Rent and Gypsy Reviews 9/6

[Glory]

Posted: 9/7/08 at 9:16am

So, I'm on the bus home from NYC. Then I have another car ride to get to my school, so I figured I would post a review about the 2 shows I saw yesterday (9/6/0

I went to the Nederlander and caught the matinee of RENT, courtesy of winning the finale B contest :) I was rear mezz. row e, but had a PERFECT view. When the cast walked on stage the energy they had shot through the audience and the crowd clapped for a good 5 minutes. Before I knew it, it was intermission. This cast had something I haven't seen in a while. Their bond was so strong, which is needed in this show. The 2nd act was very emotional. Lots of tears on the stage and in the audience. I can honestly say that I haven't seen the show, out of the 5 times I've seen it, this good. The only problem I had was Renee as Mimi. She was a great actress and sounded great in al of her songs, except Out Tonight. She seemed out of breath the entire time and couldn't hold out her OOOOO's. But standout performances for me were Eden Espinosa, Tracie Thoms, and Justin Johnston. Justin has been in it all 5 times Ive seen it and he seems to never get tired of that role. He just gets better and better every time I see it. Eden and Tracie TORE Take Me Or Leave Me apart, making it the definite show stopper. I didn't know Tracie could sing like she did. Anyways, this show is gonna go out with a bang instead of it lingering around and losing it's message. I am so glad I got to see it.

Gypsy at night was my next stop. Student rush put my best friend and I front row center. I couldn't ask for a better seat, between getting Patti's note thrown at me and bouncing off my head and all over my lap, and getting an apple from a stripper at Minskies. The entire cast was on fire tonight. They all get better everytime I see it, which I would think is impossible. My favorite thing last night was Patti and Boyd's chemistry. It was the strongest I have ever seen it! Laura was on fire during The Strip. Everybody is doing great. Patti got her standing O after Roses Turn which she more than deserved because as usual she was a show stopping Mama Rose :)

Anyways what a great weekend. These 2 shows were the perfect ones to catch before I am stuck at my school and can't get to NYC for a while.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 9/7/08 at 12:10pm

Glad you had a nice time! Thanks for your reviews. Have a good semester!

[gypsyrose2]

Posted: 9/7/08 at 7:35pm

I just saw Gypsy today. Patti and Boyd were brilliant. Their chemistry was electric. She was very giggly in the performance. Rose's Turn was brilliant and got a 2-minute standing ovation.

[GatorNY]

Posted: 9/7/08 at 7:50pm

I went to the 9/6 evening performance and Justin, Tracie and Eden were the 3 standout performances for us too!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/7/08 at 9:13pm

Justin, Tracie and Eden are in GYPSY? Since when?

[chino]

Posted: 9/7/08 at 11:39pm

Glad you had a splendid time!

[Marissa2]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 12:35am

Hey, I was totally sitting two seats away from you at the show, next to the girl who went to your college haha. I should've asked if you were on BWW, I feel like the whole world is.

I couldn't agree any more with your Rent review. I had the same issues with Renee and Out Tonight. It really was an awesome show though, and I'm glad Rent went out with a bang.

[glitterandjazzhands]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 9:32pm

[tos]some reviews! glad you had a great time! i was just wondering if the note that Patti throws into the audience said anything on it. Thanks!

[legally_popular]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 10:15pm

^Yes, it's a fully typed letter from 'June.' I remember someone posted on another thread how they had the ALL the pieces and were able to tape it altogether and posted a pic of it. Pretty cool. I was able to get a couple pieces from it. That June sure is a really articulate writer considering she's never been in school =P.