Posted: 8/28/15 at 1:41am
Sorry to bump this thread, but I didn't want to start a new one just for my own review.
I've been anticipating this show since I heard Tesori's name attached. Caroline, or Change's cast recording has been my favorite show of the 2000s since I heard it and I was so excited to have this woman back doing something off-Broadway (Violet and Caroline are my favorites of hers, so I was glad it seemed to be more of that "off-Broadway" type show rather than Millie or Shrek).
My parents were with me, so we thought we might go see "The King and I" because my father likes shows a little more classical and not as sad, but after he heard my mother and I discussing it, he wanted to go (he had seen a production of The King and I prior, but I think we're going to see that tomorrow). We gave him a little overview of the show so he wouldn't be shocked at the subject matter or Alison's opening remarks regarding the fate of her and her father.
I was very fond of both cast recordings, so I knew a the score and a great deal of dialogue as well. Let me preface this by saying I wasn't as impressed by the cast recording as many on here were. I thought it was quite good, but didn't quite reach Caroline heights (I bought the Public cast recording and heard it a few times before the new Broadway release). After numerous listens, the score has grown on me quite a lot and I was rooting for it Tony time. While I admired much of it, I still thought a lot of the material felt distanced, and not as intimate.
After seeing this show, I see just how wrong I was.
It was phenomenal. Not just the show, but the cast, the score, the orchestrations, the set - everything. That small band played with such feeling, and the gorgeous orchestrations wrap you in this world. From the second Beth walked on stage the audience was still. Numerous times I found myself literally leaning closer to the stage, trying to take everything in. The theater is so perfect for this show, and there is not a bad seat in it - you feel part of the family.
In the middle of the show I found myself wishing I hadn't listened to the recording before so "Changing My Major" and "Ring of Keys" would have been more of a surprise to me. The entire cast deserves heaps and heaps of praise. I fell in love with Joel Perez (can I take him home?) and adored the fabulous Roberta Colindrez. Beth Malone was crazy good - especially being on stage the entire time and totally involved with everything that happened. Emily Skreggs was winning and very believable as the awkward college age-type. Special standouts to Sydney Lucas, who has a wisdom far greater than her age and makes everything she says (or sings) so fresh and poignant. "Ring of Keys" brought the house down. Judy Kuhn, who essentially has a cameo, really wrung the most out of her role - the regret and defeat ring out through everything she does ("Helen's Etude (Maybe Not Right Now)" was particularly great) and by the time you're ready to let her disappear she gives that astounding 11 o'clock number ("Days and Days"
and completely destroys you. Having her be essentially mute and then finally let her feelings out really makes her rise to operatic levels in tragedy. And, of course, Michael Cerveris, who gives one of the most complex performances in recent memory, was astounding. He made me hate him sometimes, laugh and relate to him at others, and finally, despair at his demise in the particularly haunting (the orchestrations were really great here) "Edges of the World".
I must say, I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did. The opening grabbed me (and Sydney is fascinating to watch) and I felt in familiar territory. Then, suddenly, at the end of "Welcome to Our House on Maple Avenue" I felt tears dripping down my cheeks. That's not very odd, as I cried once during two of the four shows I say on my previous visit ("Private Conversation" in Side Show, and during Gabey meeting Miss Turnstiles after "Do, Rei, Do" in On the Town". However, I did not expect to cry during this show. Then, after "Changing My Major", I started again and I don't believe I stopped until the cast was bowing. Many times I was nervous I was going to start sobbing and disturb those around me. "Days and Days" and "Telephone Wire" really brought it home. The conceit of having Big Alison step in for the car ride is brilliant, as is only having the three Alisons during the Finale. When the lights came down, there was a brief moment where everything was still. Then, thunderous applause. When the lights came up there were many, many people who were crying and it all felt so connected - we all experienced something incredibly special.
I probably connected to it because of my own interesting relationship with my Dad, who is in many was as much of a mystery to me as Bruce is to Alison. However, the magic happening at Circle in the Square is something that everybody needs to see - it doesn't matter if you're straight or you and your father are best friends, it truly is amazing. It is not to be missed and I beg everyone to go see it if you have the means to.
As a side note, my mother loved it, but my father had a difficult time. He's not fond of sad things (he almost walked out of Silver Linings Playbook) and, besides the homosexuality and the affairs, he's a lot like Bruce so it might have been difficult to see it portrayed so searingly on stage.
Sorry if this post was obscenely long, but I just had to share this experience with you all. I would like to thank Tesori, Kron, and Gold for this beautiful, beautiful show.
Updated On: 8/28/15 at 01:41 AM
