Just back from London and Edinburgh....

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 3:04am

Just hopping back across the pond, and can I talk about "Evita"? What a freaking amazing production. It completely eschewed the Hal Prince staging, and managed to be devestating on every level.

Elena Rogers was out, but it didn't matter. It's the most amazing staging, and the show worked like nobody's business. The opening was brilliant, and the staging for "Goodnight and Thank You" has to be seen to be believed. Genius. The finale is also completely rewritten, and it works better than it ever has.

The most amazing thing was Rob's choreography for "Buenos Aires." It's tango, plus musical theatre, plus brilliance. Patti LuPone would die if she saw what this Eva is required to do. (I'll
give you a hint. Back flips!!!)

In Edinburgh, at the fringe, I saw a great production of "Bat Boy", which was revised even further than the London production. Many new songs. While the cast was uneven, the re-writes were fierce.

Also at the Fringe, I saw a really crappy "Closer Than Ever," and a great show about Zelda Fitzgerald called "Zelda." I hope that one has a future.

The other big news from across the pond is "Rock and Roll," the new Tom Stoppard play. Best thing he ever wrote. Grab tickets as soon as they are available here. Cherry Jones was in the audience, I hope she was considering the lead. She'd be terrific.

I also saw the London "Avenue Q", and Ann Harada was walking through the show. I don't know why she bothered. Rest of the cast was very good. "Sunday" was terrific, I'm sorry it's closing.





Updated On: 8/31/06 at 03:04 AM

[algy]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 4:02am

I saw Sunday last week and was absolutely blown away by it. I'd heard some of the music before and not been impressed, but decided to get a student standby and go as its been touted as the must-see of the season. I've since bought the cast album, and I've been listening to it practically non-stop. It's brilliant.

I guess you saw Abbie Osman as Evita? She's the alternate and does three scheduled shows a week I think. I've still not seen Evita, but I'm hoping to get student stanbys again for that at some point.

[mrkringas]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 7:18am

Shame you didnt have better luck in Edinburgh. There was some exciting new musicals produced including Yeti by the RSAMD and a rather interesting Rob Roy with a cast of Canadian MT performers.

Also a ton of new plays and such that delighted me all month

There is NO student stanbye for Evita. The london rush scene is pathetic compared to Broadway. Abbie Osman performs Monday evenings and Thursday matinees. Also I found her very impressive but completely different from Elena. Her voice is stronger in places but neither belts the bridge of "Buenos Aires" however she does nail "A New Argentina" securely which Elena does not. Overall though Elena wins through sheer star quality

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 7:37am

Actually, I saw the Eva understudy, Jodie Jacobs, not the standby. She was really uneven, and I was sorry not to get to see Elena. But I was only in town for three days, so you do what you gotta do. (And then you have to go through security at Heathrow. YIKES!)

Honestly, though, I was thrilled to get to see that production. Even without a terrific Eva, it played like gangbusters. Stunning direction and choreography, and completely rethought from the Prince staging. I suspect it will do great business in NYC, with or without Ms. Rogers. (What's Alice Ripley up to? She could KILL in that role.)

I heard "Yeti" was great fun, but I didn't get a chance to see it. Again, a case of too many opportunities, too little time.

And yes, Algy, that production of "Sunday" was excellent. It hewed very close to the original staging, but the computer animation brought the story closer to the audience than the original, in my opinion. And the two leads were nothing short of sensational.

Updated On: 8/31/06 at 07:37 AM

[algy]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 9:52am

I saw Jodie in "We Will Rock You" a couple of years ago. I didn't find her acting convincing (and thats sure as monkeys not a show that requires much acting) and thought her singin lacked someing (I want to say nuances, but really she didn't have any volume control).

I can't believe Evita doesn't do Student Standby! I'm a poor student (hence the student card) and I'm not paying full price for anything - I'm going to wicked in previews and in a group so I can get the best deal. Plus I won't pay more than £25 for something I don't know I'll like if that makes sense. Thats shocking.

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 12:39pm

Evita's a rip off... probably the only big show which doesnt do standby tkts or discounts!