Lael's NYC Trip (Rent, Producers)

[LaeloftheLakes]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 9:48am

Just got back from an AMAZING week in NYC with my girlfriend, who is now safely on a plane, on her way back to California. It was fabulous...we stayed near Union Square, did all the touristy things (for her, not for me), thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Our original plan was to TKTS a show, see Rent (already had tickets for Wednesday night), then rush two more shows. We TKTS'd The Producers, saw RENT, then the unexpected happened. My girlfriend fell totally and completely in love with Rent and Matt Caplan, and refused to see any other shows. So we did the lotto for Rent the next two days...lost both times. Actually, if anyone was at Rent Friday, we were the couple who was screaming at each other next to the line of people with tickets...


So, reviews. The Producers was, well, enjoyable. I didn't like it quite as much as Chelsea did, but that might be because she hasn't had any exposure to the show at all. Over all, it was enjoyable. That's the best word I can use to describe it. Richard Kind was...good. Didn't have the presence I really wanted from him, and got drowned out by the orchestra quite frequently. His "Betrayed" was very good, though. I found myself getting angry at him for not being Nathan Lane kind of a lot. It's not fair, but whatever. I'm the reviewer, I can say what I want. He just didn't have the personality I wanted from a Max.

Alan Ruck was very good, though. Hilariously neurotic, but played it different enough from Matthew Broderick that I wasn't constantly comparing him. Had a good, clear, strong voice, and enough sweetness that we "aww"'d during his scenes with Ulla. The only problem I had with him is that he seemed a little more schizophrenic than neurotic. Half the time he acted like a competent man who was in charge of himself, and laughing at the situation, and the other half he seemed like a four-year-old. I would have liked to see a bit more consistency.

Ulla(sorry, forgot her name, and my playbill is on the other side of the room) looked good and sang well, and was good at getting laughs, but I couldn't stand her accent. Sounded INCREDIBLY fake. Annoyed the pants off me.

Crap, can't remember anyone else's names. Franz Liebkind had AWFUL diction, I couldn't understand what he was saying half the time, and I know the show! His physical comedy was very funny, but...that really lessened the experience for me.

Roger DeBris was all right. He seemed to have trouble moving around the stage, which was a little weird to watch. And I totally didn't get the Judy Garland reference, even though I was looking for it. Overall, I MISSED Gary Beach.

Carmen...well, he was very funny, but I guess this is where not knowing the show would come in handy. It was very obvious that he couldn't hit Roger Bart's notes, so he changed them. Instead of the cute little operatic trills Roger did, he belted out some lower notes, upsetting the pyramid I've come to know. Plus, it just seemed odd for him to completely overdo the feminine thing, then switch to "manly" notes. Odd for me. Another split personality one. Can't wait to see Roger in the movie.

Um...everyone else was very good...not incredibly memorable. Of course, Along Came Bialy and Springtime for Hitler were fabulous, but that's rather to be expected by now. I think that's it.


RENT...hoo, boy. So, that was my girlfriend's first time seeing it, and my first time seeing it on Broadway. It was...stunning to say the least. The funniest thing was that now Chelsea CAN'T make fun of my little obsession problem, because now she shares it! Whee!

We were in the third row, just behind the lotto seats, and the experience was amazing. Like, when Chelsea went nuts during a couple songs with her clapping and screaming, Cary Shields winked at her. Lucky b!tch...

So, from the top. Cary Shields. *whimper* I love him. I love him a lot. Loved everything about him. LOVE! Not that it's a very comprehensive review, but...er, I love him. The hands were a little funny once I made the connection to a pizzaman, and the angst in OSG was sometimes a little overwhelming, but other than that, I completely adored him.

Matt Caplan. I'd never seen his Mark before, and I'm SO glad I did. He plays such a different Mark from any I've ever seen...most of the time, I was nearly awestruck by how much I liked his Mark, but sometimes those little Mattisms got in the way for me. He played the character more sarcastically, more naturally that I'm used to, and I really liked that. But there were times in his more serious scenes when I just wanted to shout, "DROP IT!" Plus, I got a picture with him, and he looks like my great-grandfather Harry, so I'm still sad about that. Overall: Loved him.

Karmine Alers: Fabulous, loved her, wish I could see her again. A better actress, better voice, better body than I'm used to. And I actually wasn't bothered by Mimi's coming back to life, for once! She acted it very well.

Kelly Karbacz was a bit spastic for me. Loved her in TMOLM, but her OTM left a bit to be desired for me. Powerhouse of a voice, lacked the sweetness I really wanted. The funniest thing about her performance for me was that Chelsea finally realized how much like Maureen she is. *snicker*

Merle Dandridge was SO good. Stunning voice, great presence, and she is HOT! Loved her Joanne. Not much more to say about her.

D'Monroe was great, really great. Sweeter than the Benny I know, which I really liked. Kinda hyper, which was funny. Enjoyed watching him leap around the stage during You'll See, then laughed my ass off at the "That boy could use some Prozac!" I really did get the feeling he cared about Mimi.

Destan Owens: I know it was like, his second performance since MRF left, but I really, really liked him. Younger than I think of Collins, but it didn't bother me, especially the way he interacted with the other cast members, especially Matt Caplan. And his chemistry with Justin was GREAT! He had me crying in the ICY:R.

Justin Johnston: Loved his Angel. Very pretty voice, TONS of energy--"New York City!" was cute. Very lanky, the tights looked good. Not nearly as pretty as Wilson, for example, but I still really loved him. His characterization was amazing.

Frenchie has an amazing voice, but we all know that. Really wanted to talk to her at the stage door, because she's a family friend, but of course she bolted as soon as she could.

All in all, the effect was dazzling. I can't say enough good things about this cast.

Okay, I've been typing for a long time, and I really need to get to class. Bye, everyone! And, er, hello again!

[paradox_error]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 9:56am

YAY! You're back!

Nice reviews!

Shame you didn't get to see more shows...

[wildcat]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 9:57am

Dear dear, PRODUCERS sounds like a helluva mess.

[LaeloftheLakes]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 9:58am

I know. I REALLY wanted to see La Cage, especially, but...eh, she's convincing.


LOVE your new avatar, btw.

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 10:25am

ahhhh great...i'm glad you had fun!!

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 10:47am

Lael, after we got off IM last night, I realized that you'd been at RENT on Wednesday - we won lotto for the matinee, lol. Dang.

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 12:03pm

Ah we won lotto for the wednesday evening.

[LaeloftheLakes]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 1:13pm

Hey, WYO, we were at the same show! What part of the lotto seats were you in? We were in the third row...for all I know, you were right in front of us!

[BroadwayNick]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 1:23pm

I totally agree with you about the ULLA in Producers! I saw it in January (just after Ruck and Kind joined the show) and I thought her accent was terrible! It sounded like a Minnisota accent! OY!

[Thenardier]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 1:30pm

The first time I saw Angie Schworer - I thought the accent was awful. The second, time, it didn't bother me as much - maybe I was expecting worse the second time...

[Dreamcatcher]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 1:36pm

Lael you lucky girl! :-P I'm glad you had a good time. It makes me REALLY want to see the current cast of RENT!!

[LaeloftheLakes]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 1:44pm

I feel embarrassingly lucky--my school's doing a "Day on Broadway", so I get to go see Rent again on Saturday! Of course, that means another five hours there in the bus and back on the bus...whatever. I'm ridiculously happy. MORE CARY AND MATT!!!

[TGIF]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 1:46pm

"The only problem I had with him is that he seemed a little more schizophrenic than neurotic"

If he was acting *like* a 4 year old, this would be considered D.I.D. (multiple personalities). Schizophrenia is when you see 4 year olds. Sorry things like this bug me.

I never really cared for Matt Caplan's Mark. There were too many Mattisms in there for me. I mean I know you're supposed to make the character your own, but this is taking it to a whole other level.

[LaeloftheLakes]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 1:50pm

Sorry, hon. I wrote that VERY early in the morning (well, nine, but I didn't get much sleep), and while I was watching a movie.

[TGIF]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 1:56pm

Don't worry about it. Its just ME being neurotic now.

[LaeloftheLakes]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 2:06pm

*pats* It's okay, honey.


There were definitely several times when I thought Matt Caplan went too overboard. I.E. in Tango: Maureen, he went COMPLETELY over the top for laughs. But Chelsea fell really hard...her first Mark, you know.

[TGIF]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 2:10pm

Of course.

I believe I have said it before, but I feel compelled to say it again. I *loved* Matt the first time I saw Rent (last February), but I believe it is because I finally was seeing the show that I listened to for 7 years, live. I could have watched anyone on stage and been in awe. I saw it the next month with him again and was kind of in shock that I like him so much the previous time.

[incendiary_wit]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 5:33pm

Glad you had fun, dear! I want to go to New York...Rent sounded great. The Producers sounded good too.

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 5:38pm

Lael, we were second row. My mom was in the third row, near the center. She had a purple coat on.

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 5:39pm

Also, my sister was the one talking to Merle about Aida, if that helps.

[ikmbway]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 5:42pm

Lael you are so lucky you get to do that day on broadway thing. All i get is a field trip to Liberty Science Center on Friday. Good review and i am excited about seeing RENT next weekend.

[paradox_error]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 5:52pm

"If he was acting *like* a 4 year old, this would be considered D.I.D. (multiple personalities). Schizophrenia is when you see 4 year olds. Sorry things like this bug me."

I'm really confused by that comment TGIF. My cousin is Schizophrenic, but I've never heard him complain about seeing 4 year olds...
Updated On: 3/28/05 at 05:52 PM

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 5:56pm

Wouldn't he think he WAS a 4 year old if he was schizophrenic?

[paradox_error]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 6:01pm

Schizophrenia is more about hearing things, and feeling the presence of things that aren't there.

Not thinking you are a 4 year old, not seeing 4 year olds...

Nothing like that...

[TGIF]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 6:05pm

"I'm really confused by that comment TGIF. My cousin is Schizophrenic, but I've never heard him complain about seeing 4 year olds... "

I am NOT implying that ALL people who are schizophrenic see 4 year olds. Not all even see other people, there are different forms, but no one who does have schizophrenia (unless they suffer from anothe illness on top of that) would think they WERE a 4 year old child. I just used the 4 year old as an example from what the original poster said.

I am sorry your cousin has this, I can only imagine what its like to deal with that daily. The original poster understood what I meant, and I hope you do too.

I commented because so many people confuse the two disorders.