Reviews: Passing Strange, Gypsy, In the Heights

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 12:39am

Hello everyone...my marathon NY trip continues...

Passing Strange: 3/19 2:00pm

When Stew first stepped on stage he looked at the audience and asked, "This is a mother f***in Wednesday afternoon, isn't it?" I was hooked. The audience was packed and ready to go. I didn't know what to think about this show going into it; in fact someone I respect very much told me it was the worst show he has EVER seen (and he sees a lot of theater). Let me tell you, I'm a believer. I actually thought there were a lot of parallels between PS and Sunday, which I saw the night before. I believe George is looking for the "real" in his work, as much as Stew was in his. Special mention has to go to Daniel Breaker. Patti Lupone performs a 5 minute Rose's Turn...Daniel's performance is a 2 and a half hour "Rose's Turn." Brillant. Brillant. Brillant. This leads me to...

Gypsy: 3/19 8:00pm

I really enjoyed this production of Gypsy. The performances are all top notch. If Momma Was Married sounded wonderful, Gimmick was a riot and Rose's Turn an absolute joy to experience. It was the first time I had ever seen Patti, and she didn't disappoint. Laura Benanti gave a well-developed Louise, and Boyd Gaines was great as Herbie. Nice to hear such a large orchestra play the score, too. Why shouldn't they keep reviving Gypsy if it produces amazing theater? Overall I had a perfect day. Well, I had to come down sometime...

In the Heights: 3/20 8:00pm

Karen Olivio (sp?) was out, and her understudy (sorry I don't have my program in front of me) did not win me over. My friend who was with me, actually thought she was the weakest part of the show. I enjoyed Lin's raps, the costumes, set, and choreography, but the show failed to wow me in the end. I felt like they couldn't decide what/who the show was about and the first act seemed to wander. The second act was better, but I felt very little emotional attachment to the characters and what was happening to them. They were only thinly drawn, not giving the actors much to work with. My friend and I really liked the two hairdressers, and we thought Mandy Gonzalez (sp?) had a powerful voice. I just wanted a lot more from this show and it never came. Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate it...far from it. I just didn't think it was in the same league as the previous three shows I'd seen (Sunday, Strange and Gypsy)

Updated On: 3/21/08 at 12:39 AM

[jaystarr]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 12:41am

Ben- I'm glad you have a great time. Thanks for a great reviews specially on PASSING STRANGE.



J*

[aliciag]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 1:44am

Yay for the Passing Strange and Gypsy love!

Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 1:52am

I never thought about the George/Stew comparison. Thanks for pointing that out.

I am still going nuts over PS. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant indeed! I love it when people love PS!

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 9:57am

Can you check and see who was on for Olivo in ITH?

[bwayfascination]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 10:46am

It just goes to show how stories appeal differently to different people. I saw both Gypsy and In the Heights this week (I didn't get to Passing Strange), and while the performances in Gypsy were AMAZING, I just wasn't as moved by it all as I thought I would be.

On the other hand, In the Heights not only blew me away with the music, its story really moved me. The stories of the characters were not high drama, like Gypsy, they were real drama, like life. People just trying to find their way and get some coffee on their way to work. I have seen a lot of theater and In the Heights is now one of my all time favorites.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 11:05am

<< I have seen a lot of theater and In the Heights is now one of my all time favorites. >>

Totally agree... btw, anyone going tonight?

Glad to hear that Lin was back- hope Karen is back tonight.

[Anakela]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 11:10am

Karen Olivio (sp?) was out, and her understudy (sorry I don't have my program in front of me) did not win me over. My friend who was with me, actually thought she was the weakest part of the show.

fyi Krysta Rodriguez was your u/s last night- sorry to hear y'all didn't enjoy her, I am actually a little jealous of those who got to see her go on.

[joe5]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 11:11am

I'm glad you got to feel the real of PS. It's great that you went to see it. Regardless of your friends comments and BWW members comments. And that you seemed to enjoy it. I felt the same about ITH. I liked the show alot. But there was really no Broadway moments for me. When I say Broadway moment, I actually get goose bumps. Last season it was GG, this year PS.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 11:39am

Krysta went on as Vanessa already? Wow.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 12:11pm

There is a fierce cold/cough flu-like infection going around (half my office is sick)

With Lin out Weds, and Karen out yesterday, maybe it hit the "ITH" cast? Just a thought...

Hope not !!

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 12:24pm

Ack. I hope not.

I didn't mean what I said in a bad way, I was just surprised.

[NYchmpOfTeenJeopardy]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 1:03pm

"Karen Olivio (sp?) was out, and her understudy (sorry I don't have my program in front of me) did not win me over. My friend who was with me, actually thought she was the weakest part of the show."

I am actually really surprised they put Krysta on and not Janet. I was at the show a few weeks ago and heard Krysta telling some people she seemed to know that she was not ready to go on, and hoped it would be a while before she had to go on for Nina or Vanessa. It's still very early in the run and she couldn't have had much rehearsal. I'm just surprised they didn't put Janet because she at least was familiar with the track from off broadway.

Sorry you didn't enjoy her performance

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 1:28pm

Wow, Krysta Rodriguez gets around!
SA- ACL- ITH in what seems like about a year.