#1
Posted: 3/4/09 at 10:12am
I made a return trip to Guys and Dolls after seeing the first preview to see if there were any changes/improvements. I'm sorry to say that overall the show has gotten WORSE!
First off, the mezz was completely empty. The two side sections literally didn't have a person in them. The Nederlander is also freezing (trying to save on the heating bill?), and a guy moved upstairs during intermission saying, "Well hot air rises and it can't be colder than it is in the orchestra!"
On to the show. Titus still has the Sebastian accent, and Steve Rosen, who I thought was giving it his all in the first preview, almost seemed to be walking through. It came across as a combination of boredom and not wanting to be there. The Fugue, as did many of the numbers, received very tepid applause. I knew I was in for a long night.
If possible I think Lauren has gotten worse. Her singing has turned into all out yelling and her acting... I think it was Yankeefan on the board that described her Adelaide as acting with a lobotomy, and he couldn't have hit the nail more on the head. It was an atrocious massacre of one of the funniest parts written for musical comedy. The Hot Box numbers and Sue Me were the lowest points of the show.
On a positive note, I think Craig Bierko has actually gotten better, especially during the book scenes. The scene before I'll Know in particular worked. Craig and Kate, if not always firing on all cylinders, are still trying. Jim Walton is also making the most out of his role.
The ensemble is still dancing beautifully, but they seemed to be lacking a necessary spark. I know it was the first performance after bad reviews, but it was noticeable that they were a little dejected. John Seyla (sp?) is giving his all, and The Crapshooters Dance is the highlight of the evening. I actually think it should be the Tony number leading into Luck Be a Lady. It is definitely the most polished part of the show.
I love Mary Testa, but with most everyone else sleepwalking through the show, her performance becomes a little jarring and out of place. The audience didn't eat it up like they (and I) did at the first preview. Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat did receive the most applause and woke everyone up, but it was way too little too late.
Everything directorial that only annoyed me slightly during the first preview really got under my skin this time around. The projections seemed much more out of control. The subway was 'running' all the time and the heavenly lights during Rocking the Boat were so cheesy!
A funny flashback to Thou Shalt Not was during the transition to Havanna when Damon Runyon was taking Craig and Kate to shore. It reminded me of Tug Boat and Norbert steering Craig around. At least Norbert got to die after that number.
First off, the mezz was completely empty. The two side sections literally didn't have a person in them. The Nederlander is also freezing (trying to save on the heating bill?), and a guy moved upstairs during intermission saying, "Well hot air rises and it can't be colder than it is in the orchestra!"
On to the show. Titus still has the Sebastian accent, and Steve Rosen, who I thought was giving it his all in the first preview, almost seemed to be walking through. It came across as a combination of boredom and not wanting to be there. The Fugue, as did many of the numbers, received very tepid applause. I knew I was in for a long night.
If possible I think Lauren has gotten worse. Her singing has turned into all out yelling and her acting... I think it was Yankeefan on the board that described her Adelaide as acting with a lobotomy, and he couldn't have hit the nail more on the head. It was an atrocious massacre of one of the funniest parts written for musical comedy. The Hot Box numbers and Sue Me were the lowest points of the show.
On a positive note, I think Craig Bierko has actually gotten better, especially during the book scenes. The scene before I'll Know in particular worked. Craig and Kate, if not always firing on all cylinders, are still trying. Jim Walton is also making the most out of his role.
The ensemble is still dancing beautifully, but they seemed to be lacking a necessary spark. I know it was the first performance after bad reviews, but it was noticeable that they were a little dejected. John Seyla (sp?) is giving his all, and The Crapshooters Dance is the highlight of the evening. I actually think it should be the Tony number leading into Luck Be a Lady. It is definitely the most polished part of the show.
I love Mary Testa, but with most everyone else sleepwalking through the show, her performance becomes a little jarring and out of place. The audience didn't eat it up like they (and I) did at the first preview. Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat did receive the most applause and woke everyone up, but it was way too little too late.
Everything directorial that only annoyed me slightly during the first preview really got under my skin this time around. The projections seemed much more out of control. The subway was 'running' all the time and the heavenly lights during Rocking the Boat were so cheesy!
A funny flashback to Thou Shalt Not was during the transition to Havanna when Damon Runyon was taking Craig and Kate to shore. It reminded me of Tug Boat and Norbert steering Craig around. At least Norbert got to die after that number.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
Updated On: 3/4/09 at 10:12 AM
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