Thoughts on NANETTE

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 7:41pm

I don't think there's any better show to serve as an intro to Encores! than the wonderful production of NO, NO, NANETTE. If anything deserves a Broadway transfer, it's this. Polished to the greatest possible degree, the cast is largely off-book and often don't even take the scripts with them on stage.

The production is a total joy to watch, from, as Brantley said, the "sorbet colored" lighting to the dazzling and show-stopping choreography by Randy Skinner.

The cast is the tops - not a poor performance in the bunch. Sandy Duncan hoofs it like a 20-year old. Mara Davi finally shows leading lady star quality. Beth Leavel's blues number in the 3rd act is gorgeous. Rosie O'Donnell is hilarious. Michael Berressee finally gets to show his mind-blowing agility that we haven't really seen since Kiss Me, Kate.

A fun, totally worthwhile afternoon at City Center...and it goes to show that material easily be viewed as corny and dated can have more substance and wit in its worst number than a show like Cry-Baby has in its best...

[jv92]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 8:49pm

Yankee, I agree.
What a score! The story is flimsy and fizzy, but this Vincent Youmans/Irving Caesar/Otto Harbach score is truly one of the musical theatre's gems. It is the reason this show survives. The score, along with the brilliant orchestraitons of Ralph Burns and the expert book tweaking of Burt Shevelove are the reasons why this revised 1971 version survives. Brantley has every reason in world to compare Youmans to Puccini.
The cast at Encores! is really great, even Rosie(!), who is inarguably giving the performance of her theatrical career. Sandy Duncan, Beth Leavel, Mara Davi and the gang are expert and wonderful. Randy Skinner's dances are utterly charming and Walter Bobbie's direction is excellent.
After half baked Applause and the Juno I did not see but I heard could have been better, this closes the Encores! season on a veryhigh note.

PS: Next year, Jack, Rob, Walter and the gang- do some of the Rodgers and Hart shows that have gone unrecorded. I usually push the lesser known Kander and Ebb titles, but shows like I Married an Angel, I'd Rather Be Right and By Jupiter (even though there is a good Off-Broadway album) should be recorded in all their glory. Or at least HEARD in all their glory.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 8:49pm

Were you at the matinee today? I was there up in the rear mezzanine.

I was kind of expecting to like the show, even though I didn't really know anything about it. What I wasn't expecting was to be so completely charmed by this show. You said it perfectly. I really hope this does transfer to Broadway (preferably with the current cast intact).

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 8:51pm

Wow, interesting thoughts...because me and mom went to today's matinee and thought it was basically a snoozefest. We were actually ready to leave after Act II, but didn't. I have to agree, however that Beth Leavel's jazz number was indeed nice (Act 3), but everyone seemed to struggle singing, with the exception of Marva Davi, and the dance numbers hardly had zip or originality. There also seemed no need to have 2 intermissions and 3 acts. Okay, the production had good production values; scenery, beautiful costumes, great orchestra, as usual, but the overall feeling for us was, weak, very dated "nostalgia".

Anyway, see at your own discretion, but remember, lousy seats are everywhere in the mezz (having to crane one's neck constantly to see over the BARs.) The only place to really sit in City Center is Orch, and very front mezz.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 8:57pm

Seems you're in the minority.

And Dancin, yes I was, in the 2nd row of the rear mezz.
Updated On: 5/10/08 at 08:57 PM

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 9:12pm

Oh, you had better seats. We were in row O, and I didn't think I would have to worry about people in front of me, but I still had a bit of trouble seeing over people's heads (except for the woman in front of me who was asleep before the overture was through).

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 11:35pm

I was sad that they cut the vacuum cleaner's big return in Act Three!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 1:03am

What a perfect confection, like a lemon meringue.

It was sheer perfection, and put me in an indelibly good mood.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 1:22am

Went back to tonight, and just want to sing its praises one more time! Mara Davi was really on the money tonight and I just loved Berresse and Leavel tonight. And Sandy Duncan's high kicks just can't be beat! I'll be really sad when Tuesday rolls along.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 1:36am

Is there any chance for a commercial transfer?

Berresse and Leavel have both seemed to express public interest in one.

[d5johnston]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 2:24am

I could be mistaken, but I believe Rosie said on her blog that there is a chance of a transfer and that, if it did, she'd be along for the ride.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 2:29am

I am really sad to say that I will probably miss this production and I can only hope that it transfers. I love the show, think it's wildly underrated, and would absolutely adore the opportunity of seeing this production on Broadway. I hope it transfers...

[scaryclowns223]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 2:43am

I can't quite remember who, but someone, in the BWW Preview Video, seemed to express major interest in a transfer.

We've got 4 or 5 revivals coming in next year (Depending on how they rule the Harry Connick musical), so there's definitely room for a No, No, Nanette transfer.

Make it happen!

[alterego]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 3:55am

If there was a transfer I'd hope they'd fill out the chorus a bit. It looks kind of thin.

[BillyE]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 12:15pm

I was there last night, not really knowing what to expect from Encores, and except for the nosebleed seats (hey, only $25 plus fee) and the two intermissions, I enjoyed everything about it.
You can say what you want about about the silly nonsense of a plot, but I love this 1920's stuff. This show is sheer fun to watch.
This is a great time to revive No No Nanette, and it would make stars out of Beth Leavel and Mara Davi.
Topped the night off with a couple of rounds at Marie's Crisis, all in all, a great night out!

[allofmylife]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 12:22pm

Did one of the Raiders of the Lost Arts bring a cell phone (hint hint?)

I feel so isolated out here in LA.

[theatreguy]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 1:01pm

Rumor is that, if it transfers, it will be a limited run at the Marquis (with Cry-Baby closing after Tony nominations come out) through the summer months and then closing in time for White Christmas to start up in October. But if they can't get the Marquis they may try to get another theater instead.

[TonyVincent]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 1:03pm

I enjoyed everything about the show except Charles Kimbrough. He couldn't hit a note above middle C (painful to listen to), his delivery was suspect (and he's the only one that messed up his lines, and he did so on 3 or 4 occasions), and he was so uncoordinated, they didn't even have him sway from side to side like everyone else in the closing number, and the little choreography he did with Nanette was incredibly awkward. He's not a big enough name to be stunt casting--why was he involved?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 1:16pm

Eh. He was okay. But it was all about Beth Leavel channeling Judy Garland, Michael Beresse channeling Gene Kelly and Sandy Duncan channeling a 62-year-old and incredibly spry version of herself.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 5:59pm

Who was Mara Davi channeling, Joey?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 6:09pm

Kimbrough actually replaced the previously announced Fred Willard.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 6:28pm

Who was Mara Davi channeling, Joey?

Sutton Foster?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 6:32pm

Funny, I thought the exact same thing.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 6:33pm

I thought Kimbrough was the one weak link as well, but everyone else was fantastic, as was the show as a whole. Count me in for those who are wishing for a commercial transfer!

[jewishboy]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 7:02pm

Yeah, except Davi might have even shown more warmth (especially when she was dancing).