#1
Posted: 1/10/07 at 7:16pm
So I had an amazing time in New York and I had the opportunity to see four wonderful shows. Here are a few quick thoughts on the shows:
Grey Gardens:
I'll start with this one first because this is honestly my least favorite. It was by no means a bad show, but it was simply not my cup of tea. The production itself was completely acceptable. I especially enjoyed the costumes throughout the production and the set of the first act. However, I was quite disappointed with the pace and structure of the show along with the songs. From what I heard and read, I expected quite a different show. In a way, I found the first act to be very weak including Christine Ebersole's performance. While her performance was not particularly engaging in the first act, it was spectacular in the second act. I was truly amazed by her beautiful voice and delivery of songs like "Another Winter in a Summer Town." While I definitely understood the plot, I failed to feel much of anything throughout the show except when Christine had a solo! Both young girls in the show were very good, and Matt Cavenaugh, who is currently in my soap opera, was a fun surprise. I only recognized him due to his picture in the playbill.
Rent:
I'm a huge fan, and I was thrilled to see that Karmine was Mimi on Sunday afternoon. The cast was full of energy and completely in the moment. It was awesome to have an opportunity to see Maggie Benjamin as Maureen. She was spectacularly funny and had a wonderful voice. I haven't seen a cast of Rent be so involved and in the moment in a long time. All the actors had great chemistry with each other, and they looked like they were having fun. It was a wonderful show.
The Apple Tree:
What a fun show! This was my first opportunity to see Kristin Chenoweth live, and she lived up to every rave review she was given for this show. While I haven't seen her live, I'm familiar with her past roles, and I do not agree that she is up to her past tricks. Her voice was spot on. I was amazed at her range and her comic timing, but I expected this. What I did not expect was her spectacular acting ability. This show allowed her to do everything from slapstick to drama, and she did it it all well! Marc Kurdisch was a wonderful Snake and Brian D'Arcy James was a spectacular Adam. I was really glad that I had to see a chance to see all three actors in a show that really allowed them to shine. The sets while nothing spectacular were visually appealing and allowed the cast to take the attention. I must say I think I know what stairs Kristin tripped on during previews. She really gave me a heart attack every time she walked up those stairs. That is very dangerous!
I could definitely see The Apple Tree more than once if I lived in New York, but I was just thrilled to see it at all. I want to thank everyone that directed me to the stage door, I ended up getting a front row space behind the barricades. Kristin was very kind to everyone at the stage door, and she brought out her little Maltese puppy. She took the time to sign something for everyone that waited for her including those people five deep behind the barricade. She also took a minute to chat with those who wanted to. Not a thirty minute conversation, but I was very impressed at how friendly and kind she was. She even handed out a few hugs. For the record, there were very few teeny bopper girls with Wicked posters.
Spring Awakening:
What can I say. I knew very little about the show other than the basic topic and some of the songs. I bought tickets to this show before the rave reviews, and I was thrilled to snag a front row seat! It was definitely a bit different from I expected, but I think I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. The set and lighting design was spectacular. I especially loved the chalkboard with the song order. The onstage seats were interesting. I was really glad that I didn't try to get those seats. I enjoyed the entire picture that I saw from the front row.
All the actors were spectacular. Lea Michele was perfect for the part, and I was particularly impressed with Lilli Cooper's performance. Alot of the performances were much more poignant and energetic within the context of the show. The show never felt slow, and I was really surprised with some twists in the story. I do have a problem with the structure and pace of the book, and I felt like some of the characters were not well developed. Some of the actions didn't seem to have a reason or purpose, and there were a lot of characters trying to convey a lot of emotions and experiences in a short amount of time. However, the music and the spectacular actors somehow meshes and covers up some of these problems.
Everything considered, it's an exciting change from the new shows that have graced Broadway in the recent past. I was disturbed with a few very young pre-teens that wanted to see the show. One girl walked up to the theatre with her American Girl doll stating that she wanted to see the show. I certainly hope she didn't attend. I'm all for the educational value, but that might be a bit TOO young. The city was buzzing with comments about Spring Awakening. People were discussing it at Grey Gardens, Virgin Mega Store, the Drama Bookshop, hotels, and restaurants. Someone even passed me on the street and commented on the window card I was carrying. I've never heard so much buzz about one show, but I really think it deserves it. It has its flaws, but so does Rent. Sometimes a show just works in spite of its flaws. To be honest other than the pop/rock score and the flaws, I don't see too many other similarities between Rent and Spring Awakening. I would definitely see the show again, and I'm now playing the OBC recording constantly. It definitely sounds better after seeing the show.
Grey Gardens:
I'll start with this one first because this is honestly my least favorite. It was by no means a bad show, but it was simply not my cup of tea. The production itself was completely acceptable. I especially enjoyed the costumes throughout the production and the set of the first act. However, I was quite disappointed with the pace and structure of the show along with the songs. From what I heard and read, I expected quite a different show. In a way, I found the first act to be very weak including Christine Ebersole's performance. While her performance was not particularly engaging in the first act, it was spectacular in the second act. I was truly amazed by her beautiful voice and delivery of songs like "Another Winter in a Summer Town." While I definitely understood the plot, I failed to feel much of anything throughout the show except when Christine had a solo! Both young girls in the show were very good, and Matt Cavenaugh, who is currently in my soap opera, was a fun surprise. I only recognized him due to his picture in the playbill.
Rent:
I'm a huge fan, and I was thrilled to see that Karmine was Mimi on Sunday afternoon. The cast was full of energy and completely in the moment. It was awesome to have an opportunity to see Maggie Benjamin as Maureen. She was spectacularly funny and had a wonderful voice. I haven't seen a cast of Rent be so involved and in the moment in a long time. All the actors had great chemistry with each other, and they looked like they were having fun. It was a wonderful show.
The Apple Tree:
What a fun show! This was my first opportunity to see Kristin Chenoweth live, and she lived up to every rave review she was given for this show. While I haven't seen her live, I'm familiar with her past roles, and I do not agree that she is up to her past tricks. Her voice was spot on. I was amazed at her range and her comic timing, but I expected this. What I did not expect was her spectacular acting ability. This show allowed her to do everything from slapstick to drama, and she did it it all well! Marc Kurdisch was a wonderful Snake and Brian D'Arcy James was a spectacular Adam. I was really glad that I had to see a chance to see all three actors in a show that really allowed them to shine. The sets while nothing spectacular were visually appealing and allowed the cast to take the attention. I must say I think I know what stairs Kristin tripped on during previews. She really gave me a heart attack every time she walked up those stairs. That is very dangerous!
I could definitely see The Apple Tree more than once if I lived in New York, but I was just thrilled to see it at all. I want to thank everyone that directed me to the stage door, I ended up getting a front row space behind the barricades. Kristin was very kind to everyone at the stage door, and she brought out her little Maltese puppy. She took the time to sign something for everyone that waited for her including those people five deep behind the barricade. She also took a minute to chat with those who wanted to. Not a thirty minute conversation, but I was very impressed at how friendly and kind she was. She even handed out a few hugs. For the record, there were very few teeny bopper girls with Wicked posters.
Spring Awakening:
What can I say. I knew very little about the show other than the basic topic and some of the songs. I bought tickets to this show before the rave reviews, and I was thrilled to snag a front row seat! It was definitely a bit different from I expected, but I think I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. The set and lighting design was spectacular. I especially loved the chalkboard with the song order. The onstage seats were interesting. I was really glad that I didn't try to get those seats. I enjoyed the entire picture that I saw from the front row.
All the actors were spectacular. Lea Michele was perfect for the part, and I was particularly impressed with Lilli Cooper's performance. Alot of the performances were much more poignant and energetic within the context of the show. The show never felt slow, and I was really surprised with some twists in the story. I do have a problem with the structure and pace of the book, and I felt like some of the characters were not well developed. Some of the actions didn't seem to have a reason or purpose, and there were a lot of characters trying to convey a lot of emotions and experiences in a short amount of time. However, the music and the spectacular actors somehow meshes and covers up some of these problems.
Everything considered, it's an exciting change from the new shows that have graced Broadway in the recent past. I was disturbed with a few very young pre-teens that wanted to see the show. One girl walked up to the theatre with her American Girl doll stating that she wanted to see the show. I certainly hope she didn't attend. I'm all for the educational value, but that might be a bit TOO young. The city was buzzing with comments about Spring Awakening. People were discussing it at Grey Gardens, Virgin Mega Store, the Drama Bookshop, hotels, and restaurants. Someone even passed me on the street and commented on the window card I was carrying. I've never heard so much buzz about one show, but I really think it deserves it. It has its flaws, but so does Rent. Sometimes a show just works in spite of its flaws. To be honest other than the pop/rock score and the flaws, I don't see too many other similarities between Rent and Spring Awakening. I would definitely see the show again, and I'm now playing the OBC recording constantly. It definitely sounds better after seeing the show.
So, that was the Drowsy Chaperone. Oh, I love it so much. I know it's not a perfect show...but it does what a musical is supposed to do. It takes you to another world, and it gives you a little tune to carry with you in your head for when you're feeling blue. Ya know?
