Finian's Rainbow - My Thoughts

[Gothampc]

Posted: 11/7/09 at 6:44pm

I saw Finian's Rainbow last night. Some of my thoughts.

First let me say that I think the music rises much higher than the book. To me, the book rambles and is not cohesive. Is it a story about racial relations? Is it a story about money? Is it a story about cigarette production (LOL, ok it's not)?

I felt that Cheyenne Jackson was a bit boring. I don't feel that he has the "leading man" qualities to pull off the golden oldies. Kate Baldwin is charming, but her voice is just sufficient, nothing special. (Flame away)

The show belongs to Christopher Fitzgerald as Og, whose antics can "out-Nathan" Nathan Lane. Also, Alina Faye's beautiful dancing is well worth the price of admission.

Terri White is excellent in her role and I'm so glad to see her back on Broadway. But her talent is so wasted in this show. Producers need to give her a show where she can rise to the level of her talent.

The special effects in the show are wonderful. The color changes on the dresses in the second act are a great special effect.

***Possible special effects spoiler alert ahead.***

The interesting thing I find is that a show that is supposedly about racism only has one song for a black person (Necessity). I realize that "The Begat" uses the black men for the quartet and in this production is sung by a black man, but as Terri White points out in the notes sometimes the role has been played by a white man in black face or a white man wearing a mask. I realized it was 1947, but I think some more solo or duet music could have been given to black singers. After all, Show Boat and Porgy and Bess had already come on the scene with more music for black singers.

Updated On: 11/7/09 at 06:44 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/7/09 at 6:46pm

I agree on most accounts. I also thought the choreography was really problematic, though I am admittedly holding it up against Michael Kidd.

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Posted: 11/7/09 at 7:02pm

I saw this Thursday night and was bored.
Its not gonna be around long.
Thank heavens for Terri White.