The Apple Tree 1/21

[pianoman215]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 10:12am

A very short review - this is my first time seeing this show and I was totally disappointed. Enough has been said about the poor set and direction, but I thought Kristin's performance was very lackluster. She had moments of cuteness and her singing was lovely but something was missing.

As for the show, what a snorefest. I was bored throughout and found very little that I actually enjoyed. Marc Kudish is completely wasted in this show. The only bright spot was Brian d'Arcy James who was truly wonderful in a mediocre show.

Not worth the time, travel or trouble to get into the city.
Updated On: 1/22/07 at 10:12 AM

[Johnnytoc]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 10:19am

Funny you found it that way- I found the show to be the opposite- with Brian D'Arcy James being just ok in an overall fun show. I also thought Marc was fantastic.

[pianoman215]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 10:22am

And even the barechested studs in The Lady Or the Tiger disappointed! 3 of them really need to get to the gym!

[ken8631]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 4:07pm

Saw it last night (1/26) - very enjoyable... Kristin, Brian and Marc were great!!!

[bjh2114]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 5:25pm

So I just saw the show on Wednesday night, after having read past reviews which said that Kristen and Marc were amazing and that Brian was subpar. I have to say, I agree with pianoman. I think Brian was by far the best of the three (with the exception of Act 2, where all 3 were terrible). I think Marc's snake was a little rediculous, and his balladeer was extremely kitchy. I liked Marc as the narrator in Act 3 though. As for Kristen, I liked her as Ella (but not Passionella, lol) and that's it. I found her Eve really irritating and her Barberra annoying as all hell. I frowned all through Act 2, except for when Kristen sang with the paper in her mouth. That was the only point in Act 2 that I came close to smiling. Overall, I thought Brian was the best one.
-BJH

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 8:14pm

i loved the apple tree. i thought it was fantastic.

[Horton]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 9:05pm

I have done this show already.

I think Act two is the worst act by FAR, but in this production it was the best (which really says somthing). What I really hated was Kristen, and Marc in Act Two. His guitar playing was so bad I thought that he was singing out of tune. then I thought that the pit was completely out of tune, then I realized. Brian was lacklustered and forgettable. And Kristen's Eve was the worst i have ever seen. I have seen people in 7th grade comunity theatre play the role better. It really reminded me of Sally "NO, NO, Crawler, hopper, etc." I hated this production with a passion. I also hated how thin and tinny the pit sounded, where was the string section!

[teka21]

Posted: 1/28/07 at 4:36pm

I was at opening night for this show with high expections based on Harnick's other terrific work- and was soooooooo disappointed!
The whole production felt cheesy and moldy. Dated, hokey, like an old variety show skit that went on too long. Kristin Chenoweth didn't help much- all energy but no nuance or grace. It just seemed cheap- from the missing sets, uninventive costuming, lighting, a bummer. All the humor seemed forced.
However, since I was seated quite near the strings, the music was fine...

[Jellylorum]

Posted: 1/28/07 at 5:00pm

I loved The Apple Tree; I thought it was a really cute and enjoyable show. I didn't go in with high expectations for it, so I was pleasantly surprised.

[aspen]

Posted: 1/28/07 at 5:55pm

The show wasn't amazing, but it was fun and entertaining and had a very intimate feel. As for the sets, they were obviously never meant to be "dazzling", so there's really no point insulting that aspect of the show.

I agree Kristin did a better job in the Encores production, but Marc and Brian were great. No complaints here.

The overall production isn't "Broadway", but taken without context it's a good piece of theatre.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 1/28/07 at 6:42pm

I went in for a mediocre show with great performers, and that's pretty much what I got. Though recently, the show has grown on me, via the 1966 OBC.