Giant 5/16 (twice!)

I made it down to DC this weekend for the sole purpose of seeing Giant. I'll admit I went in as a very biased LaChiusa fan, so I was inclined to like it, but I didn't know that I would LOVE it. In fact I loved it so much that after the (4 hour) matinee I turned around and rushed the evening performance too.

Where should I start? The score is absolutely wonderful. It is rich, lush and really captures the feel of the land. I believe one of LaChiusa's strengths is that he is able to create such atmosphere in his music.

You don't even need the (thoughtful) lyrics. His melodies evoke the perfect mood everytime. The rolling expanse of "Your Texas" and "Heartbreak Country," the hope of "There is a Child," and the frenzy of "Lost." Can songs capture characters any better than "No Time for Surprises" captures Luz, or "The Dog is Gonna Bark" captures Jett?

I can't get this brilliant score out of my head, and my crazy hope against all hopes is that it will be preserved somehow in full. If a recording is made it needs the deluxe treatment.

When a score is so perfect you really want a perfect cast to deliver it, and Signature really assembled it.

Lewis Cleale is great as Bick. His warm Baritone/Tenor sails through LaChiusa's melodic passages and gave me goosebumps. His journey through the three acts was well-thought, and he really makes you feel the inner struggles his character is facing.

Betsy Morgan really won me over as Leslie. Excuse my lack of technical knowledge, but I loved her mix of high soprano and chest voice. She really has a great instrument. She totally understood the fiesty, forward thinking woman that was trapped in the wrong time and place. These are complex characters. There aren't villians and heroes. They are very real human beings who make mistakes and love others despite GLARING faults.

Judy Blazer almost walked off with the whole show as Luz. This brilliant woman really GOT her character. Every moment of body language, the sullen eyes, the delivery. It was a superb performances. I swear she looked right at me and sang "It ain't gonna happen" and it scared the crap out of me.

Ashley Robinson was a great Jett. He cried during the finale at both performances and that really got to me. His "Elsie Mae" and "The Dog is Gonna Bark" were highlights. A very engaging actor who I hope to see more of in the future.

Jessica Grove is very strong as L'il Luz and Jordan Nichols personifies idealism and optimisim as Jordy Jr. John Dossett is only in the show for a few numbers, but he commands the stage and shines in the first act finale. Marisa Echeverria made a lovely Juana.

The ensemble was very strong, and stayed on stage almost the entire first act.

The direction was minimal, but I liked that. It really let the score and the performances stand front and center.

The Norman Conquests may have been my favorite theatrical event this season, but this ranks really far up there. Please, please, please let this come to New York and find an even larger audience. If you are able to travel to DC and see this do so.

I'm sorry this has been a little gushy, but I was so moved by what I saw that I can't give this anything else but an over the top rave.

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I overheard a woman telling someone that at the initial readings it was running 4 hours 45 minutes. LaChiusa was able to trim away 45 minutes. I wouldn't want any of it cut. I saw if it takes someone 3 or 4 hours to tell a story, let him or her have it.

I never found the material to be excess filler. There is a lot of plot to cover and many characters to develop. LaChiusa has simply opted for the thorough and detailed approach.

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Jealous. I'd love to hear a new LaChiusa score so early. I think it's really ambitious yet kinda dangerous to produce a four hour show.

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If Norman Conquests can be 3 shows, why can't Giant be 2 2 hour shows?

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Updated On: 5/18/09 at 10:21 PM

You lost me at "four hours" ......

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Oh, and Judy Blazer... f-ing brilliant performance!

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Yes, I can't stress enough how amazing Judy Blazer is!

Just to clarify, I want Giant to come to New York, but don't necessarily think it should be on Broadway. I think it could thrive in a place like the Mitzi Newhouse once Happiness leaves.

I don't know how much commercial appeal this show will ever have, but I really believe in it and hope that it finds success somehow in New York.

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I really want to see this!

WhizzerMarvin TrinaJasonMendel, wow, I wasn't blown away by Giant, and definitely feel (IMO) that it could be cut down, but I'm glad you loved it so much. Isn't that the best theatre experience, when you are so totally absorbed that you just want to watch it over and over again?

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I truly wish I could see this. For me, a good show is a good show, regardless of length. I've seen 90-minute shows I couldn't wait to leave and I've seen a 7.5 hour play at the RNT in London that made me want to return the very next day and watch again in its entirety. Usually, if it is a superior show, it is time well spent and it often flies by.

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How was Lewis Cleale in this show? I loved him in "The Fantasticks."

Updated On: 5/22/09 at 01:04 PM

I just saw Giant today and i have to say that as much as i wanted to love it the four hours was just too much for me. In my opinion there were some obvious cuts that could and should be made. Also (and this is probably a very unpopular opinion) I thought that the whole character of Jett brought nothing to the production. While the actor playing him was fantastic I just did not understand his characters overall point, and he didnt ever advance the plot. I doubt it will be cut since it was the James Dean character, and thats one of the reasons people might see this show, but it just did nothing for me

A show that's over two and a half hours always catches my interest! It's a weakness! This show sounds amazing.

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