Finian's Rainbow

Finian's Rainbow showcased what Encores! does best, selecting a show with a lot of parts for very talented people and getting them all together onstage to recreate something from the mists of Broadway past. While the book was creaky and the humor, even while poking fun at racism and bigotry, was somewhat shocking to me, the talented cast under the direction of Wayne Carlyle pulled it off. The sound was terrific and those songs, well, I could listen to them forever. Kate Baldwin was enchantment itself as Sharon, the beautiful leading lady, and I could listen to that rascal Jim Norton as Finian spin his stories for hours. Cheyenne Jackson, who, IMHO, keeps getting better and better with every show, is every inch (and that's a lot of inches) the Broadway leading man. Loved hearing his rich baritone in "The Great Come and Get It Day" and swooned when he sang "Old Devil Moon." OMG, that was worth the price of admission alone. He also handled "If This Isn't Love" very well, and I like his vibrato (what can I say, I practiced Judyism before I converted to Cheyennetology), but I wish he would sing more songs in his lower register, that is the voice I want to hear more. That beautiful rich baritone sound, wow, he blew me away with his vocal range and his charm. His outfit in the first act was unattractive, but that did not detract one bit from his performance, and as his love grew, he got more and more attractive in more appealing costumes. He moves so gracefully and the chemistry between him and Kate Baldwin was palpable, they made a gorgeous couple. Terri White was terrific in "Necessity" and Alina Faye danced like a dream. Jeremy Bobb made an adorable leprechaun, and Ruben Santiago-Hudson switching roles with Philip Bosco was a great touch, they were both excellent. I am so glad I got to see a beautifully orchestrated production of this show, and am very happy that I will get to see it again on Sunday.

I'm surprised that there are no other thoughts about last night...anyone?

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I'm seeing the matinee today and I was just wondering how long the show was? Also what do you mean by "Ruben Santiago-Hudson switching roles with Philip Bosco was a great touch?" They played the same part at different times of the show?

I'm glad to hear positive things! I'm seeing it tomorrow night.

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I loved this production. Yay, Terri White.

Her "Necessity" brought the house down.

I'm just saying.

Saw it last night (Friday) and loved it.

But was Phillip Bosco drunk or high or something? He was dropping lines in strange ways and almost wandered off the stage near the end.

I saw it this afternoon as well. I only knew a little about the show before going in, but I really enjoyed it. I especially loved Jim Norton!

Anyone know the code for the $10 tickets? I can't find the thread that had it.

While I loved hearing the great Lane-Harburg score again, the book is an incomprehensible mess. Too much going on there. But why carp? The score is lovely and the cast was excellent. The production was exceptional for Encores!. It was a very pleasant evening.

The book is so confusing, I wouldn't count on it transfering. I mean, am I alone in thinking this? I love the score, don't get me wrong.

I don't know, I loved the book! And I thought Bosco was great as well. I don't think I've seen the Encores! crowd this pleased with a show since Kristin Chenoweth in The Apple Tree. Everyone was just so perfect.

True, true. But, although I was completely thrilled by Follies I don't know if EVERYONE was. There are some Encores! concerts where you just know and can actually feel that the crowd is loving it.

Probably this fall.

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