I saw it yesterday afternoon. In a few words, it's one of the campiest things I have ever seen, and it's silly, but I had a really, really good time. For all the complaining I do about how fluff is killing art, sometimes I find a show that reminds me of the fact that there's something to be said for pure fun. I've been having a bit of a rough time with some stuff lately, and this kind of fun was exactly what I needed. It didn't solve the world's problems, and it sure as hell didn't solve mine, but I laughed and felt like myself again for the first time in a while, and in a very small personal way, there's a lot to be said for that. I absolutely adore the movie, so I expected to like the musical at least a little, but I do feel sort of guilty for really enjoying it.
Given the source material, it had to be campy; the level of camp wasn't surprising, at all. But they made it fun, where it could easily have been annoying. The score is surprisingly memorable, I thought; I've had a lot of the music stuck in my head. The sets and the lights are just sort of there; they do their jobs because they're necessary, but there's not much to be said for them. The costumes are a bit much, but hysterical anyway. Much of the book sounded like it was lifted directly from the movie, which is a good thing, because the movie is fantastic.
The part of the show worth the most discussion is the cast, though.
I had thought it would be difficult to re-create an Adam Sandler role, because he really puts himself into his roles, for better or for worse. I had thought it would be perhaps even more difficult to enjoy a re-creation of a role Sandler did a good job with. But, I think I liked Lynch's performance as Robbie even better; he played the character with more sincerity and less gimmicky comedy than Sandler does, and he has a great voice -- and he's adorable, to boot. He's very charismatic, and gives Robbie a sweeter spin than Sandler did. The performance certainly isn't Tony-worthy, but he's wonderful. He's got enough charm, even, to attempt to help along the scenes between he and Benanti, which otherwise would probably fall even flatter than they do. She's the only one who is sorely, sadly miscast. It's hard not to compare her to Drew Barrymore, but she is the polar opposite of everything associated with Barrymore's work. Where Drew's Julia felt honest and pure drawing up that sort of sweet, wonderful innocence, Laura was forced and stiff. There are supposed to be sparks flying between Robbie and Julia from the very first time you see them together; it feels like the chemistry is coming from Lynch, but not from Benanti, and one-sided chemistry doesn't work at all.
The cast members really worth talking about, though, are the ones in the featured parts. One of the best things about this show, for me, was seeing some of my favorite people do some of their best work. Felicia Finley is Linda, Robbie's fiance-turned ex; she only has two songs, but she doesn't let you forget them. She's more commanding of the stage than I had remembered, and her belt is beautiful, huge, and unique. Richard Blake has finally been cast in a role that allows him to give a performance the audience can buy. He was all wrong for Radames, and a little better for Link, but Glenn is a great role for him. He lacks something in presence compared to some of his castmates, and he's not much a dancer, but he really fits this role; he's a talented guy, so that's good to see. (Eric Summers, who played Mereb when Aida closed is in the ensemble; it was good to see him, because he's great.) Kevin Cahoon and Amy Spanger steal the show. I can't rave enough about the two of them. At all. Amy is gorgeous, sexy, and hysterical; you can't take your eyes off of her. Kevin just... in a nutshell, owns his role. I can't imagine anyone else playing it the way he does; he's so perfect.
A work of art is an invitation to love.
