My brief Lennon review...

I wanted to wait until the actual S.F. reviews were printed out of respect, but now that they are, here's my take.

I wasn't miserable and the cast is very good, problem is that I felt any ten people could have been in the show. I don't feel they are utilizing the talent to the best of their abilities and that fault lies with the book or rather lack thereof.

Scardino strikes me as a sensitive and passionate director but he can only do so much. It left me cold and a bit down, if you will. It's not a happy ending as I'm sure you all know, no spoiler here and for those ardent Beatles fans, there is not much in the way, musically, of any tried and true Beatles, aka, McCartney/Lennon compositions and I definitely missed those songs. I felt the same way when I saw "Ain't Nothin' But the Blues" years ago. Good enough show, fine talent, but so what.

The book needs work and a more cohesive through line, otherwise, it does become the cliched Juke box musical without any elements of *fun*. Particularly moving was Chuck Cooper. For my taste Murney was a bit hammy.

How was it a "cliched" jukebox musical?

Regarding the Beatles thing, I guess it really depends on the person's expectation. And I believe that lots of people will go in expecting Beatles songs.

I agree the book could be stronger though. I think, if anything, they need to make the audience really care about John Lennon, the character.

Just curious what the audience response has been in general so far. Standing O or polite applause?

Al Dente, thanks for your comments. I think I can understand how it can be perceived as a "cliched" jukebox musical, which is my biggest reservation about the show.

And this is just directed at Al Dente, but is there a lot (or any) choreography in the show, or is it mostly singing and emoting?

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In the sense that you don't care and are just waiting for the next song bc the story is so disjointed. I agree with you, there is so much *strangeness* going on, that you wind up not caring about the central figure the story is based on. I do feel there is going to be a great deal of disappointment over there being no Beatles Hits. Not many people know, or care about "Woman are the N*** of the world".

Updated On: 4/20/05 at 08:02 PM

Julie Danao(sp) is Yoko. Not much in the way of traditional choroegraphy. Lot's of band at Mic sort of staging. Guitars around the women's necks, etc...

I'm curious how much influence Yoko has had over the book? Has anyone heard wether she's been overly demanding? How involved is she with staging?

I'll agree with the poster that said it was going for a metaphysical slant and I'm not sure how well that will go over with the general public. You can't be that sophisticated or esoteric and I don't mean that to be offensive.

Will middle-america buy performance art on Broadway for $100 a ticket?

My concern is whether this is truly John's story or if it has become Yoko's story of the woman behind the man.

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I don't feel that Beatles music has a place in a show titled "Lennon". If the show used Lennon/McCartney tunes it would be "The Beatles", not "Lennon".

There are songs from the Lennon repertoire that illicit strong reactions. "God" is one. Robert Hurwitt, SF Chronicle Theater Critic, had a strong reaction to another.

'"Woman Is the n* of the World" is much more
clearly a feminist statement as sung by an African
American woman. And a vibrant Marcy Harriell
delivers it with a potent, bluesy intensity that
brings down the house.'

As always, it all depends on your perspective. Some things need to be said and there will always be people who do not want to hear them. But that was Lennon. He said what needed to be said regardless of whether people wanted to hear it or not.

I think any musical bearing his name should do the same.


San Francisco Chronicle Review

http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=upsell_review&reviewID=VE1117926858&categoryID=33&cs=1


Phil Gallo from VARIETY, was less than thrilled with the show or the actors.