#1
Posted: 4/22/05 at 10:03pm
I was lucky enough to spend the last week in Manhattan. The weather was gorgeous, and I was privilaged enough to get to see some great theatre. I was also lucky enough to meet two fellow BWWers. I had a lovely breakfast with the lovely and fabulous Addy (NYAdGal) and I spent a good deal of time with the fantabulous Matt_G who I am very grateful I got to meet. 
On to the reviews...
STEEL MAGNOLIAS: I just love this show. I just love the movie. I was just beyond pleased. I was very sorry that Delta Burke was out that day, but was very pleased with Sally Mayes who went on. Perhaps without Delta, I was more able to focus on the other actresses in the show. For me the standouts were Lilly Rabe and Frances Sternhagen. I expected nothing less than brilliance from Ms. Sternhagen and was not dissapointed. Lilly Rabe is a revelation in this role. Her Annelle was real, genuine, hysterical, funny and poignant. I had never been a fan of this character until last Sunday afternoon. Bravo Ladies! I had a good laugh, and cry. I would love to see Ms. Rabe or Ms. Sternhagen take home Tony awards for this production
MAMMA MIA: I have seen this show on the road and have enjoyed it in the past. I still enjoyed it at the Wintergarden, but it struck me as a well-oiled machine rather than a Broadway musical. There were many understudies on, but luckily, Carolee Carmello, my reason for going, was in. I am a bit upset to report that Ms. Carmello never really came alive until her big number, "The Winner Takes it All." Now, I'll say, she practically blew the roof off the Wintergarden with that song, but it took her a long time to show that gorgeous voice of hers off. She did appear to be having a great time though.
SWEET CHARITY(CHRISTINA'S FIRST SHOW): Ok, many of you know that I loved this show in Boston. I expected to like it in NY and I did. The house was packed and there was a palpable energy throughout the audience. The overture was greeted with thunderous applause, and as it began to wrap up, the applause began slowly, and built through the end of the overture, the rising of the curtain and Ms. Applegate's first appearence. I got shivers as I thought, "This is her Broadway debut!-I'm so lucky to be here." Say what you will about the show or Ms. Applegate, but I was thoroughly entertained and impressed. She's having the time of her life, has tons of energy, and I was very pleased with her performance. The rest of the show is still great. I was glad to see thay have started using the overture heard on the OBC which is thrilling. Dennis O'Hare deserves a Tony nod for this and both he and Christina were beyond gracious at the stage door. Please support this show. Give it a chance. I adore it.
DAME EDNA: What can I say? She's a riot. I'd never seen her live and laughed non-stop throughout. Again, the house was packed. It was nice to see on a Tuesday night.
DRS: Matt_G and I won the lottery and sat in the front row. I will say that it took me a while to warm up to the humor of this show. I was a bit nervous that it would turn into "The Producers" on me and I wouldn't find it funny, but I felt very safe in the arms of Norbert Leo Butz who MUST win a Tony for this performance. I shall never forget his rendition of "Great Big Stuff." John, Sherrie, Johanna, Gregory and Sara were all brilliant. I had a ball. I have been a big fan of David Yazbeck since "The Full Monty" and it is great to have his music back on Broadway. The songs are so character-driven and truly move the plot along rather than hault it. I was impressed. I do fear this show may not play so well without this original cast though. Any thoughts on that?
A LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA: This is a gorgeous show. The score is gorgeous, the singing, the orchestrations, the sets, the costumes and the performances are all gorgeous. I thought the score was absolutely beautiful and I will definately buy the recording when it becomes available. The sets were some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. The score was at its best when sung by Matthew Morrison and Kelli O'Hara who both deserve many accolades for their performances. I was expecting big things from Ms. Clark, and while I thought she was very good, I didn't see her living up to the hype. I'm not sure if that's her fault, the book's fault or my fault. I must quickly mention Michael Berresse, one of my favorite performers. He is severely underused, but luckily on stage a lot. He is so talented..a true triple threat. He looks and sounds great, and he can still move. It's time Michael got more attention.
So there you have it...my NYC week. I hope I didn't bore you! Thanks again Matt_G for helping make the week so memorable!
On to the reviews...
STEEL MAGNOLIAS: I just love this show. I just love the movie. I was just beyond pleased. I was very sorry that Delta Burke was out that day, but was very pleased with Sally Mayes who went on. Perhaps without Delta, I was more able to focus on the other actresses in the show. For me the standouts were Lilly Rabe and Frances Sternhagen. I expected nothing less than brilliance from Ms. Sternhagen and was not dissapointed. Lilly Rabe is a revelation in this role. Her Annelle was real, genuine, hysterical, funny and poignant. I had never been a fan of this character until last Sunday afternoon. Bravo Ladies! I had a good laugh, and cry. I would love to see Ms. Rabe or Ms. Sternhagen take home Tony awards for this production
MAMMA MIA: I have seen this show on the road and have enjoyed it in the past. I still enjoyed it at the Wintergarden, but it struck me as a well-oiled machine rather than a Broadway musical. There were many understudies on, but luckily, Carolee Carmello, my reason for going, was in. I am a bit upset to report that Ms. Carmello never really came alive until her big number, "The Winner Takes it All." Now, I'll say, she practically blew the roof off the Wintergarden with that song, but it took her a long time to show that gorgeous voice of hers off. She did appear to be having a great time though.
SWEET CHARITY(CHRISTINA'S FIRST SHOW): Ok, many of you know that I loved this show in Boston. I expected to like it in NY and I did. The house was packed and there was a palpable energy throughout the audience. The overture was greeted with thunderous applause, and as it began to wrap up, the applause began slowly, and built through the end of the overture, the rising of the curtain and Ms. Applegate's first appearence. I got shivers as I thought, "This is her Broadway debut!-I'm so lucky to be here." Say what you will about the show or Ms. Applegate, but I was thoroughly entertained and impressed. She's having the time of her life, has tons of energy, and I was very pleased with her performance. The rest of the show is still great. I was glad to see thay have started using the overture heard on the OBC which is thrilling. Dennis O'Hare deserves a Tony nod for this and both he and Christina were beyond gracious at the stage door. Please support this show. Give it a chance. I adore it.
DAME EDNA: What can I say? She's a riot. I'd never seen her live and laughed non-stop throughout. Again, the house was packed. It was nice to see on a Tuesday night.
DRS: Matt_G and I won the lottery and sat in the front row. I will say that it took me a while to warm up to the humor of this show. I was a bit nervous that it would turn into "The Producers" on me and I wouldn't find it funny, but I felt very safe in the arms of Norbert Leo Butz who MUST win a Tony for this performance. I shall never forget his rendition of "Great Big Stuff." John, Sherrie, Johanna, Gregory and Sara were all brilliant. I had a ball. I have been a big fan of David Yazbeck since "The Full Monty" and it is great to have his music back on Broadway. The songs are so character-driven and truly move the plot along rather than hault it. I was impressed. I do fear this show may not play so well without this original cast though. Any thoughts on that?
A LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA: This is a gorgeous show. The score is gorgeous, the singing, the orchestrations, the sets, the costumes and the performances are all gorgeous. I thought the score was absolutely beautiful and I will definately buy the recording when it becomes available. The sets were some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. The score was at its best when sung by Matthew Morrison and Kelli O'Hara who both deserve many accolades for their performances. I was expecting big things from Ms. Clark, and while I thought she was very good, I didn't see her living up to the hype. I'm not sure if that's her fault, the book's fault or my fault. I must quickly mention Michael Berresse, one of my favorite performers. He is severely underused, but luckily on stage a lot. He is so talented..a true triple threat. He looks and sounds great, and he can still move. It's time Michael got more attention.
So there you have it...my NYC week. I hope I didn't bore you! Thanks again Matt_G for helping make the week so memorable!
"Y'all have a GRAND day now"
Updated On: 4/22/05 at 10:03 PM
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