Spring Break, Apple Tree, Chicago, Spring Awakening, Company

[ben1986]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 12:01pm

I recently went to NYC for spring break and saw four shows. Below are just a few thought that I had about what I saw. This is my first time writing anything like this, so please go easy, and I hope you enjoy!

The Apple Tree – Going into the show I wasn’t sure what to expect, and to be honest I really only went because Chenoweth was starring in it. For starters I’m a huge “West Wing” fan and loved her on the show, so when I read in the playbill that she dedicated her performance to join Spencer, it warmed my heart.

Back to the show! I found it witty and charming and enjoyed it much more then I ever thought I would Act I, The Story of Adam and Eve, was played brilliantly by Chenoweth and Brian d’Arcy James as Adam. I thought that they were great together and the end of the act had a lot of people in tears. Act II, in my opinion, was just a terrific place to showcase Chenoweth’s comedic abilities and I could tell that she was just having fun with the material. My favorite story was that of Passionella in Act III. I thought that Marc Kudisch was great as the Narrator and that Kristin played the role of blonde movie star perfectly. Overall I enjoyed the show, and had it lasted longer with Chenoweth I would have seen it again.

Stage Door Moment: Kristin came out afterwards and was just a doll to everyone. I mentioned something about how sorry I was about John Spencer and we ended up talking about “The West Wing” episode “Running Mates” for two minutes. Just a terrific lady!

Grade B+

Chicago – I was curious as to how Bebe was going to pull of the role of Roxie after having listened to her for a decade sing Velma, but she did. She was very comical in the role of Roxie and played the role between Roxie being dumb, naïve, and just being confused about the direction of her life. That being said I enjoyed her interpretation and thought that she was one of the standouts in the cast.

Otherwise I was not impressed by the cast. To me Brenda Braxton was an forgettable Velma and Phillip Casnoff played a lost Billy Flynn. He pulled off the role but seemed confused about the character and what made this character tick. Rox Ryan was unimpressive Mama Morton and failed to play the role to its full potential. I don’t mean to speak ill of the show, but I first saw the show years ago at the Shubert, before the movie, and was so blown away by it. Now the performers seem bored with the material and I think that audience even noticed that because there response was not as great as it once was. I still enjoyed the show, but doubt I’ll ever see it again unless either James Naughton or Ann Reinking come back.

Stage Door Moment: I meet Bebe at the stage door and she was the nicest person in the world. I mentioned what I fan I was and how I loved her version of “Zip” for the ’94 Encores cast and she was so nice. I know a lot of people have had bad experiences with her, but I found to be a great person.

Grade B

Spring Awakening – In two words, Not Impressed. I thought that the plot of teenage sexuality and love has been overused in theatre, movies and television and found that by the end of the show I was more annoyed with the character’s than anything else. To me a great musical is when I feel for the characters and what they are doing in the story. By the end of the show I was just glad that the show was over.

Further more I was not that impressed by a majority of the songs, nor the way in which they were performed. It did not seem as if I was in a Broadway theatre instead it felt like I was at Sum 41 concert where the songs were being screamed at me.

Overall though I do have to give Lea Michele credit for the way in which she performed her role. I could that she did make the character of Wendla hers and I give her credit for the Act I finale. With regard to Jonathan Gallagher Jr. I was more annoyed than anything else with his performance. His character seemed the stereotypical, misunderstood teen whom I had no sympathy for by the end of the show. Bottom line is that I had high hopes for this show and left feeling disappointed by what I had seen. That being said the show does have a terrific energy and the cast is having fun performing the material every night and I applaud them.

Student Rush Line Moment: To everyone who stood with me that morning, you guys were great and I hope that you all enjoyed the show!

Grade C-

Company – I LOVED IT! After years of having never seen the show live, and only listening to the OBC I jumped at the chance to see this show. I was expecting to enjoy the show, but I left feeling that I had a theatre moment!

For starters I think that that actor musician concept worked better for “Company” than it did “Sweeny Todd”. To be honest I really didn’t think about the concept that much, until I noticed that Bobby didn’t play and instrument and didn’t join the band until “Being Alive” and I loved the symbolism. Raul was out and Bradley Dean went on as Bobby instead. I thought that he was good in role and cannot wait to head back to see Raul. The entire cast was just brilliant to me and I could see all the couples being couples in real life.

The part of the show I enjoyed the most was “The Ladies Who Lunch” through the finale. I thought that Barbara Walsh was a great Joanne and I enjoyed her version of the show. I could really see how devastated she was by the end of the show and how she, more than anyone else, understands who Bobby is and why he is so afraid.

Grade A+

Bottom Line: This is a show that I wish would run forever and I encourage anyone who has the chance to see the show.

[keen on kean]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 12:37pm

Ben - on behal of COMPANY lovers everywhere, thank you!

[John Casavant]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 12:40pm

Updated On: 9/2/10 at 12:40 PM

[musicman_17082]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 4:34pm

So glad to hear Cheno is back on Broadway and doing well!

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/23/07 at 11:13am

Just a side note on Bebe. She hates being told that Lillith is her greatest work. She's a broadway veteran and has been doing stage work for about 30 years.

[antiandrewx]

Posted: 3/23/07 at 12:38pm

Hey it's Andrew from the SA rush line. I was in the front with my friends Krista and Jess. Great reviews.