Sweet Charity 3/1/05 review

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 4:29pm

Last night, I went to see the pre-Broadway tryout of Sweet Charity, starring Christina Applegate. Though originally I wanted to scream 'stunt casting' when I heard about this production, it didn't take long to realize that Christina is a great comedienne who has been dancing all her life and would probably be the perfect Charity Hope Valentine. She was.:) The role doesn't require a grea singer (Gwen Verdon wasn't a vocal powerhouse) but Christina's voice is surprisingly good, and she dances like a dream. Denis O'Hare is a scream as Oscar, and really steals the show. The elevator scene was one of the funniest things I've seen onstage (and this from lil miss Spamalot/Producers.) I now undersand his appeal, which I was blind to before. Ernie Sabella was wasted in a stupid role. Nastascha Diaz was dynamite as Nickie, though she was saddled with a dress that made her look muy pregnant. Wayne Cliento's choreography, when good (like in The Rich Man's Frug), was great. When at its worst, its generic looking...I'm a brass band was lacking something like pizazz, though well executed by the fantastic dancers. The reimagining of "Big Spender" also seemed a bit off. All in all, though, it was a sweet little revival of a sweet little show. HIGHLIGHTS: O'Hares rendition of the title song, Applegate's "If my friends could see me now" and the aforementioned "Rich Man's Frug." Overall....B+

[chitownbob]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 11:07am

Hey Magictodo82 - I think I know you

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Here is my take on the performance:

And I should state that I have never seen the show onstage before.

Overall I really enjoyed it, and was impressed by Ms. Applegate. She really delivered. I read somewhere that people thought she was camera acting - however I didn't get that impression at all. Her charity was sweet, vulnerable and a clumsy. And her singing voice was more than adequate - especially during her Charity Monologue in the beginning of the show. Only weak spot was her “Where Am I Going?” Her closet scene following “If My Friends…” was great.

Is there any truth to Natascia Diaz possible getting fired? It seemed like she was not enjoying herself. And during “There’s Gotta Be Something…” she was over dancing the number, flourishing wildly and really sticking out from Christina and Solange Sandy. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but she seemed ticked through the entire show, including the bows.

Denis O’Hare – hilarious. Loved the elevator scene.

Orchestrations - They made the Frug more mod-rock 60’s sounding – same with “Rhythm of Life.” I liked these changes. The overture was really cheesy sounding and way over amplified.

Choreography – I enjoyed it. A lot of Christina’s moves avoided high-kicks and anything too too complicated. But it was fun to watch her having such a good time.

The ensemble was good.

Costumes – I agree, the dress they gave Natasha Diaz was not very flattering. A modified baby-doll dress which made her look preggers. The rest of the costumes were fun and very 60s.

Sets – There is a set gag in Vittorio’s apartment that I’m sure will get this show a Tony nomination for set design.

The ending - reading the backstage diary on the Sweet Charity web site, it seems they changed the ending the night we saw it. After calling it quits with Oscar, she has a monologue about how she's gonna be ok, and then the ensemble comes out and does a reprise of I'm A Brass Band. Charity joins in and it ends on a very upbeat note.

[LouieLovesTheater]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 11:44am

Wow...interesting ending change.

In MN, the ending had her and Oscar calling it quits, Christina doing a little talking and singing a bit of Where am I Going and the opening strains of There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This and then a guy comes out and sits on the park bench and seems to invite Christina along. She walks right past him and runs offstage and the lights go down.

Not sure which I like better. The Brass Band ending seems a little hunk-o-cheese-a-thon.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 12:03pm

chitownbob, I think I know you:) In fact, I bet you were the guy sitting next to me at Sweet Charity! Hows that for irony? (hehe!) Run screaming from this board for your sanity - its ruined my life.

...but (inside joke ahead) all roads lead to Tommy.:) Welcome!

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 12:07pm

The Brass Band ending sounds WAY too similar to the ending of FUNNY GIRL with its resolved-and-wiser heroine belting out a shorter version of "Don't Rain On My Parade".

[commasplice]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 12:08pm

I'm seeing this on Saturday! Very very excited. Yay for reviews :)

I have one quick question: how long was the show?

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 12:12pm

I saw this same show...

Why in the world did they change the ending? that was a HORRIBLE ending...!!!

BUT I thought the cast was amazing...Christina is very good. She was a little quiet sometimes but was always on key and was a great dancer and actress.
Solange Sandy I LOVED...gorgeous voice and man she could dance. I hope to see more of her.
I also can't believe I saw the voice of PUMBA! lol..i'm a disney nerd

and Dennis O'hare...it was a pleasure to be in the same auditorium as him...he had the whole place ROLLING!

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 12:13pm

I saw the Saturday matinee. I thought Christina was darling, but vocally weak. She moves well and looks fantastic. Dennis O’Hare is very funny. I found the choreography to be a highlight of the show. I loved the apparent “Thriller” moves at times. I do agree that the band scene was bland. I definitely would recommend it.

[LouieLovesTheater]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 12:26pm

The show started in Mpls as 2:50 but by the time it left it was down to 2:30 or so.

[chitownbob]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 12:35pm

The choreography was fun, but I did miss some of the original Fosse stuff including the end of the boxing part of "Rich Man's Frug" when the woman is the only one left standing. I also missed the long ponytail during that whole number - the woman in this version wore a giant feather wig.

I also missed that classic move during "If My Friends..." when Charity makes a circle with her foot on the floor and then slinks forward.

As Magictodo mentioned, some if the choreography almost resembled cheerleader moves at times, particularly during "Brass Band."

Updated On: 3/3/05 at 12:35 PM

[LouieLovesTheater]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 12:43pm

Okay...for anyone that has seen the show. Am I crazy or at the end of Brass Band when Christina comes on after the drum section is there a small sampling of "Hand Jive"...I saw the show four times and every time it sounded like "Born to Hand Jive Oh Yeah Born to Hand Jive Oh Yeah" not the words but the music that accompanies it. Give it a listen if you see it again.