#1
Posted: 7/16/05 at 11:16pm
Lennon is definitely not the disaster most people have predicted it would be.
That said, it's no masterpiece, either.
It kinda just is.
The show, though marginally entertaining (and WAY too loud), definitely needs to be more focused. As it stands now, it is simply a hodgepodge.
Sadly, lots of talent is wasted in this show, too. With Lennon himself played by all nine cast members, you don't seem to really connect with any of them. Sure, they all sing fine: Chad Kimball can be both melodic and galvanizing; Will Chase is his usual rocker self; Terrence Mann is SERIOUSLY wasted; and Michael Potts has a great tone and is the best of the Lennons acting-wise.
Chuck Cooper is rousing as usual; his "Starting Over" was one of the high points of the night.
The women were all in top form. Marcy Harriel has an incredible belt that goes well with "Woman is the n* of the World" and she's a hilarious Elton John on "Whatever Gets You Through the Night". Julie Danao-Salkin plays Yoko very convincingly (although a bit too much like a martyr, but that's the way that the character is written). Mandy Gonzalez is her usual reliable self, even though she too is way underused. Julia Murney, although she is rarely the focus of attention, is the standout of the group for me. Her "Beautiful Boy" is gorgeous and haunting.
What I really disagree with is the way they canonize Yoko (or "Saint Yoko", as a woman who was sitting near remarked at intermission). Too often is she, and not John, the center of attention. Don Scardino's practically non-existant book doesn't help matters much.
*MINI-SPOILER*
I also hated the corny way that the show ended, with the cast returning after the final number to fire off a series of corny affirmations at the audience. I really could've done without that. The fact is that there really is no clear way to end this show.
I didn't spot Yoko or her big-ass hat anywhere. If she was there, I didn't see her.
That said, it's no masterpiece, either.
It kinda just is.
The show, though marginally entertaining (and WAY too loud), definitely needs to be more focused. As it stands now, it is simply a hodgepodge.
Sadly, lots of talent is wasted in this show, too. With Lennon himself played by all nine cast members, you don't seem to really connect with any of them. Sure, they all sing fine: Chad Kimball can be both melodic and galvanizing; Will Chase is his usual rocker self; Terrence Mann is SERIOUSLY wasted; and Michael Potts has a great tone and is the best of the Lennons acting-wise.
Chuck Cooper is rousing as usual; his "Starting Over" was one of the high points of the night.
The women were all in top form. Marcy Harriel has an incredible belt that goes well with "Woman is the n* of the World" and she's a hilarious Elton John on "Whatever Gets You Through the Night". Julie Danao-Salkin plays Yoko very convincingly (although a bit too much like a martyr, but that's the way that the character is written). Mandy Gonzalez is her usual reliable self, even though she too is way underused. Julia Murney, although she is rarely the focus of attention, is the standout of the group for me. Her "Beautiful Boy" is gorgeous and haunting.
What I really disagree with is the way they canonize Yoko (or "Saint Yoko", as a woman who was sitting near remarked at intermission). Too often is she, and not John, the center of attention. Don Scardino's practically non-existant book doesn't help matters much.
*MINI-SPOILER*
I also hated the corny way that the show ended, with the cast returning after the final number to fire off a series of corny affirmations at the audience. I really could've done without that. The fact is that there really is no clear way to end this show.
I didn't spot Yoko or her big-ass hat anywhere. If she was there, I didn't see her.
Updated On: 7/17/05 at 11:16 PM
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