Finally Saw "South Pacific"

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 2:27am

What a wonderful evening at the theater! I made it to the theater with not a minute to spare. i sat down in my seat and the orchestra began. (I had trouble getting my ticket, and getting to theater, etc, but I'm glad I didn't give up and finally made it). I didn't realize Matthew Morrison had already left the company, and his replacement was my only qualm with the casting. Somsky (the replacement) just didn't bring any life to the role. I'm not sure how new he is, but I just found his scenes to be rather boring. He has a pretty enough singing voice, but nothing spectacular. He looks the part, however. The production values are what I expected. It was beautiful to watch, and everyone sounded amazing. I was just in awe of Kelli O'Hara; she was phenomenal. I actually preferred her performance over Ms. Lupones, but I guess what's done is done. It was just amazing to watch how she embodied the character and made her jump off the page. I could see the lines how they were written and then could see what she had one with them. Paul Szot was wonderful as well. He had such a great presence about him, and a wonderful, commanding voice.

I do have a few questions though, mostly practical, and not really related to the actual show. First, why does the stage floor have those odd triangles cut out of them? I thought maybe its so the actors can see that is where the stage floor that moves is, but isn't it always like that? Or does the stage always have the capacity to move, it just doesn't for every production? I was actually surprised at how tiny the Beaumont was. It looked bigger on television! My other question is, as I was reading Lortta Ables Sayre's bio, that she played Effie in the Hawaii version of "Dreamgirls." Now, does anyone else find that odd? Hm.

And man, that stage is massive. It's huge! I would have loved to see Piazza there live, or Coast of Utopia, but oh well.

On a side note, has anyone seen Saturn Returns? The poster was really intriguing.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 2:35am

I'm pretty show Morrison is only temporarily gone.

And the production really is stunning. I loved the cast, set, and staging. Kelli was great, but I totally see why she lost to LuPone.

I'm glad you liked it!

[Paul W. Thompson]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 2:41am

I hope we helped with your finding the theater!

And that stage has so much technical flexibility, it is really quite cleverly designed.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 7:12am

I saw SATURN RETURNS last week, and it's really worth seeing.

John McMartin gives a really wonderful performance, as always.

The play is mostly well-written, with the exception of what I found to be an unrealistic plot moment in the end.

But the cast and direction are really top notch.

That's another theatre space that I think you'll enjoy, RentBoy, if you liked the Beaumont.

It's similar, only smaller.

Check it out. I'll be interested to hear what you think of the show.

What exactly did you find odd about the fact that Loretta Ables Sayre played Effie in a Hawaiian production of DREAMGIRLS?

I have no doubt she was incredible. I would have loved to see it.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 12:09pm

Listen, WannaBe, create your own thread for your thoughts on Saturn Returns. :-p

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 12:46pm

So glad you enjoyed the show RentBoy86!

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 12:46pm

WannaBe, do you ever stop pimping obscure off-Broadway shows?

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 12:48pm

Morrison returns to the show this month to finish out his contract before leaving for good in January.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 1:11pm

Oh, well is he worth seeing?


And thanks Foster, I probably will go see it. One of the things I enjoy most about seeing a show is seeing the theater space, I'm a totally geek, I know.

And I just find it out since the whole show - Dreamgirls - is about race pretty much? I mean, I guess they could sway it to where it is still about race, just a different one?

[justafan2]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 4:29pm

I have tix to see it (again) the end of January and I wonder if any of the leads will re-up and extend their contracts.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 7:43pm

RentBoy86, I'm glad you really enjoyed. And I actually preferred Kelli over Patti as well. Oops.

~Steven

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/3/08 at 12:34am

Me too! I was thinking about it all today. Why reward an actress who is clearly playing herself. She's not challenging herself, or going outside of her normal realm of acting, she's just being who she is. I wasn't in amazement when I watched her. I didn't see her character build or change throughout the show. However, I saw O'hara change and react and embrace everyone around her. She was simply a joy to watch, and I would love to watch her again. I think I might go back when Morrison rejoins the cast, and get a "cheap-ish" ticket in the upper part. I have to say, too, that I thought Jenna Russell was better than Lupone. With both Russell and O'hara, I was engaged and emotionally captivated by their performances and saw the characters changing and evolving into who they are at the end of the play, Ms. Lupone simply belted and blasted her way through. I didn't feel anything for her. I know the argument is pointless, but just saying.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 11/3/08 at 12:40am

I pretty much agree with you, RentBoy. You're not alone! :)

~Steven

[jewishboy]

Posted: 11/3/08 at 1:10am

Personally, I did not find it a joy to watch O'Hara as Nellie throughout the entire show. She had her spurts of brilliance, but no more than that. Unlike Russell and Ms. Lupone who matched great acting with great stage presence.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/3/08 at 1:15am

I agree. There is one big difference between LuPone and O'Hara's performance. LuPone gave a STAR performance. Kelli's wasn't a star performance, her acting was fantastic, but she didn't have a star presence.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 11/3/08 at 1:19am

I also preferred Kelli to Patti. When I saw Patti, she was half-assing it. Not surprising considering it's such a demanding role, but surprising at the time considering it was the last week of previews. Kelli gave a nuanced performance. When she was giddy, I was too and when her heart was breaking so was mine. I made no connection to LuPone's Rose. However, that is opening up a HUGE can of worms. So let's just seal it back up. On the other hand, if you want to see an incredible Rose, go on that site and watch Tyne Daly bust balls in her performance. Truly wonderful. Not to mention you can understand why Christa Moore was Laurents' favorite Louise pre-Laura.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 11/3/08 at 1:45am

Kelli had a beautifully quiet take on Nellie. You were with her each step of the way: you're giddy when she's giddy and you're heartbroken when she's heartbroken, and you can even understand why she rejects Emile at the end of the first act. It is a performance that I will always remember. I think the key to Rose is that you have to know she's a tough cookie but understand she's also extremely vulnerable. Maybe Patti's performance left me cold because the entrance applause and standing ovations were automatic instead of earned. My favorite Patti scene was the dressing room scene with Laura Benanti, but it was probably because Laura Benanti was a wonderful scene partner. But really, nothing else really resonated with me after I saw Patti. Which is why I prefer Kelli's performance.

~Steven

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 11/3/08 at 1:48am

By the way, wickedfan, I had not read your post before writing my last one and we both mentioned the same exact thing about Kelli's performance. We both even used the word "giddy"! Haha, I swear that was a coincidence. Either way, I agree with you.

~Steven

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/3/08 at 1:52am

Exactly. I came away from "Gypsy" thinking "so what?" but I left South Pacific and I wanted to go back in line and get tickets again! I didn't find Lupone to have a "star presence." Sure, she commands the stage, but that's not bringing anything new to the role. That's what the role is. I didn't see Lupone acting. Half the time she was just spouting out lines at such a high speed I didn't know what she was saying. She wasn't telling me the story, and for an audience that's the most important part.

[mormonophobic]

Posted: 11/3/08 at 3:11am

I really want to see this (and am really so happy that as of February when I come out there there will be soooo many amazing revivals of great shows going on what with this, Gypsy, West Side Story, Guys & Dolls, etc.) but am curious as to how long the current cast is contracted for. Mainly Kelli O'Hara. Any performance that has people giddy is a must-see for myself. Since it seems to be sold-out whenever I go (or difficult to get tickets to) I would like to get them as soon as possible, if I can be (somewhat) assured it will be this cast.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 11/3/08 at 6:49am

I agree with jewishboy as well. it was never...unpleasant to watch Kelli O'Hara as Nellie, but it took until the end of Act I for me to be really impressed. her voice is, without a doubt, absolutely gorgeous, but there wasn't always much else there for me.

I was much more impressed with Jenna Russell than I was with Ms. O'Hara, although [not surprisingly], I found LuPone to be the best of a very good season.

[Moviejoemovies]

Posted: 11/3/08 at 9:34am

Just saw the Wednesday Matinee. Loved it. But I'm confused about something. If Morrison is returning this month, why is his replacement listed in the Playbill as a regular Cast Member?
His photo is also with the other Cast member photos in the Playbill. I expected an Understudy notice in the Playbill. Are you sure he's returning?
Can only compare Kelli O'Hara's performance to the Lupone performance at the City Center. Thought O'Hara was the better of the 2. This is my first posting here. Hope I don't get stoned by the Lupone lovers.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/3/08 at 12:01pm

If he's gone for an extended period of time, then I think they just put his replacement in as a current cast member. It's easier and less fuss.

I wonder if they'll tour this production? It doesn't seem that costly to tour since all the set pieces are rolled on and off, and the stage could easily be adapted for proscenium.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 11/3/08 at 12:50pm

They get new Playbills periodically, I think maybe every month. So if Morrison is out for a month or so, they'll stick someone else's face and bio in the Playbill. I'm sure when Matthew Morrison returns, they'll put him back in.

~Steven