Reviews - Hairspray, Wicked, Tarzan, The Color Purple, The Wedding Singer, The Pajama Game, Sweeney Todd

[Practically Perfect]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 5:11pm

Having recently got back from NYC, I thought I'd post my reviews of the shows I saw while I was out there.

Hairspray - I love this show so much, and this was my fourth visit. It's still as much fun as ever, and the current cast has to be the best I've seen. Shannon Durig is sensational as Tracy, and surely must be considered for the replacement Tony award?! She looks like she's having the time of her life up on the stage, and she sings the hell out of the songs. Diana DeGarmo as Penny was great - I think I prefer Tracey Miller's take on the character, but Diana's singing was out of this world-I wasn't at all disappointed. John Pinette as Edna was hilarious, and he played the endearing side of the character beautifully. 'Timeless To Me' with Stephen DeRosa's Wilbur was one of the highlights of the show - the audience went crazy for both of them. Darlene Love - a powerhouse, she's just incredible. I really don't have a bad word to say about the show. Anyone who has seen it before, go back and see it again - you won't be disappointed.

Wicked - having heard Eden Espinosa in Brooklyn I really didn't want to see her in this show-her voice grates on me a bit, and I really feel like she shrieks. So imagine how happy I was when I arrive at the Gershwin and I saw that Saycon Sengbloh would be playing the role of Elphaba. I have seen Idina and Shoshana in this role, and Saycon gave the most exciting, heart-felt performance I have seen. Her acting was superior to both, and her singing was out of this world. 'I'm Not That Girl' was really a highlight of the show for me - she just put so much feeling into the song. And I have never been more excited about 'Defying Gravity'. She was sensational. Megan Hilty has just grown in the role of Glinda so much since I saw her in August, and she too surely must be considered for the replacement Tony Award. Jenna Leigh Green was brilliant as Nessa - she put much more character into the role than Michelle Federer, and her singing is stunning (and she was so sweet at the stage door). Derrick Williams as Fiyero made the most of his small role, as did Ben Vereen, and both played the roles to the best they possible could. They too were both great at the stage door. I do think that Wicked is a great show - it has flaws, but so do all other shows.

Tarzan - I went thinking that it would be a fun night at the theatre, and I was excited about seeing the third preview. I did enjoy parts of it - I thought some of it was amazing, and I thought some of it was some of the worst stuff I'd ever seen on stage. The opening sequence with the ship in the storm, the parents being thrown overboard, and then being swept up onto the beach was truly extraordinary - I swear I didn't blink throughout that entire scene. The first person who really stood out to me was Merle Dandridge - she gave a very moving performance, and she sings beautifully. Her rendition of 'You'll Be In My Heart' will stay in my memory for quite some time. Chester Gregory II as Terk was really great in a very weak role - his act I song 'Who Better Than Me' was one of the only new songs that stuck in my head. Josh Strickland as Tarzan was fantastic - his singing was incredible, and I really felt that he played the character well. I feel a Tony nomination would be on the cards if his role was expanded a little bit. For a show about Tarzan, he didn't have an incredibly large part. Jenn Gambatese was ok as Jane, but had some terrible songs to sing - the only song of hers that I really enjoyed was 'For The First Time' which is a second act duet with Josh. I thought this scene was nicely directed, and they both sang from the heart. Shuler Hensley was my biggest disappointment from the actors - it looked like he didn't care about the show, but to be honest, if I had to perform his role, I'd probably be exactly the same. It really is a nothing role.

The book is the show's biggest problem - it was just plain boring - the first half dragged by, and I actually enjoyed the second half more as I thought there was more of a story with the conflict between the humans and the jungle inhabitants. The new songs were really quite disappointing; Phil Collins says he has spent 3 or 4 years on the new material - it really doesn't show! I feel that this show would do well by extending the preview period so the creative team can really re-work a lot of it, including the set, which was a very disappointing Bob Crowley design (I loved his work for Mary Poppins). I want it to do well as there is a lot of talent on the stage but they're working with poor material. I wish it the best of luck as I fear that it will get ripped to shreds by the critics.

The Color Purple - I could just write about LaChanze for this review because she gave one of the most incredible performances I have ever seen on stage. However, there is so much more to talk about: Felicia Fields and Elisabeth Withers-Mendes were both outstanding ('Too Beautiful For Words' and 'What About Love?' were gut-wrenching). I think the score is great. My major criticism is that the timeline isn't always incredibly obvious-it does move very quickly. The three Church Ladies were great. I think it's a very well-conceived show, and it's bringing a different audience to the theatre which is great. I think it was my favourite of the new shows I saw.

The Wedding Singer - the new Hairspray for me. I thought it was so much fun - the music is great, the set's cartoony and quirky, and the performers worked so well together. I really liked the songs 'It's Your Wedding Day', 'Get Out Of The Dumpster', 'Saturday Night In The City' and 'It's All About The Green.' Stephen Lynch was brilliant - funny, endearing and a great singer. A lot of people have said that Laura Benanti is mis-cast, but I thought she was a great member of the cast. Funny and sweet. Richard H. Blake has a small part, but is a terrific performer. Kevin Cahoon - hilarious is all I can say. Amy Spanger and Felicia Finley were real scene-stealers. The biggest disappointment was Matthew Saldivar as Sammy - just plain boring. I think it will run for quite some time - the preview audience went wild for it.

The Pajama Game - I love Kelli O'Hara!!! Is there anything this girl cannot do? So different from The Light In The Piazza, yet still completely convincing. She'd be perfect for Mary Poppins. Harry Connick Jnr - erm, he was ok. I wasn't overwhelmed by him. His singing isn't my cup of tea, and he really isn't that great an actor in my opinion. Michael McKean was great. The only other person who really wowed me was Jennifer Cody - she's adorable. I've never seen The Pajama Game before, and thought that the score was lovely, but the book is very poor. It's a fun show, and the design, direction and choreography were, to me, spot on.

Sweeney Todd - I've never seen a production before, and it left me shaken up - it's much darker than I thought it would be. Michael Cerveris was just so powerful and menacing, but at the same time I felt sorry for his Sweeney - he was awesome. Tony Award! Patti LuPone - the day I saw it, the woman could not sing in tune, but her characterisation was also incredible. The whole cast is scarily talented. I thought, however, that Manoel Felciano had something very special.

I had an amazing time in New York, and each show had something special to offer. The Tony Awards, and success of the new shows, will be incredibly interesting to see.

Mary P x
Updated On: 4/20/06 at 05:11 PM

[Tiny-Toon]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 5:33pm

Thanks for the reviews! I'm glad you liked Saycon in WICKED, but Eden is truly the best Elphaba by far (for me). Nice to hear you loved Wedding Singer too!

Updated On: 4/20/06 at 05:33 PM

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 5:55pm

Glad to hear you liked Manoel in Sweeney. I've now seen Sweeney 4 times and every time I see it he seems better and better. And that "something special" doesn't happen too often, so it's thrilling to watch him.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 6:43pm

great reviews! glad you had fun!
especially happy to hear about THE COLOR PURPLE- LaChanze, Elisabeth (my "homegirl"), and Felicia are truly amazing, and I really love hearing about this incredible show (which I have yet to see :) )

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 6:44pm

Gald you liked Saycon.

She is hotness.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 6:44pm

Updated On: 4/20/06 at 06:44 PM

[mijofly19]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 6:52pm

Great reviews! When did you see Wicked? Is Ben Vereen back again?

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 6:58pm

I am pretty show the poster saw the show the last time Saycon was on, which was March 29th.

[Yero]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 7:06pm

I think you're right, it couldn't have been lately. Ben has since left Wicked.

[Practically Perfect]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 7:51pm

I did indeed see the show on March 29th - Megan's birthday. Ben Vereen has since been replaced by David Garrison from the tour, I believe. Thanks for looking at my reviews.

Mary P x

[Katie2]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 8:15pm

I'm so glad you liked the Wedding Singer! And I agree; I don't think Laura Benanti was miscast. I thought she did a great job and was absolutely adorable.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 8:24pm

I'm glad you liked The Wedding Singer!

I basically agree with you about Laura. She is miscast in the sense that she has this amazing voice thats he doesn't get to fully use. HOWEVER, I think she was a great chocie for the role. She's wonderful and absolutely adorable.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 8:33pm

Wow, looks like you had an amazing time !! Thank you for the reviews !

[Practically Perfect]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 9:02pm

I really did have an amazing time! It was so great so see some new shows, and I think there's a lot of exciting stuff out there; not life-changing stuff, but great entertainment. Did anyone see Laura Benanti in Into The Woods? Any good? I was so taken with her in The Wedding Singer that I went and bought the cast recording of the 2002 revival, and she sounds magnificent.

Mary P x

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 9:03pm

This was my firs time actually seeing Laura in any shows, but I have the cast recording of "Nine" and she was amazing.

[prettiest_flower]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 9:07pm

yay SWEENEY! i saw the production on the west end last year (so good i went twice in the span of the week or so i was there). i was so excited when it came to broadway and even more psyched about the cast!!! i agree that manoel is amazing as toby... i'd also like to give credit to benjamin magnuson, who plays anthony. i never liked the character, but he brings so much depth to a character that can be either very creepy or very vapid.

i loved the production, in short! ^_^

[Norbert Leo's Butt]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 2:37am

Glad you liked saycon, i totally agree about her, she's darn good. same with laura benanti, what a fit voice - and a beauty!
loves it

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 3:19am

Who was Link when u saw Hairspray? btw, totally jealous that u cud see all these shows!

[MusicAndPassion]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 7:18am

I'm thrilled you got to see Saycon as Elphaba. I really hope I can see her in the role. She's incredibly nice, and one helluva performer.

[WiiCKED x3]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 10:42am

I didn't get to see Idina or shoshana, both of their standbys were in and i saw saycon, i was soo upset i didnt get to see shoshana , but saycon was freaking amazing.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 10:51am

Manoel is the best thing, well second to the new orchastrations, about Sweeney! I love the new production!

[Practically Perfect]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 1:41pm

RE: "Who was Link when u saw Hairspray?"

Andrew Rannells was Link - he was very good, but I preferred Richard H. Blake who I saw play the role last August.

Mary P x

[Princeton78]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 5:09pm

I was thrilled to see what great shape "Hairspray" was in.
Go Shannon!

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 5:31pm

Nice reviews. I saw Color Purple and was very impressed with LaChanze's performance. The a capella version of the title song that they do gave me goosebumps and teary eyes. Amazing voices! While there in June I am thinking of seeing it again. I play the OBCR constantly.

Updated On: 4/21/06 at 05:31 PM

[PJ]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 5:55pm

RE: Richard H. Blake

I never understood why he was cast in Hairspray. The man looks like he's in his mid-thirties and he's playing a sixteen year old. He should have been playing Corny Collins instead.