Margo on Drowsy Chaperone & Tarzan

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:25pm

I hadn't planned to post these, but after getting several PMs inquiring as to my opinion of these shows, I figured it would be easier to just put them in a thread, rather than responding to everyone individually. Read on if you care to and take my opinions for what they're worth (they and $2 will get you on the subway.....):


DROWSY CHAPERONE

Drowsy was fun. It's simply a celebration of the joys of pure unadulterated musical theatre escapism -- the complete antithesis of the theatre of Brecht/Weill or Stephen Sondheim -- that's well put together, antically paced and blissfully silly, and nothing more ............ and, you know what? That's just fine.

The story is simple. The Man in the Chair is musical theatre fan who loves to sit around his humble apartment and listen to cast albums. One of his favorites is a long-forgotten 20's musical called "The Drowsy Chaperone" which has all the hoary inane conventions of the shows of the period -- a simple boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girls back plot, filled out by a large assortment of stock characters -- the corrupt producer, the dim-witted floozy, the comedic gangster team, the Latin lover, and so on. When the Man in the Chair puts the record on the turntable, the show magically comes to life and for the next 90 minutes, speaking directly to the audience he acts as narrator and guide, interrupting and commenting on the proceedings, interjecting drole anecdotes and background information about the show, the actors, assorted trivia and occasionally editorializing on other topics that randomly pop into his head. Bob Martin, who plays the role, has a skittish charm and a winsome quality that's hard to resist.

There are several very good performances (Martin, Sutton Foster and Beth Leavel are standouts), appropriately flashy costumes (by Greg Barnes) and sets (David Gallo) and a book (by Martin and Don McKellar) that, although corny and often forced in the gag department, is nonetheless well-structured and sometimes quite funny. The score is 20s/30s pastiche that while tuneful, it is unfortunately rather undistinguished, relying more on simple parody than true wit with perfunctorily predictable melodies. Casey Nicholaw's direction and choreography maintains a blinding pace that's ideal for this material and he demonstrates a real gift for inventive comedic business, as well as, a knack for lively ensemble numbers. The whole show has a jovial, breathless quality that sweeps the audience along through this dizzy, fizzy musical fantasy.

My only caveat is that ironically, in a way, it fails to truly capture the musicals of that period in the truest sense because due to its totally presentational spoof-like nature, everyone on stage is a cartoon, there's really no one and nothing to care about in the story, there's nothing ever really at stake, and nothing truly heartfelt ever happens (there's never even a ballad or romantic duet that doesn't wink at the audience). But, that aside, it's kind of an inconsequential good time, which I'm sure will have its fans, garner some decent (and better) reviews and, with a better marketing campaign -- the current one is odd and somewhat off-putting (who's idea was it to put quirky unknown Bob Martin's FACE on a poster????) -- could catch on with the tourists. Not sure about its Tony chances -- with this strangely unpredictable season it could be shut out or end up picking up a half dozen, depending on the voters' moods -- but all in all it's a rather harmless, but amusing way to spend an evening.



TARZAN

Tarzan needs work -- a LOT of work. The book is somewhat bland and exposition heavy in the first act. The second act is better because it introduces actual conflict into the story when Jane and the expedition party from England enter the story -- before that it sort of meanders along and is actually a bit boring at times. It also lacks humor which would help to humanize some of the characters. Collins' score has a couple of good ballads and duets, a fun percussive number to open the 2nd Act (that has the sort of energy and propulsive force unfortunately missing from much of the rest of the show), but otherwise it's mostly just tuneful and rather forgettable pop.

This is a spectacle that is somewhat short on the spectacular. The opening shipwreck is amazing, there's a giant spider sequence that's solid, but should be scarier, and the many flying effects are initially dazzling, but get less so as the evening progresses, becoming repetitive and monotonous. So you're mostly left with predictable jungle melodrama that only occasionally really comes to life.

Director Bob Crowley's designs here are as problematic as his direction. The main jungle set consists of a thick morass of green vines (that occasionally shift in color) covering walls filled with round peep holes that the apes use to enter and exit the stage. The overall effect of all that green though is visually numbing after a while. There are some interesting uses of tarps and fabrics to simulate waves and other settings that are more effective. His costuming, however is even more problematic. The apes are clothed in bushy fur-like skirts and large unkempt black wigs that make them look more like the natives from the recent "King Kong" movie or the pre-historic human characters out of movies like "Quest For Fire" or "One Million Years BC" (or the tv show "Land of the Lost") than apes -- there's nothing whatsoever simian about their appearance, which occasionally is a bit confusing. Were it not for the loud ape sound effects that accompany their entrances, I'm not sure that who or what they were supposed to be would be clear.

Josh Strickland is very good in the title role. He has a surprisingly rich tenor voice and the strong committed physicality that the role requires. Jenn Gambatese was out, but understudy Niki Scalera couldn't have been better, acting and singing beautifully. Chester Gregory brings much needed humor and energy to his scenes (a possible Tony nod). Shuler Hensley does his best with an underdeveloped, underwritten role as head of the ape tribe. Merle Dandridge brings a believable warmth and strength to the role of Kala, Tarzan's adoptive ape mother. And Tim Jerome manages to imbue the stock role of the fussy Englishman (Jane's father) which a certain amount of depth and wit.

This is a very lackluster effort from Disney that surprisingly lacks the inventiveness and creativity one would expect given their resources. The story is predictable and mostly unengaging, the score is hit-or-miss (mostly miss) and the spectacle aspects are almost entirely underwhelming. And I don't know that they have time to fix everything that is missing here (they need someone to come in and add some real showstopping moments). It'll likely run a while due to the Disney marketing machine, but expect reviews to be mixed-to-negative and a paltry showing come Tony time.





http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/

Updated On: 4/20/06 at 02:25 PM

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:29pm

Sounds like Drowsy was a good time. Updated On: 4/20/06 at 02:29 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:30pm

Thanks, dear.

[zepka102]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:34pm

awwwwwwwww


well thanks Margo, like i told you... i always look forward to what you have to say!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:34pm

Great Reviews. Have you already posted a Wedding Singer review?

EDIT: found it.
Updated On: 4/20/06 at 02:34 PM

[jeremykushnier1fan]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:35pm

Thank you very much♥

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:36pm

Well, my Wedding Singer review is pretty harsh. It's on my blog, but I think it might be too mean for the board. I might still post it anyway.......

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:38pm

LoL. Well, I mean, if you hate the 80s, then yeah, it'll probably be rough to sit through. I loved it and ate it up. It was just a fun evening at the theater. And I think the score/book were great and there wasn't really a bad song in the bunch to me. I'd give them all another listen. But to each his own. I can't wait to read the reviews for it.

[zepka102]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:38pm

ooooooooooooo i wanna read that later haha

[YankeeGal#24]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:40pm

Thanks Margo. Wonder how much they can change "Tarzan" before opening night...

I AM happy you liked Chester Gregory though. He's an incredible talent, and would love to see him get that Tony nod...

Updated On: 4/20/06 at 02:40 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:42pm

I think it's more that I hate 80s kitsch than necessarily every aspect of the decade. The constant in-joke referencing was rather unbearable. But, whatever. Here's the review if anyone's interested
The Wedding Singer Review

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:50pm

Margo - I haven't seen The Wedding Singer (nor do I plan to, at the moment) but your review had me in stitches. I didn't like much about that period in our history, either.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:53pm

Margo, any idea as to why Gambatese was out? She is usually pretty good with attendance...

[Charmed I'm Sure]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 3:00pm

i havent seen tarzan and wont, if i want soft porn i can rent it. Drowsy in plain terms 'LOWSY' it is unimaginative and caters to to the lowest possible common denominator...to bad somone cant find a new way to make a musical.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 3:02pm

Someone posted yesterday that Gambatese was also out two nights ago. I don't know if these were planned absences or if she's sick, but I think she's supposed to be back tonight. Her understudy is wonderful, though.

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 3:11pm

Re: Wedding singer review.

Margo, not too mean at all - just right in "meanness."
I got a kick out of it.

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 3:12pm

Margo hit the nail on the head re Drowsy's dreadful ad campaign. I don't see how "Drowsy" will draw audiences with their too-clever-by half ad campaign. The show is wonderful- it's the ad campaign that needs to be re-done!

[EugLoven]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 3:13pm

Margo, ya took the words right outta my mouth. Except yours are a little more eloquent! Hehe

Having seen the opening preview of "Drowsy" and the 4th preview of "Tarzan," I couldn't agree with you more... everything you said.

Your caveats for "Drowsy" are sound, not gonna argue that. I just enjoyed it way too much to want to lay a finger on an ounce of criticism.

It seems, however, that you enjoyed Josh Strickland's performance far more than I did. His voice was great, but I couldn't help thinking his entire (title) role was a joke. At least at the show I saw, he didn't maintain eye contact with any other characters, which detracted from his connectablility. And I couldn't help seeing Tarzan as a drunken mental patient than an adaptable and curious human.

But I like your style. Always have. You're one of the more positive and helpful members of this site, and for that, you get my thumbs up. (For what it's worth haha). I just really enjoy reading polite reviews. People can learn a thing or two from you.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 3:15pm

Tarzan is many things, but "porn" it's not. It's not even remotely titillating (if it was, I may have enjoyed it more). His loincloth thoroughly covers "everything" and, if anything, is MORE than what most people wear to the beach. There's no sex. There's just one very chaste kiss at the end. The MPAA would give it a "G" rating. There are plenty of reasons to avoid Tarzan -- it being "soft core porn" is not one of them.

Drowsy ain't art, but it's well-constructed mindless fun. It's not for everyone -- some of us prefer a bit more substance when we go to the theatre -- but it accomplishes what it sets out to do. It's a trite piece of escapism which in these troubled times is exactly what many people need and crave from the entertainment world right now. It's expertly put together, but the fact it isn't deep and intellectual and thought-provoking is precisely why it's going to appeal to a lot of people. We have enough to deal with outside the world of the theatre and some people don't want to be reminded of any of that when they see a show -- they just want to be transported and that's what this show does very well.

[LeaGirl]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 3:26pm

Margo, I love reading your reviews - always. Even though I (as a great lover of all things 80's) enjoyed the Wedding Singer a lot, your review was great.

I love how you always find a balance, state your personal preferences, and say what you thought without slashing and tearing needlessly at a show. Refreshing on a board where lots of people state their opinion as "it sux" (spelled with the x) or "don't waste your money" without any backup.

And I didn't find your review mean at all!

Disappointing about Tarzan, I haven't seen it yet and am trying to decide if I should make the effort or not.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 3:27pm

Yeah, I was confused about the Tarzan = porn comment as well. Soft core porn is all tits and ass, and I haven't heard about either one being exposed in any Disney show thus far. That just came out of nowhere.

"to bad somone cant find a new way to make a musical."

To quote the late Howard Ashman: be our guest.

Oh, and here are your missing vowel and apostrophes...

'o'

Updated On: 4/20/06 at 03:27 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 3:30pm

Eugloven,

I'm guessing Strickland's performance has probably grown a lot since you've seen him and I take it that he's gotten more comfortable in the role. I'd bet that during the early previews, he and the other actors were probably focusing more on all the harness work and technical demands of their parts -- which are obviously very challenging -- than with connecting with each other on stage. As they've gotten used to the flying etc... they seem to have turned their attentions back to creating bonds with each other. Strickland definitely had eye and body contact with the actors playing Terk and Kala and did a good job of making their moments together seem real. Like everything else in the show, these relationships are underdeveloped, but I thought Strickland and company are doing what they can to convey a familial sense of trust, care and concern between themselves.

[dirty rotten guy]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 3:33pm

Margo, I am very glad you liked Niki. She is one of my vocal teacher's students so I am happy that she performed well. I will have to tell her.

Updated On: 4/20/06 at 03:33 PM

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 3:48pm

Couldnt agree more about TWS, Margo...except that I loved the 80s, including much of the era's music...which is why I was so surprised how much I hated the score.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 4:02pm

Two more excellent reviews!