I guess I'm one of the few who didn't enjoy Uggams. I've always been a fan of hers, and I was so excited to see her, but I was disappointed. I though she seemed lost during the book scenes, although she was in great voice.
I felt the same way about the show itself. Half the score was classic, beautiful Rogers and Hammerstine, particularly the solo numbers and duets. There were some really beautiful songs, but I felt that the other half of the score, mostly ensemble numbers, were repetitive and bland. They reminded me of Nothing Like a Dame or Do Re Me without the charm or heart that made them such classics. I thought Bruni's staging did nothing to help either.
As I said, Uggams was hit or miss for me, Wopat barely made an impression, and Wallem was miscast. He played the dumb very well, sure, but he was too adorably charming to seem even remotely threatening, as his repeated references to violence seemed to imply.
Laura Osnes was delightful, and Will Chase was charming as always.
Overall, I'm glad I saw the show, for all it's faults it really was a charming production, and there were some really wonderful songs that I never would have heard without this production.
Updated On: 4/1/12 at 02:04 PM