Thanksgiving Weekend Shows (Reviews)

[trombonist]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 8:03am

My parents came into town Thursday night, and since they love theater, we saw a few shows.

Friday night was "The Marvelous Wonderettes". I've seen it a few times before (it's my "happy show"), but not since the new cast members (Courtney Balan and Lowe Taylor) came in, and not since they went to tracked music. All in all I was quite pleased! I love what Courtney and Lowe bring to their characters and to the chemistry as a whole. Fantastic!! The music was...eh...admittedly not great if you've seen it with a live band. My parents, who hadn't seen it before, thought it was fine. There are some songs that are faster than the band took them and others (more in this category) that are slower. But all in all, it was great! Additionally, it was extra fun because my dad got to be Mr. Lee (SPOILERS - They pick an audience member to be the music teacher Mr. Lee for each performance. Also to be Ms. McPherson the gym teacher, but she doesn't get pulled on stage.), so that made it more special!

Saturday matinee was "Ragtime". I'd seen it before - this production - and was less than impressed. I'm still not drinking the kool-aid, but I did overall enjoy it more this time. Terence Archie was on as Coalhouse Jr., and he was simply amazing. He hit all his notes correctly (when I saw it before, Quentin missed the final note in "Make Them Hear You" badly - reminiscent of Laura Bell Bundy and the last note in "So Much Better") and was dead on with the acting. I wouldn't complain if he's on again if I go to see it again. I think Stephanie Umoh would be done a huge service if someone would sit her down and tell her to quit trying to be Audra. I'm fairly certain all the comparisons (negative) in the reviews are because she appears to be trying to be Audra and it's not working. Christiane Noll did actually sing all of "Back to Before" unlike last time when she spoke all of verse 2 and more, and she truly does have a wonderful voice. I'm not sold on the way they concert-stage the final verse with her standing dead center, doing nothing but singing, and then drop the lights the moment she finishes. Let her act it out like the rest of the song. This isn't a concert staging of the show, so why for that number? And I fail to understand why they don't have Coalhouse III already on stage other than it wouldn't give them their "AWWWWWWW" and instant applause moment when el kiddo comes running out. It doesn't make sense he wouldn't already be out there. But I did enjoy it more. And my parents are totally into patriotic crap, so they ate it up.

Saturday night was "South Pacific" and it was divine! While I appreciate Paulo, William Michals was my first Emile, and I absolutely adore him. So I was extremely excited when I saw his name on the understudy board. And he didn't disappoint at all. I heard numerous people saying "I had no idea he was the understudy! He fits the part so well and is amazing!" Yay! Kelli was divine as always. Unquestionably the best experience of the weekend!!

And last night we randomly got tickets at tkts for Radio City. Um...we have seen it. LOL. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great imho. Though I do admire the Rockettes for their abilities. They are impressive.

Overall, it was a great weekend.
Updated On: 11/30/09 at 08:03 AM