Went back last night for my friend’s birthday and we had two understudies on - John Yi as the Narrator and Star Quezon as Columbia. Yi succeeds because he doesn’t try to copy Rachel at all, and instead opts for a Vincent Price-esque character. He can also volley the comebacks as well as Rachel. Star Quezon should have been a contender to be promoted to Columbia and I’ll die on that hill. I was so happy to see that they were on because it helps when the third part of the alien triad can hold their own (and actually sing).
McHale and Courtney’s chemistry has evolved quite nicely, and Lorna has really gone full tilt into being a feral sex kitten by the second act. It is absolutely magnificent to watch and “Touch-A Touch-A” becomes a MAJOR highlight. By the end of that song, you could convince me that I was straight.
Our lord goddess Sherie Rene Scott stays winning. She does so much with Magenta that I’m discovering new things each time and her Usherette “SFDF” reprise has become pretty much a one act musical in itself. You can read on her face the sadness that has come from how the story was resolved, but then she collects herself and opens her arms with a smile to welcome the audience back to the wonder that is the movies.
I’m a bit mixed on Shears. However, I’m not sure if it’s necessarily him or the fact that Luke Evans was simply too powerful of a creature in that role. Shears plays up the camp for sure, but it definitely feels more giddy and cheeky as opposed to the mix of seduction and danger of Evans, or the Cajun-infused disdain of Soileau. It’s only been two weeks so I know he has some room to grow. At the stage door, it sounded like he was implying a short run, probably through November 29th (the previous extension before moving to February).
Salazar really rocks out at Eddie, and I think he finally settled on a lane for his Dr. Scott, which starts as a southern gentleman type (Texas-accent and a change to a bolo tie) before the jig is up on his Nazi past and then it’s full German accent. The chaotic camp that Harvey brought to the role to cover up his vocal shortcomings is definitely tamped down, but the character still works. Jimin as Rocky is still too grounded and self-aware for someone just born and with half a brain and is missing that sense of panic and naïveté - but his butt looks good in the singlet I guess?
My next planned trip is Rosie’s last show, if I don’t stumble back before then, and then the Halloween 10pm show
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