I think what sucks the most about this closing, is that for all of the flawed material, it did strike a chord with some people, just not nearly enough or those who actually can afford to keep a new messy flawed musical open. Particularly younger queer poc audiences, queer interracial couples, and people who enjoy something that they see themselves in. It seems to me those that love it, have embraced its flaws but it still deeply connects with them on some level. "Lesbian love be messy sometimes" one of my friends said laughing about the critics response. For many of my friends, thats exactly one of the reasons they enjoyed the show. To see the heartbreak on social media, from fans who connected with the show and the many post Eden has shared since the announcement makes it all the more sad.
For my two cents, I wish it at least could run through the Tony Awards for Eden(Mariand) and Amber's sake. The show for me was an okay evening the first time I saw it, and yet I have returned 3x for Amber Iman's Rafaela and the potential of what the show COULD be. I am rooting for Amber to win the TONY, having seen all the other performances in her category. I know Ms. Neuwirth and Lindsay Mendez and I would also say Nikki M. James (who's Ida B. Wells is STRONG!) are in the running but for me, Amber's acting, powerhouse vocals, and stage presence is off the charts imo. Also curious if anyone saw her IG story from half hour yesterday? Just heartbreaking...performers just want to create great art that touches people and WORK. No one sets out to make a bad show...and yet...
I agree with other's that Chavkin's direction is just far from her best, and she did not shape this material well at all, even from a staging stand point much less silent dramaturg on the book. The set design is both cool and ineffective for the story, it's both over and under used, not even sure how they managed that. The choreography is very...(one of the strongest decisions Suffs made from the Public to Broadway was replacing Raja Feather Kelly as choreographer)...unsupportive of the story almost all the time, except for in moments where it is almost revelatory, just confusing the more I see it. Anyway I digress, my point is there is much to critique, but for all of that I don't think its such a disaster ala Bad Cinderella that it should close this soon. Hoping all the performers are able to revel in their last two weeks and find jobs soon.
P.S. Old user, new username couldn't figure out how to change it on BWW settings
Updated On: 5/3/24 at 01:57 PM