The triumph of The People in the Picture is that the show insists upon -- and earns -- heroic stature for even small gestures of humanity. A man loses his life over bringing a doll to a little girl. Another man is knifed to death because he cannot ultimately joke his way out of the anti-Semitism of bullies. One by one the good and noble people we have come to admire and love are murdered, and yet the others do not cut and run. They fight the only way they know how -- with their art.
When The People in the Picture, a world premiere production by Roundabout Theatre Company that stars the estimable Donna Murphy, isn't falling under the weight of heart-clogging sentimentality, it's offering a spate of lackluster numbers that suggest what the Fiddler on the roof would be like were he relegated to the basement - it's the difference between kosher and kosher-style. People in a Blurry Picture
I thought Murphy was absolutely fantastic, wonderful acting, but wonder how she ended up in this show. Just for the interesting acting opportunity? Probably being paid a fair amount, maybe that's why the bare set. This musical just isn't that good. Enjoyable enough to sit through I suppose, if a friend paid for tickets I'd go again (mostly to see Murphy), but wouldn't buy tickets myself. Bad story.
I thought Murphy was absolutely fantastic, wonderful acting, but wonder how she ended up in this show. Just for the interesting acting opportunity? Probably being paid a fair amount, maybe that's why the bare set.
No, Roundabout is cheap. 9 times out of 10, their sets for Studio 54 are barren. That, coupled with uncomfortable seating are why it takes me so long to get around to seeing anything there.