The Threepenny Opera (my take on it) 4/15 2pm -err..Possible Spoilers

[GirlforTartaglia]

Posted: 4/16/06 at 6:18pm

Well, I'm not much of a great review writer but I shall attempt this from what I remember.
Now, I entered this production with VERY mixed anticipations because I've read a lot on this board about it being very difficult to understand if you were not accustomed to it, it being very boring because it was 90% scenes 10% songs, uncomprehensible, weak acting, etc.
However, by the end of the show, I could NOT fathom how anyone thought any of that! (Yes everyone has their own opinions, but c'mon, this was near brilliant).
I wont go into anything about the plot due to spoilers, but I found the story to be amazing. Simply amazing. Very easy to follow - I was only accustomed to anything about the show through a brief synopsis I read and a little bit of the first (1950's?) production CD to which I didn't really like. The music and the story itself were very well accompanied by the incredibly talented cast-ensemble being included. Whenever an ensemble sang / spoke, my attention was hooked on them - they were amazing.

**Oh yeah, I sat row BB Mezz. AMAZING seats.
Now, onto the "big names"..

Alan Cumming - I had read on the boards that Macheath is minimalized..that may be true compared to earlier versions, but I found in this one, your focus really was on Macheath whether he was on or off of the stage. I am REALLY disappointed I never saw Alan as the Emcee, but just as glad I guess to be seeing this show in Studio54/Roundabout theatre productions, and I found him to be absolutely captivating. His singing, although sometimes a bit undecipherable but still able to get the basic jist of it due to the Scottish accent, was emotion packed - loved it. I thought his take on Macheath did exactly what he claimed to do through some of his interviews - take this raunchy character and make him likeable in that sort of way. I'm still in shock as to how great a stage presence he is. Wow. I'd personally nominate him for a Tony, but still after seeing Sweeney Todd felt that Cerveris could do a lot more with his character so I feel he deserves it, but Alan was still incredible.

Ana Gasteyer-This woman can sing! She has mad pipes, yo (<--if American Idol's Randy Jackson was judging her, in my opinion). Although I think she sounded a bit nasily sometimes, I think it's just her voice. But she is a powerhouse! Definately the loudest voice of the women, strongest voice. She brought great comedic timing to Mrs. Peachum, and although she did not have that much acting time, still a good deal, her singing completely wowed everyone and I felt that no one else could have played that role - Edie Falco was originally for it? I doubt she could have pulled it off.

Jim Dale- I'm sixteen and did not know who he was until yesterday. I had read "Broadway Legend Jim Dale in Threepenny!!" and thought "..okay, well I'm seeing it for Alan Cumming, who is this Jim Dale?". But he was amazing. Absolutely perfect for Mr. Peachum I thought. His stage presence and experience really showed through on the stage and I thought he was hilarious!

Nellie McKay- Since I dont know how Polly is supposed to be, I found her take very believable. Her voice is very pure, and her speaking voice sounds almost like Judy Garland at a young age. She is gorgeous, but she seemed to hold back just a little bit - I feel that there could have been a little more to her "Pirate Jenny" but still nonetheless she was VERY entertaining. Her acting impressed me just a bit more than her singing, although please don't get me wrong, both were great. She was hilarious w/ Dale and Gasteyer and during the wedding scene brought an amazing light of naitivity (sp?--it's supposed to be the noun form of 'naive' ) in contrast with Macheath's gang.

Just let me mention, people said that songs were not recognizable after the show? Like once you saw the show you forgot all song aspects of it? Umm, well the Army Song has been stuck in my head (along with the staging of it replaying over and over again)..just letting you know..

Cyndi Lauper- I was a bit hesitant in deciding whether or not I liked her in the role, but in it's entirety, I felt she was absolutely wonderful. In all of her scenes she was a bit reserved but had that raunchy prostitute proudness to her and her songs were emotion packed! Solomon's Song was AMAZING. And god the lighting on her (I'll talk about the techy stuff a bit later) just made the whole mood perfect. She was a great part of the show.

And sorry for these next two..I don't have the names from the playbill by me :x

The man playing Tiger Brown - He was definatley a great presence-wonderful in The Army Song. Great contrast with Macheath and you really felt some lost love / tension between them.
The man playing Lucy Brown - That voice was brilliant. I honestly think he could have been the best female singer there! Not to mention, he was hilarious, but he really took on the role of Lucy rather than just spoofing a woman.

I have no complaints with the casting whatsoever. I found it to be great.
Now, the Brecht style which I read up on before seeing it-detatchment and whatnot (okay, so I was accustomed to that too a bit). Having the actors walk on the stage from the back of the theatre, costume change during the overture, makeup each other, no curtain call, etc. really added to the 'get the point of the social commentary across in this blatant form' was such an amazing theatrical experience. The whole aura of everything was perfect. The costumes were great too! Mizrahi's designs were a tad risque but that coupled with the insanity of it all was a match made in heavan.
Now, the lighting. Oh my gosh. Amazing. Everything was perfect, really added to the scenes. Especially I felt during the last few scenes of Act 2 everything was represented in a great light which reflected everything happening in the story.

I probably forgot a lot, but if anyone has ANY questions regarding this, feel free to drop me a PM and I'll respond ASAP. I'm not jumping to conclusions, but I truly feel this is my favorite show. It replaced RENT, Sweeney Todd (although that is amazing in it's own way), and Avenue Q and Thoroughly Modern Millie in my book, because every aspect of it captivated me. You may be thinking "oh she's 16, what does she know?" but I am very mature for my age, hoping to major in musical theatre at Tisch (auditioning in November! wish me luck!! :) )and I take the theatre very seriously, and this just struck me in a way that no show has ever before. It was in one word, Brilliant.

After the show I got pictures with Alan Cumming (very gracious-even signed some girl's ass- she was shocked he agreed to it and very thrilled afterwards ), Ana Gasteyer (also SO sweet) and Jim Dale (also SO sweet even though he was in a rush to get some where I think)..no one else came out - some people asked for Cyndi but the people at the door said she stays in between shows. Kind of wanted to see Nellie McKay afterwards and the guy who played Lucy, but hey, seeing them onstage was fine enough too :).

Well, I hope that was long enough for y'all and I really hope it gets great reviews on Thursday along with coming out with a CD and Vocal Selections book (since this one is updated and has different lyrics than the CD I have).

Oh, Happy Easter to all those it applys to :)

Updated On: 4/16/06 at 06:18 PM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 4/16/06 at 6:26pm

Nice review!

I think Ana just plays it nasal - a la channel or something. She is brilliant.

I think Cyndi plays the role very dry, and it works so well. She and Brian Charles Rooney (who plays Lucy) are defintitely the best parts of the show. And, of course, they are locked away until Act 2!

ETA:
gL on your audition!
Updated On: 4/16/06 at 06:26 PM

[GirlforTartaglia]

Posted: 4/16/06 at 6:32pm

Exactly, BSoBW2. Everything you said I completely agreed with.
Ana playing it nasal really worked as the uptight mother, especially when she'd crescendo and it'd get slightly more nasal, but I mean it wasnt at all bad sounding! Just my perception of it, and it totally added to the character either way :)
And oh yes, Brian Charles Rooney. What an amazing person.

And thanks! eek! (still have so long to wait though haha)


ETA, your icon, sheer brilliance. That entire moment was great..Hell, act 2 was great...Hell the whole damn thing was great :)

Updated On: 4/16/06 at 06:32 PM

[GirlforTartaglia]

Posted: 4/16/06 at 8:56pm

Soo many views, one actual comment

C'mon people..if musical theatre performance doesnt' work out for me, journalism is my next option i.e. theatre critic ...and I promise I'll use a more varied vocabulary other than 'amazing' as my designated adjective

[toomeytwopiece]

Posted: 4/16/06 at 10:04pm

well, I will comment
thanks for the compliments ;-p

I wish I HAD met you - when I leave the stage door, no one knows what I look like - so they think I am probably a crew person... I mean, i look like my pic in the playbill, but NOTHING like lucy

www.briancharlesrooney.com

I am so happy that the show had such a positive impact on you.
-brian

[OasisBroadway]

Posted: 4/17/06 at 10:03am

I saw Threepenny on Saturday evening. I agree with everything said above. This show is a must see.

Cyndi is absolutely wonderful in her Broadway debut. "Solomon Song" is wonderful. I can't picture anyone else playing this role. Ana Gasteyer is just, wow. I never realized that she had such a powerful voice. At first I felt that she played the role a little too "Saturday Night Live" but then I realized that its just the way she is. Alan Cumming was good as well. He has an amazing stage presence. I agree that he was a bit difficult to understand at times (at least from the mezzanine). I am not sure if it was the accent or the miking. Nellie plays the role of Polly perfectly. The same goes for Jim Dale in his role as Mr. Peachum. Another standout was Brian Charles Rooney. That girl (uh, man I mean ) can sing! His comedic timing in the role was spot on. The scene in Lucy's bedroom is great. There are some things about this role I am confused about though.

Overall it was an very enjoyable evening. I can't say that I entirely understood the show, but I definitely have my interest piqued to the point that I want to find out some more about it, and then go see it again.

After thow show I got to meet Ana, Nellie, Jim, Alan, and Cyndi at the stage door and get them to sign my poster. Nellie was an absolute sweetheart. She is sarcastic in almost everything she says. A high school girl was asking her advice on which school she should attend for theater, and Nellie replied that she doesn't know because she chose the school that had the best pot dealer. She was also very funny when she asked "Did you enjoy the show? Did you understand it? Good, can you explain it to us then?!" Cyndi was funny was well. She eventually came out after about an hour and it looked like she had a few drinks backstage.

Brian, I am sorry that I didn't get you to sign my poster. I was on the lookout for you but I guess you snuck out!

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 4/17/06 at 11:16am

Nellie replied that she doesn't know because she chose the school that had the best pot dealer.

HAHAHAHA

[creasemouse]

Posted: 4/17/06 at 11:31am

What is Studio 54 like now, Ive only been to NY once and caught Cabaret there. I fell in love with the venue

From the looks of the seating plan, it now looks like a 'proper theatre' no more tables - boo hiss!

Also what is the set design like for the show? - red curtains, costume racks and neon lights. Sounds great. I love mininal staging

finally, Where is the band based, are they still up on a balcony?

I also have a strong interest in the works of Kurt Weil

Please and thanks

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 4/17/06 at 11:41am

It is a regular theatre. The stage is HUGE. And it still feels a little different than a regular theatre. But it's auditorium seating.

The band is located in the two boxes on either side of the stage.

The show begins with only costume racks onstage. After the first scene, a red velvet curtain covers the upstage wall.

The signs used are neon. Mr. Peachums Establishment is backed by a large mirror.

And the last scene has a different backdrop.
Updated On: 4/17/06 at 11:41 AM

[Freckles1329]

Posted: 4/17/06 at 8:31pm

OMG I am so excited to see Threepenny!!! The reviews and everyone's comments are making me way too anxious. I don't get to see it until May 27 b/c I'm in college and I can't go to the city whenever, like if I was home. I'm a huge Alan Cumming and Ana Gasteyer fan and I CANNOT wait to see them!!!!

[ThePinballWizard]

Posted: 4/17/06 at 8:36pm

Oh I wish I was there to see this production. Just to see Miss Cyndi Lauper onstage....

"SUSHI I LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHVE SUSHI!"