NYMF: Judas and Me

[ZiggyCringe]

Posted: 9/28/09 at 11:41pm

It was a terrific opening night for the NYMF, and if the quality of shows continues, I suspect we're in for a great three weeks.

"Judas and Me" has a great conceit: Judas Iscariot's mother is Rose from "Gypsy." It's a very funny idea, and it is (for the most part) handled very, very well.

The cast is unbelievably high-calibre, and leading the pack is Barbara Walsh, as Judas Iscariot's mother, who (despite a couple of flubs) was better in this show than I've ever seen her before.

The first act feels very much like a Charles Ludlam/Charles Busch show, with some pretty terrific music, and hysterically good lyrics. The jokes land, and it's the kind of thing where you listen to the lyrics to discover the next rhyme, and it's never what you expected. Not an easy thing, and Beguelin did a great job. It's helped along by some terrific performances, namely Walsh, Leslie Kritzer and Jennifer Laura Thompson. All of these women are working at the top of their game.

The problem, IMO, is there is a large disconnect between the first act and the second. The first act is Busch/Ludlam, and the second act is Stephen Schwartz. Neither act is bad, they just don't match up well. (And the first act plays better.)

IMO, Sklar and Begeulin should turn this into a 90-minute one-act piece, pull all of the great heartfelt elements of the second act into the first, and make it a truly pleasurable evening.

At the very least, they need to make a change in the second act: Poor Nikki Snelson is required to do this HUUUUUGE dance number in the second act, (most of which she spends upside down), and then, nearly instantly afterward, she sings the show's big power ballad. (She did a great job with both, considering the obstacles. Although she had to have a drink of water from a flask afterwards, and it made me think "Is Mary Magdalene a drunk?" No, the actress needed a drink of water. NOT good, authors. Switch it.)

Ann Harada sings a throw-away song right beforehand, and if they just switched "Happy Is the man" with "Tangle in the Thread," it would give Snelson a chance to breathe. Requires a bit of juggling with the book, but it could be done. And I think Ann's ballad would pay off more in a later position, and become more than a throw-away.

Regardless, this was a terrific opener for NYMF. If the rest of the shows are up to this calibre, we're in for a terrific three weeks.








Updated On: 9/29/09 at 11:41 PM

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 9/28/09 at 11:53pm

I just posted my review on the main nymf thread, but I'm glad you enjoyed tonight as much as I did!

I agree with you about the shift in tone from act one to act two, but considering this is still a work in development I went with the flow and came out smiling.

[ZiggyCringe]

Posted: 9/29/09 at 12:35am

Ben,

I went out with a grin as well.

And I encourage others to see this particular show.

It's THIS close to being a terrific, salable show. Flaws? Sure. But minor. Overall? A lovely evening in the theatre.

For $20 bucks, to see Walsh and Kritzer and Thompson at the top of their games? It's worth it. Get a ticket (if you can, it was sold out tonight).

Updated On: 9/29/09 at 12:35 AM

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 9/29/09 at 12:58am

I just bought a ticket for their last performance tonight...great to hear that the show is so good!

[Elke]

Posted: 9/29/09 at 6:27am

Couldn't agree more. It's really very funny and the music is very catchy. It was a delight to see such an impressive cast of big Broadway names. Personal favorites were Ann Harada (whose facial expressions are hilarious) and Leslie Kritzer (whose comic timing is spot on).

[CRS14]

Posted: 9/29/09 at 9:26am

I pretty much agree with all that has been said. I wasn't as in love with the show as others - thought it tried to do a bit too much and could have used more dialogue/character development in the 1st act instead of a few of the songs.

I also want to give a shoutout to Doug Kreeger and Nick Blaemire who both should have more songs! Their duet "Rome" was one of the highlights for me. Also got to talk to them at the Opening Night party, and both are great, great, guys.

Leslie Kritzer couldn't be any funnier. What a perfect casting choice.

[froggy2]

Posted: 9/29/09 at 11:10am

This is probably a long shot, but if anyone has any extra tickets to tomorrow night's performance, I will buy them off of you! I just realized that tomorrow is the only night I can see this show, and I'd hate to miss it. That's what I get for procrastinating. Just PM me if you can help, thanks!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 9/29/09 at 11:58am

I'll see Barbara Walsh in anything; I'm so there.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 9/29/09 at 12:10pm

You will not be disappointed with Walsh. She is superb.

I'll admit there are problems with the actual show, but I don't take back any of my gushing for the cast. I do wish I could hear some of the tunes again.

Best of luck to the cast on the rest of the run.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 9/29/09 at 12:42pm

I'll chime in and say that I really enjoyed it as well. All of the actors were wonderful and I actually really liked the score! So tuneful (unlike MEMPHIS).

Congrats to all involved!! (and definitely go see this if you can snag a ticket)

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 9/30/09 at 10:19am

Could somebody tell me the running time?

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 9/30/09 at 10:45am

I think it ran about 2 hours with an intermission.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 9/30/09 at 10:52am

Thank you!