Just got back.
I left with the duplicitous feeling of dissapointment and encouragement. Dissapointment because the show was sort of a big bore, with the exception of a few of the production numbers, but encouraged because it is only the first preview, of course, and there's nowhere to go but up from here.
The Orchestra was simply lovely. Sounded great, and good energy from the musicians and the musical director.
Sutton was fine, but miscast. She's just to bland to play Reno Sweeney and she blended in with the other chorus girls during "Blow Gabriel, Blow" She was trying to be sexy, I guess, for her character, and it just came off as the usual old quirky dorky Sutton that we know. that said, she's a great little hoofer and dancer, and is decent upon the first preview, so I'm sure that she will improve.
Joel Grey looked like he was suffering from Stritch syndrome- forgetting lines, blocking, choreography, and not one joke landed with the audience. Not one. But with time, I think he can make something of the role, he just wasn't at his best tonight, and it's tough because he's JOEL GREY so you expect perfection, and that's not what happened tonight.
for me, John McMartin was the highlight - he was so funny and charming, I just loved him.
Laura Osnes - my first time seeing her, and I never watched that Grease show, so I don't know her from a hole in the wall - that said- she was very lovely! Her voice was gorgeous, and she was the perfect ingenue for this role.
Colin Donnel - Also have no idea who he was, but was so impressed. Great voice, presence, and dancing.
Jessica Walters- I love this woman. That is all
As someone says, the males in the chorus steal the production numbers! They were on fire tonight, and work together well as a team.
One of the things that irked me was Sutton and Colin commenting on some of the things they were listing during "You're the top" For example- Sutton goes "your Camembert", and then makes a face as a wink to the audience as if to say "Camenbert is gross" It just doesn't make any sense in the context of the show to do that. It's not a list of backhanded compliments, it's a list of things that are the best of what they are, and that took me out of the song. It happened again with "Ovaltine" Colin did a "soso" hand gesture. Just a small thing that irked me. Maybe no one else was bothered by it, but I was. These characters should be believing what they are singing, not commenting on it.
The show just needs to be cleaned up (a lot), and tightened (a little), Marshall should stick to what she does best, and that is as a choreographer. the show was at it's best during the production numbers (as a good old fashioned musical should be), however the book scenes just lagged and there was nothing going on direction wise. So many missed opportunities.
And during the solos, the actors looked as if they were given no direction at all They either sit on a box and pine, or stand on a stair and pine, or sit on a box, then stand on a stair and pine. Very repetative and boring.
So, things just need to be a little more livened up in between the songs, and we might have a pretty fun show on our hands. Don't know if I can say good, but fun.
"I'm an American, Damnit!!! And if it's three things I don't believe in, it's quitting and math."
