#1
Posted: 3/8/06 at 11:24pm
Ok..
I'll try to be thorough and brief at the same time.
Overall, I was very entertained, and sitting directly across the aisle from Eric Idle was a kick. He seemed to be loving the show.
You can tell that the performers are still finding where the laughs are, as this is only their 2nd performance, but this cast (mostly) has the potential to be great. I guess the best thing to do is break it down by actor/character, so here goes.
Michael Siberry (Arthur)-What a surprise. I hated him in the London production of Chicago, but loved him here. He was wacky, loveable, rather handsome (hehe) and seemed to be having a ball.
Pia Glenn (Lady..Lake)-She is tall, and statuesque, and looks quite a bit like Heather Headley. She is still finding where to use her head voice and her belt, but the opening of "Find Your Grail" and the "Diva's Lament" were sassy, full of attitude and well sung. Unfortunately, she held back a bit in "The Song That Goes Like This" and was lost due to sound problems at the end of "Find Your Grail," but I'm sure this will be fixed/improved upon in time. Side note...she gets top biling with Michael Siberry and takes the second to last curtain call just before Siberry. I believe this differs from the NY production
Bradley Dean(Galahad)-Good looking, funny, great actor, weak singer. Unfortunately, the one place where he struck out tonight was in "TSTGLT," which I was so looking forward to. If he and Pia would let loose and belt it, it will work more than it did tonight.
Tom Deckman (Historian, Herbert etc.)-LOVED him. He's the guy from Sex and the City who told Charlotte that her dog was pregnant. He was adorable, especially as Prince Herbert....and what a voice! He should be working more...one of the highlights for me tonight.
Jeff Dumas(Patsy)- So cute...so sweet, great singer, loved him....played his part to perfection.
Christopher Gurr(Bedevere)- He was fine...the part seemed small...but he played it well
Rick Holmes (Lancelot)- fantabulous...and HOT. I adored Mr. Holmes in Cabaret a few years back, and he is great here. He needs to work a 'bit' on his French accent, but he was very enjoyable.....he might have actually made a better Galahad...hmm.
David Turner (Sir Robin)- Wow....I think he was my favorite tonight. Where has this guy been? He just seemed so natural. His 'Broadway' number was a showstopper, and he just seemed to completely embody his character(s) at all times. I always found myself smiling when he entered. I think he'd be an excellent choice to replace DHP in the NY company.
To sum up....it's definately going to get 'there,' and I think with this kind of humor, you need to have a bit of time to work with an audience to truly nail it. I would love to see this cast in a few weeks. The acting, singing and dancing from the ensemble is stellar and the orchestra sounds full and wonderful (though a bit synthetic at times, but that was without question, the fault of the sound system). It's nice to see audiences across the country getting a production that is of the same quality that NY audiences get. Bravo!
I'll try to be thorough and brief at the same time.
Overall, I was very entertained, and sitting directly across the aisle from Eric Idle was a kick. He seemed to be loving the show.
You can tell that the performers are still finding where the laughs are, as this is only their 2nd performance, but this cast (mostly) has the potential to be great. I guess the best thing to do is break it down by actor/character, so here goes.
Michael Siberry (Arthur)-What a surprise. I hated him in the London production of Chicago, but loved him here. He was wacky, loveable, rather handsome (hehe) and seemed to be having a ball.
Pia Glenn (Lady..Lake)-She is tall, and statuesque, and looks quite a bit like Heather Headley. She is still finding where to use her head voice and her belt, but the opening of "Find Your Grail" and the "Diva's Lament" were sassy, full of attitude and well sung. Unfortunately, she held back a bit in "The Song That Goes Like This" and was lost due to sound problems at the end of "Find Your Grail," but I'm sure this will be fixed/improved upon in time. Side note...she gets top biling with Michael Siberry and takes the second to last curtain call just before Siberry. I believe this differs from the NY production
Bradley Dean(Galahad)-Good looking, funny, great actor, weak singer. Unfortunately, the one place where he struck out tonight was in "TSTGLT," which I was so looking forward to. If he and Pia would let loose and belt it, it will work more than it did tonight.
Tom Deckman (Historian, Herbert etc.)-LOVED him. He's the guy from Sex and the City who told Charlotte that her dog was pregnant. He was adorable, especially as Prince Herbert....and what a voice! He should be working more...one of the highlights for me tonight.
Jeff Dumas(Patsy)- So cute...so sweet, great singer, loved him....played his part to perfection.
Christopher Gurr(Bedevere)- He was fine...the part seemed small...but he played it well
Rick Holmes (Lancelot)- fantabulous...and HOT. I adored Mr. Holmes in Cabaret a few years back, and he is great here. He needs to work a 'bit' on his French accent, but he was very enjoyable.....he might have actually made a better Galahad...hmm.
David Turner (Sir Robin)- Wow....I think he was my favorite tonight. Where has this guy been? He just seemed so natural. His 'Broadway' number was a showstopper, and he just seemed to completely embody his character(s) at all times. I always found myself smiling when he entered. I think he'd be an excellent choice to replace DHP in the NY company.
To sum up....it's definately going to get 'there,' and I think with this kind of humor, you need to have a bit of time to work with an audience to truly nail it. I would love to see this cast in a few weeks. The acting, singing and dancing from the ensemble is stellar and the orchestra sounds full and wonderful (though a bit synthetic at times, but that was without question, the fault of the sound system). It's nice to see audiences across the country getting a production that is of the same quality that NY audiences get. Bravo!
"Y'all have a GRAND day now"
