SWEET CHARITY 3/20

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!

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

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

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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...

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

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!)

***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.

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."

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

yes

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