Sweet Charity Review

[Elphie]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 2:33pm

This past Wednsday I was very fortunate to catch a matinee of Sweet Charity with student rush tickets. They were cheap as can be considering 100 dollars a ticket is the norm these days. Well, I expected to be in like the last row of the theatre with this price, but it was totally opposite. I was in the first row. I was shocked!

Okay Number 1- Being in the first row is like a whole new Broadway experience. You can see sweat, facial expressions at their best, and many intricate details dealing with the set and costumes. It was such a blast being that close up. I felt like I was in the show with no one's big head to look over and peer around- It was heaven.

Alright, now for my opinions on this revival. Well, I really enjoyed the show as a whole! It was a treat. I think "Sweet Charity" is a happy medium type of show- it attracts the tourists who do not know that much about Broadway by having a popular TV/movie personality star as the title role, but it also attracts the theatre lovers being a Cy Coleman/Bob Fosse original piece. And I was especially curious about Christina Applegate's performance as Charity Hope Valentine.

I think Applegate did a fine job. She is on the better half of the TV/Movie stars who have come to Broadway that I have seen. I'm sure there are a handful of talented no-name Broadway actresses with their BFAs in hand who could have acted, danced, and sung the sh*t out of Charity, but we all know Broadway isnt the same anymore- its an industry. Stars sell and thats how it goes these days. Broadway really doesnt make stars the way it use to anymore. But back to Christina. Her portrayl of Charity was right on the money. She added her own flavor to the character. Yes, I know shes no Gwen Verdon, which I see a lot of people compare her to on other forums and such, but she made Charity her own. (I get reminded of the whole Kerrry Butler/Ellen Greene controversary haha!) I loved her choice of character voice and the little charactertures (sorry I know I spelt that horribly wrong) she added to Charity. She made Charity loveable. And Christina does shine on stage- she has a great presence about her- shes very natural. I was also very impressed with her dancing. She had great form and kept up in all the numbers. Her singing was the least memorable part about her performance, but I dont think Charity should be a good singer. I liked how Christina delivered the songs- it worked and stayed true to Charity. Overall, I think Christina earned her Tony nomination and I also have loads of respect for her for making this show happen. She didnt leave her fellow castmates and the hardworking production staff jobless because of her foot- She fought for them to be on Broadway. Thats very noble of her.

But my favorite cast member had to be Dennis O'Hare. He was perfect and had great comedic timing. I loved his portryal of Oscar. He made him totally different and it worked! I dont know why he didnt get a Tony Nomination, but congradulations to him on the Drama Desk Award! O' Hare stole the show and he adds big laughs to the famous elevator scene most of all.

Janine LaManna and Kyra DaCosta were a great pair as Nikki and Helene. They were tripple threats- big voices, sincere actors, and sharp dancers. My eyes drifted to them a lot even in ensemble numbers. They harmonized beautifully together and really worked well off of each other. They were great.

There were some other stand out performances by Paul Schoeffler and Rob Bartlett, but the ensemble was one of the most energized I'd ever seen. They didnt seem bored on stage, but fresh and alert. They aced Wayne Cilento's recreation of Fosse's big dance numbers and were remarkable to watch. Their faces, not only their bodies, were constantly involved.

The ochestra was amazing, which the CD does not do justice to if anyone owns it. I caught myself watching the conducter a lot and watching how intensly involved he is with the show. The pit was very powerful making the music very lively.

The set was bright and fun- totally bringing you back into the 60s. I loved how they did the elevator and the ferris wheel! I'm not that good at evaluating technical theatre, such as sound and lighting, but I I had no trouble hearing anyone and the lighting was extremely effective during Big Spender.

All in all, Sweet Charity is worth seeing. It has many show stopping dance numbers and it tells the charming story of a girl who just wishes to find love. It really touched my heart. I applaud Christina Applegate and the entire cast once more.
On a scale from 1-10 the show earned a 7.5.

Anyone else see Sweet Charity on here that agree or disagree? I'd love to hear your opinions as well. And I apologize for having terrible grammer and for the way I write haha. Thanks!

[brdwyman]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 2:35pm

i love the music on the OCR. I'm goin to see it in september

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 2:40pm

I also love the show, and the cd, Denis is a great guy and he was my favorite part of the show too! The orch. was great live, really into it, loud and all, the cd doesn't capture that but it comes across well, the score really shines.

[brdwyman]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 2:44pm

i LOVE the overture on the CD

[QueenAnne82]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 2:45pm

Alright... here I go adding my voice of negativity. I don't like Applegate. She's not that great.

[brdwyman]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 2:47pm

her singing isnt great but it isnt really horrible

[Parks]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 3:41pm

I'm really hoping to catch it again before it closes. I saw it as a last minute plan--and I came out pleasantly surprised!

Anyone know how long it's supposed to run?

Christina is AMAZING in it. she totally makes it work!

[brdwyman]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 3:52pm

when does it close?

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 4:07pm

I think it is an open run.

I saw it in May and loved the show. I may see it again in November when I am back in NYC. Ms. Applegate was wonderful. A lot of people don't like her voice, but I think she was just fine. I think what I liked the most about it was that there were no major special effects, no major power song at the end of the 1st act. Just a good show with good music and a great cast that delivered the goods.

[Elphie]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 5:37pm

I very much agree with you uncageg!
I think thats what makes Sweet Charity special.