Posted: 11/24/24 at 1:06am
I went tonight since I’d been craving to see this pairing since it was announced. Unfortunately, Sherie was out (and has been out sick most of the week per staff).
It’s been 4 years since I’ve seen the show (Glick/Blanchard/Borle) and it’s held up TREMENDOUSLY.
I must emphasize there is simply nothing that Nicholas Christopher cannot do. I’ve seen this man as a Four Top, Burr, Pirelli, Sweeney Todd, and Jelly Roll Morton and he deserves a special Tony for RANGE. Seeing him play nebbishy and awkward took some getting used to, but once Seymour finally begins the relationship with a talking Audrey II, things REALLY take off. The “Feed Me (Git It)” scene was some of Nick’s finest work and, as his Seymour grows more morally conflicted and seduced by fame/money, you see glimmers of that diabolical side he’s known for peek through and it’s DELICIOUS. Also, he seems to add a little R&B vocal riff to the songs which I liked
The understudy Audrey was Melissa Victor and DAMN! She came guns blazing. Initially, based on physical appearance, I struggled because she looks like she could beat someone’s behind, but she leaned into the role’s vulnerability, and GOOD LORD SHE HAS A SET OF PIPES ON HER! Her “Suddenly Seymour” had the audience cheering.
Carpinello was a good choice for Orin. I liked that he was more sleazy than cartoonishly diabolical. Stephen DeRosa as Mushnik was also a hoot.
I’m really impressed at the tight ship they are running over there. Usually these productions begin to show their age, but this seemed about as fresh as the first time I went in Feb 2020.