MB reviews TWO GENTS with Rosario Dawson in the Park

Just back from TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, the Mel Shapiro, John Guare, Galt McDermott musical receiving its first major New York revival at the Delacorte. I'm exhausted, so forgive the disjointed thoughts...

The Good News: The show isn't dated. At all. The score, often criticized on the original OBC is actually terrific, incredibly inventive, and supremely enjoyable.

The Bad News: Kathleen Marshall clearly is out of her element here. From casting to choreography, her choices are odd, and out of sorts with the material. This show needs a visionary at the helm. Marshall simply doesn't have a handle on it. What should be an evening of joyous nonsense is at present, simply lethargic

Marshall's biggest blunder is in her staging of the musical numbers. Not once does a number build to full climax. Even, "Love Has Driven Me Sane" one of the zaniest finales ever written comes across as tepid when it demands fantastical whimsy.

Biggest disappointment of the evening is "Night Letter" which fails to electrify, again to Marshall's casting of Renee Goldsberry and Norm Lewis, two fantastic singers who nevertheless are completely at odds with the gospal stylings of their roles.

I know many will want to know details about Rosario Dawson, who in person, by the way is stunningly beautiful. The good news is that she has a natural charm and grace in her stage debut. The bad news is that she's not really ready to take on a role of this calibre. And her singing voice is extremely small, limited and pitchy. I hate to say this, but I can't imagine her singing Mimi in RENT.

No problem hearing Megan Lawrence as Julia's confidente, Lucetta, however. Lawrence practically yanks the rug out from under the leads along with John Cariani -- a total delight as Speed. Sadly, these are the only leads who seem to "get" the material.

If this review sounds harsh, it isn't to say it doesn't have its wonderful moments (the show jolts to life with the entrance of Paolo Montalban's Eglamour). And the production (director and miscasting aside) has the potential to improve trifold. Marshall and the actors need to double the pace (particularly in the musical numbers)and fuse the production with the reckless, carefree abandon the piece dictates.

It is a shame, though, because seeing the strength of the actual material -- TWO GENTS really deserves better. I believe that the show's original director Mel Shapiro was in the audience tonight, sitting right behind me. I felt like begging him to take back the reins.

Updated On: 8/18/05 at 12:17 AM

thanks for being honest

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lol Marquise isn't going to be happy to hear this about Rosario.

Atleast they could use studio tricks on her voice for Mimi, if she had troubles. Studio tricks can't save you when you're live.

Updated On: 8/18/05 at 09:50 AM

popculture, how do you know that Rosario is "fierce" as Mimi?

My friend said the same thing about Rosario after seeing TWO GENTS. "She's not much of a singer - live, anyway."

I'm hoping the keyword here is live. Her comment in the OUT interview that she was "really scared" about taking on the role of Mimi with nothing but living room singing to her credit now may be worth a second glance. Before, I just overlooked it.

This is all so strange; something just seems too weird to me about Rosario being given the role if she couldn't handle it, or even that people can speculate so easily that it's the case - it certainly sounds like a LOT of people were screentested, and that it wasn't much of a simple process. I mean, why would so much effort have been put in to get the perfect actors for the other parts, and this one alone just given on a whim, or something? Perhaps, then, we can hope that "live" is indeed the key word. I think MB said it before, but just because she isn't that great live doesn't mean she can't still be fab on film. Here's hoping it's the truth.

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Updated On: 8/18/05 at 11:45 AM

Rosario may just be another Renee. Great on screen, okay live (then again, Renee was afraid to sing live).

But wouldn't it be amazing if the film's problems extended beyond some awkward staging or unintentionally finally lines, and to something fundamental such as the lead actress not singing the role well? I would almost pay to see the reactions on emcee and Marquise's faces...

In what context did you hear it?

Well that's good to hear. I really hope she does a terrific job as Mimi. Given the trials the character undergoes, she could manage an Oscar nomination out of this if she impresses the critics and keeps making the talk show rounds. Lead actor still looking very competitive but lead actress wide open...

LuvTheEmcee, that was completely unnecessary for reasons that you yourself will see once you read all of my posts on this thread again. I didn't mean to insult you. You're way too sensitive. And you owe me an apology for that incredibly rude message suggesting that I've done nothing but hate on this film in an "elitist" way.

I sincerly doubt any of the actors in the RENT movie are capable of an Oscar nom for this movie.

Or were you being sarcastic? Evelyn?

ljay - I think it's possible, but obviously totally dependent on what else comes out in time for Oscar noms; these are pretty meaty roles. I wouldn't get hopes up just yet, but I do think there's a chance.

Evelyn, it's hardly useful arguing who said what when, though I do seem to remember you sharing some of those "it's never going to work" sentiments - going on about what all just might happen to go wrong.

And, truly, if the singing were awful - I'd be shocked. Call me stupid for finally being trusting, I don't know. And when people make such blind judgements on a crappy bootleg, statements that defy any logic whatsoever, there's defense. I'd hardly consider myself someone who has defended every tiny bit of criticism about this movie - how quickly we forget. Though I do remember being accused of blindly believing whatever Anthony Rapp said, which is hardly true. Not so blind.

agh, you edited. What kind of thing is that to say? That I should re-evaluate how the show has impacted my life, and that it's not positive, because I'm defensive of some person's illogical argument (I don't mean yours, it's not entirely without logic)? One thing has so little to do with the other, I'm at a loss for where that even came from. You completely misread me, and have no right whatsoever to evaluate how the show has impacted my life. It's absurd and hot-headed to imply that a musical has turned me into defensive, stressed out and intimidating.

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Updated On: 8/18/05 at 02:07 PM

Emmy got nods for lesser awards, though, didn't she? Just not the Oscar?

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