for me, the first act just dragged on, however I was more involved during the second act, and I think that is becauase of the lack of the orchestrations, which I can't believe I'm saying. the show became much better and more "full" when there was only voice and piano involved. I wasn't bombarded with the same clarinet and violin "oom paa paa" over and over again. Less is more in this case.
As many have said, the score is terribly generic and stereotypical. There were two or three standouts for me, mainly ballads, and they were all in the second act. The set is kinda ugly, but I enjoyed the costumes, I thought they were appropriate and subtly seperated the "ghosts" from the real time characters.
The last twenty minutes were totally schmaltzy, and I wanted to get caught up in the emotion, if only for Donna's wonderful acting, but the show just wasn't enough of a payoff for me, and I couldn't be brought to care, really.
That said, Murphy was just wonderful. A note: this was my second time seeing her. the first was from the nosebleeds during the Anyone Can Whistle concert. (and the Passion video, but that doesn't really count) so I haven't seen her do alot of her famous roles, but I thought she was so so so good, especially for the first time before a paying audience. I would love to go back and sit through the show again just to see her grow in the next couple of weeks. Her physicality as the older woman was so real, so "put upon", and she changed back and forth 50 years effortlessly on the drop of a dime. It was amazing to see, and for me, it was a master class in being a true actor at the top of your game, even when the material you are working with is not the strongest. IMO, Murphy elevated the play to a different level, and the producers and other actors are very lucky to have her.
"I'm an American, Damnit!!! And if it's three things I don't believe in, it's quitting and math."
