FINIAN'S RAINBOW (Invited Dress)

[EugLoven]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 1:15am

Just returned home from a pleasantly surprising and wonderful evening at the St.James following the invited dress of FINIAN'S RAINBOW.

I had seen the Encores production and was mildly amused but have always been raised-eyebrow curious as to why they decided to transfer it to Broadway... didnt see it as being marketable at all.

Well, marketability is still arguable... but creative excellence and quality production are definitely substantial! I was so impressed with how full and polished this show is. Broadway is indeed a more colorful place (and I dont mean green-makeup) with FINIAN around!

Most notable changes/additions from Encores production:

Set/Scenery is just gorgeous. Stunning. I *gasped* when the curtain raised. Rolling green hills, beautiful sunrise/painted sky, pretty tree, well and stump. Painted stage floor-boards as foliage. Even a beautiful green drapery (with leaf cut outs). The stage-curtain is pretty too (patch-work quilt with gold threading)

Costumes are astounding and so vibrant. An entire palette (but not over-powering like BIRDIE). Notable are Kate Baldwins wedding gown, Cheyenne's tan/beige suit (Act 2), the whole ensemble in the Opening and in "The Idle Rich."

MAGIC! There are some really fun (though fundamentally basic) magic tricks and stage gimmicks (mostly when Christopher Fitzgerald, as the leprechaun Og, is on-stage). "DOOM AND GLOOOOMM!!!" *lightning strike*

Spiffy direction and choreography by Warren Carlyle. Excellent trio of male featured dancers (stand-out is Taylor Frey, in the blue shirt, rolled sleeves). Each actor was confident, polished, perfectly following their track but adding elements of fluidic improv/stage-business. Several fantastic stage-photos (gathering in groups, Kodak moment dance moves). Fantastic lighting design. Picturesque.

Musically sublime (at the hands of Encores music director Rob Berman). Excellently balanced ensemble, no stand-out belters, but just plain perfect harmony. Kate Baldwin is so so so beautiful! Cheyenne with a matinee idol voice. "How Are Things in Glocca Morra" and "Old Devil Moon" definite crowd-favorites (humming at the urinals at intermission). Favorite part is when the ensemble sings "Woody's Coming" as the train pulls into town... they are so musically in-pitch at that moment, their combined voices seriously sound like a train-whistle!

Performances by Cheyenne Jackson, Kate Baldwin and Jim Norton are what you'd expect. Fine, fancy and fun. Christopher Fitzgerald steals the spotlight though (and has GREAT calves).

OH! And the harmonica player!!! Sure, you can applaud for Silent Susan's ballet (was an understudy because dancer has pneumonia) but I was CHEERING for the harmonica player! DAMN!

Its a hopeless romantic show. And very comical book-writing. But that comes with the territory.

FUN (and completely unplanned) MOMENTS TONIGHT
Og makes an orange flower bloom from the middle of stage. Kate knelt down to pluck it by the stem, but it was stuck, and she ended-up ripping the whole flower-top (just the ring of petals) off. She hurriedly got to her feet and shot a nervous/guilty facial expression straight out into the audience (to the guys at the tech-tables, center orch) with an expression that could only be read as: "Oh sh*t, that is soooo coming out of my pay-check!"

Chuck Cooper (as the senator turned black) comes stumbling out of the woods, hungry. Og gives him an apple. He takes a bite and throws it off stage... Only the apple hit the side curtain, lost its momentum, and came rolling back onto stage along the lip. Caught in the moment, Christopher wriggles his fingers (like hes make it move magically) as it rolls towards him... then scoops it up. Hilarious.

Show curtain got snagged on the way down for curtain call but quick recovery.

PS: Ended the evening with a quick but fun back-stage/on-stage tour! THANK YA BUDDY

Overall, may be a surprise winter hit! Anxious to hear some thoughts following tomorrow (Oct 8th) first preview!




Updated On: 10/8/09 at 01:15 AM

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 1:23am

This is THE revival I'm really looking forward to this season. I've seen numerous productions of A Little Night Music and Ragtime, so they don't entice me. But this Finian's sounds wonderful. Definitely worth making the trip to NY. So happy for Kate Baldwin.

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 1:24am

"How Are Things in Golomora and Old Devil Moon definite crowd-favorites (humming at the urinals at intermission). "

It is:

How Are Things in Glocca Morra?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 8:30am

Ugh! That just sealed it! I'm SOOOOO excited for this show and I don't know why. I know NOTHING about it, so maybe that's why?

[BillFinn]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 8:39am

It was such an incredible production. Kate Baldwin and Chris Fitzgerald are shoe-ins for a Tony nom. I saw this show a few years ago at the Irish Repertory Theater with Kerry O'Malley, Kevin Kern, and Chad Kimball and I can't get over how different that was from this production. I know the book was revised this time 'round so I feel like this version was SO MUCH stronger and worked together a lot better. For instance, the choreography. It has a real "old-musical" feel to it where it only expands the storytelling, but also entertains at the same time. For example, "If This Isn't Love", when the ensemble showed us the various types of relationships going on in the town and the similar dynamics between all of the couples. Another was Susan the Silent's 10 minute solo. For me? I get really excited about subtle direction and stage pictures the director has created for us to see, but not hit us over the head with. Towards the beginning of Act 1, there was a point when Woody was hugging his sister, Susan, and on the opposite side, Sharon was conversing with her Dad, Finian. So you saw that these 2 main characters a) were very family oriented and b) the dominant figures in each of their current households. That was just really smart to me. I couldnt stop smiling throughout the whole show!!! So great.

[madbrian]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 8:40am

I'm seeing it this Saturday evening, and will report back.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 9:00am

I'm going tonight and am THRILLED! I hope that this is the hit of the fall/winter. I only wish all revivals could get the South Pacific/Finian's Rainbow treatment.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 9:06am

This basically sounds to be exactly what I was hoping for. Thanks for the updates!

[matineeidol2013]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 9:18am

i am THRILLED that it sounds like this revival is gonna be fantastic. i cant wait to see it myself! i agree with lovesclassics, finian's is the revival im looking forward to this season. so exciting!!!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 9:21am

Very excited to see FINIAN'S this season! I've never seen it before.

Can someone going tonight check to see if there's any rush policy set or in the works? Thanks!

[bjh2114]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 9:40am

There IS a rush policy, when the box office opens in the morning. They said around $25 (I don't know if they have the extra $1.50 fee or whatever), but they don't know where the seats are yet.

[April Saul]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 9:47am

Another great thing about this show is that their pricing is incredibly reasonable...apart from TDF and rush, you can get a 3rd row center seat for AFTER the opening for under $60! I did exactly that...and what a contrast to shows like A Little Night Music!

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 9:56am

Got a ticket for Saturday matinee -- I go a long way back with Finian's Rainbow (was even in a production at a summer camp once -- I played Buzz Collins). Such a great score. I am SOOOO happy that everyone seems to be liking it -- it almost sounds like a "What's Not to Like?" show -- can't wait!!!! Anyone else here going to be there for Saturday matinee?

[bjh2114]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 9:57am

From Telecharge (who knows if this is right):

Standing Room: $27.00 - Available at the Box Office only on the day of the performance - All sold when the performance is sold out

Student Rush: $27.00 - Available at the Box Office only on the day of the performance when the Box Office opens - limit 2 per valid ID - Cash only - May be obstructed view - May not be available for all performances - subject to availability.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 10:35am

Thanks bjh!

[mina3]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 11:11am

I also thought the show last night was lovely. I knew the music beforehand, and all of the vocals exceeded my expectations. The leads are pretty much just what I anticipated - the only difficulty I had sometimes was understanding Jim Norton's accent, though I think that was a bit of a mic issue too. All of the supporting actors are VERY strong - I was impressed every time a new person sang. The dancing is also very impressive, especially with Silent Susan being played by an understudy due to the regular ballerina taking ill. The scene design is beautiful - I LOVE the show curtain, with the subtle rainbow in quilt patches.

I wasn't familiar with the book or with much of the plot beyond "Irish people and leprechauns in Missitucky," and I was pleasantly surprised at how non-dated and relevant it remains. It's still obvious that it's a period piece, but that just made it charming, not uninteresting. Also, the humor is GREAT. I laughed out loud more than once. Looking forward to revisiting the show closer to opening to see how everything has progressed!

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 11:31am

I can't wait to see this! The Encores production was so wonderful, and it's great to hear that it's only gotten better.

mina, I knew the entire story when I saw the Encores production and was still surprised at how non-dated and relevant it was.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 12:20pm

Add me to the list of people who know nothing about the show but are very excited.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 12:26pm

Yay! I'm so excited to see this!

[yeomansden]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 12:28pm

Definitely excited about this one, and glad to hear all the positive feedback. I grew up with this cast album, and the movie is still one of my favorites to this day. Can't wait to see it. Jackson isn't one of my favorite performers, but I expect Woody is a great role for him. Can't wait to see it, and sounds like might be just fine to see in previews. Think it will have to go on the list for this weekend or next weekend.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 12:28pm

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand I want to see this!

[GottaHaveAGimmick]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 12:32pm

Will be there next Thursday. Glad to hear all the positives. Hopefully good reviews and good word of mouth will keep this going through the Winter.

[Soliantu]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 2:07pm

I'm quite excited about this show as well! :)

[kate86]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 3:24pm

i am so excited about this show. and i cannot make it to nyc until next august. and i cannot wait. the show seems so wonderful from what i saw on yt.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 4:40pm

I don't know the show either, but I'm excited.