LcZees SWEET CHARITY - Wed. Nite

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 12:00pm

*** SPOILERS *** SPOLIERS **** SPOIILERS***

I've been looking forward to seeing the is for quite a few months, and though I really wanted to love this production, but despite Charlotte, Denis and a terrifically talented cast selling it for far more than its worth it is painfully obvious that SWEET CHARITY is a thin show with an undernourished and painfully dated storyline. To make it fly, it must have two things: a dynamic and funny star turn (in equal turns vulnerable and spunky, yet not appearing to be a complete nincompoop) by its leading lady and inventive, dazzling choreography. So far, it's lacking both. Charlotte trys very hard, but she isn't naturally funny, and even in her dancing, one feels that she (and the rest of the dancers) is hemmed in by the unexciting sub-Fosse-lite Cilento. Several times during the show, I kept wishing that the original Fosse choreography had been retained. Though there was some nifty staging bits (the use of the "Rothko" in Vittorio's flat) the sets look drab, cheap and dark, and despite some nice Pucci touches for the Fandango girls, it appears that William Ivey Long has finally exausted the 1960s.

I know why many people have a problem with O'Hare. In a supporting cast peopled with kooky-or-sassy character 'types', he plays Oscar as a flesh-and-blood person instead of a cardboard funny "shnook". Though the elevator scene as written is supposed to be funny, but O'Hare makes Oscars panic attack palpalbly real, even harrowing. (As someone who had had similar panic and anger attacks, I have to say that scenes like this - like Leo Blooms' 'Blue Blankie' fit in THE PRODUCERS, can often be uncomfortable viewing experiences, particularly surrounded by an audience howling with glee). Here was also Christinas best acting of the evening where Charity's calming tenderness despite her fright was beautifully beautifully played. I also liked Denis sweet voice which was perfect for his two too-brief numbers, (and yes, "A Good Impression" seemed like it was barely written).

And the ending remains completely unsatisfying, and frankly unbelievable. I saw no evidence of the character development that might make Charity a newly "liberated" woman.

And Ernie Sabella is completely wasted: His contributions are just to saunter on stage, bark at the Fandango girls and leave, though he does initiate the "I Love To Cry At Weddings" number (yes, it's back in. "If There Were More People Like You" is out).

After all this, I'm still curious to see Christina and see what she can add to the show.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 12:39pm

My biggest problem with Denis O'Hare is that I saw him using the same physical and vocal tricks he used in Assassins. Different lines and costumes, but the characterization was ramarkably the same.

[justme2]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 12:52pm

I wonder if they'll continue tweaking the ending until opening.

Which brings up a question...should a show go into production when updating the ending is still in the works? I know this happens in the movie business; but can Broadway producers afford to take the chance of never solving that issue and ending up losing the audience when the ended ends up looking "tacked on"?

Are there any other examples of "open question endings" in theater where the show went on to either fail or great sucess anyway?

[wildcat]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 12:52pm

This is all so terribly disappointing. The original production is one of my all-time fondest memories.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 1:24pm

I think the biggest audience for this show will be those who want to see a Broadway production of the show and never got to see the original staging (like me) and those who like Christina Applegate. Anyone walking in disgruntled that it isn't Fosse has already made up their mind.

[magicmanst]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 2:15pm

I saw the same performance and was floored by how great it was! I totally disagree with regards to the choreography-The frug in this production was far better than the one in Fosse! I am totally shocked that this production is getting such scathing reviews, the performance last night received a remarkable ovation, which it rightly deserved.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 2:16pm

Denis O'Hare is always the same in everything I've seen him in.

[magicmanst]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 2:36pm

The biggest problem with O'hare in this show is that he is so unnattractive. There is no way that Charity would fall for a guy that looks like O'hare. I thing the part of Oscar needs to be played by someone that is somewhat attractive in a nerdy-esque kind of way.

[justme2]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 2:48pm

I said this in another thread, but here is what I think is happening in terms of reviews. There are two different reactions to the show:

1. Show Sucked/Kill it Now - How dare anyone attempt to revive this show and not exhume Fosse to utilize the same choreography!!

2. Good Show/Enteraining but not stellar -Never seen a staging of this work, and am enjoying THIS show for what it offers the audience, good dancing, good choreography, good sets, etc.

The reactions are VERY polarized.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 4:26pm

"How dare anyone attempt to revive this show and not exhume Fosse to utilize the same choreography!! "

The problem is not that you can't do it without Fosse choreography. The problem is that Cilento has no big dramatic ideas of his own. If you stage the show with clearly SUB-Fosse work that clearly calls to mind the work of the superior master, what you do is going to seem wanting by comparison.

The Cliento dances never broke free and hit the thrilling heights that one finds routinely in Fosse. "There's Gotta Be Something Better than This" and "I'm A Brass Brand" were all over the stage like spilled milk. They never took off.

And magicman, I think that the fact that Oscar ISN'T a 'matinee idol' hunk adds to the poignancy of the story. Charity falls in love with him because he's kind and doesn't treat her like garbage.

And for the record, I think Denis O'Hare is sexy as hell.

[justme2]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 5:45pm

masterLcZ,

You just validated my point with your post. There are Fosse fans out there that will not accept any show that dares to vary on his theme.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 6:32pm

Justme, I think I get your point. So, what you are saying is that even if someone dazzlingly re-thought and choreographed CHARITY so the audieces would never be reminded of Fosse, some people would STILL be demanding the Fosse style?

That, I would agree with. My beef is that Cliento is not the choreographer to do it :).

Updated On: 4/14/05 at 06:32 PM

[justme2]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 11:16pm

YES!

That was the point I was trying to make. It's difficult to take any show so closely associated with a choreographer and revive it without the choeographer's fans being upset. They have a very cememted image of what the show was and should be, and it's hard to let go of that.

I believe this is why there seems to be many "Love it/Hated it" feelings coming out in the reviews. Look at WISHIHADATONY, for example. WISH Hated the original, hated the revivial, hates the book, etc. Therefore...the revival is pointless to WISH and there is no reason in WISH' mind for anyone to attempt to stage it again.

In my opinion, the audience that will enjoy Sweet Charity will be the audience that has yet to see a staging of the musical. There will be no pre-conceived ideas about how the dance should look.