I saw the show again last night (8/30) for the second time, my first time being its second performance. I was eager to see the changes that had been made as well as be able to look for things I might have missed the first time around, as I was completely taken in by the fun and excitement.
I noticed a LOT of changes, big and small, most of which I think were for the best. I guess these aren't really spoilers since it's just stuff that's been added/dropped, but here's a warning just in case...
****
For example, like many others on this board (including myself) predicted, they realized the marker-sniffing was a bit much and downplayed it to the point where it was actually funny each time it came up, and not overdone. They changed Orfeh's song which I wasn't too crazy about, though Leslie Kritzer said that probably won't stay. They dropped Wayne Wilcox's bit as the strip-club owner and gave it to Marya, which I think worked better. Unfortunately, this gave Wayne even less stage time, and I am in complete agreement with MEF that it's the role's fault, not his, that his character isn't more enjoyable. I'd love to see more of him if it were better written...and if you listen closely during his song you'll hear that he actually has a really impressive voice (never heard him do Piazza, but I'd love to). One weird thing I noticed - the audience was great and really responsive, but during the final number, no one (and I mean NO ONE) laughed at "make like a nail and press on"). It was the strangest thing, and the cast noticed it too. Weird.
*****
The girls are still my favorite, and if I didn't favor one in particular before, I would now have to say that Leslie Kritzer rises above the rest (just barely). It's weird - I agree with all the negative criticism surrounding her in terms of her overdoing it, but for some reason it just doesn't bother me...quite the opposite in fact. I don't know, for a show like this it just works, plain and simple. Linda Hart and Marya Grandy continue to shine, and their ad-libs and facial expressions are side-splittingly priceless. "Oh my gay hell" is probably the funniest line in the entire show.
One thing I notice this time around, that I guess I overlooked the first time, was that Shuler stuck out like a sore thumb in terms of singing. I think he's perfect for the role, and if he has been with this show from the beginning, then it's the composer's fault for not writing stuff to better fit his voice. I mean this is a classically trained Tony winner and he just sounds like a complete amateur up there. It's really sad actually, especially when he's singing alongside Orfeh and Kaitlin Hopkins, both of whom are just stellar performers. I just sat there wanting him to be better than he was, but like I said it wasn't all his fault. Don't know how much they can fix that too. He really is a delight to watch, though, as is everyone.
Not too much else new to report, other than to say this show just keeps getting better and better. The cast is just having a blast up there and it makes the experience as an audience member that much more enjoyable. They're all great to talk to after the show, so appreciative of compliments and really interested to hear opinions on the changes (or at least friendly enough to humor me
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If you haven't seen this show yet, I can't recommend it enough - I know I shouldn't hype it up too much as that can only lead to disappointment (cough PRODUCERS cough), but if you just go in expecting funny, enjoyable, lighthearted material and some real powerhouse voices, it's sure not to disappoint. This is probably the last show I'll have seen during my short time left here, and I couldn't have ended my summer on a better note.
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
