#1
Posted: 10/31/06 at 11:34am
Wow. Amazing. Awesome. I am totally speechless. First of all I am glad to be able to share all the following with all of you who will understand and appreciate it.
OK, so... where to start. I'll start with some general observations and then go in chronological order.
The City has never been cleaner, smelled better or been more friendly. It was a joy to see and expierience. There was an energy and a fabulous feeling about everything. The weather was perfect. A bit windy at times, but still picture perfect. Not to cold, not to hot, with lots of sunshine the whole trip.
THE WEDDING SINGER 2 PM 10/25/06: I am even *more* in love with this show now having gotten to see it in person. The energy and the audience response was palpable. I had the center seat in the front row of the first balcony. How cool is that?! I simply have no words to really put into perspective how incredible this show is... so I'll just lay down the basics.
Stephen Lynch is just awesome. Simply incredible in the role of Robbie Hart. Words can't describe his brilliance, timing and voice. Laura Benanti was awesome. It was great to see her healthy and in fine form. Her chemistry with Stephen was lovely Constantine Maroulis is where he belongs: on Broadway. He has an amazing presence, is perfect in the role and obviously loves doing theatre. Kevin Cahoon is simply great. To Kevin: "Fun fun fun!" *lol*
6 out of 5
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA 8 PM 10/25/06: *sniff* What I am about to write is very hard. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love this show and how many times I have seen it and how much it means to me. I'd never make things up or... yeah... You get the picture. Aside from Howard McGillan as the Phantom, Patricia Phillips as Carlotta, Roland Rusiner as Piangi, and George Lee Andrews, the entire cast needs to get axed. They were phoning in their performances. I was sorely upset with Jennifer Hope Wills as Christine. She looked pretty in the costumes and physically acted the role, but vocally- *pshaw* I have NEVER heard such terrible phrasing and gasping and pitch problems as she had. Heather McFadden as Meg was a disgrace to the role. David Cryer played off of George as best he could, but still fell short... The audience was rude with talking, unwrapping things and picture taking?! It was hot in the theatre and ... ugh... Not the best time at POTO
3 out of 5
A CHORUS LINE 8PM 10/26/06: It is certainly a joy to have this show back and in the hands of this amazing cast The energy in the theatre was palpable. Such anticipation and excitement. And they did NOT disappoint.
The one I'd been waiting for. Charlotte d'Amboise as Cassie. I had to block out things I'd heard and I tried to forget she was Charlotte and this was Cassie to be fair and not get so hyped up and be biased... She was more than everything I expected. She was attentive, always focused on her fellow line mates as they spoke or sang their stories. Her reactions were wonderful. She gave Shiela her water bottle. She laughed at Mike. Her Cassie was caring. You could feel her concern for Paul in "the" scene. She was eager to move on. Her dancing was amazing. Spot on. Fluid. She WAS Cassie. She and Michael Berresse had great chemistry and their final gaze, their final time on stage together, gave you hope that they'd work things out.
Dierdra Goodwin as Shiela: perfect match of actress and part.
Mara Davi, Natalie Cortez and Paul McGill are all standouts and are headed up into the rafters with their careers, I can feel it. Tyler Hayes is an amazing dancer. Larry is a good role, and he is great in it. He deserves to step up- perhaps into Mark or Mike later on?
This cast cares about the show and were spot on. No one stood out and everyone loved what they were doing.
6 out of 5
LES MISERABLES 8PM 10/27/06: Still head and shoulders above and beyond any other show ever. I am glad Cam brought her home
Celia Keenan-Bolger as Eponine was by far the best in the role in a long time. What a voice. I love the way she held Marius' coat.
Aaron Lazar as Enjolras was perfection. He is amazing in any role he has ever done, but he as Enjolras was VERY special. The looks, the voice, the acting... Seeing him hoist that flag and then drapped over it when he is killed... *sniff* I'd follow him anywhere
Alex Gemingnani as Valjean. He was as amazing as you'd think. What more can I say? To Alex: "A pen, a pen! My kingdom for a pen!"
Gary Beach as Thenardier. The man is amazing. He is one of the best performers ever. To my beloved Chrysler Building: "Just direct your feet to the OTHER side of the street!"
Jenny Galloway as Mme T was as amazing as she has always been in the role. Ali Ewoldt stood out as Cosette. Not too sure about her "new" white dress for IN MY LIFE, though JK *lol*
7 out of 5
Nathan Lane in BUTLEY. 8PM 10/28/06 AMAZING. He is riviting. He is not Max or Oscar or Timon... He is Ben Butley and he is acting the hell out of this role. I am sooo proud of him. He has proven himself as a serious actor who is dedicated and loves his craft. He never leaves the stage in the 2 hours the show runs. The other characters come in and go out of his office. He NEVER leaves. Never once did you not believe him. When he cried, I cried. To my Bialy: the world- and Broadway- are both better places because you are in it.
3rd Annual WICKED Day, 10/29/06. I wish that all the rude, cruel nay-sayers could have been there to see everyone and feel the excitement. I met some e-mail friends there. I made a Glinda wand, got lots of autographs and had fun playing all the games. No other show could pull off a day like this except PHANTOM or SPAMLOT. Thank you to Noah Rivera and a special shout out to the young girls who were standing beside me during the sing along who said I had a "pretty" voice What a day, huh? Congrats to sixteen year-old Sarah Krauss of Hopewell, NJ the winner of the BE WICKED singing contest.
I loved my trip. I am glad to back, however
OK, so... where to start. I'll start with some general observations and then go in chronological order.
The City has never been cleaner, smelled better or been more friendly. It was a joy to see and expierience. There was an energy and a fabulous feeling about everything. The weather was perfect. A bit windy at times, but still picture perfect. Not to cold, not to hot, with lots of sunshine the whole trip.
THE WEDDING SINGER 2 PM 10/25/06: I am even *more* in love with this show now having gotten to see it in person. The energy and the audience response was palpable. I had the center seat in the front row of the first balcony. How cool is that?! I simply have no words to really put into perspective how incredible this show is... so I'll just lay down the basics.
Stephen Lynch is just awesome. Simply incredible in the role of Robbie Hart. Words can't describe his brilliance, timing and voice. Laura Benanti was awesome. It was great to see her healthy and in fine form. Her chemistry with Stephen was lovely Constantine Maroulis is where he belongs: on Broadway. He has an amazing presence, is perfect in the role and obviously loves doing theatre. Kevin Cahoon is simply great. To Kevin: "Fun fun fun!" *lol*
6 out of 5
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA 8 PM 10/25/06: *sniff* What I am about to write is very hard. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love this show and how many times I have seen it and how much it means to me. I'd never make things up or... yeah... You get the picture. Aside from Howard McGillan as the Phantom, Patricia Phillips as Carlotta, Roland Rusiner as Piangi, and George Lee Andrews, the entire cast needs to get axed. They were phoning in their performances. I was sorely upset with Jennifer Hope Wills as Christine. She looked pretty in the costumes and physically acted the role, but vocally- *pshaw* I have NEVER heard such terrible phrasing and gasping and pitch problems as she had. Heather McFadden as Meg was a disgrace to the role. David Cryer played off of George as best he could, but still fell short... The audience was rude with talking, unwrapping things and picture taking?! It was hot in the theatre and ... ugh... Not the best time at POTO
3 out of 5
A CHORUS LINE 8PM 10/26/06: It is certainly a joy to have this show back and in the hands of this amazing cast The energy in the theatre was palpable. Such anticipation and excitement. And they did NOT disappoint.
The one I'd been waiting for. Charlotte d'Amboise as Cassie. I had to block out things I'd heard and I tried to forget she was Charlotte and this was Cassie to be fair and not get so hyped up and be biased... She was more than everything I expected. She was attentive, always focused on her fellow line mates as they spoke or sang their stories. Her reactions were wonderful. She gave Shiela her water bottle. She laughed at Mike. Her Cassie was caring. You could feel her concern for Paul in "the" scene. She was eager to move on. Her dancing was amazing. Spot on. Fluid. She WAS Cassie. She and Michael Berresse had great chemistry and their final gaze, their final time on stage together, gave you hope that they'd work things out.
Dierdra Goodwin as Shiela: perfect match of actress and part.
Mara Davi, Natalie Cortez and Paul McGill are all standouts and are headed up into the rafters with their careers, I can feel it. Tyler Hayes is an amazing dancer. Larry is a good role, and he is great in it. He deserves to step up- perhaps into Mark or Mike later on?
This cast cares about the show and were spot on. No one stood out and everyone loved what they were doing.
6 out of 5
LES MISERABLES 8PM 10/27/06: Still head and shoulders above and beyond any other show ever. I am glad Cam brought her home
Celia Keenan-Bolger as Eponine was by far the best in the role in a long time. What a voice. I love the way she held Marius' coat.
Aaron Lazar as Enjolras was perfection. He is amazing in any role he has ever done, but he as Enjolras was VERY special. The looks, the voice, the acting... Seeing him hoist that flag and then drapped over it when he is killed... *sniff* I'd follow him anywhere
Alex Gemingnani as Valjean. He was as amazing as you'd think. What more can I say? To Alex: "A pen, a pen! My kingdom for a pen!"
Gary Beach as Thenardier. The man is amazing. He is one of the best performers ever. To my beloved Chrysler Building: "Just direct your feet to the OTHER side of the street!"
Jenny Galloway as Mme T was as amazing as she has always been in the role. Ali Ewoldt stood out as Cosette. Not too sure about her "new" white dress for IN MY LIFE, though JK *lol*
7 out of 5
Nathan Lane in BUTLEY. 8PM 10/28/06 AMAZING. He is riviting. He is not Max or Oscar or Timon... He is Ben Butley and he is acting the hell out of this role. I am sooo proud of him. He has proven himself as a serious actor who is dedicated and loves his craft. He never leaves the stage in the 2 hours the show runs. The other characters come in and go out of his office. He NEVER leaves. Never once did you not believe him. When he cried, I cried. To my Bialy: the world- and Broadway- are both better places because you are in it.
3rd Annual WICKED Day, 10/29/06. I wish that all the rude, cruel nay-sayers could have been there to see everyone and feel the excitement. I met some e-mail friends there. I made a Glinda wand, got lots of autographs and had fun playing all the games. No other show could pull off a day like this except PHANTOM or SPAMLOT. Thank you to Noah Rivera and a special shout out to the young girls who were standing beside me during the sing along who said I had a "pretty" voice What a day, huh? Congrats to sixteen year-old Sarah Krauss of Hopewell, NJ the winner of the BE WICKED singing contest.
I loved my trip. I am glad to back, however
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
"THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS
*blush* 
LOVE your icon, BTW. We make a couple 
But she was a sweetheart at the stagedoor 
