LENNON Review (8/24)

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 12:53pm

Let me start off by saying that I had very little knowledge of John Lennon before deciding to see this show. I knew he was in the Beatles and that he was involved with Yoko Ono and was later shot by a crazed fan, but the details surrounding all of these events were unknown to me. I was very hesitant to see this show because I had heard people say they thought Yoko Ono took control of the production and made it more about her, etc. etc., but I decided to student rush it nonetheless because I was intrigued.

My seat was in the very front row AA in the very center of the orchestra, which is a seat I've never experienced before. I"m so glad I was so close because this was an awesome show to be upfront for. It started off with the large screen in front of the stage displaying various messages and concepts from Lennon's life, but since that was difficult to see without looking straight up from my seat, I instead watched all the musicians set up on stage and warm up. They were all set up around the back of the stage and there was a large platform set up in the middle of stage where the actors would perform. As the show neared, I recognized Will Chase walk out on stage and greet his the musicians by giving a 'rock and roll' hang gesture. For whatever reason, that got me excited to see what this show would be all about, he seemed to thrilled to be performing.

The show began with the entire cast running downstage to the very edge (aka, like 2 feet from my face) and I was instantly tapping my foot to the song with a smile on my face. The cast is so incredibly talented and I felt like I was watching some kind of All-Star Broadway show. Not all of the performers are legendary, but I had heard of pretty much all of them prior to the show so for me it was exciting to see all of these up and coming people on stage.

I'm not going to go into great detail about each and every song, but I felt that the show was very exciting and very efficient in telling John Lennon's story. I didn't feel like I was watching a Juke Box Musical at all, but instead it felt even more like a biographical rock concert -- which I was certainly willing to accept. It was something different than the usual Broadway show, which I"m not usually a fan of since I enjoy more traditional shows, but I was actually floored by way this show was performed. Will Chase and Chad Kimball play Lennon the most out of the cast (and VERY well I might add), but I liked how all the different genders and races in the cast had a chance to put on the Lennon glasses and embody his ideas on stage. The show had it's fun numbers where you wanted to get up and sing along, and it had some very clever and comedic points (esp. the female Elton John, Terrence Mann in pretty much everything he did, and Mandy Gonzalez as the Indian man with the beard), as well as the touching moments between Yoko Ono and Lennon and especially Chuck Cooper's monologue as a cop that was there when Lennon was shot. Overall, the show was extremely well done in my opinion and my friend and I could find very few things that we didn't enjoy about it.

I loved being in the front row with this show because everything was played so close to you and lots of things were played down front. When Will, Chad, Michael, and Terrence sing "Watching The Wheels" they all sat downstage center with their feet hanging over the stage. So Chad and Will were directly in front of me. If I reached my hand out I could have grabbed them, but I didn't, but that was very cool to have these incredible performers singing right in front of me. In fact, it was weird when they would look at you and sing to you -- I just smiled because I didn't know what else to do.

The entire cast of Lennon is so talented and this show deserves to have more of an audience that it has at the moment. For anyone who is doubting Lennon because of things they have heard from other people or because they feel that they won't enjoy it because they don't know anything about Lennon - I urge you to go see this. I believe there is a special deal on Playbill for it right now if you don't want to pay full price - but I think it is worth seeing. I am now a John Lennon fan and I've really come to enjoy all of his music because of this show. The show is fun, exciting, sad, and full of love and the cast really look like they are having the time of their life doing it.

Go see it! PS: They are all really nice at the stage door. And an additional round of applause for Marcy Harriell for singing the HELL out of 'Woman Is The n* Of The World.'

Updated On: 8/25/05 at 12:53 PM

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 12:57pm

Mandy is amazing

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 1:12pm

Without a doubt. She threw me a big purple flower when she was the Indian man. I was so excited.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 1:14pm

Great review; those are pretty much the same thoughts I had. I'm glad you had fun!

[kooky]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 1:45pm

Great Revew JoizeyActor, I Love that you feel exactly the way I do
about this show. You have just joined the Lennon Lovers Club!

[MissNY]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 2:08pm

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I applaud you for checking it out to form your own opinion. I have heard so many people say "don't see Lennon, it sucks" and when I ask if they have seen it, they say no. Front row is the absolute best for this show. First time I saw it, I was in row D and watching the show I knew that next time I would have to be front row.

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 3:14pm

Are they making a cast recording for this show?

[MissNY]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 3:31pm

That's still not definate. A recording is planned, but it keeps getting pushed back. There has been talk of it being a live recording rather than studio. I really hope that a recording does come out, and soon!

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 5:22pm

Yes, me too, I would definitely look into purchasing it.

[tmz814]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 5:23pm

I am glad that you enjoyed the show. Front row for this show is awesome.

[Elphie]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 6:46pm

Lennon is def. worth it. I wish I could be on their publicity staff and get it more known. Even if you don't like Lennon, see it for the cast. The cast includes Tony and Drama Desk Nominees, including one recipient- Yey Chuck Cooper!- that are all up and coming. I can see future Broadway legends out of these people. And the show is so intimate. I really felt like they were singing right to me, trying to put the Lennon glasses over my eyes. I cant wait for a cast recording! Out of the 4 shows I have seen this year, Lennon was my favorite. Do you think it will get any recognition by the Tony Awards? The lighting better at least- that was phenomenal!

[Natalie 2]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 6:59pm

Yea! Join the club of Lennon lovers! MissNY-I agree with you, why is it that in this profession, so many love to have an opinion without anything to back it up. (sigh)

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 7:16pm

I was talking with my friend about Tony possibilities, and she felt that although very deserving, this show might get snubbed because it's not a *favorite* show at the moment. I can't say whether or not the show will be nominated, but I definitely can say that it deserves to be nominated. Lighting, musical, and some actor nominations are deserved. I hope Will Chase gets nominated.

[Natalie 2]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 7:19pm

Will Chase was amazing...truly evoked the spirit and likeness of John Lennon.

[Sargar]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 7:29pm

thanks so much for the review! i had originally wanted to see it because of the amazing cast; the story of lennon had only been secondary, but i'm glad to hear that the show itself is worth it alone.

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 11:10pm

The show itself is definitely worth it. I"ve been singing anything I can remember all day today. Well, that and Rose's Turn for some odd reason. I"m strange like that.

[MissNY]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 1:40pm

It's kind of impossible to discuss Tony nominations at this point because so few shows have opened this season. As sad as it is, I don't think many nominations are likely due to the fact that it opened so early in the season, may close before long, and is considered my many to be a jukebox musical. They wont be eligable for best score, best actor, or actress. I highly doubt they will get a nod for set, costumes, choreagraphy or musical. Lighting design is a possibility and I would love to see Will get a nod for featured actor.

[TennesseeTwang]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 2:23pm

I think Will Chase may be the only possibility for a TONY nod. And that is due partly to a cumulative effect of his having given several good performances over time. They may feel he's due.

But I think the critical drubbing the show took will kill any other chances.