In My Life reveiw

[Yonah]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 4:37pm

I went to see "In My Life" last night.

For those of you who don't know, the basic premise of this musical is that this (very gay) angel is writing a reality opera for God, starring a young man with tourettes syndrom, and the woman he falls in love with.

I'll start was the positive aspects of the show. It was very strange and unpredictable. If nothing else, it kept my interest because I was sitting there wide eyed wondering what could possibly happen next. The music was very pleasent to listen to, and generally catchy. One or two songs were even verging on moving. I would buy a cast recording. One of the main characters was a young child, and the little girl who played her was absolutely amazing. She was obviously quite young, and yet she had a total power house voice, and her acting was right on. Actually, all of the actors were quite strong, and it was a pleasure to watch them perform.

However, I really don't think "In My Life" is a particularly good musical overall. I listed the unpredictability of the show as a good point, however the unpredictability wasn't because the show was filled with clever plot twists or anything like that... it was just completely and utterly random. It was as though somebody decided to musicalize a bad Lifetime movie, then upon realizing what they had come up with was too boring, decided to toss in a few pirates and some dancing skelitons just for the heck of it. I think the creators were trying to say something deep and profound by potraying God as some washed out looking old guy who sang advertising jingles, but they certainly didn't pull it off. Further more, in one of the major comedic scenes the audience finds out that the main character has a brain tumor. I just don't find brain tumors all that funny. Also, I think too many of the jokes in the musical revolved around overblown gay steriotypes which were never all that funny to begin with. Many of the lyrics were also absurdly horrible.

If you want to see "In My Life" I would reccomend buying Rush tickets for 26$. The rush seats are actually wonderful. I wouldn't exactly discourage someone who lives in NY from seeing it, because it is a fun night at the theatre, and it is a very unique show. However, I definately wouldn't travel to see it.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 4:40pm

For those of you who don't know

Like people who just registered here last week? This place used to be In My Life Central.

Anyway, thanks for that. I wish I could see it. Heh.

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 5:36pm

I love IML, not because it's a great piece of theatre, but because it's a lot of fun. I've seen it twice now (once early in previews, and then 3 days ago) and it's my new guilty pleasure.
Everyone in it is quite good (although i like Jessica's understudy, Courtney, more).