#1
Posted: 11/11/06 at 5:55pm
Well, the band was excellent.
I've learned in my vast experiences of theater-going that if you go into a show with ridiculously low expectations, so low that you expect nothing, you can be pleasantly surprised. I didn't love the Times, but, I found it pretty enjoyable, in the "it's so bad it's good" vein.
Of course, the premise is ridiculous. Captain Ahrab, the dictator of a rundown circus, treats everyone around him poorly, from his son, Coyote and girlfriend, Cleo, to her dog and the circus clowns. One day, the clowns revolt, kill Ahrab, and make Coyote (who, through some way is now dating Cleo) head of the circus. The end. My pinky could have come up with a better plot.
The cast is incredibly talented, it's a shame to see the show closing so soon. Michael Arden, Thom Sesma, and Lisa Brescia are all superb, with wonderful voices. Throughout the show, it seemed like Arden and Sesma were trying to do their best Bob Dylan - you could barely understand a word either of them were saying in a few of the songs. Still, they were great. Dylan's music never sounded so good. The dancing ensemble, led by Lisa Gadja and John Selya, are great, making the most of the ridiculous steps Twyla's given them. The band, alone, made the show worthy of a recording, but that will not happen.
Twyla's manic choreography is one of the major downfalls, besides the story. It looked like she was going for something innovative but ended up copying Cirque de Soleil. Still, the ensemble makes it look very easy. The contortionist made the audience groan with horror, much to his apparent delight. She has placed an intense amount of symbolism - everything from Jesus imagery to Herman Mellville's Moby Dick.
Santo Loquasto's sets and costumes are both Tony-nomination-worthy, as is Donald Holder's lighting. It is a visually stunning show.
Thom and Michael did the BCEFA plea at the end to the crowd, all of whom were walking out while they were talking. They didn't have anything for sale, just drop some $ in the bucket and get an AIDS ribbon.
Stage Door: The cast members were all extremely friendly, happy for the crowd's support and lamenting the impending closure. When asked about a CD recording, Michael Arden replied "No recording. Thank Ben Brantley for that." Thom plead for the people who enjoyed the show to write letters to the General Management and Producers. Lisa Bresica and Craig Carnelia were both lovely to talk to (Craig has a new songbook coming out in a week or two, he said). And then out walks Twyla Tharp, why she was there I don't really know. She was happy to sign autographs and take photos.
Just go see the show before it closes. You may like it.
I've learned in my vast experiences of theater-going that if you go into a show with ridiculously low expectations, so low that you expect nothing, you can be pleasantly surprised. I didn't love the Times, but, I found it pretty enjoyable, in the "it's so bad it's good" vein.
Of course, the premise is ridiculous. Captain Ahrab, the dictator of a rundown circus, treats everyone around him poorly, from his son, Coyote and girlfriend, Cleo, to her dog and the circus clowns. One day, the clowns revolt, kill Ahrab, and make Coyote (who, through some way is now dating Cleo) head of the circus. The end. My pinky could have come up with a better plot.
The cast is incredibly talented, it's a shame to see the show closing so soon. Michael Arden, Thom Sesma, and Lisa Brescia are all superb, with wonderful voices. Throughout the show, it seemed like Arden and Sesma were trying to do their best Bob Dylan - you could barely understand a word either of them were saying in a few of the songs. Still, they were great. Dylan's music never sounded so good. The dancing ensemble, led by Lisa Gadja and John Selya, are great, making the most of the ridiculous steps Twyla's given them. The band, alone, made the show worthy of a recording, but that will not happen.
Twyla's manic choreography is one of the major downfalls, besides the story. It looked like she was going for something innovative but ended up copying Cirque de Soleil. Still, the ensemble makes it look very easy. The contortionist made the audience groan with horror, much to his apparent delight. She has placed an intense amount of symbolism - everything from Jesus imagery to Herman Mellville's Moby Dick.
Santo Loquasto's sets and costumes are both Tony-nomination-worthy, as is Donald Holder's lighting. It is a visually stunning show.
Thom and Michael did the BCEFA plea at the end to the crowd, all of whom were walking out while they were talking. They didn't have anything for sale, just drop some $ in the bucket and get an AIDS ribbon.
Stage Door: The cast members were all extremely friendly, happy for the crowd's support and lamenting the impending closure. When asked about a CD recording, Michael Arden replied "No recording. Thank Ben Brantley for that." Thom plead for the people who enjoyed the show to write letters to the General Management and Producers. Lisa Bresica and Craig Carnelia were both lovely to talk to (Craig has a new songbook coming out in a week or two, he said). And then out walks Twyla Tharp, why she was there I don't really know. She was happy to sign autographs and take photos.
Just go see the show before it closes. You may like it.
