Posted: 4/19/17 at 12:00pm
I think it has to do with the magic of a company that rehearses and opens together vs not.
I think this is true, and we'll never get that back.
But, I saw the show last night and it was firing on all cylinders. I got chills during Yorktown and the last number and cried during Quiet Uptown almost like I did with the OBC. The last couple of times I saw it before last night, I definitely felt underwhelmed and a little disappointed (although I have to say that the audience ate it up). In retrospect, comparing those shows to last night, the difference is that there were a couple of cast members who just weren't up to par, and that really hurt the energy of the show.
I'm happy to say that James Monroe Iglehart is a fantastic Laf/Jeff. Jefferson is the one I found most lacking in the two disappointing shows. If he's not played well, it really hurts the energy and dramatic tension in Act 2. Lexi Lawson has grown into a wonderful Eliza. Syndee Winters was on last night as Angelica. She's doing solid work. She's not a stand out, but she's better than Mandy Gonzalez was when I saw her. Donald Webber Jr. was on for Javi, and I was blown away by him. He's got more of a Lin energy and actually reminded me of Lin's "eager puppy" vibe in Act 1. But he's a phenomenal actor and really made the role his own. I'll always prefer Leslie's tightly wound, restrained Burr, but BVD's looser, funnier Burr works really well. I thought I was done with Hamilton after the last two shows, but a friend really wanted to see JMI, and I'm glad I returned.
Updated On: 4/19/17 at 12:00 PM