SWEET CHARITY 3/20

[Jamie Pierce]

Posted: 3/20/05 at 9:39pm

First of all, Charlotte d'Amboise IS Sweet Charity. I always imagined how wonderful she would be in this role and she certainly did not disappoint. However, Charlotte's Charity does not belong in this production. Charlotte is a performer in the tradition of old Broadway, a classic triple threat in the Gwen Verdon mold. Sweet Charity is a classic Broadway musical and a Verdon vehicle. However, this production has such a contemporary feel, from the hip-hoppy, gyrating choreography to the odd feministic ending, that we are ripped right out of the period and the spirit of Sweet Charity as it was intended. Although we may no longer be in the 60's, the show still is! I could see Christina Applegate fitting perfectly into this production and it seems to have been tailored to her strengths and weaknesses. And clearly the role is under choreographed. I'm sure previous Charitys danced much more than this and I'm certain Charlotte could handle more dancing and more challenging choreography as well. It's too bad they couldn't have trusted a veteran show and a veteran performer when they chose to revive Charity but I understand why that's not possible. But it was a dream come true to see Ms. d'Amboise take on the role she was always meant to play (and at the perfect time in her life it would seem).
Dennis O'Hare was really funny but what's with the slurred speech? He speaks and sings as though he's had a few too many. And perhaps he has, I don't know.
I really quite liked Janine LaManna, always loved her voice, but the other girl bugged me real bad. Most of the ensemble looked like kids from an LA dance studio competition or something. Very strange and inappropriate. But most of the choices made for this revival seemed inappropriate for the material.
Oh and Vittorio and Ursula was great! I love Shannon Lewis. She's hot!

[ShuQ]

Posted: 3/20/05 at 9:47pm

So overall would you say just...mediocre?

[Marquise]

Posted: 3/20/05 at 9:58pm

Charlotte D'Amboise IS Sweet Charity?

:: scratches head ::

I've always thought it was *just* a role in a musical...
Updated On: 3/20/05 at 09:58 PM

[musicnmath]

Posted: 3/20/05 at 10:20pm

I posted on a separate thread...but I saw the matinee today. My review was pretty similar on the whole.

I completely agree on the slurred speech from Dennis. It was funny in the elevator, but by the middle of the 2nd Act, I began to think he actually *was* drinking back stage.

I also agree that while Charlotte was a good Charity, this is the wrong production for her talents. I've never seen her perform before, but she clearly is meant to dance. Too bad we didn't see much of it.

Overall I'd say mediocre and lackluster. *Very* glad I only paid $25 student rush. I would have been annoyed if I'd paid more.

[Jwei123]

Posted: 3/20/05 at 10:22pm

im thinking on doing student rush on tuesday...so you think it was worth it??

[Jamie Pierce]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 11:07am

Definitely rush. It's easily worth $25.

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 11:19am

have they changed the ending since chicago? cuz the backstage diary on the website mentions them changing the ending again..but...?? I HATED the ending that they did in chicago so hopefully they did...

[Jamie Pierce]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 11:25am

I'm not sure if it's the same ending but I HATE this ending. The whole point is that Charity is a born loser and yet remains hopeful. She's supposed to break your heart. But this ending seems completely out of character and, again, very inappropriate to the material much like everything else in this production.

[musicnmath]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 11:25am

What did they do in chicago and I can tell you....

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 11:34am

POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT***

At the end OUT OF NOWHERE dennis o'hare's character breaks up with her saying that he CAN'T get over the fact that she's been with soo many guys-when in the SCENE before he asks her to mary him and says that doesn't bother him...gawd it's soo stupid! grrr....lol so yeah..is it still like that?

[Jamie Pierce]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 11:40am

Well as far as I know, that was always the case. Oscar decides at the last minute that he can't deal with Charity's past and essentially dumps her . It's such a sad moment that is truly heartbreaking after all we've been through with the character. So now to have Charity become all the sudden defiant and to have Oscar back-peddle all seems very strange and again, inappropriate (my favorite word to describe this show! yay!)

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 11:43am

yeah..the group i was with were all like OMG THIS IS SUCH A GREAT SHOW after act 1...then during act 2 **the end** we were all looking at each other like WTF!?!?! lol

[musicnmath]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 11:46am

***continuing spoiler alert*****

yep...still like that here in Boston. The girls hold a "getting married and leaving" party for charity at the club. Oscar shows up there and they leave together. Next scene is on a park bench she's all excited then he cuts her off and says he can't go through with it. He walks off and she's left twirling around the lamp post saying "have you ever had a really good day. i have. this isn't it". Which is precisely how the show opened -- same lines and setting the very first time we see Charity.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 11:46am

Yeah, I too hated the Chicago ending. A bizarre plot twist, a lackluster dance routine, and tons of unanswered questions...like Now what?

[tad66]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 1:25pm

I saw "Charity" last night (Sunday) and I agree with your thoughts on the production (except on O'Hare, I thought he was great!) I so wanted this to be a Cinderella story for Charlotte d, but I doubt that's in the cards and I'm truly sad. She's an amazing talent, but in THIS heartless production, I don't think anyone could pull it off. Period.
EVERYTHING was wrong, all the way down the line. BAD sets (the red couch that matched her dress exactly when she sang "If My Friends..." What was that? It was like watching the old minstral shows, all I could see were hands and legs, the rest of her blended right in with the couch; BAD costumes (was it me or did the purple band costumes completely clash with her red dress at the end?) Really BAD repetitive choreography (oh how I missed Robbins' "Big Spender".)
"Charity" is one of my all time favorite shows, and sadly, this one, was anything but "sweet."

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 1:31pm

Does anyone who has seen this show think it legitimately could close out of town if Applegate is out for good? I don't ask to be negative, but from these audience reviews, it sounds like this production without a name draw wouldn't have a hope of being succesful in New York City.

Any thoughts on this?

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 2:50pm

No, I think it'll open on Broadway. I didn't think the show was perfect, but it was still enjoyable.

I agree, I didn't really like the costumes, Mr. Long has done better. I thought the sets were good, though. And the lighting. I think there are many redeeming qualities about the show, especially Denis O'Hare, Charlotte, and even Paul Schoeffler. So I believe there are still many appealing aspects in this Charity even if it is not perfect.

~Steven

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:23pm

"How I miss Robbins' Big Spender". Didn't Fosse choreograph the original?

[Bobby457]

Posted: 3/21/05 at 4:26pm

yes