Should state I've seen none of these shows:
AFTER MIDNIGHT : B+ A great pitch for the show as a whole. Engaging, impressive and well-done. The only issue was that I didn't really get any context for the show.
ALADDIN - B-: JMI is a hugely engaging performer, and some of the magic stuff is great, but I didn't see a lot of substance beneath the flash. I also think the Beauty/Mermaid riffs went nowhere.
BEAUTIFUL - A+ : This was beautifully done...I felt like I got a really lovely taste of the experience of this show. You could really feel the love and excitement in the cast's performance, especially with Carol King joining them.
IF/THEN - C-: Well, she can certainly belt but I didn't much like the song, and didn't get any real idea of what the show was like.
WICKED - B: This bordered on the pointless, but hell, those two can sing.
- HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH - A+ - Filled with energy, sass and some really awesome choreography. This pretty much gives evidence why NPH was going to win no matter what.
- A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE... - A - The best part of this may have been Jefferson Mayes' quick-changing introduction (Brilliant!) but I love it when they go for a character number rather than a big production on the Tonys. The song is hilarious and Bryce Pinkham's use of those two doorways got me on the floor. Beautifully done.
- VIOLET - C: I wish they had done something quieter. I liked the opening but the big gospel number, while well done, didn't seem to show me the shows strengths. I would have preferred something that really showcased Foster and Joshua Henry.
- CABARET - C+: Well, here we are again. This was...fine. Nice to see Alun Cumming back. Next, please.
- BULLETS OVER BROADWAY - B: This actually came off really well, surprising since I hear the show is a bit of a dog. It had a darker, more threatening vibe than I expected to see from this show, and it was intriguing. I don't know if it awoke enough interest for me to want to see this one, but it raised some interest, certainly.
- THE LAST SHIP (Sting) and FINDING NEVERLAND (Jennifer Hudson) - B: I like the idea of the idea of previewing next year's shows...has this ever been done before? Neither really made me excited for the show, (Finding Neverland came a little closer) but both were well done and seem interesting.
- THE MUSIC MAN rap - B: This was fun, if a little repetitive. While we're on the subject I'd give a B+ to Hugh's highly entertaining serenades to the actress nominees and a C- to the well-filmed but totally effing bizarre opening. Especially after last year's magnificent opening, this came off as "we're not even going to try this year."
- LES MISERABLES C-. Lets be honest. This cast did NOT come off well, and since they performed a "WE ARE GOING TO SING YOUR FACE OFF" number, it fell flat. No one sounded at their best...Nikki M. James and Will Swenson especially didn't come off great, but only Ramin Kamerloo sounded like someone I would want to hear sing his role.
- ROCKY - F. Last, and Least, this number was the one true disaster of the night. I haven't seen the show, but you have got to tell me there is more to this than a short dance set to Eye of the Tiger and watching two guys pretend to punch each other in a rotating ring while two commentators talk to us about the fight. I am deeply dubious about the source material's ability to translate on stage, and this confirmed my fears rather than assuaged them. I have no idea what this show is like, apart from that it is "Rocky but with some guy who is not Stallone." THis played like a SIMPSONS parody of Rocky the musical. Couldn't you have, I dunno, let Andy Karl sing, maybe?
Updated On: 6/9/14 at 04:08 PM
