My NYC TRIP APRIL 12-15 -- REVIEWS

[Zimmy]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 11:08am

*POTENTIAL SPOILERS*


My NYC trip from April 12 – 15

Following are the shows I saw on my recent trip to NYC - Just thought I'd share my two cents if anyone was interested. Let me know your thoughts.

MARY POPPINS – Thursday April 12, 8pm

I was not extremely excited for this my initial show, but I did want to see as many of the new shows/original casts as I could.
First off, the set is truly amazing. Very intricate for its size, and the “special effects” are 1st rate. From the 3 story house with descending third floor, to Mary’s magic bag and to the tapping on the ceiling and flying out to the audience. Truly a visual spectacle.
The score is solid with all the favorites we had as children with some added songs and orchestrations. Costumes are very good and there are many to view. The book is ok, with some flow problems at times, but keeping in mind this truly is a “family show” first.
As far as the performances go, I believe that Gavin Lee is most likely worthy of a Tony Nomination, as he truly embodies Burt with his own spin and helps this show move at some of the slow moments. Ashley Brown is sufficient as Mary, but this is a basic cookie cutter Julie Andrews’s replica then her own. Rebecca Luker is forgettable as Mrs. Banks, while Daniel Jenkins is more than sufficient as Mr. Banks.
Orchestrations are decent and lighting is above average. But all in all MP is a fun and visually stunning show for the family, but a bit too lengthy ad has serious book issues in my opinion.
TONY NOMINATION POTENTIALS:

Leading Actor – Gavin Lee
Set Design
Choreography
Lighting Design
Costume Design
Best Musical – (not too likely – book weak and score not original)



SPRING AWAKENING – Friday April 13, 8pm

I purchased on-stage seats in advance here. Primarily, for the price, but it turned out to be more than worth it in my opinion. I sat beside John Groff for ½ the show so that already was a great experience! This ensemble cast is so youthful and invigorating and exuding with energy, it’s amazing.
The score is truly amazing. Yes the CD is great, but putting the music and lyrics on stage within the context of this show and seeing the words spill out of the performers, the performance of the score alone should not be missed. The set is simplistic but effective and the lighting seemed to be tremendous from my point of view. The small 5 piece orchestra was exuberant and very skilled and the adaptation from the original piece is adequate. The costumes I felt were weak. That to me was the only flaw of this show. I just thought that from up close they looked “fake”.
The true excellence of this show however is the amazing cast. Jonathan Groff gives a passionate and truthful portrayal of Melchior Gabour and should see some accolades coming his way. John Gallagher, Jr. is oozing of uncomfort and complexity with his Moritz and Lea Michelle is truly a delight as Wendela. In each scene she is enthralling and almost impossible to take you eyes off of (especially at the end of act 1!) Ha! Her sincerity and passionate balance should, in my opinion, be Tony nomination worthy, and in a lesser year in that category would contend for the award. The rest of the cast is awesome as well with Lauren Pritchard and Skylar Astin particularly sticking out.
All in all Spring Awakening, despite many on this board being tired of it, is a great piece and some may consider it masterful. I have seen approx. 50 Broadway shows in my short times there and this is very near the top. An excellent and non-offensive look at teenage angst. Go to see this show!
TONY NOMINATION POTENTIALS:
Leading Actor – John Groff
Leading Actress – Lea Michelle
Supporting Actor – John Gallagher, Jr.
Lighting
Score
Book
Choreography
Orchestrations
BEST MUSICAL



CURTAINS – Saturday April 14, 2pm

I pre-purchased tickets for this Kander and Ebb collaboration with starts in every role. While expectations were quite high, I don’t believe I would have thought much of this show, even if they were low. I really wanted to love this show, but I just did not.
The backstage murder/mystery comedy has, in my opinion, a disappointly weak book, with an unmemorable score. The set is well designed and used and some of the performances are strong. Costumes are sufficient. But frankly I was bored much of the show! With the exception of Edward Hibbert’s typical “British Bitch” character and his dialogue, no one else made me laugh. David Hyde Pierce was ok, defiantly not a Tony Winner in my mind, but nomination worthy. Debra Monk and Karen Ziemba played well and Jason Daniely sang beautifully, but other than that the cast was weak. This was definitely the most disappointing show I saw, comparing it to a “poor man’s” Drowsy Chaperone.

TONY NOMINATION POTENTIALS:
Leading Actor – David Hyde Pierce
Leading Actress – Debra Monk (though she does not deserve this year)
Supporting Actress – Karen Ziemba
Set Design
Lighting Design
Choreography
Score (not deserving in my opinion)
Book (not deserving in my opinion)
BEST MUSICAL (not deserving in my opinion)




JERSEY BOYS – Saturday April 14, 8pm

We got the last 2 rush seats for this show that morning and were pretty excited. I’m just going to make a few comments here as this was part of the 2005-06 season.
Luckily, the original cast (or at least the 4 Seasons) were still all in the show so seeing those performances was a great gift, as all four are terrific, especially John Lloyd Young and Christian Hoff. The lighting, direction and book are great. I really do now understand why this was Best Musical Tony Awards Winner.
An un-typical Jukebox Musical which actually chronicled the story of the Artist. A thoroughly enjoyable evening.




GREY GARDENS – Sunday April 15, 3pm

This show I saw solely based on what I had read about Christine Ebersole’s performance, but I was pleasantly surprised to find the show as a whole, quality and entertaining.
The set is quite intricate and, especially the second act stairway is quite efficiently used. The lighting is specified and accurate and choreography is sparse and basically non-existent.
I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by my interest in the score. Having listened to the OOBCR numerous times, I felt it left much to be desire, however placed within the boundaries of the show it was quite enjoyable and touching. Honestly, I don’t have much of a memory of the orchestrations because I frequently was last in the lyrics and delivery. The book is very specific and absolutely attention grabbing.
However the performances are the great gift of this show. Ms. Ebersole embodies both of her characters and almost mystically funnels Little Eddie in Act 2. This truly is a performance for the ages.
Mary Louise Wilson is also exemplary as Edith in Act 2, tightly walking the fine line of pushing Edie away while simultaneously sucking her back. The other ensemble members are pleasantly engaging in their roles, especially John McMartin and Bob Stillman. This show is a definite contender in many areas this year.

TONY NOMINATION POTENTIALS:
Leading Actress – Christine Ebersole
Supporting Actress – Mary Louise Wilson
Supporting Actor – Bob Stillman (This may be unlikely but, I think he’s great)
Set Design
Lighting Design
Book
Score
BEST MUSICAL




LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL – Sunday April 15, 7pm

I wanted to see as many of the new seasons musicals as possible and had all the prior mentioned shows basically planned. For the last show I was selecting between Pirate Queen, Love Musik and Legally Blonde. I decided that I wanted something mindless and fun as opposed to an epic or eccentric piece. Boy was I pleasantly surprised. In all honesty, I was thoroughly entertained by Laura Bell Bundy and her crew the entire time!
The set is bright and efficiently used. Lighting is ok. The costumes are surprisingly intricate and may warrant and surprise nomination. The book is a serviceable adaptation and keeps pace and honestly with the motion picture. The score is fun and refreshing with some silly lyrics at times, but this show does not claim to be anything more than that. Musically it is catchy and clean.
Laura Bell Bundy is a ball of energy as Elle Woods, commanding attention the entire time she’s on stage (which is the whole show). Christian Borale is soft and kind as Emmitt and most enjoyable is veteran Michael Rupert as the self-infatuated Professor Callahan.
All in all, a fun and entertaining night of theatre, in what I consider a show just as entertaining as Hairspray.

TONY NOMINATION POTENTIALS:
Leading Actress – Laura Bell Bundy
Supporting Actor – Michael Rupert
Set Design
Costume Design
Score
Choreography
Orchestrations
BEST MUSICAL (in my opinion, better than Curtains)

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 12:03pm

Good reviews, I also didn't like Curtains. Loved Spring Awakening and Grey Gardens too.

[MungoGypsy8232]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 3:42pm

Thanks for the reviews! I was a tad surprised to see you didn't mention Orfeh as having a nomination potential. But I'm happy that you said Bob Stillman has potential for a nomination for Grey Gardens. Talkin' Broadway's review of Stillman and Wilson was -> "Stillman and Wilson, giving the production's most confident and Tony caliber-performances, aren't matched by most of their castmates."! Overall, I think you made some really good predictions, besides you leaving out Orfeh.

[Bobby Maler]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 4:28pm

Great reviews, Zimmy!
Re: Spring Awakening's "fake" costumes. Have you seen the backstage video on Broadway.com yet? You'll see that Jonathan Groff's shoes are like P Diddy's and stuff. I think John Gallagher's are painted Converse sneakers. They're not supposed to be authentic to period. They're supposed to embody the juxtoposition between the 19th century and 2007.

[Zimmy]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 12:47am

BM - (oh that might not be appropriate)

I didn't really realize that about the costumes. I wasn't thinking in those terms and did not see them that closely. That explains a lot! Thanks!

Gypsy -

I almost mentioned her. I think she was great, but I did not care very much for her role. I thought her song was not best for her. She never really gets to just wail and rock. Don't get me wrong. I think she's great and may get a nod, but I don't think the role is well enough put togeather to warrant it. I'm glad someone agrees with me about Bob Stillman. He was enchanting.

Thank you guys for the responses.