#1
Posted: 4/30/06 at 11:15pm
Little Women
Birmingham, Alabama
BJCC Concert Hall
Sunday April 30
I student rushed the show and got a ticket for $22 - row F in the Orchestra. So glad I waited to student rush. Perfect seat.
So I walked in and I saw the big curtain with the flowing papers on it and the lace false proscenium. It got me really excited for some reason.
I sit down and think, "wow, no understudies, how great." Then, a voice comes over the speakers and ... "The role of Jo will be played by Julie Foldesi.
The show was great. I had my doubts, but I got really wrapped up in the story. When Amy throws Jo's papers in the fire it took everything in me to resist saying "you bitch!" - ha. The score was great, as I had expected. Some of the songs I didn't really like as much on the recording definently worked better when stage and incorporated in the story. A lot of the songs started sorta suddenly. Like, before you know it, you're in another song. My only complaint with the score is that it really didnt have a great opening or closing song. Most musicals have a big company number to sort of get you into the show, but this didn't have one. And usually, they have a big rousing cast number to close this show. I thought the end song - "Sometimes when you dream" - which isn't even listed in the playbill - was sort of a let down. Jo should have a big 11 o'clock number, and then have the cast come out and sing "sometimes when you dream" - and then to pull at the heart strings, maybe have Beth have the last verse or something. I just felt like the opening of both acts and the ending could have been stronger.
The story was great. I haven't read the book or seen the movie, so I sort of took it for what its worth. I didn't feel like I really missed anything. My only quip would be that Jo's relationship with Professor Bhaer was sort of sudden. Like, I knew it was coming because I knew the recording, but in the show, they didn't really show them flirting or anything. They also could have played up Amy going with Aunt March to Europe. It was sort of slighted, thought it was a big part of the story. I mean, they didnt have to have a scene with them in Europe, but they could have mentioned it or talked about in lenght a little more. But other than that, I was really into the show.
the performances were great. Everyone was spot on. Andrew Varela (Professor Bhaer) added so much to his part. After to listening to the recording, I didn't realize that the Professor was German. Julie Foldesi as Jo was great. She had a great voice and hit all the money notes with the right amount of power. I was looking in the playbill and I was surprised to see that she also understudies Meg and Beth. It must be so hard to sing a song that you know both parts of. Like, to remember to sing each harmony. Anyways, Marueen McGovern was great. Her voice was spot on, I loved every song she sang. Her part, actually, wasn't that big, but I thought she did great with everything she was given. All the surporting characters were good also. Stephen Patterson was Laurie was kinda strange at first. I wasn't really prepared for his line delivery, but it grew on me.
Now, my favorite part of the show. The sets. Wow. They were gorgeous. It was so complex, yet so simply. The backdrop of the winter landscape was beautifully abstract. I was so excited everytime a new location was introduced. What did this set design loose out to?
I def. recommend this tour. It didn't seem to sell too well here or Broadway, but I would recommend it. Its def. not a light comedy or fluff. It takes a lot of concentration, but it was well worth it. I noticed a lot of people yawning and checking their watches, but I was really into the story. I guess to each his own.
Birmingham, Alabama
BJCC Concert Hall
Sunday April 30
I student rushed the show and got a ticket for $22 - row F in the Orchestra. So glad I waited to student rush. Perfect seat.
So I walked in and I saw the big curtain with the flowing papers on it and the lace false proscenium. It got me really excited for some reason.
I sit down and think, "wow, no understudies, how great." Then, a voice comes over the speakers and ... "The role of Jo will be played by Julie Foldesi.
The show was great. I had my doubts, but I got really wrapped up in the story. When Amy throws Jo's papers in the fire it took everything in me to resist saying "you bitch!" - ha. The score was great, as I had expected. Some of the songs I didn't really like as much on the recording definently worked better when stage and incorporated in the story. A lot of the songs started sorta suddenly. Like, before you know it, you're in another song. My only complaint with the score is that it really didnt have a great opening or closing song. Most musicals have a big company number to sort of get you into the show, but this didn't have one. And usually, they have a big rousing cast number to close this show. I thought the end song - "Sometimes when you dream" - which isn't even listed in the playbill - was sort of a let down. Jo should have a big 11 o'clock number, and then have the cast come out and sing "sometimes when you dream" - and then to pull at the heart strings, maybe have Beth have the last verse or something. I just felt like the opening of both acts and the ending could have been stronger.
The story was great. I haven't read the book or seen the movie, so I sort of took it for what its worth. I didn't feel like I really missed anything. My only quip would be that Jo's relationship with Professor Bhaer was sort of sudden. Like, I knew it was coming because I knew the recording, but in the show, they didn't really show them flirting or anything. They also could have played up Amy going with Aunt March to Europe. It was sort of slighted, thought it was a big part of the story. I mean, they didnt have to have a scene with them in Europe, but they could have mentioned it or talked about in lenght a little more. But other than that, I was really into the show.
the performances were great. Everyone was spot on. Andrew Varela (Professor Bhaer) added so much to his part. After to listening to the recording, I didn't realize that the Professor was German. Julie Foldesi as Jo was great. She had a great voice and hit all the money notes with the right amount of power. I was looking in the playbill and I was surprised to see that she also understudies Meg and Beth. It must be so hard to sing a song that you know both parts of. Like, to remember to sing each harmony. Anyways, Marueen McGovern was great. Her voice was spot on, I loved every song she sang. Her part, actually, wasn't that big, but I thought she did great with everything she was given. All the surporting characters were good also. Stephen Patterson was Laurie was kinda strange at first. I wasn't really prepared for his line delivery, but it grew on me.
Now, my favorite part of the show. The sets. Wow. They were gorgeous. It was so complex, yet so simply. The backdrop of the winter landscape was beautifully abstract. I was so excited everytime a new location was introduced. What did this set design loose out to?
I def. recommend this tour. It didn't seem to sell too well here or Broadway, but I would recommend it. Its def. not a light comedy or fluff. It takes a lot of concentration, but it was well worth it. I noticed a lot of people yawning and checking their watches, but I was really into the story. I guess to each his own.
