We saw the show last night and loved it. It was my fella's first Encores! experience and he was blown away by it--literally, because there was a blizzard brewing outdoors!
Now this was Saturday night, and the cast had several performances under their belts and they were all good. I really enjoyed Stokes--his comedy was very on-target. However, Marin steals the show. She's attractive, sexy, funny and droll--and my can that woman sing!!!!
I loved the concept of having singers planted in the theater for certain numbers. It was like enjoying this beautiful score in surround sound.
I wasn't happy with Marcy Harriell. There were so many references to her character being "lovely" and Marcy really isn't. She has an overbite and a face that's too long for her body. She also has a lisp which people Jeremy Irons also have and deal with it better. Has anyone counted how many "S's" there are in "Baubles, Bangles and Beads"? To say nothing of "This Is My Beloved"?
True, there was very little chemistry between Marcy and Gurwin, but how much time do these characters spend alone onstage to develop it?
My biggest cavil? The processional aspects of "Night of My Nights" scream out for opulent costumes and props. Sadly with an Encores! budget that wasn't possible and the number suffered greatly as a result.
"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)
