TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (Delacorte) -- Reviews

Broadway.com is positive.

http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=517114&pn=1

Updated On: 8/28/05 at 08:22 PM

Theatremania.com -- pretty much echos Talkin Broadway.com

http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/6577

Updated On: 8/29/05 at 12:14 AM

New York Times (Brantley):
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/29/theater/reviews/29vero.html?hp&ex=1125374400&en=bb46dbe783bcb2d3&ei=5059&partner=AOL

Linda Winer:
http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/news/ny-etsecw4402678aug29,0,5582237.story

They all agree: The cast (basically Norm Lewis and Renee Goldsberry) is great, the show itself sucks, and Kim Grigsby's swaying with the music is more exciting than Act 1.

New York Daily News:
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/theater/story/341626p-291715c.html

Slacker -- Rosario Dawson isn't attempting to play Christine in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Julia in THREE GENTLEMEN OF VERONA is very slight musically, and was cast in the original production by Diana Davilla and Stockard Channing, neither of whom are great singers. It's like saying so-and-so isn't a great singer when playing Rizzo in Grease. It doesn't matter.

PS MB

They only shuffled Dawson into this role because they needed some theater credit, any theater credit, to justify her role in "Rent" the movie. It looks as though they're really scrambling now. Especially when they can coerce the NY Times chief theater critic into a ludicrous review like that.

And that brings up another point. If Dawson's role is so unimportant, why did Brantley bring her up at all? And since he DID bring her up it was incumbent on him to provide an accurate review of Dawson's performance. Not some useless pandering "WHO CARES!"

Ridiculous.

But she was just across the street keeping an eye on hubby.

She was reviewed by every major critic and received very positive notices from most of them, especially Brantley. Everyone said that she couldn't sing or dance, but she still got great reviews. So, her reasons for doing the show are irrelevant.

slacker - "her singing is so-so but who cares"

The same could be said of Gwen Verdon, Ann Reinking or Glenn Close. Actually, Dawson's voice is better than that of Diana Davila, who originated the role in the Broadway production of the musical. While I agree that Dawson's voice was weaker than other cast members, it does not mean that the role was written nor requires a strong voice (i.e. Sweet Charity). No one other than you claimed Dawson was nothing but a pretty face. You drew that conclusion on your own from Brantley saying her voice was so-so. Maybe you should see the production and judge for yourself before jumping to conclusions.

"So the requirements for Broadway now are -- a pretty face"

What do you mean "now"? You make it sound like this is something new. That has been one of the requirements (and at times, the only requirement) for over 100 years.

"They only shuffled Dawson into this role because they needed some theater credit, any theater credit, to justify her role in "Rent" the movie."

Uh, she didn't "need" any theatre credit. She already got the role and filmed it. Her role was already justified by those who needed to justify it - the director and the producers. Maybe you need it justified, but apparently not the studio.

Personally, I think everyone should see the show. I can completely understand how it beat Follies for Best Musical. Follies has always been about the score and the divas, but the show itself has never worked. Two Gentlemen of Verona, in the spirit of the musical comedy, absolutely works. The story is as silly as Shakespeare wrote it to be and the diverse score is effervescent and infectious. The clever staging (including the gorgeously lit trees, yet another reason to see it in the park), engaging performances, and political satire (relevant then and now) make this show a winner. In my own review, I mentioned that there are only a few moments where the comedy could be punched up and the finale needs a fresh take and the show is ready for a Broadway return. I would recast Dawson's role simply for a better fit with the rest of the cast. Mandy Gonzalez might be free soon....

---

Updated On: 8/30/05 at 12:02 PM

I heard her recordings of Can-Can, Damn Yankees, Redhead and New Girl in Town and while her voice is certainly unique, I'm not sure I would classify it as glorious. She has never been known for her singing quality, but for her dancing and her actiing, which have always made up for her local of vocal abilities. And it didn't hurt that she was cast in roles that were suitable for her vocal stylings.

---