Saw the show last night. I liked it, didnt love it.
These are just my opinions, and there may be spoilers.
Some of my criticisms may be due to the fact that I was 5th row center, and this show probably reads better from the rear orch and front mezz.
I admit to being a Dave Stewart fan, and the score is very good, with some phenomenal numbers. I would say this is the best shot at a Tony for the show.
The leads were all fine, but each had their problems, some of which are not their fault.
Caissie Levy has one of the most beautiful voices I've heard in a long while. Pure and effortless. I didnt buy everything she was selling as an actress, but she was fine. AS someone pointed out, her role is not to be the stand out. She spends most of the time weepy and sullen. She made no real missteps, but didnt bowl me over unless she was singing.
Fleeshman was good. I didnt see the overacting so many have mentioned. I found him charismatic enough for the role. Neither he or Caissie are helped with their central relationship by the scale of the show. Their intimate moment in the beginning was superimposed by a weird montage of body parts on the scrim in front of them. Still, I believed him more than Levy or Pinkham.
Pinkham was fine, but a bit too intense. He projects "bad guy" and you wonder why Sam and Molly dont see it before. He could relax a bit, imo. That was nitpicky of me, as he is good, maybe still finding his balance. I loved him in "Bloody Bloody..." where his intensity worked much better.
Da'Vine Joy Randolph was in the show, and I sometimes wished Moya Angela was in. Ms. Randolph is very uneasy all over the place. She acts the scenes well, and that is her comfort zone. I did appreciate that she did not do a Whoopi impersonation. The role is hers, but every time music started for one of her numbers, she fell out of character. There were clear breaks particularly in her 11 O'Clock number. AS soon as she turned front and the ensemble joined her she was someone other than Oda Mae. When the number finished she turned into Oda Mae again. This also happened in the numbers in her parlor. I think she is a good comedic actress and the role is hilarious...I just wish she looked more comfortable. Interestingly, at the curtain call, where she got huge applause and got the audience to their feet, she seemed unhappy. It was strange, and I read it that she was disappointed in herself? I dont know.
The ensemble was just strangely placed throughout and doing odd choreography. I liked it if they had a purpose as in the number, like walking the streets of NYC or in "I'm Outta Here" where they are in Oda Mae's head...but there were too many numbers where it seemed like they wanted to show a crowd and the choreographer made them do strange hip hopish moves. It was so unnatural to me.
I liked the subway scene and Tyler McGee AND his number. I read complaints on these threads and really was entertained and it moved the story. I didnt find any of the score bad enough to be cut. Even "On a Dime" didnt bother me. Again, it moved the story. Carl is trying to convince and even seduce Molly. It's part of the story.
The sets are a highlight and we were probably too close to completely enjoy them. The special effects were quite good, even if we got a glimpse of how they were done. There was over amplification on many of the numbers imo.
Why the eff are they making that poor woman walk on those luggage pieces. It is clearly dangerous. Imagine when a swing has to go on? I did give Ms. Randolph credit for getting through it, but it took so much away from her performance it just wasnt worth it. I dont know too many people who could trust 20 people moving your floor for you.
One question...did Sharon Clarke have sunglasses on? To me that helped ruin the number as they seemed to be there so she could cheat and look at where she's going. I also couldnt understand half of her lyrics. Such an uncomfortable number. Let her just stand there for goodness sake!
"Carson has combined his passion for helping children with his love for one of Cincinnati's favorite past times - cornhole - to create a unique and exciting event perfect for a corporate outing, entertaining clients or family fun."
"In Oz, the verb is douchifizzation."
PRS
