My Mini-Trip To NYC

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/6/10 at 5:11pm

Caught 3 shows during this latest heat wave, and while the weather was horrid....the getaway was still delightful.

LOVE, LOSS AND WHAT I WORE: What a delight in each and every way. The cast: Jayne Houdyshell, Adriane Lenox, Allison Mack, Kate Mulgrew and Kristine Nielsen. A great "gals night" out! Touching, funny, relatable. I really liked all the performances except felt that Adriane Lenox fell a bit short. She just sounded like she was "acting". Just WATCHING Kate Mulgrew watch the others was stunning. You would have thought she never heard the words before. Such a great time!

Does anyone know if this is available in script form?

PROMISES, PROMISES: I was hesitant to see this based on reviews (professional and here), word of mouth, lack of personal interest. I found great seats (5th row, orch) at a discount and figured: what the heck. I really had a delightful afternoon, but didn't fall in love. I thought Sean Hayes was lovely, but a tad too old for the part. Chenowith on the other hand! Yikes...WAAY too old, at least from the 5th row! I really enjoyed Tony Goldwyn and loved, Loved, LOVED Kate Finnerean -- wished there was more for her to do. I wonder if the men among you took offense....to the very sexist nature of the story line -- ALL men having affairs, being slimey, weak etc. **SPOILER** I have to admit, the suicide attempt seemed to be totally out of place for this type of show. **END OF SPOILER**

SOUTH PACIFIC: My second time. I'd seen the obrc shortly after it opened and was mesmerized -- so much so that I didn't want to break the spell by seeing it again. But once they announced the closing, I wanted to revisit. Still really beautiful and touching, but with a little less awe. I enjoyed Laura Osnes quite a bit, I'd only seen her on that Grease reality show. Paulo Szot was still stunning. I did NOT care at all for the performance of Andrew Samonsky. I felt like I was watching a caricature, not a charcter. He seemed more suited as a cheesy superhero. (I did like his first scene with Liat, as well as seeing him without his shirt...mmmm.) The rest of the ensemble was still top notch and delivering a wonderful performance.

Thank you NY and to the Bway community....you seldom disappoint.

[Theaterfan555]

Posted: 8/6/10 at 6:37pm

You are so right about Andrew Samonsky in SOUTH PACIFIC. I don't understand that performance (or casting him, if they knew he'd do it that way). When I saw it, I was thinking Dudley Do-Right--but same idea as yours: cheesy and caricatured. Awful!

The suicide attempt in PROMISES is one of the problems with that show...well, all almost all its problems could be grouped under "the book"! Besides the fact that a suicide is out of place for a fluffy musical, the idea that she'd actually try to kill herself over this affair is unpleasant/hyper-melodramatic. Of course, the fact that she has no interest in Chuck until the last 50 seconds of the show is problematic too. It's really a weak script...those kind of plot oversimplifications could be overlooked 40-50 yrs ago but not today.

Your reviews are good. Where do you live?

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 8/6/10 at 6:46pm

I think you are confusing this production's handling of the suicide attempt. It is a problem in this particular production but it hasn't been in past productions. I'd give the script a read. When done correctly, it makes perfect sense.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/6/10 at 6:50pm

Aw...thanks. I don't consider them reviews...just thoughts. In a few days I'll update my blog and go into more detail.

I hail from Boston.

[playlover2010]

Posted: 8/6/10 at 8:45pm

Totally agree about Samonsky. I miss Matthew Morrison. (His picture in the lobby doesn't help, just makes me miss him more).

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 8/7/10 at 3:55am

I told you that Promises is good despite the reviews! I thought that Sean and Kristin were fine in the show...but Kristin's understudy is better suited for the role of Fran, I thought, since I saw them both.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/7/10 at 5:22am

Mildred -- This IS indeed my only experience with Promises. That being said, I'd love to hear your thoughts on how any serious suicide attempt fits in with an upbeat, musical comedy. In a drama, in real life -- sure I can see it'working.

Are you suggesting that this production has taken the wrong TONE altogether? (I am truly not being snarky or arguing with you...I'm just trying to get the full picture.)

How was Promises received originally by the critics and the public?