13 Dress Rehearsal:
I saw the Dress Rehearsal for invited teens yesterday and thought the show was awesome!
Let me start by saying:
I've been reading some bashing reviews from a few people on the broadwayworld boards (aka WiCkEDrOcKS), mostly immature attention starved teens looking for attention on the internet. Having an opinion is one thing, but bashing the entire show is ridicules, does it need work? sure it does, but I think it will be really wonderful once the production is completed.
You can tell how immature this person is through their posts in this thread :
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?page=4&thread=978125&boardid=1 (How the audience is annoying him on line, etc. from his profile name alone his opinions seem highly biased and unnecessary for a dress rehearsal review, I choose to see the potential rather than be rude during the beginning of the process of editing a show, creators were watching it in a new element for the first time along with this audience.)
NOW with that out of the way more specific thoughts:
First off people should keep in mind that this was the first ever complete run of the show, it was a dress rehearsal and there is a preview process ahead of the show.
I think that the choreography in the production is fantastic at times, and a bit unnecessary at other times, the excess will be cut away in time, still performed really well by the cast, very impressive.
The music was really wonderful, you can tell that the production is still beginning previews, but I think the cast recording will be really popular once it is released; some great singles, and really captures each characters voice in the stages of development. You can tell that Jason Robert Brown wrote the music specifically in the correct keys for each character to sound like they are in a teenagery prepubescent point of their lives. A very smart composer, we could use more of them these days putting out original work and nurturing the characters as apposed to the crowd pleasers, but still understanding the balance between the two.
I really enjoyed the book by Robert Horn, as did the audience, responding so powerfully that the show was interrupted many times, wild applause and laughter, a very brave book, i'm really excited to see how it forms.
I think the show is introducing some amazing new talent to New York, Allie Trimm has an absolutely amazing voice, her tone is fantastic and she had great control, making it look easy like a pro. "What it means to be a friend" is fantastic. Major chills.
Brynn Williams, Caitlin Gann and Ariana Grande had amazing voices, and fantastic presence showcased in the last song "Brand New You" I predict a big future for all of them, though I must say that their voices are sorely underused in the production.
Graham Philips as Evan completely held the show together on his own, a very hard task during a dress rehearsal with a WILD audience, interrupting the flow of the scenes and yelling out at rude and inappropriate moments. Major props to him, his voice is fantastic as well.
Aaron Simon Gross was absolutely amazing as Archie, whose character makes the show for me. He was completely dedicated to his character, physically, vocally, and emotionally. Five stars from me, maybe even a supporting tony nomination, I wouldn't be surprised.
That's all for now! Maybe more thoughts next time I see the show!
Check it out! Its wonderful.
Updated On: 9/14/08 at 04:05 PM
