Laura Marie Duncan is going on as Nellie in SOUTH PACIFIC tonight!- Page 3

[SBtheaterfan]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 12:30am

Oh My God. I loved it! I loved her!
She was fabulous!
I am so jazzed I found this post so I could chime in!
Where to begin? Ok...

Had these tickets to take some out of town guests to see the show. I had seen it before mid- previews and really enjoyed it. So lush, moving, etc...

Got to the theater and had mini panic attack- The lead is out! Crisis right? WRONG!
The minute the orchestra starts the brilliant overture I started to calm down. How fabulous was that? An overture folks! Where did they go? So hard to find anymore. It did it's job, and then some! It pulled me into an experience. It took me from my crappy busy day and the streets of manhattan into this Wonderful world of the 40's.

Then the adorable little cherubs appear and continue to take you on this spectacular journey. But wait- Nellie is going to enter at any minute. I can't remember after the kids how quickly she shows up with Emile. For some reason, I felt it was later in the show. At least a scene or two. But then it happens... There they are ( Nellie and Emile) My total focus is on Duncan. How will she be? Is she prepared? IS SHE NERVOUS? Will my out of town guests ever come back to visit?

Well I am pleased to report that the minute I saw that captivating smile I knew ALL was well! Instantly I relaxed and sat back to enjoy this fabulous ride. And it is quite an incredible production! I can promise you, that from the moment she entered with THAT smile I never once thought I was seeing an Understudy ( except at intermission when I overheard Jerry Herman say, " Aren't you glad we didn't cancel?")

So on to Cockeyed Optimist...
All I can say is. Flawless! I truly heard and believed EVERY word. Something about her voice made me want to LISTEN. It was puling me in and caressing me at the same time. And I started to forget about everything else except "Nellie".
Until Emile opens his mouth and starts into "Some Enchanted Evening"!
Well of course it is, after anyone has the privilege of hearing Paulo Szot sing that song, it can't help but become "Some Enchanted Evening". Amazing!

Then Loretta Ables Sayre! What can I say that hasn't already been said. LOVED HER!
Her Bloody Mary both haunts and intrigues! She starts by charming us, but we truly see her dark side as the show progresses.

Can this experience get any better?
Enter Matt Morrison. Who, the last time I saw the show did not care for, and was, In my opinion the "safe" choice to cast in this role. And the "odd" choice (Remember Light in the Piazza???) I didn't want to see him on the same stage with Kelli until a much later date- but that's just me.
But... I loved him! I felt this wonderful shift in him. His scenes with Laura had a connection that I missed the first time. He was HIgh Society Philadelphia PA and she was a "hick from the sticks."I witnessed that TONIGHT! Never saw it the last time. I felt that he and Kelly played it more, " We are the same" but they are not. Their opinions of people not like themselves is the same, but they would not be friends " back home". She would be a "hick" to him and he would be " snooty". Laura played the difference much better in my opinion.

Onto "Wash that man" Again I only have praise. Love to hear that song "belted". The show in general is better suited for Laura's voice. And for the record I think Kelli has a lovely voice! It's just different.

Well, the evening continued on with so many magical moments I could go on forever. Laura certainly has a new Fan!
I will say though, there was one other section I need to talk about.
I felt like Billis would REALLY be in love with this Nellie. Laura's connection during Honey Bun to the soldiers and nurses was so genuine and charming. I never once felt that she wasn't all of their biggest fans!

I actually cried when he does the thing after Honey Bun that he does, that I can't say ( don't want to spoil it).
But it truly moved me! I have been a Billis! I know when I think someone "May be sending the signal." Versus-" "It will never happen. " and I finally saw why he thought he may have a VERY small chance. Thanks for that Laura and Danny!

Thanks to the cast of South Pacific for an Amazing evening! Thanks to all the understudies that " Step Up".
You gave me a new appreciation and respect for this business! Talk about " Just do it!"
Thanks!
I wanted to meet Laura backstage to tell her what I thought, but I got so twisted up back there I think I missed her.
Do you think she reads these? If so, Thank you for a magical evening!!!!
I would love to hear the real story from her though. regarding all the 3 hour 4 hour no rehearsals etc....
Also, it should be noted that Paulo stops the show at some point. He actually gets the audience to clap for a LONG time. He gets them to stop by moving into the next part of the scene. But if he stood there we would just keep clapping!!!!

[aliciag]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 8:12am

It was so wonderful reading your review. I'm glad to hear Laura blew you away, along with the whole production which is just beautiful. And I totally agree about the overture, first of all where did they go and second once it starts you are totally transported.

Thanks again for the review!

[sanda]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 10:04am

I saw the show last Sat. evening with Duncan. I think she's fine. Nothing nervous or unprepared to me.