#1
Posted: 8/5/07 at 7:09pm
First of all, let me start out by saying that this show is in terrible shape. I was never a huge fan of it to begin with, but the little sparkle that was there before is gone now. If this had been the production that first opened on Broadway in 2006, I guarantee that it wouldn't have won any Tonys and might not have even been nominated in many categories. Of the few original castmembers still in the show, the only one who is still fresh is Danny Burstein as Aldolpho. The rest of them, including Beth, are just tired and old. I was actually bored throughout most of the show.
Of the new castmembers, John Glover does not liven up the show like Bob Martin did. Bob Martin WAS the show, and John Glover just helps to prove this. JoAnne Worley is terrible as Tottendale. She has taken the character in a completely different direction from Georgia Engel, which is admirable, but misses half of the jokes doing it. I wasn't entertained with her, not even the pearls around the neck bit. I seriously missed Edward Hibbert as Underling. I loved him in this and hated him in Curtains. Can we please make an actor switch? Gerry Vichi as Feldzeig was...gfdgehgerhg. And by that I mean exactly that. You couldn't understand a word the man was saying. The only new castmember who impressed me (not including brand new Mara Davi) was Patrick Wetzel as George. He brought a freshness to the role.
OK, now for the whole point of me making a return trip to this show: Mara Davi. While you could tell she was still adjusting to the role, she really blew me away. Her "Show Off" tricks were great (just so you know, she hits the same note as Sutton at the end of the encore) and her character personality was spot on. "Show Off" was not her standout number for me though. She really NAILED "Bride's Lament", and she was great in the scene surrounding "Accident Waiting to Happen". Though you can tell she is still adjusting vocally and stylistically, she has already figured out her movement and character embodiment. I found her better than most of the cast, including Beth. And she's only going to improve. My only worry is that the show won't be around very long for her to really grow into the role. Like I said, it's in bad shape. Anyway, just my two cents.
Of the new castmembers, John Glover does not liven up the show like Bob Martin did. Bob Martin WAS the show, and John Glover just helps to prove this. JoAnne Worley is terrible as Tottendale. She has taken the character in a completely different direction from Georgia Engel, which is admirable, but misses half of the jokes doing it. I wasn't entertained with her, not even the pearls around the neck bit. I seriously missed Edward Hibbert as Underling. I loved him in this and hated him in Curtains. Can we please make an actor switch? Gerry Vichi as Feldzeig was...gfdgehgerhg. And by that I mean exactly that. You couldn't understand a word the man was saying. The only new castmember who impressed me (not including brand new Mara Davi) was Patrick Wetzel as George. He brought a freshness to the role.
OK, now for the whole point of me making a return trip to this show: Mara Davi. While you could tell she was still adjusting to the role, she really blew me away. Her "Show Off" tricks were great (just so you know, she hits the same note as Sutton at the end of the encore) and her character personality was spot on. "Show Off" was not her standout number for me though. She really NAILED "Bride's Lament", and she was great in the scene surrounding "Accident Waiting to Happen". Though you can tell she is still adjusting vocally and stylistically, she has already figured out her movement and character embodiment. I found her better than most of the cast, including Beth. And she's only going to improve. My only worry is that the show won't be around very long for her to really grow into the role. Like I said, it's in bad shape. Anyway, just my two cents.
Updated On: 8/5/07 at 07:09 PM
