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Sweet Charity

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#1

Sweet Charity

Posted: 9/30/05 at 8:43am

Saw it last night and thought it was great. Christina really did a great job. She looks like she is having the time of her life. Not sure if her foot is still bad or if she is wearing the boots to make sure it doesn't get reinjured.
I thought Dennis O' Hare was hysterical. The elevator scene was the best.
I'm glad she was able to get this show on Broadway. She deserves so much credit for fighting for it the way she did. Not sure if last night was sold out but it looked like it was.

#2

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 9/30/05 at 9:01am

I totally agree about Christina. She's delightful and absolutely adorable.

I've got to disagree about Dennis, though. I just couldn't think that he was hamming it up way too much.

"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman

#3

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 9/30/05 at 9:14am

i just saw it last saturday night for the first time as well. i loved it. i give christina ALOT of credit, because she clearly had to work very hard not only to get the show on broadway, but to get herself trained to handle the vocals and dance that are involved. i think that it's pretty obvious that she doesn't have an *exceptional* voice, and there are several times when she is the only thing on stage, so i imagine that can be difficult and scary! BUT she had a great stage presence and was adorable enough that all of the good qualities shadowed her lack of strength in her voice.

in any case, i was really glad that i saw it. i was planning on not bothering, but it was definitley worth it.

#4

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 9/30/05 at 10:06am

She was superior in her book scenes. Just great. The singing and dancing were acceptable, but I left wishing those pieces were as good as her acting.

The rest of the production however, sans Dennis O'Hare, is an embarrassment.

Updated On: 10/1/05 at 10:06 AM

#5

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 9/30/05 at 11:47am

I love this show, it certainly had its weak spots (The Rhythm of Life and I'm a Brass Band are the two that stick out in my mind... oh gosh, those horrendous band costumes...) but I think Christina more than holds her own. Janine LaManna is amazing, and... if there's anyone here who didn't already know that I think Denis is fabulous: I think Denis is fabulous.

Updated On: 9/30/05 at 11:47 AM

#6

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 9/30/05 at 12:45pm

The problem I see with the Sweet Charity revival is that the overall production is completely mediocre. I mean, some people have told me that if the show flops it's because of the leading lady's lack of musical theater experience but I completely disagree. The acting in this show is superb, I think Applegate is Broadway material because when you see her performing she gives 110%, you don't see any arrogance in her performance, she is really doing her best and that's just great. Dennis O'Hare has got to be one of the best actors on Broadway right now, in my opinion. I like Janine LaManna but I wish I had been able to see Bebe Neuwirth playing this role back in 1986 when I was being born. Kyra DaCosta was rather blah for me. But the production is sooooo poorly conceived and I'm sorry but Cilento's choreography is almost as bad as the one he created for Wicked. And they should get the costume designer and put her in jail, what the hell is up with those costumes? Also, Rhythm of Life was the biggest disappointment given that it is one of my fav. numbers in the OBCR, the orchestration and arrangements for this number on the revival are less than stellar. I guess it's Walter Bobbie's fault.

"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

#7

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 9/30/05 at 12:50pm

It looks like it cost about 10 bucks to produce.

#8

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 9/30/05 at 1:19pm

As much as I enjoyed this production, I have to agree with your comments about the costumes. I understand these women are supposed to be "taxi dancers", but I really didn't like the color and pattern choices for their costumes. And I've said it before and wil say it again now.....why PINK band costumes????

I don't, however, see the production as an embarrassment. The closest a show ever got to that description, for me, was the 1st National tour of Titanic...the one with the remote controlled 2 foot boat on stage simulating the iceberg crash.

"My dreams, watching me said, one to the other...this life has let us down."

#9

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 9/30/05 at 2:02pm

As per the "taxi dancer" costumes... I have several dance recital costumes that look very very similar. I was just waiting for the Fandango girls to burst out into a pre-pubescent rendition of 'Soak up the Sun'.

#10

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 9/30/05 at 2:06pm

I couldn't imagine a better Charity. She's wonderful, as is the entire production. Great show! Thanks for posting.

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
To Kill A Mockingbird

#11

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 9/30/05 at 3:22pm

Love Christina. Love the show. And I think I'm the only one who loves "Rhythm of Life."

Updated On: 10/3/05 at 03:22 PM

#12

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 9/30/05 at 4:34pm

I LOVE Sweet Charity- I'm glad you liked it to

"Life will be frozen peaches and cream. Baby, dream Your Dream" ~ SC

#13

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 9/30/05 at 4:46pm

I loved Sweet Charity, Christina gave 200% and was flawless, I thought. The rest of the cast was also good, including Dennis, who was hysterical. I actually loved Wayne's choreography, especially in the Rich Man's Frug part. The only thing I wasn't really a fan of was the costumes, I never really noticed any of them. And I just don't get why Charity wears the same dress like the whole time....I also loved The Rythym of Life, my only problem was that it didn't have much to do with the overall story line.

#14

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 9/30/05 at 5:11pm

Another fan of Rhythm of Life here...it's one of my favorite songs in the show.

I rather liked this show. I saw it in previews, so I didn't get a chance to see Christina, but Charlotte was great - what a dancer.

I wouldn't say this is a show of genius, but I went in with an open mind and had a lot of fun. Plus, I love Cy Coleman's music.

But I have to agree on the pink band cosutmes. Meh. Didn't like 'em.

#15

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 9/30/05 at 5:14pm

I thought ROL was awesome in the show, random like many other things were in the show that made the musical what it was. I am upset however that christina, being highly publicized, needs to be the target of any failure in the production. Kinda sad cause shes so entertaining

#16

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 9/30/05 at 5:21pm

Christina is super-super-cute. I was just listening to her on cast recording and her voice is "smaller" than say, Gwen Verdon's(does that make sense?) but she sounds, well, *sweet* and most definitely likeable, which is what Charity is supposed to be. I might catch this again next time I'm in the city so I can see Christina. I've heard only good things about her, especially her acting, and this role needs some good comedic acting chops. Some of Charity's jokes are kind of corny, so delivery is key to get the laughs - and I've heard Christina delivers well!

Now I've got Rhythm of Life stuck in my head "...feel the tingle in your fingers and the tingle in your feet..." I think it's a great song.

#17

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 9/30/05 at 7:22pm

I have to completely disagree with the costumes. I think they are wonderful. And FYI (whoever posted about the costume designer above...) William Ivey Long is a HE. The same man that's won the Tony, and is almost ALWAYS nominated. I think the pink band costumes are to match christina. Can u imagine if they were bright red or blue? They kind play on the fantasy world Charity lives in... similar to the marketing (with the gum, or the flowers...). Everything very pretty and simple.
Watch Big Spender on the Fosse DVD. Many of the costumes are pretty similar.
I will give you that hideous Lead Frug with the purple flowers. I find it extreemly distracting.
...and last but not least. How BEAUTIFUL are the wigs overall? The Big Spender wigs could not look more beautiful. Period. They flatter both the girls and the style of the show. MMm-mm-good!

#18

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 10/1/05 at 1:33am

I do apologize about confusing the gender of the costume designer, it doesn't make a difference though, costumes in this show are disgusting! They're mediocre,poorly designed, and plain awful! I loved this show and had the time of my life but just because the acting was so good that I could completely get into the show and forget about the disastrous costumes! And for those who said they enjoyed "Rhythm of Life," they should listen to the OBCR version just because I think it's more enjoyable, very different too though.

"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

#19

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 10/1/05 at 1:41am

The show was better than I expected...which doesn't mean anything. I enjoyed it, I guess.

ROL was completely out of place, IMO. (The orchestrations I mean)

The show is so much better with Charlotte, I think...everything sounds different. I guess that's expected...I mean, it IS Charlotte.

#20

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 10/1/05 at 6:46pm

Lets not forget HOW WONDERFUL Joyce Chittick is. Funny and beautiful. Such a cute voice out of such a little girl

#21

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 10/1/05 at 6:50pm

I'm sad that some people think Rhythm of Life is a bad song just because of the bad orchestrations in the revival.

When done correctly, it can blow the roof off of the place. Watch the movie, or listen to the OBC. It's a marvelous song.

#22

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 10/1/05 at 7:24pm

BobbyBubby is so right. I had the pleasure of seeing the '86 revival with Debbie Allen. The Rhythim of Life got applause in the middle of the number! Yes, in the middle. Fosse's staging mirroring the counterpoint vocal harmonies was the reason. So did Big Spender (twice, actually). And Debbie Allen and her marching boys were incredible on "I'm a Brass Band." In fact, that's the number they did on the Tony telecast. I hope at some point it shows up on one of those Lost Treasures DVDs.

It's really sad to hear people say those numbers were weak. If nothing else, guys, check out the DVD. Edith Head's costumes are a trip (based heavily on the original Broadway designs), and Mr. Fosse's staging and direction shine!

...And it's one of Shirley MacLaine's best acting performances on film.

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

Updated On: 10/1/05 at 07:24 PM

#23

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 10/1/05 at 8:14pm

Loved the show and hope to see it again soon. The only problem I had with it was that Charity wore the same dress all the time. Really loved the costumes in Rich Man's Frug. Very cool how the elevator scene was done and my favorite set piece was the ferris wheel. It was like a good old fashioned musical. Just a really wonderful evening at the theatre. I left the theatre smiling and humming.

Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder

#24

re: Sweet Charity

Posted: 10/1/05 at 10:11pm

TheQuibbler, you're not alone I LOVE "The Rhythm of Life".

A little swash, a bit of buckle - you'll love it more than bread.

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