So, I got really lucky today and got to see the reading of LB!
Guys, this is a fabulous show. I know I'm just about as biased as I can possibly be, but seriously... I can't wait till more people can get the chance to see this. The audience was full of Important People, and I kind of got a "Hey, go on and impress me. I dare you." type of vibe -- but it wasn't five minutes into the opening number before everyone was cracking up. It's hilarious, it's poignant when it needs to be, and it's just... just very well put together.
To everyone who thinks Cheno would be the perfect Elle: OHHHH no. I'd seen Kerry Butler perform some of the songs from the show (back in April), and I didn't really know what to expect from Laura Bell Bundy -- but she turned out to be perfectly cast. She has a similar quality to Kerry at times, a ditzy-yet-serious thing that completely works for this character. Even in the bare setting of the reading, I was impressed with her acting abilities.
I loved Christian Borle as Emmett -- they took some liberties with the character, so he doesn't start off quite as suave as he does in the film. There's a big element of Geek in his character now, and that considered, CB was a great choice.
Rachel Dratch was Paulette, and as can be expected, was hilarious. Sadly, she doesn't have a very strong singing voice -- and as much as I think she'd be a big draw if they cast her in the real thing, I don't think her voice is powerful enough in comparison to the other leads.
Scott Bakula? Awesome. Suave and skeevy at the same time. Perfect.
And although Kate Shindle (as Vivienne) didn't have a LOT to do, the bits she did have were just great.
Let's see... other standouts were the Delta-Nu "Greek chorus," let by Farah Alvin and Leslie Kritzer... Andy Karl as Kyle (the UPS guy), just because he's fun to look at... and Nikki Snelson, who was wonderful as Brooke (the client that Elle and compant need to defend).
Someone asked who the musical director was -- it's Alex Lacamoire, who also did Bat Boy off-Broadway. :)
~Lins
Dear Ken,
I'm in pieces. Why the cold shoulder?
Love,
Barbie