My NYC Trip December 7th-10th Reviews

[DrowsyBoy1011]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 10:47pm

Alright, well I saw 6 shows on my trip, which was my first trip to NYC during the holiday season... very exciting. Here are my reviews...

WICKED (12/7/2006 @ 8pm):
This was the 13th time I've seen WICKED, and I didn't think I could love anyone as Elphie as much as I had loved Idina, but Ana Gasteyer is the best Elphaba EVER. It seemed so effortless to her to give an absolutely outstanding performance. She was truly remarkable. I still don't like Kate Reinders or Derrick Williams, but whatever. David Garrison and Jenna Leigh Green are also really good as The Wizard and Nessa, respectively.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular(12/8/2006 @10am):
Awesome show... that is all.

GREY GARDENS (12/8/2006 @ 8pm):
Christine Ebersole is wonderful AND this show was my favorite of the trip. I expected to be kind of saddened by the whole show, because the story of the Beales' is sort of sad, but the show was truly brilliant and the whole cast was excellent, but Christine Ebersole deserves all the praise she has garnered for her portrayal in this role. She was also very nice at the stage door.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas (12/9/2006 @ 11am):
Cute show, good cast, pleasant experience. Enough said.

THE APPLE TREE (12/9/2006 @ 2pm):
I loved this show, and I don't care that it wasn't the best production in the world. Kristin Chenoweth is fantastic, whether it's all the same stuff she's done before, she is still immensely talented and basically carries the show. Marc Kudisch was great in his roles, and has a very pleasant voice and was very good. Brian d'arcy James was very funny, and in my opinion underused. The whole cast was very good, and I thought the show was great overall. At the stage door, Brian d'arcy James was very nice, Kristin Chenoweth was wonderful and kind and just amazing, and I actually got to talk to Marc Kudisch for a little while because he graduated from the college I am attending right now, so we had a very nice discussion, which was cool. Great experience.

SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER (12/9/2006 @ 7:30pm):
I also enjoyed this show very much. Blythe Danner was wonderful, Gale Harold was very good, but the emotional center of this show was Carla Gugino. She was heartbreaking and wonderful. The whole cast was great, and the show was well put together. Blythe Danner was also very kind at the stage door.

Overall, great shows. If you haven't seen GREY GARDENS, run- don't walk.
Updated On: 12/13/06 at 10:47 PM

[mattnyc2]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 10:50pm

So glad you liked Ana, she's by far my favorite Elphaba. Nice review of the other shows too.

[rose_pearl]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 11:26pm

I actually got to talk to Marc Kudisch for a little while because he graduated from the college I am attending right now, so we had a very nice discussion, which was cool.

So you go to FAU? = ]

[DrowsyBoy1011]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 11:45pm

Yes indeed I do. : )

[rose_pearl]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 11:47pm

I'm from Boca Raton, but I go to school at UCF in Orlando. Glad to hear good things about Marc and Brian. = ]

[ducdebrabant]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 1:18pm

Bear with the Apple Tree production. They haven't officially opened yet, and previews are really rehearsals with an audience. For the same reason, it doesn't surprise me that you liked Gale Harold. I've seen the show twice -- on November 8 and December 10. The production improve enormously, but it wasn't the December 10 show the critics reviewed, and it's early performances most people here saw. Harold has grown into his part tremendously (and let's face it, it's an extremely difficult part; not rich in emotional opportunities, and basically a facilitator). It undoubtedly helps him that Blythe Danner too is now a hundred times better. In a month, you might be raving about the production of The Apple Tree.

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 1:33pm

Glad you liked Ana

[AnaGFan]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 5:33pm

Ana is my favorite Elphaba! Too bad she won't be playing Elphaba anymore.

NY Times is raving about Apple Tree.