO UNDERSTUDIES!!!)
One comment about the staging. The director/set/costume designer didn't pay much attention to side seats when staging this show. All three times I've been up close (row 5-7ish) but to the side. The gears at house right needless block the view of stage left, the ensemble often upstages the leads (especially with their tall hats and wigs... Very thoughtless to those who sit at the sides of a very very wide theater.
I'm not quite burned out on Wicked, but I didn't have the strong emotional response to it that I did last September.
Some of that was due to seeing Shoshana instead of Idina. Shoshana is EXCELLENT in the part, no doubt about it. She plays a vulnerable Elphaba who gradually grows stronger but also more embittered by her experiences. She sings sensationally. She nails the part. But...for me at least, she lacks the certain something that made my heart bleed for Idina, and made me love her from her first entrance.
I liked Ben Vareen as the Wizard but preferred George Hearn's gravitas (is that the right word?). Rue M. was excellent as Madame M. (I completely disagree with those who found her lacking.) Her likability made the audience's discovery of her evil ways that much more shocking. She should try to sing more of the songs though because the few times she did, even though she doesn't have a real singing voice, she was on tune. She should have more confidence in trying to hit the notes.
David Ayers--hmmm... On the one hand, finally a Fiyero who looks the part. He's just the sexy cute-as-the-dickens blond hottest boy in school that the part requires. But--the voice. I wanted to disbelieve those who felt it was insufficient for the role. Unfortunately, they were right. Though I would gladly exchange my voice for his any day, it is definitely weak for this role. He can't do justice to the Schwartz's music, and doesn't come close to Norbert on the CD. Of course, Norbert was way old for the part. Joey McI. overall was better than David, just a bit to bland. The ideal Fiyero would have David's looks and Norbert's voice. I couldn't help imagining Matthew Morrison in the part. It would be perfection, but Matt only originates roles.
Now to the surprise and revelation of the evening: the sensational Megan Hilty!!!
It's clear why they gave the part to someone just out of school. She deserves it. She added so many delightful moments that neither Kristin (I suppose) or Jennifer had found. True, both of them had found their own special moments, but Megan's performance is no carbon copy. She makes Galinda her own in a way that I don't think Shoshanna quite does. Jennifer was almost too pretty for the part. Megan, who is definitely a lovely actress, is just a bit un-svelte enough, just a bit not quite drop dead gorgeous, to make her show of confidence seem a bit bravado. Despite being a very rich Daddy's girl, her vanity and apparent self-confidence seem a bit of a mask. I would like to see a thread about all the things she does differently in the part from people who've seen all three main Galindas. Suffice it to say that she makes the part seem fresh and new. And besides being able to hit the high notes, she had a beautiful rich lower register. I LOVED HER in the role.
Well, there will be one more Wicked experience for me, July 19 in L.A. As much as I like Jenna, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Stephanie will be Elphaba, because like Idina she has that special quality that I believe will make my heart go out to her in ways that it didn't quite to Shoshanna. More about that show in a month.
Today I'm going to do some sightseeing. I'm having dinner with a fellow actor tonight before seeing Spamalot!
More tomorrow (my last day...)
Steven :)

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 11:15am

Your trip keeps getting me more and more jealous, but I am glad you are having so much fun ! I am dying to meet Mistress too and if I had been recognised from Matt I would just be the happiest person !

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 1:53pm

Is the Sweet Charity CD only available at the theatre now?