LEAP OF FAITH Previews- Page 10

[Hest882]

Posted: 10/3/10 at 9:38pm

Thanks Tulita, for letting us know your friend's thoughts. I'm not a gospel fan so I definitely wasn't taken by any of the gospel numbers at first. They grew on me, though, and now I actually find myself humming some of them.

A friend commented to me the other day that it was kind of funny how hard they're evidently trying to make Brooke Shields look plain.

Yeah, it's an impossible task. She just looks too glamorous to be merely girl-next-door pretty. However, if you sit close enough that constantly dangling mike of hers helps.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/3/10 at 10:55pm

Don't you think The New York Times will review this?
They reviewed MINSKY'S (and killed an immediate Broadway transfer).
Updated On: 10/3/10 at 10:55 PM

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 10/4/10 at 12:48am

I saw it last Thursday - it left me a bit confused...

I thought Raul was amazing - he was better than the material. There were a couple of show-stopping numbers that he just tore up.

Brooke was OK - she sang better than I thought, but still was weak compared to the others.

I actually was a bit annoyed by Kendra - I thought she was listless and seemed to just be there - I think she had one big song - but seemed to fade into the background during much of the show.

Overall, I gave the show a B, but Raul an A+ - I would go again just to see him.

I did not understand the ballet portions. - and was actually confused about the actual message of the show.

[shira467]

Posted: 10/4/10 at 4:13am

I saw it tonight, and here's my take, should anyone be interested.

Act I and Act II were two different shows - some of the slower material that desperately needs to be cut.

"Daddy's Shoes" stands out as something unnecessary and slow.

Brooke Shields - I felt her acting was sincere. But it sounded like she has a three note range, and even if those few notes sound fine, she really doesn't have the vocal intensity for this kind of show.

As for Raul...look, the guy's always been talented. But this just was jaw-dropping how fantastic he is. Better than the material, that I must say.

The book is fine, a few cute quips. Serviceable, and certainly shallow.

The music didn't always sound completely...original, even though I'm sure it actually is. Oftentimes it just felt like generic "musical Gospel-type". "King of Sin" and "Step into the Light" were fun and I enjoyed them tremendously. I also liked the "Are You On the Bus?" trio/six-part...

I have to say, I liked Kendra Kassebaum's performance. It just seemed so well written for a supporting character. The people I was with however, all disagreed. But I thought she did a kick-ass job.

The ballet dancers? I have no idea. I understand how they help transition or whatnot, but they seem to fail tremendously in that regard and just cause confusion.

Boyd (the son) was played by Nicholas Barasch, and while I was afraid those vocals might just wear him out, given his bio and work history, he's going to be just fine.

I would say the show needs some nipping/tucking and a new leading lady.

Costumes - William Ivey Long did a good job, but hot DAMN, were those leather pants Raul was wearing? I think those are impressive in of themselves. Though I think Arnella, even if she's supposed to be the "loose" gal, could use a bit more clothing. Because it honestly got distracting from the character and made her hard to take seriously.

A good night of theatre overall, and I think this has very serious wonderful potential.

ETA: It's like 110 in the Shade. Exactly. James Barbour played the "preacher" in this parable about 6 months ago at the Geffen. Will "saving souls" be the new trend on Broadway?

Updated On: 10/4/10 at 04:13 AM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/4/10 at 8:08pm

Sounds about right:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2010/10/theater-review-leap-of-faith-at-the-ahmanson.html

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/4/10 at 8:24pm

http://www.ocregister.com/entertainment/jonas-269461-menken-marva.html

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/4/10 at 8:26pm

http://www.neontommy.com/news/2010/10/review-leap-faith-ahmanson

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/4/10 at 8:39pm

Thanks, ljay.

[misschung]

Posted: 10/5/10 at 11:28am

Esparza plays Jonas as a fast-talking, Al Pacino-styled larcenist in a slick black suit. As frauds go, he’s a pretty transparent one. But his sexy swagger gives him a decided advantage and, anyway, conversion is a fairly rapid phenomenon in these parts.

lol, I think this sounds about right. I'm disappointed about the so-so music that I keep hearing about. I was hoping for blow-the-roof-off gospel headed by Raul. Maybe they will make some musical adjustments?