The Apple Tree Reviews

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 6:22pm

The AP is Mixed-to-Positive (a rave for Chenoweth, but mixed for the production itself):


"Talk about polishing the "Apple" until it shines.

In the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of "The Apple Tree," Kristin Chenoweth makes her own special brand of musical-comedy magic. The woman belongs in the theater (not in movies like "Deck the Halls" or her short-lived TV series "Kristin"), preferably in a musical that can show off her voice and delirious comic timing at the same time.

She gets just such an opportunity in this odd, uneven entertainment, actually three one-act Jerry Bock-Sheldon Harnick musicals based on short stories by Mark Twain, Frank R. Stockton and Jules Feiffer."

________________________________________________________________

Bock and Harnick, who wrote such musicals as "Fiddler on the Roof,""Fiorello!" and "She Loves Me," are craftsmen of the old school. Even with a show that is not of first rank (and "The Apple Tree" belongs in their second tier), Harnick's lyrics are never less than intelligent. They often are warmhearted and witty, while Bock's music, particularly in the first piece, is affecting without being overly sentimental.
________________________________________________________________

The production designs are still minimal. "Adam and Eve," for example, is performed on a nearly bare playing area. And the chorus lineup is exceptionally skimpy, only four guys and four girls. But don't worry. Kristin Chenoweth can fill the stage all by herself."


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/12/14/entertainment/e142629S14.DTL

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 6:47pm

While we're on the subject of "The Apple Tree" and waiting for more reviews, has there been any word on a cast album for this production?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 6:49pm

No matter how good she is, there is no way she will surpass Barbara Harris'performance in the original

I am sure she is very good but Harris nailed all 3 roles

[B3TA07]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 6:51pm

theaterkid1015 - I'm pretty sure earlier today there was an entire thread devoted to the discussion of a Cast Recording for this show. Scroll down a little and you're bound to find it.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 6:52pm

Thank you, B3TA07, I'll look for it. And, thank you for being so polite in telling me.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 6:53pm

In case you can't find the theread: Cast Recording expected on Sony after the limited run closes.
Updated On: 12/14/06 at 06:53 PM

[B3TA07]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 6:55pm

Oh no problem! I was actually worried it would come off as condescending/sarcastic, a context in which I totally didn't mean it to be.



And someone mentioned 110 was being done by Nunesuch. Anyone know if they're doing Company too?

Can't wait to read the rest of these reviews...

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 7:17pm

I agree with Kuchwara whole-heartedly.
Updated On: 12/14/06 at 07:17 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 7:36pm

Yeah, Barbara Harris nailed the role. Ethel Merman nailed Mamma Rose. Mary Martin nailed Nellie Forbush. Who cares? We can't ressurect performances from the Broadway memory graveyard.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 7:49pm

well Chenoweth doesn't ressurect anything in this production. She doesn't her darndest work onstage to make sure that The Apple Tree nevers the light of day again after this.

[OddExoticCreature]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 7:59pm

what?

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 8:00pm

Lol, OEC. I was about to say the same thing.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 8:00pm

Guys...I really really hope THE TOUNGE OF DEATH doesn't strike again on this show's "Word of Mouth."

[zepka102]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 8:38pm

i obviously was not around for the original, but i think she did a great job... as did the rest of the cast... and i hope it does well during its limited run!

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 8:41pm

Haha!! Oh B3TA07, that would be awesome! I would just crack up!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 8:59pm

Oh God, I can't even look at Broadway.com for this show.

"I liked how the girl from Bewitched sang real high. It was real different how they did 3 different shows in one. Real unique. Not like Lion King at all,"

Or something like that...

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 9:02pm

The girl from RV was super awesome. She totally reminded me of that girl from that show about the white house. I hope the little boy reviews it and the grandma...."The Apple Tree" dealt with some serious issues like snake-sexuality and how fruits can be harmful.

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 9:30pm

Here's my review of THE APPLE TREE from a few days ago:

The show was alright, the performances - Fantastic!

https://nycriticscorner.broadwayworld.com/theappletree.htm

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 9:31pm

Wow, they're taking a long time tonight.

[Heybeenfood]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 9:40pm

Brantley adores Chenoweth so I am interested to hear what he has to say.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 9:52pm

Oh, Brantley's reviews for You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown and Wicked were both valentines to Chenoweth, he dismissed both productions but always gave Chenoweth his best compliments. From the AP review and the reviews on this board, his review for tonight will probably be the same.
I simply love Barbara Harris on the cast recording and the Tony performance, her "Oh,To Be A Movie Star/Gorgeous" scene is beyond hilarous yet very touching and simply incredible. I am looking forward to seeing the show next year and see how they compare.

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 9:57pm

Theatermania seems to love it:

http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/9669

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 10:04pm

It's Brantley time:

http://theater2.nytimes.com/2006/12/15/theater/reviews/15appl.html


Pretty much, loves the three leads. Thinks the shows outdated and the orchestra is sparse. Doesn't really talk about the ensemble much.

Updated On: 12/14/06 at 10:04 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 10:08pm

"Simba, Tarzan, Beauty, Beast: sorry, kids, but you’re not even in the running. The most winning performance by an animated cartoon in a Broadway musical is not to be found among the rows of dancing cyborgs in Disney productions. Look instead to the stage of Studio 54, where the virtues of Betty Boop, Jessica Rabbit and Blondie (wife of Dagwood, not the pop group) have been blended into one small, blindingly radiant package that goes by the name of Kristin Chenoweth.

In the Roundabout Theater Company’s revival of “The Apple Tree,” which opened last night, Ms. Chenoweth, who is not quite 5 feet, is giving Imax-screen-sized life to three curvaceous doodles who by rights shouldn’t be any larger than creatures confined to the frames of the Sunday funnies.

Ms. Chenoweth — a Tony-winning, classically trained soprano with the feral comic instincts of Lucille Ball — is fearless and, when need be, shameless. She uses every theatrical weapon in her lavishly stocked arsenal to make “The Apple Tree” her own. And with splendid support from Brian d’Arcy James and Marc Kudisch as the men in her characters’ lives, she emerges as a mighty conqueror.

The Roundabout version, designed by John Lee Beatty (sets) and Jess Goldstein (costumes), falls awkwardly between a bare-bones presentation and a full-dress production. This works just fine for the Adam and Eve sequence, conceived in the naked-stage tradition of “Our Town.”

In her first moment on stage, as Eve wakens into being, Ms. Chenoweth sleepily grabs the air, as if hugging a phantom lover. What Eve is really trying to embrace, it develops, is the whole world. For the duration of “The Apple Tree,” the whole world — or at least the entire audience at Studio 54, which is all the world that counts for two hours — is delighted to return the embrace."


It's a rave.

Updated On: 12/14/06 at 10:08 PM

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 10:29pm

I guess Clark fell asleep so maybe they are doing the video tomorrow.