Julia Murney as Evita at Sacramento's Music Circus- Page 3

[tourboi]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 3:49pm

Saw it. Loved it. Great production. Julia was fantastic, as was Eric. I had some reservations about the music direction (in some of the military bits any trace of harmony was inaudible, and the orchestra sounded a bit... tinny), but overall it was a great show. The direction was fantastic (I was skeptical about this being done in the round).

And Julia rocks "A New Argentina," exuding confidence.

Really, really enjoyed it.

[HBP]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 8:06pm

Is there any possiblity of a Broadway transfer of this production? Murney is going to be excellent.

oops :) Updated On: 8/14/08 at 08:06 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 8:16pm

Has a summer stock production of anything ever gone to Broadway?

[tourboi]

Posted: 8/15/08 at 10:17pm

No. This is just a little regional/stock production. Music Circus uses Broadway talent all the time, so having Murney in the show isn't anything out of the ordinary.

[Janelle188]

Posted: 8/16/08 at 4:27am

I love Music Circus. I had never seen anything done in the round before. Then I saw Les Mis there last year and just saw Sweeney Todd last month. It's such interesting and unique staging. And they often use Broadway talent. The guy who played Sweeney Todd, I can't recall his name but he was the original Father in Ragtime and played the Judge in the Cerveris-Lupone revival of Sweeney Todd on Broadway.

[tourboi]

Posted: 8/16/08 at 2:31pm

Marc Jacoby?

[Janelle188]

Posted: 8/16/08 at 3:34pm

YES! That was him. He was really very good.

[murneyfan]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 1:34pm

I also loved it--both Julia and Eric were great. It was wonderful to have a "little bit of NY/Broadway" a few blocks from my house for a while. It's sort of sad now that the show has ended it's short run here.

[Anna_Elizabeth]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 4:00pm

There is always wonderful talent on the SMC stage, which is why I look forward to the shows every summer. Just to see who has returned, coming for the 1st time, etc. And I always check to see who is playing in the orchestra, because sometimes you never know who might be in town.

[wolvfbfn]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 4:19pm

Music Circus is so great b/c it is a theater in the round making all the staging so unique. Not to mention all the talent they get.

Review for Evita: The first act seemed to have pitch and volume issues (volume in that the orchestra was louder than the singers). That was mostly fixed in the second act. Julia seemed much better in the second act songs, but she, along with Eric, were amazing overall. It was, in sum, a great production and I'm glad I went. :)

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 5:06pm

Yes, Julia improved in the second act but she sounded horrible during the first act. I felt bad for her, her notes were so off and her voice kept cracking! However, her acting was top.

[JRybka]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 5:12pm

Tourboi.... I almost chocked when I saw you say that Music Circus is a little regional/stock production.

Since 1951, this first-class summer stock has become the predominant landmark on Sacramento's cultural landscape. Over 130,000 patrons a year attend musical theater in the arena-style theatre. Truly a community event, the Music Circus employs a variety of professional and aspiring artists and theatre lovers. Creative staff (directors, choreographers and designers) and lead actors and ensemble members are brought in from New York and Los Angeles to work with local actors, artisans and students to produce seven shows in eight weeks. The volunteer crew for Music Circus includes over 350 volunteer ushers and dozens of volunteer production workers. (thanks californiamusictheare.com)

Hardly little by any standards.

And I used to work there... Some of these productions could easily have been brought to life on the Broadway Stage.

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 5:20pm

Some of the shows I've seen at Music Circus are better quality then some things I've seen on a regular stage and even on Broadway.

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 5:26pm

I saw it last night, and loved it! I agree with everyone in that Julia's second act was very strong. Her "Don't Cry For Me..." almost brought tears to my eyes [Ha, I just realized how ironic that sentence was]. I would have liked a little accent, but eh. She made up for it. Her acting was spot-on, as well.

I also really enjoyed Kari Yancy, the Mistress. I thought that whole scene was staged so beautifully.

Overall, wonderful. Very sad now that it's closed. :[

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 5:36pm

I would have liked a little accent, but eh.

She had one. It was American.

[JRybka]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 5:37pm

Music Circus' production of CHESS in the mid 90s where absolutely ground breaking. They completely blew me away.... I ended up seeing every show both years it played. Judy McLane was a goddess!

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 5:40pm

an accent like the one Bob Gunton had in the OBC?

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 5:51pm

What kind of accent were you looking for? British, like Madonna?

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 5:57pm

I think the person was wondering if there was an accent like Elena Rogers had for the 2002 UK EVITA production. Elena's accent was real though, as she is from Argentina.

[wolvfbfn]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 8:01pm

I have to agree about Kari Yancy as The Mistress. That song was probably the highlight of the first act for me.

The accent, or lack of one, didn't bother me at all, as I wasn't expecting one. I think it would have been more distracting if she'd used one, especially a bad one.

[tourboi]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 8:04pm

I'm in no way discounting Music Circus as a top notch regional. But, it IS Summer Stock. And all I was saying is that Summer Stock productions never (or very rarely if they ever have!) go to Broadway.

They may have Broadway talent, do INCREDIBLE (professional) shows, and have the best production values in the world (sometimes they do, sometimes they definitely don't). But at the end of the day, no matter who's involved, they're still a summer stock theatre. Little? No. If I said "little" it was only in the grand scheme of things (they're not Broadway producers). But they are summer stock, even friends who work there call it that (cuz that's what it is).

Believe me, I have high respect for them. They do great work (most of the time). But don't try and call them something higher than what they are. They know what they are, and they're one of the best in the country.

[sing_dance_love]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 11:47pm

I am SO glad to hear great things about Kari as The Mistress. She's one of my good friends and this has been such a fantastic opportunity for her. I really wish I could have seen this show!

Updated On: 8/18/08 at 11:47 PM

[Anastasia_Beaverhausen]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 11:57pm

Susan Egan did The Sound of Music at Music Circus in 1996. The Rogers & Hammerstein people came and a revival of the musical was staged on Broadway with the intention of having Egan star...based on her performance at Music Circus. She didn't do it, but it is something. :) Yes, it is summer stock, but we are damn lucky to have it here in Sac. There aren't many "summer stock" theaters like Music Circus.

[Anastasia_Beaverhausen]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 12:01am

OH, and Evita, and Julia, were fantastic. :)

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 12:53am

Come on y'all, I had to find SOMETHING to pick on her about.

No, you guys are probably right. It's my own fault, because I just kept thinking "Queenie from The Wild Party" while she was singing. Haha. But she was fantastic.

I have to agree about Kari Yancy as The Mistress. That song was probably the highlight of the first act for me.

Me too. And I brought my sister, who knew nothing about Evita, and that was her favorite part of the first act, too.