I thought this production was quite fantastic, especially from what I've seen of the last revival. The orchestra is beyond thrilling - I heard things I never noticed before, particularly the saxophone in "Children and Art". The french horn in the opening was a little subdued for my taste, but later on it really let loose, ending both act on a gorgeous note (literally).
The costumes are gorgeous and each one of the secondary characters are really vividly wrought, particularly by Ashley Park, Ruthie Ann Miles, and Erin Davie. The Chromolume is stunning and the new orchestral music is phenomenal (can you tell I'm running out of superlatives?). I think the new passage has much more thematic significance than its predecessor. It is reason enough for a new cast recording. The set was simple but effective. I loved the projections and even sitting in the back of the orchestra, I didn't miss a thing.
And Mr. Gyllenhaal was everything I expected and more. I would give him the Tony hands down if he were eligible. His acting is incredible and his voice is everything you could wish for and more. If it is not as powerful as Mandy's, well, the emotion he evokes more than makes up for it (but his voice really is beautiful). And "Lesson #8" was the musical highlight of the evening, an unexpected turn of events for me, considering the other numbers I love. I particularly loved his moment at the end of act I: "Louis is his father... I cannot give give him that because I cannot look up from my painting."
Miss Ashford was the main shortcoming for me. Her voice is really lovely, but there is not as strong as I was expecting. It might be strange, since I said the exact opposite of Mr. Gyllenhaal, but she really doesn't make up for her voice. If she wasn't mic'd, I wouldn't have heard a word. It was very odd, and it made me feel like the singing wasn't live, but a pre-recorded track (it wasn't obviously, but that's the effect it had with me). I know no one is Bernadette, but these songs are some of the most stunning in the cannon, and I didn't enjoy the title song or "Everybody Loves Louis" (the problem is not in the staging). She is better in "We Do Not Belong Together", but I will say that this is the only time I have not cried during "Children and Art". Dot/Marie is really the most moving part in the show for me, and I felt nothing in this production. Miss Ashford is a talented comedian, and her natural instinct is to make you laugh. She got a laugh in "Children and Art", which I thought was a misguided choice. She was better in her scenes, but sometimes I though she really hadn't formed a character. I was very disappointed by that.
Throughout the show,I kept thinking of what Sondheim wrote about how the show would be more effective with natural, unamplified sound. That's what I thought of this production. The orchestra felt muted, like they were nervous it would drown out the leads. I think Miss Ashford is much too reliant on her microphone and it would force her to project. And I think Mr. Gyllenhaal doesn't need one, nor do any of the other actors. I would love to hear what that score would sound like naturally. Still, a very moving production of one of the greatest shows ever written.
"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium." - Patti LuPone, a Memoir
Updated On: 2/15/17 at 11:52 PM
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