Munk's CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG review

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 11:05pm

I was very apprehensive about seeing this show, because I really disliked (a video I saw of) the London production, I think the music is grating and annoying, and I HATE children's shows - but with a free ticket, I saw the show tonight.

First off, let me first say that this show is only meant for pure entertainment. Again, I usually hate shows like this, but this one really won me over. I don't know of anyone who would go see CHITTY expecting ground breaking theatre, but I'm just letting you all know (I'm sure you know already) that this show is pure fluff and is only here to be fun. Nothing more.

And, for the most part, it generally succeeds. My only real complaints with the show is some of the pointless songs and the never-ending dance breaks. Surprisingly, all the children around me seemed entertained the entire time so maybe it was just my friend and I - but they could easily make this show 20 minutes shorter by cutting some of the dances. None of them are terribly impressive and none of them serve a purpose. It's all eye candy - but it's very mediocre eye candy that could be much more than that.

With that said, the entire show is generally enjoyable. There are many many funny parts of the show that are meant for adults more than children. The pacing is very slow and it's very dragged out, but that might be a result of all the pointless songs which, most of the time, have unintelligible lyrics.

Raul Esparza (whom I adore,) is fine as Caractacus. I didn't really buy him as a father, but I'm willing to forgive him because I love him so much. But critically speaking, he's really out of his element here. Raul has a certain bitchy, sarcastic edge as a performer, even pre-TABOO, he's always been edgy. He tries to make the best here out of his below mediocre material and he generally succeeds. Through most of Act One, he was channelling Phillip Sallon, and while it was delightful to see him strutting around the stage with his quick sarcasm and hysterical sense of humour, it's certainly not for everyone and most people in the audience didn't find his antics funny. I did...and while I love him as a performer, he's nothing special here.

Erin Dilly - who sounds very similar to Rebecca Luker and Laura Benanti at times - is very standard as Truly. Nothing great, but then again - the material isn't great. She's sincere, loveable, and fine. Philip Bosco was out, but his understudy was fine as well.

Marc Kudisch was appropriately over the top as the Baron. While his performance didn't win me over, the general audience found him delightful. He's fine as well - nothing special.

Chip Zien and Robert Sella are fine as Goran and Boris (the Baron's henchman,) but are very campy. While camp is not my style, the audience ate them up and they were generally very entertaining.

Kevin Cahoon (who I have a crush on) is very creepy and great as the Childcatcher. He's perfect for the role. He frightened all the kids around me, and even reminded me of when I was a kid and was petrified of the film. Very creepy, very perfect. The two children were fine as well.

And finally, the great Jan Maxwell (who was brilliant in last season's SIXTEEN WOUNDED.) She steals the show. She's completely hysterical and hade my friend and I literally in tears because we were laughing so hard. She's perfect and I'm really hoping she can pull out a Tony nomination - perhaps the only cast member (deservingly so) to get a nod. Truly fantastic and worth the price of admission. SEE THE SHOW FOR HER!

The score (as everyone I'm sure knows) is obnoxious, catchy, and unnecessary - but it's all quite a bit of silly fun. While I would cut some of the numbers because they truly are incredibly boring, I have a feeling they're here to stay.

The giant, appropriately over-produced sets are very nice to look at - a probable win for best sets. Some moments really are magical and I can only imagine how long this show needs to run to recoup their investment. It's all just magical and I felt like a kid again - which is never a bad thing.

The choreography by Gillian Lynne (who did the amazing choreography for CATS) was pedestrian at best. Most of the dance numbers are unnecessary and the music is always unimpressive, and the dancing never makes it more exciting. It's just all very standard musical theatre - very disappointing. I wouldn't call it bad, but I expected better from her.

The special effects in the show really are magical. I had a great seat - I was towards the back, center orchestra - close enough to see everything first hand, yet far back enough so things didn't loose their magic. To all the cynics out there (usually me,) we all know how the car flies - we all know how EVERYTHING is done - but it truly is impressive and magical. Every aspect of the flying car, the blimps, the childcatcher in the net, etc. was all just magical and the entire audience was in awe at everything. It's all very cheesy, but so much fun and so nice to look at.

All in all, a very enjoyable night. While some of the dance numbers and songs were EXCRUCIATING, by the end of the show I was having so much fun that I was willing to forgive all that. I doubt the critics will be as forgiving (which I don't blame,) but if you're up for having senseless, mindless fun, you should check this show out. It puts anything Disney's ever done to shame - not in direction, conception, or content - in just pure spectacle. And it's funny, because I'm usually such an opponent to shows like this one, but I was truly won over and I had a great time - it made me feel like a kid again and, for that, it's welcome - atleast in my book.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 11:08pm

Nice review. I especially love seeing "antics" and "Raul" in the same sentence. And, I'm MUY thankfully he's channelling the Phillip.

One week, kids!

[Glebb]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 11:08pm

I loved it. So magical!

[Tiny-Toon]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 11:10pm

"I felt like a kid again"

ohhh... :)

[LouW95]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 11:20pm

The review by Munk sounds like a rave considering he admits going to see a show and genre he (in his own words) HATES. Why go to a show with an attitude of I dare you to entertain me!? I went to see it with an open mind and must say that I enjoyed Chitty more than DRS and Spamalot because I could walk out humming MANY of the songs. In fact, this was the only show where I saw a large number of people leaving the theatre at the end of the show, singing out loud! What a joy!!! You didnt have to come to this show with any other reason than to relax and be thoroughly entertained. It was refreshing and long overdo to have a great show like this on Bway. Just as in the good old musical comedy days of the 1950s and 60s, Chitty has a fun story, totally singable music, the best sets on any stage, no deep political messages and no vulgarity (except for the name of the country). Just go with a good attitude and be entertained.
Updated On: 4/15/05 at 11:20 PM

[Thenardier]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 11:20pm

Nice review

[TVBoy]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 11:32pm

Nice review...

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 11:36pm

a bit harsh but generally a lovely review. well-written.

[harris007]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 11:42pm

all i got to say if this show wins best musical, i will never watch the tonys AGAIN, and start using my ticket money to support the porn industry

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 11:43pm

I'm thinking that's a really slim possibility....

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 11:46pm

The show will not win Best Musical.

Lou: What do you mean sounds like a rave? I didn't go with the attitude of "I dare you to entertain me," those are your words, not mine. I went because I got a free ticket and because I see every show. I don't like fluff shows full of mindless spectacle - there's nothing wrong with that - Im' not an easy audience member. I like a show to move me, to inspire me, and make me think. I'm sorry if you don't quite look for the same things, but don't make me look like a bad person because I can use my brain.

[harris007]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 11:48pm

hey i didnt think lion king would win best musical but it did, *shudders*

[Ellie3]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 11:50pm

Thanks for the review, munk! You rock my cotton socks.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 11:51pm

why not split the money by seeing fewer shows and buying your porn used.

Updated On: 4/15/05 at 11:51 PM

[cabarethed]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 11:51pm

Jan Maxwell and Marc Kudisch are hilarious, and the Raul adoration is no secret here....I think he's taken on a hell of challenge and once he learns to balance every last aspect of the role, he's going to kick so much ass. He's been edgy since Rocky Horror, and I thought he did a pretty good job reeling it in, just letting snarls and stuff pop out now and then.

The real revelation in this show is Kevin Cahoon. NY theatre is now a better place since this man has gotten more work and sorely deserved accolades and recognition this year. I'm absolutely in love with his Childcatcher. I scared the kid next to me.

I absolutely agree with so much of your review. Nice job.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 11:56pm

BroadwayMatt: WHAT?

cabarethed: I didn't think Mark Kudisch was hilarious at all - I thought he was just fine. You thought Cahoon was a revelation and that NY theatre is better now that he's back on Broadway? Dude, come on - that's very dramatic. I don't think he's relevatory in any way - he's good. Save THOSE comments for Natasha Richardson

[cabarethed]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 12:02am

That's just my opinion, wasn't trying to state it as fact. A little dramatic maybe, but I truly believe he's an amazing talent, and I was thrilled to be able to see him again.

When I see Natasha Richardson, I'm sure I'll gush and mourn the fact I never saw her Sally Bowles.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 12:18am

Munk: the last comment was in response to harris007's post about CHITTY winning Best Musical and how it would benefit the porn industry.

[rclocalz]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 12:55am

Can someone pm me on how the car flies? Just curious. I saw them load in the set pieces back in February into the Hilton Theatre, that was pretty cool. Great review!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 2:24am

I pmed you...

[vjRichie]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 4:19pm

Nice review and I agree... I saw it Wednesday night 4/13. I forgot about how the car flys (with a clear view from row B) and enjoyed the moment with all the kids! I too was in stitches laughing at Jan Maxwell. Perfect comedic timing and with such a deadpan face!

My first blooper too - the Vulgarian henchmen - Goran and Boris out on stage and the "field radio phone" rings. Boris picks it up and it rings again after he says hello. For a split second a panic look, then he says something like - "these cheap Vulgarian phones, they never know when to stop ringing"!

Raul was very gracious at the stage door and said he "is blessed (to be) in such a magical show...when I step on the stage everytime, how I feel I'm in such a magical place."

vjr

[Jwei123]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 4:23pm

Another great review...thanks munk!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 4:49pm

Nothing wrong with fluff and spectacle. After all, that's what Broadway was originally about, so I embrace it. I'm really looking forward to seeing the show this summer. I have a question if anyone knows. Do the orchestrations resemble those on the cast album? If so, that could snatch up a Tony as well. The orchestra on the CD sounds simply amazing.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 4:53pm

I'm not terribly familiar with the CD, but the orchestra (and orchestrations) atleast to me sounded very weak and synthetic. I would give it to ALL SHOOOK UP this year.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 4:57pm

Just curious, munk, what did you think of Light in the Piazza's orchestrations? I thought All Shook Up's were amazing, but I'm thinking Piazza might give them a run for their money... In my opinion, it's definitely between those two.