#1
Posted: 10/23/10 at 7:41pm
I have hesitated to put much down as the show in Toronto is still in preview and it's not really fair to call this a review as there is still opportunity for change. So these are just some of my personal reactions to the show I saw.
From the moment the orchestra starts up the overture and the big disco ball in the theatre covers everything w pink almost teardrop lights- you are transported. Just like the stage curtain which shows a map of the journey Sydney to Alice we are noted to be "off the map" watching all these Oz (sic) episodes.
Listening to the original Australian cast there have obviously been several changes. One of the 1st was the opening number is now "It's Raining Men" before the OCR has "Downtown"( side note: the creators said they always wanted Its Raining but had been unable to obtain the rights,now a LOOONG time a go there was a little show in the Mirvish's Royal Alex called Godspell. It's musical director was a fellow called Paul Schafer- who also is the writer of "It's Raining Men" and now the Mirvishes have the song in their show- just a coincidence?) There is a MAH velous
Tina Turner tribute by Nathan Lee Graham ( What's Love Got to Do With It?) contrasting nicely w Tick's phone call to his ( aw hell it's not so secret) hidden son. Will Swenson's Tick was very touching as a man who can hardly believe he has this relationship and really doesn't know what to do about it. The song "I Say A Little Prayer for You" will be his recuring theme but I did find him a bit tenuous on some of the notes and wondered if he was saving his voice or possibly had a health issue with his throat.
Nick Adams as Adam/Felica is as camp as all get out, over the top is neccesary when you sing Material Girl in full Madonna garb but sans wig. He also seems the most proficient dancer of the three leads and his singing is big and brassy.
Tony Sheldon ( as I mentioned on the Toronto board) is in excellent voice as Bernadette, going from the goofy disco queen to a tender longing when realization that love may still be possible.( ok, the man HAS had time to get it right!) The courtship features a tribute to bygone glamour with "A Fine Romance" with an amazing Steve Scheps as the Young Bernadette. C David Johnson is good as that last-of-the-outback-gentleman, Bob, showing the inherent niceness of the man ( which is also in the film).
Priscilla- was ever a bus required to do as much? All the electronics that take her from drab to pretty to a DIVA, all while trucking down the road.( there is a throwaway bit about roadkill with the old "Skippy" theme that broke me up)
I liked the Sempre Libre number but if you remember it from the film, it's hard to recreate the same effect on stage but full marks ( and the audience loved it)for trying, it would have been missed if it hadn't been there.
Jaqueline B. Arnold, Anastacia McCleskey, and Ashley Spencer- the three SINGING Divas- these chicks RULE! Half the time suspended from the rafters these girls are the device that keeps this show moving seamlessly through (most) of the big disco numbers.
OK the costumes are everything you remember from the movie and they can actually survive beyond the few moments of film. There were some slight screw ups w the head gear. There was a side
ponytail that converts to a pom pom that came off unexpectedly which caused a certain amount of humour later when it seemed to be pinned under a set piece and inspite of repeated(casual) efforts did not seem to want to come off so they turned it's removal into a bit that got a great laugh).
Two things that were not as enjoyable for me was the"Floor Show" in Alice. It's basically an extended joke of watching speeded up versions of some of the performances/rehersals we've seen earlier The music gets sped up to the point where it sounds like the Chipmunks on speed. I can kinda get they need some time for costume changes for the Terrific Trio but it went on too long for me and the sound really grated.
OK in the original cast recording , when the gals are in Broken Hill Bernadette sings Both Sides Now, a lovely rendition as far as I'm concerned.
It's been changed to "True Colours" and while I "get" the "Gay positive" thing- I've just never liked the song and find it needlessly morose. Maybe they lost the rights, wanted to use what has become a (sorta) Gay anthem but i wish they'd used the original Both Sides Now, The Rose (Hello Ms Midler!) or even There's Got to Be a Morning After- another dropped song.( edit Morning After is briefly heard in the start of the Floor Show)
I know people have been concerned if this show is going to be too pricey but Ya Know? I think when people go out for a good time, this is just the kind of show they'll want, colourful, w incredible effects and costumes ( hey you see where you're money was spent!) and a feel good ending. ( if not quite what was in the film) I think this is gonna be a big ole hit on Broadway and more power to 'em.
On a final note, I did miss my FAVORITE line from the film and I SO wish they'd have found a way to use it:
"I've said it before and I'll say it again, NO MORE F*CKING ABBA!!"
From the moment the orchestra starts up the overture and the big disco ball in the theatre covers everything w pink almost teardrop lights- you are transported. Just like the stage curtain which shows a map of the journey Sydney to Alice we are noted to be "off the map" watching all these Oz (sic) episodes.
Listening to the original Australian cast there have obviously been several changes. One of the 1st was the opening number is now "It's Raining Men" before the OCR has "Downtown"( side note: the creators said they always wanted Its Raining but had been unable to obtain the rights,now a LOOONG time a go there was a little show in the Mirvish's Royal Alex called Godspell. It's musical director was a fellow called Paul Schafer- who also is the writer of "It's Raining Men" and now the Mirvishes have the song in their show- just a coincidence?) There is a MAH velous
Tina Turner tribute by Nathan Lee Graham ( What's Love Got to Do With It?) contrasting nicely w Tick's phone call to his ( aw hell it's not so secret) hidden son. Will Swenson's Tick was very touching as a man who can hardly believe he has this relationship and really doesn't know what to do about it. The song "I Say A Little Prayer for You" will be his recuring theme but I did find him a bit tenuous on some of the notes and wondered if he was saving his voice or possibly had a health issue with his throat.
Nick Adams as Adam/Felica is as camp as all get out, over the top is neccesary when you sing Material Girl in full Madonna garb but sans wig. He also seems the most proficient dancer of the three leads and his singing is big and brassy.
Tony Sheldon ( as I mentioned on the Toronto board) is in excellent voice as Bernadette, going from the goofy disco queen to a tender longing when realization that love may still be possible.( ok, the man HAS had time to get it right!) The courtship features a tribute to bygone glamour with "A Fine Romance" with an amazing Steve Scheps as the Young Bernadette. C David Johnson is good as that last-of-the-outback-gentleman, Bob, showing the inherent niceness of the man ( which is also in the film).
Priscilla- was ever a bus required to do as much? All the electronics that take her from drab to pretty to a DIVA, all while trucking down the road.( there is a throwaway bit about roadkill with the old "Skippy" theme that broke me up)
I liked the Sempre Libre number but if you remember it from the film, it's hard to recreate the same effect on stage but full marks ( and the audience loved it)for trying, it would have been missed if it hadn't been there.
Jaqueline B. Arnold, Anastacia McCleskey, and Ashley Spencer- the three SINGING Divas- these chicks RULE! Half the time suspended from the rafters these girls are the device that keeps this show moving seamlessly through (most) of the big disco numbers.
OK the costumes are everything you remember from the movie and they can actually survive beyond the few moments of film. There were some slight screw ups w the head gear. There was a side
ponytail that converts to a pom pom that came off unexpectedly which caused a certain amount of humour later when it seemed to be pinned under a set piece and inspite of repeated(casual) efforts did not seem to want to come off so they turned it's removal into a bit that got a great laugh).
Two things that were not as enjoyable for me was the"Floor Show" in Alice. It's basically an extended joke of watching speeded up versions of some of the performances/rehersals we've seen earlier The music gets sped up to the point where it sounds like the Chipmunks on speed. I can kinda get they need some time for costume changes for the Terrific Trio but it went on too long for me and the sound really grated.
OK in the original cast recording , when the gals are in Broken Hill Bernadette sings Both Sides Now, a lovely rendition as far as I'm concerned.
It's been changed to "True Colours" and while I "get" the "Gay positive" thing- I've just never liked the song and find it needlessly morose. Maybe they lost the rights, wanted to use what has become a (sorta) Gay anthem but i wish they'd used the original Both Sides Now, The Rose (Hello Ms Midler!) or even There's Got to Be a Morning After- another dropped song.( edit Morning After is briefly heard in the start of the Floor Show)
I know people have been concerned if this show is going to be too pricey but Ya Know? I think when people go out for a good time, this is just the kind of show they'll want, colourful, w incredible effects and costumes ( hey you see where you're money was spent!) and a feel good ending. ( if not quite what was in the film) I think this is gonna be a big ole hit on Broadway and more power to 'em.
On a final note, I did miss my FAVORITE line from the film and I SO wish they'd have found a way to use it:
"I've said it before and I'll say it again, NO MORE F*CKING ABBA!!"
Updated On: 10/24/10 at 07:41 PM
