Putting it Together - Syracuse Stage

I went to see this last night and they did a truly incredible job.

Anré Ward's introduction was absolutely hilarious and he continued to be vivacious and entertaining throughout the rest of the show.

Throughout the show I kept thinking that Tyler Hanes would make an excellent Princeton (in Avenue Q) does anyone else agree? Stephanie Youell is gorgeous and was an incredible dancer. She looks so familiar, where have I seen her before? (it wasn't curtains because I never saw that)

Lilias White has an awesome voice, though I agree with my friend who said she seems like an unusual choice for a sondheim. I was definitely dissapointed with "not getting married" though because that song just doesn't have the same affect at a slower tempo. She's got some nice riffs though.

And of course Chuck Cooper was excellent, but really what would you expect?

I enjoyed the rendition of "being alive" (though no one will top Raúl Esparza in my book) I hadn't heard "bang" before but I thought they did a great job with that as well.

It would have been cool if they had a song from Gypsy in there, I think "You'll Never Get Away from Me" would have been fitting.

All in all it was an enjoyable show and a nice night of theatre and sondheim.

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Updated On: 2/8/09 at 08:56 PM

I'm a huge fan of Bob Crowley's set for the Broadway production so I'm not really liking such a literal approach to the design. And I disagree that a song from Gypsy would really be fitting. All the songs in the show (with the odd exception of "Do I Hear a Waltz?") are songs that Stephen composed. That was the intent of the final incarnation. If you want songs from Gypsy go see Side by Side. Or, you know... Gypsy.

Riffing Sondheim?

really?

Truly a phenomenal cast. Lillias White also sang on the The Actors' Fund Of America Benefit Recording of Hair. Her rendition of Aquarius is one of my favorites.

Updated On: 2/9/09 at 12:50 PM

Though I love Walsh's rendition (and certainly prefer it to, say, Deborah Rush's attempt), I still feel like everyone who attempts it is trying to channel The Stritch. And I'm curious as to why you were disappointed in (Not) Getting Married Today. How was it staged?

I'm not saying I wasn't a fan of her take on it, it was just different, and a little unexpected I guess. But it wasn't bad by any means.

I do agree, that Not Getting Married was really disappointing...though the night I saw it, she knocked over a champagne glass, which made for some funny/interesting choices from both her and andre.