Euan Morton in CALIGULA: AN ANCIENT GLAM EPIC

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 11:09am

I saw the first performance of "Caligula: An Ancient Glam Epic" last night as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival.

While it's billed as a glam rock musical, the show, with book, music and lyrics by Eric Svejcar, is more reminiscent of "Jesus Christ Superstar" than anything by Bowie, Queen or Roxy Music (the only thing glam about it is the makeup and the hair). It features an outstanding cast including Giles Chiasson (of Rent and Wildhorn fame), Jeb Brown (Aida), Denise Summerford (Taboo) and most importantly Euan Morton (of Taboo) in the lead role who gives an absolutely terrific performance.

Morton has created a Caligula full of petulance, wit, pathos sexual ambiguity and daring (including a rather brave extended nude scene), giving real dimension and depth to the young emperor throughout his various follies and gradual descent into madness. Morton is simply outstanding -- this is a great role for him. Chiasson sounds amazing in the narrator role of Suetinius. Summerford does well to make the acting transition from Caligula's loveless bride to his main defender. Alan H. Green brings to proper authority (and a fine, but underused, singing voice) to his role as the head royal guard. And the reliable Brooke Sunny Moriber (does this woman ever stop working?) sings beautifully as Caligula's incestuous sister. The staging by Michael Unger is fine and efficient.

It was a first performance, so I'll temper any criticism except to say that the show feels more than a little exposition heavy (I felt at times like I was watching a musical by The History Channel, complete with overly detailed narration) and, at three hours, could use considerable editing and focusing (the first 20+ minutes of background info on Caligula's parents and Tiberius could be reduced to three or four lines -- way too much information on characters we don't care that much about).

I should mention that Rosie O'Donnell was in attendance and led the standing ovation at the end (her next Taboo, perhaps??? -- just joking .... but then again, who knows?). The show certainly has many things about it worth recommending -- notably its cast (especially Morton) and the score has several promising songs. I believe the rest of the current run is soldout at this point, but an October extension will be announced shortly. Definitely worth a look for fans of Morton, Taboo and this sort of JCS-esque musical.
http://www.nymf.org/caligula.htm

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 11:12am

I've been on the fence for a while about whether to go or not.... I beginning to think I really should check this out. Thanks Margo!

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 11:14am

A recording must be made of this, since I can not go and see it.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 11:17am

The official website...
Caligula

[joeyjoe]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 11:23am

On the home page of the website, the quote is enough to make me want to see this... i can just here the chorus chanting,

"THERE IS A CANCER
IN THE CITY OF ROME,
AND IT GOES BY
THE NAME OF
“CAESAR”…."

I like the sound clips!

Posted: 9/15/04 at 11:23am

So...what were the nude scenes like.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 11:25am

Oooooo. I like the sound clips as well. Very interested, now.

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 11:37am

I heard that the performances of Caligula for the NYMF are sold out, but that they may be extending for a few performances in October. If you were to go to the TheatreMania site, there is no way to purchase tickets any longer, so I would assume that is what that means!

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 11:37am

nypj,

Let's just say, as do many people, Caligula sleeps in the nude and at one point when he gets out of bed to have an argument with one of the other characters, he doesn't bother slipping on a robe ..... until a couple of minutes later after the argument is finished.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 11:39am

GirlfriendinCanada --

Read my last paragraph. The October extension tickets will go on sale shortly.

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 11:43am

Ahh, guess I need to read more carefully.

Just out of curiosity, does the show have a large ensemble?

[HJAJtheFirst]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 11:43am

Margo,
Thanks so much for your thoughts on the show. I look forward to seeing it, I'm going next week. Were you at the Gala the Music Festival had on Monday night at the China Club? I was there shooting for BWW, I believe the shots will be up tonight, . Euan was listed as performing but he wasn't there and there was no mention of him not being there which I thought was odd, .

Thanks again,
Linda

[bdwaygirl]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 11:44am

Thanks for the detailed review. I've been hoping someone had gone last night. I'm looking forward to seeing it this weekend.

Updated On: 9/15/04 at 11:44 AM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 11:47am

It has a cast of, I believe, 24 -- fairly large, especially for the space.

I didn't make it to the Gala at the China Club (I had other plans). Bet it was fun.

[Marquise]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 11:51am

The extended dates are October 5th thru the 9th.

You can e-mail them for times via the link below:
[e-mail] Updated On: 9/15/04 at 11:51 AM

Posted: 9/15/04 at 11:58am

Margo

Thanks for the details...lots of flip flopping! Sounds great!

[buddha2]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 12:47pm

I go to see it on the 28th. I am so glad to read Margo semi-review, but I knew I really wanted to see Euan again. I saw the London Taboo and the one here (London better) and he was fabu in both.

[midtowngym]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 1:10pm

Thanks Margo for the review. I'm VERY upset they're sold out. I'm glad about the extension.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 1:13pm

joeyjoe:

"I have sailed the sea, beheld its wonders
From the pearls of Spain to the Rubies of Tibet
But there's no place like London"

Sound familiar?

[joeyjoe]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 1:27pm

yes, that's the first thing i thought of...

[bythesword84]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 1:52pm

I have tickets to go see it on the 24th and I'm really excited about it. Thank you so much for posting about it Margo

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 3:04pm

Yeah, this might be one I don't want to miss.

[Kelly]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 9:11pm

If for nothing else, see Caligula for Euan Morton's outstanding performance. His talent never ceases to amaze me.

[bythesword84]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 9:43pm

Actually the reason I even got tickets was just because I wanted to see Euan in it.

[Kelly]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 11:01pm

Me too! I promise, you will NOT be disappointed!