SAVE Me From SAVED!: CapnHook Reviews the Off-Broadway Musical (5-23-2008)- Page 2

[theatreguy]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 2:08pm

Hillary Faye does still say "I am filled with Christ's love," but it comes towards the end of the show during the prom and instead of decking Mary with a bible, she slaps her across the face. It's a very serious moment, as opposed to the funny and slightly ridiculous one it is in the movie.

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 2:19pm

Sounds like I will still like the movie scene better. Has to be one of the funniest scenes in a movie I have ever seen. I wish I could see the show but I doubt I will get to NYC before it closes.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 2:23pm

A very serious moment? Didn't seem very serious to me.

When I saw it, the line was thrown away and poorly delivered, which was disappointing since Mary Faber was pretty solid the entire way through (despite her being miscast.) And when she slapped her, it was more like a tap.

Each time a see a production directed by Gary Griffin, I can't help but feel that the man just can't direct well.

[Liverpool]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 3:00pm

Yeah, i feel like the problem is more than jsut the writing (which is a big problem). Yes the adaptation is weak, but the direction is subpar as well. There are so many moments that are plaed completely wrong. Now usually if something is being played poorly you might think its the actors, but when THAT MANY MOMENTS are misplayed by that many actors then that only leaves you with the director.

I hope to see more of morgan in the future, and I'm rather upset that I never got t see her go on as Natalie in N2N.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 3:07pm

I saw it Saturday afternoon. I really enjoyed myself and had a lot of fun, but do agree with a lot of what is being said. I'm working on a full fledged review, but I figured I'd throw in a few thoughts here as well. The music and lyrics were a bit forgettable and there were only a few numbers that really stood out. The cast is great, but unfortunately their not given a lot to work with. I personally liked the changes they made to Hillary Faye. The book is the biggest problem at this point. It definitely has potential to be great, but it needs work. I'll have a longer review later.

[theatreguy]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 3:17pm

Maybe they've changed it, munk, but when I saw it Mary Faber practically yelled the line and she slapped Celia HARD. In the next scene you could see a big red handprint on the side of her face.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 3:27pm

"Yeah, i feel like the problem is more than jsut the writing (which is a big problem). Yes the adaptation is weak, but the direction is subpar as well. There are so many moments that are plaed completely wrong. Now usually if something is being played poorly you might think its the actors, but when THAT MANY MOMENTS are misplayed by that many actors then that only leaves you with the director."

In my opinion, they are not misplayed moments. I think the director recognizes the issues with the script and knows what the material is. Instead of TRYING to make moments work and make up for what the script isn't, he plays TO the script. And I agree with that choice. You can't mask the faults with this show in the direction.

And as for the writing, it's not so much just the book and it's not about the songs not being memorable. It's about the entire writing component of the show: book AND music AND lyrics. It's the decisions of where to input songs and where to input lines. It's the decisions of what those songs should be and how to tell the story.

[sweeneynut]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 3:36pm

Wow, theatreguy. When I saw the show a week ago, Mary slapped Celia so lightly that I thought they had a prerecorded slap. Geez, that sucks for Celia, then. At least they changed it from the first few previews, where Hilary Faye broke the cross at the line and didn't slap Mary at all.

[Liverpool]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 3:45pm

either way, tehy took all the fun out of the movie.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 7:47pm

The show was cute, and the cast was stellar, but it needs a lot of work. None of the songs were very memorable, except for I'm Not the Man I Thought I'd Be, How To, and the one where Dean is contemplating his sexuality. In the moment the songs were good, but afterwards I forgot them.The book was funny, but had weak moments. The biggest problem was that the entire first act was introducing the situation and the real action didn't start until act 2. I really enjoyed the choreography, and thought that the minimalist set worked well.

The cast was phenomenal. They've really done a ton with what they've been given. I really love Celia Keenan-Bolger. I feel like she gave a really warm, and heartfelt performances, and it was totally honest. Juliana Hansen and Emily Walton were both hysterical in their respective roles. Morgan Weed was a standout for me as Cassandra and I expect to see a lot more of her. Curtis Holbrook was hysterical, and Van Hughes was awesome. I was, of course, impressed by Aaron Tveit. He wasn't given a lot, but he really stood out. Granted it wasn't as touching as his performance in Next to Normal, but that has more to do with the material. I liked Mary Faber a lot, and I was personally happy with the changes made to Hillary Faye. The changes they've made make her seem like she totally believes in what she's doing. I did like the bitchy character in the movie, but I think it works better this way for the musical. John Dossett was just about the only one he didn't do it for me. He just played the character so one dimensional. Julia Murney was great. Granted I am a bit biased because she's one of my favorite performers, but she really was great. She and Celia were the two that succeeded in giving honest performances. I've seen Julia perform quite a few times now, and once again I can say that I'm not watching Julia, I was watching Lillian. And it doesn't hurt that she has the most gorgeous voice, at least in my opinion. By itself, How To isn't a great song but Julia's interpretation and performance of it brought me to tears.

I think the show has great potential, but it needs tightening. I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much if it hadn't been for this great cast. It was a fun afternoon at the theater and I am glad I saw it.

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 8:51pm

CapnHook, re: dean's song, the choreo was the best part about it. This could be a giant assumption, but the fact that Dean is and was raised a stout Christian and now believes he is gay, the confusion and discomfort with the feelings he has are to be expected. While it may be a classic theatre song, in this piece and in context, the material (lyrics) is (are) both predictable and assumed- therefore unnecessary- especially since Dean's character isn't developed any further.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 8:58pm

"CapnHook, re: dean's song, the choreo was the best part about it. This could be a giant assumption, but the fact that Dean is and was raised a stout Christian and now believes he is gay, the confusion and discomfort with the feelings he has are to be expected. While it may be a classic theatre song, in this piece and in context, the material (lyrics) is (are) both predictable and assumed- therefore unnecessary- especially since Dean's character isn't developed any further."

A nice intelligent comment! And I agree. However, it was the only number that completely and universally worked for me. So it stood out. Unnecessary? Perhaps if the rest of the show was up to par. But I definitely agree with you otherwise.

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 9:02pm

:)

[NYCboy2]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 9:53pm

Thanks for the review! I think I will pass on this one.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 5/27/08 at 10:17am

Thanks CapNHook.

I just listen to the demo score. omg.. it sucks!

J*
Updated On: 5/27/08 at 10:17 AM

[jaystarr]

Posted: 5/27/08 at 10:26am

.. I think I'm gay! I think i'm gaaaaaay!!!!!! (from In the Light of God)

^^^^^ I dont think I can really deal with this musical..lol! omg!!!

J*
Updated On: 5/27/08 at 10:26 AM

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/27/08 at 10:33am

Keep Listening Jay, i had to listen to it twice to appreciate it XXXxx

[jeffrey1dog]

Posted: 5/27/08 at 10:35am

Jay - It's not as bad as some people are saying. I think you might actually like it.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 5/27/08 at 10:39am

oh thank you guys.. you know I take your advice seriously!

J*

[TheBoyDownstairs]

Posted: 5/27/08 at 10:54am

For me it was cute and fun, and I loved the cast but there were a lot of reasons why it didnt totally work.

One reason is they tried to build up too many of the smaller parts in the movie, especially Dean and Patrick. In terms of the story, I dont see why they needed to do that at all. Dean is in the movie for 10 minutes at most. They didnt really add anything to the character, just stretched that 10 minutes out for no apparent reason. Same with Patrick, I just didnt need any more of them than we got in the movie.

The relationship between the two adults was boring and I kept waiting for them to get back to Mary. And for some reason they downplayed one of my favorite aspects of the movie, Mary's transition from one of the Christian Jewels to hanging out with Cassandra and Roland, give less time to Dean/Patrick/adults and play that up more.

And the score didnt do much for me, the only song that really worked for me was Hillary Faye's "Heaven" song, I totally believe that is what would be going on inside the head of the Hillary Faye we saw in this show. It was a cute, fun song and the choreography was great during it.

Sadly the show as a whole just doesnt work as well as it could, and I'm not sure they can fix it without a complete re-write.

[NDR]

Posted: 5/27/08 at 11:44am

I so wish they had kept Hillary Faye as a bitch.
That is the main reason I love the movie.

Do we think they will improve the show (book, etc.) and re-stage it for a small broadway house like Circle in the Square????

[CapnHook]

Posted: 5/27/08 at 1:10pm

In it's current form, the producers would lose all their money if they brought it to Broadway. Even to small theatres such as the Helen Hayes or Circle in the Square. It'd be a big fat bomb. The only reason it is a success at Playwrights Horizons is that it is a limited run in a small house. AND they have subscribers.

I completely agree with making the show less about Patrick, Dean, and the Parents. I, too, missed the plot where Mary leaves the Jewels and hangs out with Cassandra and Roland more. That was a big part of her character's journey and learning about herself.

The show doesn't work, but it's still worth seeing. There have certainly been recent WORSE musicals.

[Liverpool]

Posted: 5/27/08 at 1:53pm

There have certainly been recent WORSE musicals.

granted I didn't see Glory Days, but really?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/27/08 at 2:15pm

I don't necessarily agree that SAVED is worth seeing. There really isn't anything notable about it. While it's not boring or even painfully bad, it's just so mediocre that I can think of 2 dozen other shows I would recommend before this one.