Touch sees "See What I Wanna See" and does.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 9:52am

What follows here isn't so much a review as a response to the critics of this show who are (I believe pure-heartedly) missing easily the years best show:

Sometimes, the critics see something that I did not.

Such is the case with Michael John LaChiusa's new musical that has (thank Heaven) extended at New York's Public Theatre. How comments like, "I guess we should be grateful the show isn't called Make Stuff Up" [The show is about how our experience dictates the story we tell -- and what we allow ourselves to see. It is not about the nature of lying. To say so is a lie.]

or

"...there's no real romance, no heart—no passion at the core of the thing to explain why this story needs to be told one more time in this new way." [I don't know. I don't recall a musical ever discussing the flexible yet transformative nature of linguistic reality. Also, we were all moved last night-- not a dry eye -- literally.]

or even

"Having recently suffered through In My Life with book, lyrics and music by Joseph Brooks, I was somewhat unnerved to find that all of the words and music for this show are by LaChiusa. Another vanity production? I’m afraid so, but perhaps a more sophisticated one than the Brooks bomb. And not that much more enjoyable." [Comparing this show to In My Life is lame. LaChiusa did not direct this show. He is not throwing tons of money in to back it, either. To call this show not enjoyable just means the critic decided to check out of the material because it was too difficult.]


I think the problem is that critics are not entering the show at all. They are not able to multi-task -- use both their heart AND their brain at the same time. This is a distinctly Western problem -- the segmentation of the head from the chest. Not only was I moved to tears by this show, but I questioned the deepest parts of myself -- and came out a better person that I entered the theatre. This experience was much like that of seeing "Sunday in the Park with George" or "Caroline, or Change".

I think perhaps the mixed critical reaction is yet another artistic extension of this show -- we see what we want to see. If critics enter the theatre wishing to see an academic exercise, they will find it. If they wish to see a show where Idina Menzel belts out sexily, they will find it. They see what they want to see.

With that lesson in mind, do not see this show if you don't wish to work. Also, do not see this show if you cannot multi-task (brain and heart).

I mean, I guess the lesson is to just see what you want to see. But, make sure what you see is what you like.

I did. And I was moved.

Go see this show -- tickets are inexpensive. And if you wait til 30 minutes before the show, and they usually do have rush seats available for $15 each.

Updated On: 11/23/05 at 09:52 AM

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 10:24am

VERY nicely said! I happen to whole-heartedly agree.

[midtowngym]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 10:35am

I guess the lesson is to just see what you want to see. But, make sure what you see is what you like.

I see the show tonight. What exactly DOES that mean? Wait, not sure i want to know!