I absolutely hated "Caroline, or change" last night.....

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy the show...I guess it is not for everyone. IMO, it is the third best Broadway musical I have ever seen (behind RAGTIME and PARADE). Tonya Pinkins' performance was incredible.

Yes it has to be said that so far mine is a minority view... ahem !

It's a love it or hate it show. But that's okay. So are LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, PARADE and a host of others. It will be interesting to hear, however, if some of the people who don't like it in London think the material is too distinctly American.

To me Caroline, or Change is such an American show because a lot of the context surrounding it deals with white/black relations in the South and how the society was still reeling in from the Jim Crow laws. However, I also think that the dynamic of someone embittered with life and finds it hard to let go of the fact that her dreams and wants will mostly likely never come true would be universal. And race relations in general isn't just an American thing.

I understand why you probably wouldn't like it. I think the show is a lot to take in, and I actually don't think Tony Kusher's material here is very subtle so it might seem like that it hits you over the head with what he's trying to say. I, however, think it's a brilliant piece of theatre that had one of the best scores (by Jeanine Tesori) I've heard. The only thing I sort of disliked were the way Kushner wrote some of the lyrics in that again, some of it did seem contrived. However, I absolutely appreciated the effort he put into it and what he was trying to do. So many shows today don't even go for the level that Caroline, or Change tried to reach, and instead settle for mediocre scores/writing/staging.

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Updated On: 10/12/06 at 10:24 AM

The thing that struck me about Caroline is it is more of an abstract piece. The writing changes between general dialogue and poetic asides. Then, as must happen with change, there are transitions in which dialogue becomes poetic and sort of separates the audience from the action and forces us to hear the words.

I also think it is brilliant in the use of the radio, washing machine, Dryer (enemy of the basement), moon, and the bus as characters. It's almost a poetic cartoon in a sense.

Yeah, well, I thought Caroline or Change is what musical theatre should be . . . I liked the fact that it is abstract, not pretty and it's not about how great your voice is. It's about the story, which I was completely moved by and then of course the musicality of it creeps up on you, they don't all of sudden break into song. I think the issues in this piece are real and for the most part right on, I was completely captivated, I understood it fully. I agree that it is a lot to take in, but being a black woman myself everything made sense. Sorry you didn't feel the same, but you're definitely not the only one. I thought it was definitely a step up from the way musicals are presented, something different for a change.

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I was completely engrossed in the show when I saw it. I found the story utterly fascinating. I enjoyed watching how the dynamic of both families changed simultaneously and how, even though Caroline was the central character, both mothers dealt with their frustrations and struggles with their roles as mothers, employer/employee, women, North/South native, race, and religion. Every single one of these characteristics were sprinkled amongst the lyrics and essential to the characters' actions and motivations.

Sure, outlining the actual plot, it seems simplistic, but the show is not simply about the journey from point A to point B. It's about the history, psychology and sociology of all the characters in the show in a very specific time in US history and a very specific, if little-known, locale. And even if the setting of the show might seem "too American", I think the conflicts and emotions are univeral.

And "I Hate the Bus" is truly one of the most moving ballads I've ever heard in a musical. I was moved to tears (and still get a lump in my throat each time I hear it). This young girl's declaration of independence stating, "I'll gather the nothing I own..." is as profound to me (if not more so) as anything in "Lot's Wife", which is why I think the show ends with Emmie, rather than Caroline and Noah, which would have been the most obvious choice. While I knew the show would not be a financial hit, I think it has earned a place as one of Broadway's most artistic endeavors in musical theatre.

The funny thing was, when I took my boyfriend to see it, he was really exhausted that day and didn't care much for the show at the time. But after we arrived home and he listened to the CD a couple more times, he has grown to really love it.

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Updated On: 10/12/06 at 12:19 PM

I thought Caroline smilied about as much as I would expect her to. I thought she smiled on the Billy Dee Williams line and when she gave her children the quarters, but I can't remember. I never once thought about it during or after the performance. I just think Caroline herself doesn't believe she has much to smile about. That's not so far-fetched. The funny thing is, even Rose pleads for Caroline to smile in an aside to the audience, so it's clear her sour expression is intentional from the start.

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Updated On: 10/12/06 at 12:34 PM

I love the show and I'm so pissed I missed it on Broadway. I hope it does well in London. It's such a beautiful show and I think it's exactly what Broadway should be. It is the best in theater at the moment. Just like I felt with Sweeney Todd, it showcased true talent.

Veanne Cox is overdue for a Tony.

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Sorry that you didn't like the show, LIL. I saw this last night and I thought it was really, really terrific. The opening sequence alone with just the voice off stage and then the washing machine, radio and tumble dryer....absolutely wonderful. The supporting cast were all excellent and I do take your point about the kids; I thought they were outstanding. Great voices. I loved the idea of the moon, too...and the gorgeous scene with the kids and the coins. I thought the writing also captured that particular part of history really well, and didn't need a sledge-hammer to knock it home. It was done beautifully. I do agree, though, that it will be a love it or loathe it show. Thanks for opening the thread, though, LIL. It's great to read all the differing opinions.

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Veanne Cox is a genius of timing.

Plus, she had the most difficult part, imo.

Rose did blow me away, tho. I remember gushing in the cabride home, "who is that girl?!"

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