MEF on TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
MEF on TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
#0MEF on TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
Posted: 8/19/05 at 10:57am
Shakespeare in the Park has bored me to tears more than once before, but Kathleen Marshall's lifelessly staged production of the John Guare-Galt McDermot-Mel Shapiro musical adaptation of Two Gentlemen of Verona may just take the cake. In the overlong production (clocking in at nearly three hours, and feeling longer), the flaws in the score are fully amplified.
Ms. Marshall is forging a reputation as the dullest director/choreographer on Broadway. She's way too safe and predictable for this show; a director more comfortable taking risks (David Leveaux immediately comes into my mind) should be at the helm. Her sheer lack of talent and failure to present ANYTHING innovative brings down the caliber of the already-low production.
The production's most high-profile aspect is the casting of rising film star Rosario Dawson-soon to be seen as Mimi in the Rent movie-as Julia. In person, she is thrillingly attractive, but painful to listen to. Her singing voice is non-existant and you could fit all of her acting ability on a piece of confetti and still have room left over.
Ms. Dawson is outclassed constantly by the wonderful Megan Lawrence, who is a scene-stealing Lucetta, and one of the productions best assets. Norm Lewis, who could make the phone book sound like a Sondheim score, makes a wonderful Valentine, as well. John Cariani's Speed was also a pleasure to watch. Thank God he's finally found a part that fits him, after his painful performance as Motel the Tailor last year.
There really is no need to run out and see this production. I'm happy that my wonderful friend Jay was kind enough to wait on line in the Park for about five hours and invite me as his guest. If I had waited for this, I'd still be kicking myself.
#1re: MEF on TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:00amSo, you're saying you didn't like it.
#2re: MEF on TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:00am
aghhhh. I am still trying so hard to believe that this Rosario business is just a stage versus screen issue; one of those people who can pull it off on screen, but maybe isn't ready for, or meant for the stage.
So, since it's free, MEF, is it worth the time on line and in the theatre for Norm, anyway? I kind of love him.
#3re: MEF on TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:15amWell, Norm is divine, as he always is. He's about the ONLY reason to wait.
#4re: MEF on TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:15am
Mmm Norm Lewis. He's so perfect.
As for Ms. Dawson, I'm sure, she had a lot of help from an engineer or 2, when recording her Rent tracks.
#5re: MEF on TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
Posted: 8/19/05 at 12:12pmI pretty much agree with MEF -- though I do like the material. Norm Lewis though is painfully miscast in my opinion. He's about 20 years too old for it, and isn't a gospel singer...KATHLEEN MARSHALL MUST BE STOPPED.
#6re: MEF on TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
Posted: 8/19/05 at 12:15pm
I do agree that Mr. Lewis is a bit long-in-the-tooth for Valentine, but his vocal and acting abilities made up for that fact, IMO.
I don't even want to think about what Ms. Marshall's production of The Pajama Game is going to be like...
#7re: MEF on TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
Posted: 8/19/05 at 12:17pmMarshall puts all her energy into one dance, and seems to throw the rest together. Wonderful Town slowly began to decay after her great staging of "Christopher Street".
#8re: MEF on TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
Posted: 8/19/05 at 12:21pmI thought Marshall was great with WT. A Tony well deserved. "Ballet at the Village Vortex" was beautiful.
#9re: MEF on TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
Posted: 8/19/05 at 12:24pm
Perhaps she's just a better choreographer than she is a director? 
#10re: MEF on TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
Posted: 8/19/05 at 12:25pm
Well WONDERFUL TOWN couldn't be further from TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA. Marshall has never helmed a whimsical Shakespearean Comedy, and apparently has no idea of what one is supposed to look like.
MEF -- have you heard the original recording? The problem isn't that Norm Lewis can't sing -- he just can't sing those songs the way they are meant to be sung. Ditto with Renee Goldsberry. It's like asking Audra McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell to sing Aretha Franklin and James Brown.
Updated On: 8/19/05 at 12:25 PM
#11re: MEF on TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
Posted: 8/19/05 at 12:34pmI'm very familiar with the original, although this was my first time seeing it on-stage. I agree with you that Lewis and Goldsberry aren't "perfect fits" vocally. I didn't care for her, but I thought that he made it work, despite the fact that he's vocally wrong for it.
#12re: MEF on TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
Posted: 8/19/05 at 12:38pmShe looks the part, but Marshall has directed her to play it like Joanne in RENT when the role should be played like FOXY BROWN. Where's the SASS, Sistah?
#13re: MEF on TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
Posted: 8/19/05 at 12:44pmI couldn't agree more. The first thing I thought of was Joanne. Marshall needs her directing license permenantly revoked after this production.
alterego
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/03
#15re: MEF on TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
Posted: 8/19/05 at 10:54pmThis disappoints me. I was a fan of the original staging and was hoping that this production would repeat the 1971 success,but from reading this I guess not.
#16re: MEF on TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:15pmThat's not very reassuring. Is it seriously a little less than 3 hours?
#17re: MEF on TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:23pmdamn! ive wanted to hear/see this show forever
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