#51
Posted: 3/5/14 at 11:36pm
I apologize for any crazy rambling or incoherent sentence structure, but I am freaking out because I unequivocally LOVED this show.
Idina has been having quite the week and I feel like she showed up to this first preview like Cleopatra making her glorious entrance into Rome. The lights dimmed in the Richard Rodgers and suddenly a spotlight hits Idina on a second tier runway. She's holding a phone and begins to leave a message. She speaks: Hi, it's me. The audience goes crazy, and just like Liz Taylor conquered all those hearts decades ago, Idina has us with three words. After the applause dies down she continues, "I've missed you." This gets a laugh and I'm in love.
The music begins and the prologue sets the story in motion. As many have stated from the out of town thread there is a "Liz" plot and a "Beth" plot. Some of the supporting characters overlap and play different roles in each plot and other characters primarily only appear in one of the two stories. My biggest fear was being confused with the constant switching, but it was soon proven to be unfounded. I thought it was clear whenever she morphed from one character to the other. Glasses for Liz; none for Beth. Plus, the supporting characters always made sure to say her name when they began speaking to her, just to ensure clarity.
Idina is a giving an ASTOUNDING performance. Both vocally and in terms of acting. I am in a total homosexual panic right now because I was dead set on Kelli winning the Tony and now I demand a tie. I actually want a new musical written about two dueling divas, Francesca and Liz/Beth, who must enter into an operatic belt off until they both win Tonys. If Idina was not so grounded and confident I think the whole thing would fall apart.
And then the supporting cast. I have long been obsessed with LaChanze goddamn she brought it tonight. James Synder, Anthony Rapp, Jason Tam and Jenn Colella were all fantastic. They all get moments to shine, and were very in sync with each other. This was a cast that moved like a single-celled organism- each functioning in his or her own role, but always for the greater good to move the show along. I know they had an out of town, but this certainly did not feel like a first preview. It felt like an opening night.
The score was instantly hummable and infectious. Smart, real lyrics and gorgeous melodies. Let's get the double CD recorded on the first day possible.
I don't want to talk about the plot much because I think it's best to go in cold. There are some nice visual effects too that should remain a surprise.
I am feeling complete euphoria and I will be making every effort to return to the show tomorrow night.
Idina has been having quite the week and I feel like she showed up to this first preview like Cleopatra making her glorious entrance into Rome. The lights dimmed in the Richard Rodgers and suddenly a spotlight hits Idina on a second tier runway. She's holding a phone and begins to leave a message. She speaks: Hi, it's me. The audience goes crazy, and just like Liz Taylor conquered all those hearts decades ago, Idina has us with three words. After the applause dies down she continues, "I've missed you." This gets a laugh and I'm in love.
The music begins and the prologue sets the story in motion. As many have stated from the out of town thread there is a "Liz" plot and a "Beth" plot. Some of the supporting characters overlap and play different roles in each plot and other characters primarily only appear in one of the two stories. My biggest fear was being confused with the constant switching, but it was soon proven to be unfounded. I thought it was clear whenever she morphed from one character to the other. Glasses for Liz; none for Beth. Plus, the supporting characters always made sure to say her name when they began speaking to her, just to ensure clarity.
Idina is a giving an ASTOUNDING performance. Both vocally and in terms of acting. I am in a total homosexual panic right now because I was dead set on Kelli winning the Tony and now I demand a tie. I actually want a new musical written about two dueling divas, Francesca and Liz/Beth, who must enter into an operatic belt off until they both win Tonys. If Idina was not so grounded and confident I think the whole thing would fall apart.
And then the supporting cast. I have long been obsessed with LaChanze goddamn she brought it tonight. James Synder, Anthony Rapp, Jason Tam and Jenn Colella were all fantastic. They all get moments to shine, and were very in sync with each other. This was a cast that moved like a single-celled organism- each functioning in his or her own role, but always for the greater good to move the show along. I know they had an out of town, but this certainly did not feel like a first preview. It felt like an opening night.
The score was instantly hummable and infectious. Smart, real lyrics and gorgeous melodies. Let's get the double CD recorded on the first day possible.
I don't want to talk about the plot much because I think it's best to go in cold. There are some nice visual effects too that should remain a surprise.
I am feeling complete euphoria and I will be making every effort to return to the show tomorrow night.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
