Leap Of Faith Previews — Page 5

I also think that Andrew Keenan-Bolger should win Best Featured Actor for Newsies, so maybe I'm just a shill for gay men in Alan Menken musicals.

And now I know why I'm single!

Thank you, roadmixer.

Returning to serious business... newintown, in that monumental production, did RuPaul play the Kazoo and perform "June is Bustin' Out All Over," or am I mistaken?

I thought that's what Blanche performed in response to the collection boy.

JUST GOT BACK FROM PREVIEW:

MY REVIEW:

(mind you, I love Raul Esparza, Christopher Ashley's directional work and Sergio Trujillo's choreography)

But this was a big ol mess.
I wanted to leave so badly during ACT 1.
The music and lyrics- unmemorable
the sets- a clunky mess
the costumes- less than stellar
the story- who cares...

it felt like you were watching the first 10 minutes on repeat.

Raul had a great performance- but you don't care about any of these characters.
what a mess.

I say- go back to CHitty Chitty Bang Bang

and Bless Brooke Shields for making the decision to do Adams Family instead.

LEAP, RUN, away from this bus crash.

I paid $29 for my tix and it was still too much.
i can't see how people would pay full price for this show.

Updated On: 4/4/12 at 11:49 PM

*There is a minor spoiler in this post*

I didn't feel as strongly as taboo about the show. I thought that one thing Ashford did right in L.A. was create more of a contrast with the townspeople and the "angels". In fact including the townspeople in, well, anything more seemed to create more tension in the show. They were barely featured in this version, which I believe was one reason people can't invest in the characters. It was a lot less "Oklahoma" than in L.A. in terms of the production values. The set in my opinion was a lot better as with lighting. The choreography was a lot more exciting. The songs were all fine work, the title song being the best in my opinion.

I think one of the biggest problems was the whole framing device. Frankly it just needs to go. They framed it as if they were telling this story to a new tent revival. Every time a character randomly started to address the audience it just felt strange. I say play it as a straight book musical and it would benefit greatly. It adds next to nothing to the show.

Also, since the L.A. production was so damn long, I feel like they were afraid to make this one remotely long. A few more scenes to flesh out the characters would really help since there are so many plots. Many more dances since the show came alive during the dance sequences.

All of the cast was uniformly excellent and none of the problems with the show seem to stem from them.

A lot of the cast mentioned that they are changing a lot of things, so we shall see. They have a good show if they iron some things out and strengthen some of there assets. It needs focus but hopefully it can get there.

Updated On: 4/5/12 at 12:10 AM

The producers pounced on the theatre when it became available after the "On A Clear Day" mess. At the time, it probably made sense since it's not a particularly competitive year for new musicals. They took their chances and pushed it forward very quickly. Sounds like they're off to a bumpy start and may pay a heavy price. It's still early on, though...hopefully they can pull it together.

Does anyone know how they're selling?

Another random thought that bothered me throughout (and this should be an indication of just how disengaged I was):

Why was this town's sheriff never armed? Even when she was in uniform she never had her firearm with her. Does she not believe in guns?

Saw it last night. The house was packed. I don't think I saw more than one or two empty seats.

Raul was on fire; lots of energy and power on that stage. I think he's going to blow out his voice, though, if he doesn't take it down a notch. Not every number has to be sung at full decibels. I liked some of the songs, although the number of introspective ballads could be cut and would probably help the pacing.

Raul's mic went out during the final number, but he made himself heard.

Not sure how the critics will like it, but it does seem to be an audience pleaser.

Funny - I always forget that I sat through that awful show. I wish I could keep forgetting it...

I heard Jan Maxwell was the saving grace of that CHITTY enterprise, no?

(Marc Kudisch, too)

Jan Maxwell was the only one in Chitty to not be upstaged by the car. A truly brilliant comedic performance that deserved to win the Tony that year.

And yes, Esparza was miserable in Chitty and was extremely unfriendly to the company. I saw the show numerous times because I knew someone involved, and Esparza always phoned it in and looked he'd have rather been anywhere else.

"the Raul"....haha, love it!

Yes, Raul and Rosie O'Donnell had a disagreement at Taboo which was covered by some theater media.

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