Girl From The North Country - Public Theater?- Page 9

[teatime2]

Posted: 12/2/18 at 11:44am

Revisited the show last night. I'm in constant awe of Mare's talent. I do wish they would bring over Sheila Atim for the transfer though. 

[jbird5]

Posted: 12/2/18 at 2:45pm

The actor playing the son is going to be playing Evan Hansen in Toronto. His role would need to be recast.

[(Insert Clever Name)]

Posted: 12/3/18 at 8:08am

that was never announced, i highly doubt Colton would turn down the opportunity to transfer to Broadway unless another project (It's Kind Of a Funny Story) comes to fruition

[AC126748]

Posted: 12/3/18 at 9:09am

teatime2 said: "Revisited the show last night. I'm in constant awe of Mare's talent. I do wish they would bring overSheila Atim for the transfer though."

Atim would be great, but either way, they should recast Marianne if it moves to Broadway. Kimber Sprawl is the weak link in the cast. She's fine as a singer but her acting leaves much to be desired.

[C4b2a3b]

Posted: 12/8/18 at 12:27pm

Finally had the opportunity to see this last evening. I've been reflecting, and my lingering impression is positive. It overall has an Iceman Cometh-with-music feel. The performances are the selling point, as many have mentioned. Mare Winningham is a treasure. I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I thought, "Who is this Mare Winningham and why does she look so familiar??" Not surprisingly, her list of accolades is not small. I loved Todd Almond's big scene, and Ryan/Houlahan's "I Want You" YouTube video has been on repeat. Harcourt steals his scenes as well. 

I understand the comments about the thin book. I assume McPherson intended this as an allegory about the how well we can truly know people in life. The mysterious pregnancy plot falls a little flat. 

 

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Instead of looking backward, perhaps if the play ended with an image of Marianne and Joe with a young baby (Jesus), there'd be a sense of closure: the idea that salvation is coming. On the other hand, the show ending on a happy memory is a reminder to be present and cherish happiness, which works too. 

My only other thought is, I love hearing this score sung by Americans. The accents in the London cast recording often sound off. I was born and raised in Minnesota, and I (unreasonably) expect people to speak like they walked off the set of Fargo. 

In my first trip to the Public, I love the size of the theatre, and I can't imagine this in a large Broadway house. The Lunt doesn't seem like a great idea, but something like Circle makes sense. 

[sabrelady]

Posted: 11/16/19 at 5:01pm

Just saw this in Toronto last night. 

The performers are universally incredible. Boarding-house owner Nick (Donald Sage McKay), his wife Elizabeth (Katie Brayben).adopted pregnant daughter Marianne (Gloria Obianyo), an ex-con boxer (Shaq Taylor), the drug-addicted Dr. Walker (Ferdy Roberts) Nick’s son Gene (Colin Bates),developmentally challenged Elias Steffan Harri, boarding house tenant Mrs. Neilsen (Rachel John) all sing and perform superbly whether in their individual solso or choral singing.  The acting is also perfect. U totally believe this motley crew of lost souls gathered at this  boarding house. I  can't praise them highly enough.

The production is another thing. I won't discuss the thin book- that's been gone over enough . I didn't even object to using mostly 2nd tier Dylan songs - If it moves the story forward ( which IMHO it doesn't) I'm OK  even 2nd tier Dylan is far better that so much else out there.   With very few exceptions  tho The songs do not connect w the story-  and when they do ( I Want You) the scene is disconnected from the rest of the show.  The  creative influences  r pulled from everywhere . Our Town , w the Dr/narrator, Once with the actors dance stye and use of instruments, O'Neill The Iceman- STEINBECK!  both Of Mice and Men AND  Grapes of Wrath. ( really the estate should look int getting a credit!) 

In the end the show elements is are too disconnected for me to enjoy as a show I just chose to see it as an enhanced Dylan cover concert and that is how I would recommend this. 

I can't really see it being a  financially successful transfer for the reasons I've given( amongst others)   so to quote Little Sally from URINETOWN "  Can't we do a happy musical next time? ".

If there is a next time and the audience hasn't committed suicide from the sheer overwhelming dreary gloom and doom!