If/Then tour-FINAL WEEKEND

[MannPhan24601]

Posted: 8/13/16 at 8:53pm

Anybody seen/seeing the final shows of the If/Then tour in Atlanta? Several cast members including Jackie Burns (who was Idina's standby in the Broadway production)  and Anthony Rapp have been involved since the beginning.I saw the show in Philly back in June and I thought it was incredible(Besides the confusing book)  and everybody was super kind at the stage door 

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 8/13/16 at 10:12pm

Super-glad to see this thread, since I just saw the performance here in Atlanta last night (Friday 8-12).

First things first, Jackie Burns was stunning in the show, and a lot funnier in "What the F*ck" than even Idina had been on Bway. Lots more warmth to her performance in general, and those thrilling high belts were absolutely the equal of anything I remember from the original Menzel performance.

Anthony Rapp actually seems in better voice than what I recall of his Bway singing, but man, is that Lucas character a wet blanket that just murders any sense of joy his scenes might otherwise have managed! Yuck!

I've gotta also send raves to Tamyra Gray as Kate-- confident and gorgeous with that great vocal instrument, she owns the stage like she's been a Bway actress for years, though we know she hasn't. Only weakness for me-- a few of her lyrics get lost in the group numbers.

I didn't think anyone could make me forget James Snyder's hot n' sexy Josh from the Bway original, but Matthew Hydzik built just as much heat and had this amazing high tenor voice to boot. So beautiful!

The show was super-tight all around, but damn, do I hate the choreography in those group numbers. The clunky Bway set is mostly reproduced on the tour, but that giant tilting overhead mirror from NY has blessedly been replaced with a vertical projection screen far upstage. The new projections tell a much clearer story of where we are from scene to scene, so yay for that.

The actual play still strikes me as a cool challenging idea that was never fully solved, and that's still true here. I think the Liz story (the romantic one) is very stage-worthy, but that damn Beth story (the boring City Planner plot) keeps hogging stagetime to the play's detriment. And am I the only one he thinks the score is basically one single endless song that keeps popping up in barely discernible variations all night long? A pretty good song, but I never need to hear another variation of "Ya never know how the long road bends..." I get it, guys, I get it.

 

[theoriginoflove]

Posted: 8/14/16 at 6:22pm

Someone let us know how the last show went, for those who can't make it. I'm sure it's going to be really emotional.