Long time lurker, first time poster. Go easy on me :)
I went into this show with an open mind having not read any reviews or heard any word of mouth about the production. I caught the 2016 revival, have seen plenty of footage from various productions online, and love the original movie. Here’s my takeaway (details below): the source material—the musical’s book and score, not the original Wilder film—isn’t great, and even with a fresh approach to sound, lighting, and set design, coupled with powerhouse vocals and a lush orchestra, it can’t completely overcome those flaws. But ultimately, that doesn’t matter because these elements came together in moments that were impactful and sometimes even thrilling, making for an entertaining night.
I can be a little cynical, and after seeing a number of Van Hove shows, I was ready to roll my eyes when I realized there would be video camera work. But I was pleasantly surprised. The angles and “shots” were intentional and cinematic which to me felt like a clever nod to the 1950 movie. They even gave more emotional weight to Artie and Betty, characters I’d never thought twice about in the past. The video doesn't always work—not because of the device itself, but because of certain choices for what shows up on camera. The ‘Entracte’ footage, with its Pussycat Dolls reference, a cardboard cutout of a certain someone, and show merch that felt like product placement, shattered the fourth wall in a way that clashed with the rest of the show’s tone.
Instead of opulent sets, this production relies on lighting and video screens. Did it uncover anything new or suggest that Jamie Lloyd had a POV he wanted to communicate? Not really. Is it somewhat gimmicky? Sure. But this show's productions have always been a little gimmicky, with flying house sets and cars and whatnot. For me, SB has always been about spectacle over substance; take away the big songs, and what’s left is a mostly forgettable score and a book that just doesn't compel the way the movie does. This production’s lighting and video work may not be a massive set, but they’re melodramatic in their own way and give extra umph to the orchestral moments and performances.
Nicole has a powerhouse voice, but she doesn’t rely solely on her impressive belting; there’s texture and nuance in her singing that sidesteps the polished and brassy and impressive but still cookie-cutter style that’s become common in newer shows (at least in my views). Her acting was solid and often moving, especially as the emotional stakes get raised, and I felt she executed the melodrama of it all quite well. That said, some of her choices in the first act—like twerking, vocal fry and other modern vocal inflections—felt out of place, given the period-specific style maintained by the other actors. I could be wrong, but I think is largely under Lloyd’s direction, and I can’t help but feel like he could have guided her to find humor in Norma without jarring us out of the story’s world.
The only place where I missed a traditional set was near the end. Without clear visual cues that Joe is sneaking off to see Betty at the studio, the final act felt muddled. I could follow, being familiar with the material, but my friends who were new to the show mentioned they weren’t entirely sure what was happening...
... and it didn’t really matter, because they landed the hell out of the plane. Not one person in the audience seemed to breath during the last scene, and the ovations that followed were well-earned. I think it's worth seeing :)
Updated On: 11/11/24 at 05:31 PM
