THE LAST FIVE YEARS (Off-Broadway) - Previews — Page 4

Just got back from it. Betsy Wolfe, as has been said, is really phenomenal. She's far better than her show partner, unfortunately. Kantor is in fine enough voice, but he was so frustrating to watch in his earlier uptempo numbers when his idea of barely-contained excitement for this girl he's crazy about is...sticking his hands in his pockets. He just had so little energy in his body, and I felt like he was an actor who needed some serious training in physicality. Betsy, however, was fantastic throughout, and really had a physical life as well as a vocal one for the character. I do, however, think that Kantor really blew it out of the water with "Nobody Needs to Know." That was really his shining moment, as "Summer in Ohio" is Betsy's.

I really liked the use of windows and lighting, although I felt the literal set pieces shoved on and off stage was a bit odd on top of the more abstract backdrop. It's hard for me to put my finger on it exactly, but.

I will say that overall it was an enjoyable, interesting show to watch. Just one with problems.

This is the second time in the past week that I've felt on the completely opposite side of the coin from all of the posters here. A sincere question for those of you who have posted about it: did you know the show going in? Or was this first exposure?

I knew the basic concept of the show but nothing beyond that. I think I may have heard someone sing "Summer in Ohio" at Joe's Pub, but that's about it.

I agree that Kantor and Wolfe both have serious pipes, and I found their performances beautifully sung and largely faultless. But I found each character impossible to connect with and hugely unlikeable. I never believed that they had been in love in the first place and was more baffled that they married than upset that they broke up. It all just felt like twee navel-gazing, like I was sitting in on the therapy session of two egotistical brats that I just couldn't stand.

I confess the moment that pushed me from dislike to dread was Jaime's book reading. If you're going to pretend your main character is a stellar novelist, don't let him read some hackneyed, cliche ridden pablum and expect us to believe he got a great review in The New Yorker.

But beyond that, the design was simply so ugly. Some of the worst projections I've ever seen. Poor, lovely Betsy Wolfe in the most unflattering clothes. A faux proscenium looking like ripped up paper poorly painted blue...

I just kept wondering if this would work better on a recording than live since it felt so dramatically inert to me. Bottom line: I don't blame the wonderful actors, but I liked nothing else about it and will officially go on record that no writer should ever direct their own work.

I will say that it might be a little difficult for people that aren't familiar with the show to connect with it as much. For one thing, I think you definitely have to understand the concept going in because it's not expressly stated and I see how it could be confusing for some.

Even if you're not as familiar with the music, I still think it evokes emotion from the audience.

dave, I'll see your Matthew James Thomas and raise you a that gay chorus boy from SMASH who was in the audience too.

---

I saw the matinee on 3/30- same day as Taryn. I thought both actors were fantastic and felt that Adam nailed "Shiksa Goddess" and really won the audience over at that point... people were laughing from the very first line. Something got very off musically at the end of "Moving Too Fast"... not sure if Adam skipped a line or if the tempos got off or what, but for several measures, the band and Adam were very off and the piano player turned around and seemed to be giving some directions to one of the cellists... just curious if anyone else has noticed issues in that part.
"Summer in Ohio" was the highlight for me... that was a song that I always found a little grating... but Betsy gave it new life and made it hilarious and moving and beautiful. The show got pretty stagnant around "If I Didn't Believe in You" and I didn't find that song as engaging as it could be. In fact, I had to wake up my guest next to me after that one! Overall, loved it... wasn't crazy about the sets or those TV screens, but the performances were great, particularly Betsy's.

On Saturday, he seemed to be riffing at most every opportunity... a lot in Shiksa and Schmuel especially...