My trip

[frazer]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 1:19pm

Just leaving New York and heading back to the UK after a pretty big theatre binge! I saw a lot - some good and some terrible. But here's what I thought!

If/Then
This is purely a vehicle for Idina. Ropey book - so many one liners wedged into the dialogue just when it threatens some sort of dramatic integrity. Also the plane crash sequence is bizarre. Inconsistent score, but some really good songs - the opening number is particularly good, along with 'always starting over' which Idina killed. She was good as expected, but not incredible. The rest of the cast are fighting with horribly underdeveloped characters. Charles Haggerty was on as Josh and was particularly good. Enjoyable inconsistent evening.

Then She Fell
Great evening. Such an interesting concept, and I was really excited when I started to tie things together plot-wise. Much more personal than the punchdrunk shows. A highlight was a sequence where I took dictation from Lewis Caroll. Really well worked piece of theatre, although i felt certain sequences dragged on a little. Worth seeing though for sure!

Newsies
I love the music, the dancing was impressive, but some of the performances fell flat. Hope this cast gets a second wind before closing.

Pippin
I loved this. I left more detailed thoughts in another thread, but it was one of the highlights of my trip. Unexpected brilliance in design, concept, and execution.

Rocky
I loved this show! I thought the score was surprisingly good, and the book wasn't terrible. Andy Karl is so likeable in his performance, and is totally believable. The set is super impressive even before the last sequence. For the fight scene, me and my stage manager friend sat open mouthed. It is an unreal bit of theatre. The filming of everything just elevates the whole thing. He gets hit, and then you see him start to bleed! Its pure entertainment. I've been recommending this to everyone!

Casa Valentina
This was Patrick Page's show in my opinion. He gave an electric performance, but the play, whilst undeniably moving and shocking in parts, felt very inconsistent. The cast was great, but the ending did not pack the punch i was anticipating.

Murder For Two
Very disappointing! As a pianist, I thought the playing was pretty shoddy in parts. Its the same shtick all the way through and it gets old fast. The music was uninspiring, as were the two actors, save for a very good scene with the boys choir. I had high expectations going in, but it fell way short.

Gentlemens Guide
I got standing room for this, and the house staff were fairly militant in making sure we stayed pressed against the barrier! Good show. Nothing groundbreaking here, but solid score and book. Entertaining performances, and great voices on show. Jefferson Mays is of course fabulous.

Kinky Boots
I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, but I couldn't see past the horrible accents. Not a single accent was remotely passable which I think is absolutely unforgivable at that level. Score left me cold, but Billy Porter is such a good entertainer. what a voice!

Private Lives - Shakespeare company in DC
A quick detour, but enjoyable if not remarkable!

Hedwig
Wow. What a show. Never seen anything rival it on a stage. So moving. Perfect theatre. NPH is giving a performance not far short of superhuman. Lena Hall also fabulous.

[frazer]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 1:29pm

I knew if forget one! Cabaret
So glad I or to see this. Alan cumming is completely in control of this. Michelle Williams was disappointing, but that didn't take away from what is a stunning production. So well thought out. I knew exactly what was coming, but the ending still gave me chills.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 1:37pm

Thanks for these reviews, it's always really interesting hearing someone's take who isn't American. May I ask you why you thought Michelle Williams was disappointing? I'm seeing this show August 31st, and she was one of the things I was looking forwarding to but I've heard such negative things.

[South Florida]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 1:41pm

Saw Pippin last year shortly after the Tony's, it was amazing the cast was fresh and Patina Miller was special. The circus act made all the difference, the acrobats are a big part of the show. I saw Hedwig too, just before this year's Tony's. Could that win an Olivier? Blown away.

[South Florida]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 1:46pm

Also saw Cabaret. Did she sound like Katherine Hepburn when she talked? Anyway, wish we could keep our Sally's English. And if you're going to have an Idina Menzel play Elphaba in the UK, then put an American Glinda with her. Otherwise let the English girls play both roles.

[South Florida]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 1:49pm

To me Sutton, the singing was acceptable, and even the acting, but as of May her attempt at an English accent was hard to listen to.

[frazer]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 3:30pm

I felt she was 'doing a Sally' rather than actually engaging with the role. It felt like she was trying to do what everyone would expect her to - over the top accent, really pronounced delivery, gruff singing voice. But I struggled to understand what she was saying sometimes - it was like a jane horocks impression. And her singing was ropey. I know there is the argument that that fits the role, but you don't write a song like maybe this time and expect your actress to struggle to hit the notes