Mini Reviews for Grey Gardens, Spring Awakening, Rent, and The Apple Tree

[hermionejuliet]

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.

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 7:20pm

great reviews. glad you liked sa.

[snl89]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 7:22pm

awesome reviews! thank you! And I totally agree about SA. Thats the thing, it DOES have its flaws in the book and everything, and the characters ARE underdeveloped, but the performances were honestly so good that I didn't care. I still cared about the characters, and that's all that mattered

and I just have to say, its funny that people were discussing SA at Grey Gardens because I def heard people discussing Grey Gardens at SA :P

Updated On: 1/10/07 at 07:22 PM

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 7:26pm

It's good to hear lots of people are buzzing about Spring Awakening. Nice reviews

[MotorTink]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 7:26pm

Glad to hear you enjoyed yourself! I REALLY need to see RENT again.

[MamawhoBoreme]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 7:28pm

im really happy you enjoyed Spring Awakening and everything else.

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 7:38pm

MotorTink - The production really is in good shape. While Karmine isn't the normal Mimi, I've heard great things about Jamie Lee, too.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 8:32pm

"While Karmine isn't the normal Mimi,"

What do you mean by that?

[teka21]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 8:33pm

Is over-amplification still a big problem at Rent? I saw it in the orchestra in its first year- wonderful! Then went back about 5 years ago and sat in the side rear mezz, and the sound was so horrible- super loud with distortion, unable to discern the lyrics at all. Very disappointing. So is it worth another visit?
I love the show- just want to be able to appreciate the music!

And so glad you enjoyed Spring Awakening...

Updated On: 1/10/07 at 08:33 PM

[jewishboy]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 8:40pm

Becoz_i_knew_you21, Karmine Alers is the understudy to Jamie Lee Kirchner.

[snl89]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 8:45pm

Is over-amplification still a big problem at Rent? I saw it in the orchestra in its first year- wonderful!

GAH, you saw RENT back in the obc days!? I'm so jealous :P

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 8:47pm

I saw Karmine Alers as who is currently the understudy for the full-time Mimi, Jamie Lee Kirchner.

As for overamplification, I honestly wouldn't be a good judge. I know just about every word to the show, and so I had no problem enjoying or understanding throughout the show! I heard someone from upstairs complain that it was very loud, so I guess it is possible that this is still a problem. There were no other sound issues during the performance I saw. All the mics were in perfect working order and I didn't really hear any distortion which doesn't always happen. I was in the third row. I was mainly impressed with the sheer energy on that stage that afternoon.

[teka21]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 8:55pm

Perhaps where you sit is the key to whether the sound is tolerable. I knew all the lyrics then too- I just couldn't enjoy them!
If I do decide to see it again, it'll definitely be in the orchestra.

snl- All it means is I've been around a long time! But now you'll be able to tell your kids you saw the OBC of Spring Awakening!

[snl89]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 8:58pm

^hehe true, true I will always be greatful for being able to see SA so early on (I honestly cant imagine what it'll be like if/once the cast changes. I mean,really, no lea? no jon groff? no john gallagher?) but still, RENT obc is amazing.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 9:48pm

"Becoz_i_knew_you21, Karmine Alers is the understudy to Jamie Lee Kirchner."

I guess I didn't read that post right. I knew she had stepped down but, I thought the poster thought she was different in the way she performed the role.