So, She Loves Me - such a treat! But a treat in a candy floss / popcorn kind of way, not that much nutrition in the end. My basis for seeing the show was to see Jane Krakowski and to balance the tone of the different shows I'll be seeing on my trip, and I must say that it delivered with these two factors. Jane K in the 'Ilona' number was extraordinary and for much of the first act I was filled with jubilation and beamed all the way through. From the gratuitously long restaurant scene that closed Act I, however, my enthusiasm waned a tad.
That's not to say that I didn't enjoy the rest of the show but after the boss of the store appears to do something in particular, you think that the show is headed in a different, more interesting direction. Sadly this doesn't come to fruition. I think that the third quarter of the show has some real problems, which are obviously not down to this production but the book itself. I wish someone could explain to me the point of devoting so much time in the restaurant to the unnecessary dance sequence and the gratingly OTT maitre'd. Here the show became too stodgy and plodding for my liking but the very enjoyable Christmas sequence at the end was definitely worth waiting for.
All in all, I'm so glad that I made the time to see She Loves Me. It was everything that I wanted a London production of Guys and Dolls - that I was disappointed by last month - to be. It really is a joy. I wish I could say more but seeing Gillian Anderson's Streetcar tonight has totally worn me out!
I just have a question for the stage door people - would it be acceptable for me to stage door and try to catch Jane K another night while I'm still in NYC as long as I have my playbill? I was mega jet-lagged yesterday and couldn't wait to get to my hotel and sleep. If this is the case, does anyone have a guidance for how long after the show people started coming out so I can plan in advance? Thanks so much.
