In hindsight, this is a production that made me re-evaluate what I thought about the show itself and makes me think quite a bit less of it as a whole.
Don't get me wrong, I think the score is wonderful. Every song is great as a standalone. But as a cohesive piece of drama? I'm not sure. I don't think either Cathy or Jamie are particularly well developed, nor is their romance, nor is their conflict. The show's structure requires each song to essentially stand on its own, but it also requires a lot of telling and not a lot of showing, but I'm not sure it all adds up. A show that is essentially nothing more than he said/she said is pretty difficult to make work, particularly when their conflicting perspectives don't really even add more understanding.
Having incredibly well-matched and charismatic performers like Sherie and Norbert can paper over these things, especially since the show is best known as a cast album, but a weaker production with poorly matched and cast performers like this one reveals that underneath the wallpaper there are structural issues.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Updated On: 6/21/25 at 11:42 AM
