Okay, just got home from seeing this tonight (in Rochester, of course) and am elated that I have an area where I can talk about what I saw. One thing that I kept hearing over and over again was people (those not familiar with the show--my mother being one of them) were having an incredibly difficult time following what was going on because they couldn't understand half of what was being said in the dialogue inbetween and during songs. There were lots of times that if I didn't know what was being said I wouldn't have been able to make it out myself. I think mic levels were partly to blame for this in some cases, but some of the actors were just totally un-understandable outside of their songs.
In keeping with what everyone else has been saying, I couldn't stand Declan Bennett as Roger. He yells really well (albeit in a British accent trying to sound American), but that's about it. He was swilling down bottled water on stage the entire show. Literally, the guitar started for 'One Song Glory' and he picked up his water bottle and took a huge gulp seconds before he was to begin singing. I thought it was incredibly unprofessional.
I think overall everyone else did a fine job. Some standouts from the night were Harley Jay as Mark, Chante Carmel Frierson as Joanne, and Tracey McDowell as Maureen. As other have said, they blew the roof off the joint with 'Take me or Leave Me'. I also want to mention Warren G. Nolan Jr's 'I'll Cover You: Reprise'--also excellent as was the female soloist during 'Seasons of Love' (I'm not sure which actress did that--Mimi Jimenez, perhaps?). Unfortunately though, when it comes down to it, Declan Bennett ruined the night for me. Everytime he went to sing, speak, or act I cringed and it took me out of the moment.
Anyways, that's all I have to say about that.
Updated On: 11/15/06 at 11:22 PM
