SIMARD ON AS JOANNE TODAY- Page 6

[binau]

Posted: 3/5/22 at 6:41am

The rain was so good. So funny/weird they just ditch it! 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 3/5/22 at 8:44am

I also was at the performance last night, and thought both Simard and Lenk superb.

I had seen this production in London, and in NY early in previews (pre-pandemic). I continue to have my reservations about the overall effectiveness of the gender-swapping concept, but in terms of 'this' production, I thought it had grown remarkably since I last revisited it.  

Lenk was at odds in early pre-pandemic previews, but something has clicked, and she is now completely owning the role emotionally and vocally. She is one of our great musical theatre actresses.

Of course, we all love Patti, but Simard has found her own unique take on the role that is smashing. In truth, Simard is also closer to the age the character of Joanne is, as written, which gives the dynamic between Joanne and a female Bobbi a new and very different energy. I thought their work together was magic, and the entire final 30 minutes of the show (starting with the "Club" scene, leading into "Ladies Who Lunch" and dove tailing into the finale / "Being Alive" last night as thrilling as anything I've seen in the theatre in a very long time. 

 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/5/22 at 9:16am

"First was Bobby Conte’s “Another Hundred People”, which seemed vocally all over the place - I like his voice and that song, but he couldn’t pick a key to save his life tonight."

This is the 2nd most consistent critique I hear from friends since the holidays. After many said that his take on the role is less conventional, i.e. without a trained singer's polish. It always sounded like a stretch for him, and performing such a vocally gnarly number 8 times a week can make less confident singers either more confident or even less so. (Go back to the famous doc, Sondheim giving Myers -- a truly great singer -- notes on the way she's been slightly changing the melody in performance at the Alvin; he corrects her for the recording, and of course her take is for the ages.) In Conte's case, the song is a challenge, yet the role's signature, and he must stare it down nightly.   

Updated On: 3/5/22 at 09:16 AM

[The8re phan]

Posted: 3/5/22 at 9:22am

the rain was indeed a nice effect, but it was creating havoc with the stage and throwing off the other scene transitions and automation, causing the many show 'pauses' for technical difficulty.  

Sorry to see it go, but understand completely 

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/5/22 at 9:56am

The8re phan said: "the rain was indeed a nice effect, but it was creating havoc with the stage and throwing off the other scene transitions and automation, causing the many show 'pauses' for technical difficulty.

Sorry to see it go, but understand completely"

Now this makes sense. The set pauses have become  way too frequent, so it makes sense to sacrifice 30-40 seconds of rain for a set that functions properly. 

Updated On: 3/5/22 at 09:56 AM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/5/22 at 5:27pm

Dare I say I enjoyed Simard more than LuPone? She's now had a week in the role and appears comfortable with it and adds some humor to Joanne, too. Feel like she sings "Ladies Who Lunch" better, too. She posted on her Instagram the other day that she misses Sarah. I'm sure she's in a situation where she never thought she'd go on as Joanne, but it is what it is, and she gets to do ten shows as Joanne. Overall, the show is so solid. Allison and Coleman were fantastic as well. Simard owns the role of Sarah and Allison's comic timing isn't up to par, but otherwise is solid in the role.

 

Curious about the role of "New Yorkers" in this version. Noticed they didn't have anyone on for Allison and Coleman's tracks as New Yorkers. I see they essentially are only in "Another Hundred People" to move the letters and the club scene for "Ladies Who Lunch". Are the swings not required to go on when any of the six are out or on for someone else like today?

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/5/22 at 6:58pm

I would think the only New Yorker Track absolutely required is Anisha’s, as she plays the main Bobbie double in the act one finale and Tick Tock. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/6/22 at 12:31pm

Anyone going to the matinee, Heath Saunders will be making their THEO debut today.