#1
Posted: 3/16/08 at 10:01pm
So, as much as I enjoyed the Sunday revival, I think this is a better production, and if I were a Tony voter (which I most surely am not), this would probably get my vote.
A brief note...I have never seen a live production of South Pacific before last night. I didn't see the movie, or the TV movie. I am somewhat familiar with the score, and all I knew of the plot was that it dealt with racism in the Pacific islands during World War II. So, I was pretty much a South Pacific virgin.
This was a nearly perfect production. I have to start with the absolutely exquisite lighting design, which will, without a doubt, win the Tony. It was sheer brilliance, as was the sound design, which was so good because you could not even tell it was miked. Very well blended.
The cast was mostly phenomenal. Kelli O'Hara, who bored me in Piazza is full of energy here. She appeared to be really enjoying herself, and displayed a great deal of charisma (something I felt she lacked in other roles). Ditto for Paulo Szot, whose voice is incredible. The two had a great deal of chemistry together.
Other than the two leads, my favorite cast member was Matthew Morrison, who I thought was a wonderful Cable. My lone quibble with cast members was Danny Burstein, who while ok, seemed to resort to the schtick he used in Drowsy Chaperone. It was like he was pulling out his old bag of tricks.
The book is very strong, and I love how the tension builds as the show goes on. My only problem is with the ending, which seems rather abrupt. The score, of course, is like one hit song after another. The choreography was fine, though for some reason, dancing soldiers always make me chuckle.
The big star of the show, though, is the 30 piece orchestra! Kudos to Lincoln Center for springing for them. They sounded great, and it is a little sad to think that I'll probably never hear a 30 piece orchestra at a Broadway musical again.
Overall, this is a fantastic production, and I highly recommend it.
A brief note...I have never seen a live production of South Pacific before last night. I didn't see the movie, or the TV movie. I am somewhat familiar with the score, and all I knew of the plot was that it dealt with racism in the Pacific islands during World War II. So, I was pretty much a South Pacific virgin.
This was a nearly perfect production. I have to start with the absolutely exquisite lighting design, which will, without a doubt, win the Tony. It was sheer brilliance, as was the sound design, which was so good because you could not even tell it was miked. Very well blended.
The cast was mostly phenomenal. Kelli O'Hara, who bored me in Piazza is full of energy here. She appeared to be really enjoying herself, and displayed a great deal of charisma (something I felt she lacked in other roles). Ditto for Paulo Szot, whose voice is incredible. The two had a great deal of chemistry together.
Other than the two leads, my favorite cast member was Matthew Morrison, who I thought was a wonderful Cable. My lone quibble with cast members was Danny Burstein, who while ok, seemed to resort to the schtick he used in Drowsy Chaperone. It was like he was pulling out his old bag of tricks.
The book is very strong, and I love how the tension builds as the show goes on. My only problem is with the ending, which seems rather abrupt. The score, of course, is like one hit song after another. The choreography was fine, though for some reason, dancing soldiers always make me chuckle.
The big star of the show, though, is the 30 piece orchestra! Kudos to Lincoln Center for springing for them. They sounded great, and it is a little sad to think that I'll probably never hear a 30 piece orchestra at a Broadway musical again.
Overall, this is a fantastic production, and I highly recommend it.
