#1
Posted: 12/1/08 at 11:20am
After seeing the first preview of Pal Joey and Christian Hoff's take on the role, I was able to make it back to Studio 54 to see what Matthew Risch was doing with the part.
Risch is a HUGE improvement in the role, but still isn't perfect. Risch and Hoff are inversions of each other in their strengths. Hoff was best at acting, then singing and then dancing, while Risch was best at dancing, then singing and then acting. This is mostly a change for the better, as Pal Joey is a dance show, and other than a few sour notes Risch is able to sing the score.
Still, Risch does not have that star quality to carry a show, even though he is trying hard. His chemistry with Stockard was lacking, and the audience reaction was actually much more subdued than at the first preview (especially in the book scenes).
The most improved performer award needs to go to Plimpton. She was missing notes right and left at the first preview, but her singing was MUCH better the second time around.
Stockard still can't find a note to save her life. A Little Den of Iniquity was truly painful during the "harmony" sections.
My biggest problem with this production is not with the actors, though, but with the direction and new book. The best thing about Pal Joey is the score. It needs to be SUNG and DANCED!!! The score is hacked up and altered for the worse.
What is a Man? is missing the patter section and is poorly sung. Happy Hunting Horn is now some funeral dirge with the chorus in hideous mourning garb. Plant You Now, Dig You Later is reduced to one chorus. Take Him is missing Vera's verse ("Thanks little mousey for the present and all that...").
For so much of the show centering on dance, never once was I wowed by the choreography or its execution. Now that they have a leading man who can dance I would have liked to see them restage some of the numbers to showcase Risch.
The new book is pretty bad as well. It seems like it was written to help cover up the weaknesses of the cast. I would rather have had a fluffy book and let the score shine than what they have done to the show.
*******possible spoiler***********
The gay plot line is just ridiculous and out of place. I was hoping with Risch graduating to Joey they might just do away with the drummer, but unfortunately he's still around.
******end spoiler*********
I didn't hate the show this time around, but I didn't necessarily like it either. It's just a mediocre production of a potentially wonderful show. How fast do you think Donna Murphy could learn Vera before opening night?
Risch is a HUGE improvement in the role, but still isn't perfect. Risch and Hoff are inversions of each other in their strengths. Hoff was best at acting, then singing and then dancing, while Risch was best at dancing, then singing and then acting. This is mostly a change for the better, as Pal Joey is a dance show, and other than a few sour notes Risch is able to sing the score.
Still, Risch does not have that star quality to carry a show, even though he is trying hard. His chemistry with Stockard was lacking, and the audience reaction was actually much more subdued than at the first preview (especially in the book scenes).
The most improved performer award needs to go to Plimpton. She was missing notes right and left at the first preview, but her singing was MUCH better the second time around.
Stockard still can't find a note to save her life. A Little Den of Iniquity was truly painful during the "harmony" sections.
My biggest problem with this production is not with the actors, though, but with the direction and new book. The best thing about Pal Joey is the score. It needs to be SUNG and DANCED!!! The score is hacked up and altered for the worse.
What is a Man? is missing the patter section and is poorly sung. Happy Hunting Horn is now some funeral dirge with the chorus in hideous mourning garb. Plant You Now, Dig You Later is reduced to one chorus. Take Him is missing Vera's verse ("Thanks little mousey for the present and all that...").
For so much of the show centering on dance, never once was I wowed by the choreography or its execution. Now that they have a leading man who can dance I would have liked to see them restage some of the numbers to showcase Risch.
The new book is pretty bad as well. It seems like it was written to help cover up the weaknesses of the cast. I would rather have had a fluffy book and let the score shine than what they have done to the show.
*******possible spoiler***********
The gay plot line is just ridiculous and out of place. I was hoping with Risch graduating to Joey they might just do away with the drummer, but unfortunately he's still around.
******end spoiler*********
I didn't hate the show this time around, but I didn't necessarily like it either. It's just a mediocre production of a potentially wonderful show. How fast do you think Donna Murphy could learn Vera before opening night?
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
Updated On: 12/1/08 at 11:20 AM
