Lennon review (sorta) 4/16/05

[teth]

Posted: 4/17/05 at 2:08am

Okay...so I just got back from Lennon. I'm not very good at writing reviews but I'll try my best (I'll probably just end up writing all the details I remember :P).

Overall, Lennon is unexpectedly good. To just briefly summarize, it's about Lennon's life, mostly on his life as a believer in peace and on his love life with Yoko Ono. A lot also dealt with how the government was trying to deport him. If you want to hear Beatles songs, I believe there were only two...and sung by the girls as the band.

Personally, I was a bit skeptical going in...feeling that the idea of "everyone playing Lennon" could go terribly wrong. However, I think they pulled it off. For those that are still wondering how it works out, it's basically like one of those things in which one person would describe the situation or whatever as a narrator of some sort and another would play Lennon and various other characters. Then they would all switch the roles around as the story progresses. To say that everyone plays Lennon may be a bit misleading. While some sorta assumes the role of Lennon, only a few (mainly male) actors take charge of the roles. The main people are Will Chase, Chuck Cooper, Chad Kimbell, and Terrence Mann (not sure about Michael Potts...don't remember very well).

I guess I will quickly talk about the actors. Will Chase was wonderful. He was on quite a lot.

I believe Chuck Cooper was the one that sang (Just Like) Starting Over. He was amazing in that. I especially love the choreogrpahy for that song.

I remember a lot more of Chad Kimbell's appearances (perhaps I paid more attention :P). While he's overall very good, I felt his best performance was in "Mother", when they talked about Lennon's mother's death. It was very moving.

Terrence Mann did many other parts, in addition to being Lennon. One of the most memorable ones was of him as a TV host of the Sixties...something Frost (sorry, don't remember).

I think the best of the girls was Marcy Harriell. She was very strong vocally and got a couple of "solo" songs.

Julie Danao mainly played Yoko Ono, as some of you knew. While I felt she did a good job, I feel that she wasn't enunciating well. I had trouble hearing what she was singing in some parts.

Julie Murney was quite good as Lennon's mother...and also good in the song "Beautiful Boy" about the birth of Lennon's son.

Mandy Gonzalez and Michael Potts...I have no idea. I really don't remember which parts they played.

Overall, I think the cast was equally strong. The only part that I didn't seem to like so much was during the two Beatles songs. The pitch they were singing in just seemed too high. It was like piercingly loud and painful at the high notes. I almost covered my ears.

As for the staging, it was fine for what they were doing. It had a simple circular platform in the middle, with the band in the back. You can see racks of clothes on the side of the stage. They would change on stage, but you wouldn't really notice it cause you're paying attention to someone else. I think a really fun part is when they combine technical visuals with their performance. For example, in the TV interview, they lowered a projection screen. One person held the camera and filmed Terrence Mann as if it was a real talk show. They also flashed various images of Lennon and the American flag and etc. on three separate screens in the back. In some parts, they even had images of clouds. I must say though, that really really reminded me of American Idol.

In the end, after Chuck Cooper talked poignantly about Lennon's death as the police officer that reported to the scene, the song "Imagine" started playing. They then showed the last part of Lennon's actual music video. It was strangely touching to see the actual Lennon singing...and showing his love for Yoko Ono (who looked like she was in a trance....), after hearing about his story for two hours straight.

Overall, I really liked this show and will plan to see it again. I wonder though, whether people that know nothing about the Beatles or John Lennon would appreciate it. I feel like many parts of the show was depended on the assumption that people already knew about the incidents or people (like "We're bigger than Jesus" thing...etc etc.).

Anyway, I'm just rambling here. In the end, I must say...go see the show!

Updated On: 4/17/05 at 02:08 AM

[devonian.t]

Posted: 4/17/05 at 2:41am

It sounds as though this bio-show is being done with some imaginative staging, taste and originality, at least.
I look forward to seeing it!
Thaniks for the review.

[eslgr8]

Posted: 4/17/05 at 2:54am

Since I can't make it up to San Francisco, your review gives me a good idea of what I'm missing. Don't apologize for your writing. You did a good job, and it sounds like quite a special musical.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/17/05 at 3:12am

I saw it today as well. "Special" is a very good word for it, and in the most positive connotation possible. Very good -- will get better as it gets to Boston and Broadway.

[teth]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 2:49am

Thanks.

I agree it's a really special musical. What I long for is a cast recording. I'm dying to hear the songs again (or their versions of it anyway).

[ken8631]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 1:50pm

Great! I have tickets for July in NYC... Looking forward to it! Terrence Mann fan here...

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 1:52pm

Gah! What? Ken, is this off of ticketmaster.com? Maybe I'm looking in the wrong area, but I couldn't find tickets for NYC - could you link me?


Edit: Never mind, Ken. I didn't think to check telecharge.com as well.

Updated On: 4/18/05 at 01:52 PM

[Al Dente]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 1:54pm

I'm going to try and go over to San Fran over the weekend, if I do, I will add to the reviews.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 2:10pm

Thank goodness Mandy Gonzales didn't dissappear after Vampires. I also can't wait to see Terrence Mann and Julia Murney.:)

[Cyndy]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 2:13pm

I saw the Saturday matinee and loved it. Teth, You did a great job with your review...it's a tricky show to try and describe isn't it? Mandy was the one who sang the role of Lennon during the all girls Beatles songs and had some solos during other songs as well, but I can't remember exactly which ones. She was also the one that played the Marharishi during the scene of the Beatles in India.

I got one of the $25 pit seats that they sell the day of the show and couldn't have been happier with the location. I was in the second row near the center. I'm hoping to catch it again before it leaves town.

[shira467]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 2:23pm

Cyndy - was there a crowd for the pit tix? When did you get there? Very ahead of time, or last minute?

[teth]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 3:09pm

Cyndy - It is a tricky show to describe. Thanks for reminding me on what roles Mandy played. I kinda suspected she was the Indian.

How was the 2nd row?? I'm thinking of going again later with some of my friends and will buy the pit tickets this time. And yes, I'm interested to know the situation with the amount of people in the line. I'm thinking of going an hour before they start selling. Would that be too late?? Do you know how many pit tickets they sell?? Thanks!

[Cyndy]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 3:25pm

The pit seats are two added rows at the very front. I believe there were about thirty or so. I arrived at 10:30 a.m. for tickets that went on sale at noon. It was pretty early and I was the third person in line. At noon, when the tickets went on sale, there were enough tickets for everyone in line at the time and with some to spare. I don't think too many people know about the pit seats yet. Anywho...that's what it was like for the Saturday matinee. No idea what it'll be like once it officially opens and reviews come out. Good luck!

[shira467]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 3:28pm

I'll get into OAK at 7:30, I can get to San Francisco, have a cup of coffee and breakfast and be in line in time..

[teth]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 3:29pm

Hmmm. I'm thinking of going on a Friday night (actually...the LAST Friday night). Maybe I should go more than two hours early then.

Thanks!

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 3:52pm

oh i wanna see this!!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 1:38am

The reviews will hopefully be out in tomorrow's paper. The Chron is usually speedy with this kind of thing; the Contra Costa Times and San Jose Merc may be out on Thursday or Friday. The SF Bay Guardian is going to have fun with this.

No matter what the reviews are, I'm sure the rush line is going to pick up a lot after they come out -- so bring clif bars, people! (And a stun gun.)

I'm imagining this is a dreadfully difficult show to review, so I am really intrigued to see how the pros do it.

[teth]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 1:45am

I hope the reviews will be good. This show deserves to go to Broadway.

On the other hand, I hope the reviews won't be too good so I'll have to go a lot earlier for the tickets. :P

It's weird how they don't have it up yet though. Usually, sfgate should have the reviews up by now if they're putting them in the paper tomorrow. Updated On: 4/20/05 at 01:45 AM

[Shawk]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 1:48am

I saw the show on Saturday, and it is really tough to describe. It's almost like seeing good performance art that you were doubtful about to begin with, but turned out to be nearly brilliant in a wonky sort of way (I think it's close to where it wants to be but it reaches pretty far). Of course, John Lennon was a wonky kind of guy, so I guess it's fitting.

It'll be interesting to see if it is hailed as genius or if it gets panned, or a bit of both. It's certainly a different show.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 2:00am

"Usually, sfgate should have the reviews up by now if they're putting them in the paper tomorrow."

Well, the show just ended an hour ago. Give Hurwitt a bit of time!

[teth]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 2:06am

Wait, so tonight's performance was for press or something?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 2:08am

I assume so. It was the first non-preview.

[teth]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 2:13am

Oh ok. I just always assumed that previews were for critics.

Ugh. I better stay away from sfgate...or I'll just keep on reloading until I see it.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 2:30am

Just use Google News!

[teth]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 2:45am

Yes, thanks for reminding me on that.

...I've realized that I'm beginning to get obsessed with this show. This is not good. (runs away)