*loves Will*
I saw him tonight, too!
The show tonight was... something else. The audience was so into it, which I haven't seen in a very, very long time. It made me so happy and warm and fuzzy. They got a standing ovation and thunderous applause, which I haven't seen in about two years. I was so thrilled. I picked a good time to go back. They're really pumping life back into it. I don't know if it's the cast, or me, or a combination of both, but it feels like it's getting some of its spark back.
Will is... I was just on the phone with my friend, and I told her I just got home from seeing Will Chase in Rent. I stumbled over myself trying to find the right words when she asked how he was. And then finally, I said that he was perfect. I don't even know that I can put my finger on any nuances, or find the right collection of adjectives to describe him, other than to say that he is perfect, and forceful and powerful. He absolutely steals the show from the rest of the cast, outshining them in every possible way. There's so much power, and passion and thought behind every moment of that performance. Glory always makes or breaks the show for me. I think Will's Glory was so good that it even fixed past breaks. He looks fantastic, too.
Will has putt Matt Caplan in his place. Their scenes together are great, though Matt is still his usual self in the Tango and stuff. But he seems to have really calmed down because of Will, and almost seems a little bit indimated by him. I loved Goodbye Love more than I have in a really long time. Mark just looked so wounded after Roger yelled at him.
Antonique Smith played Mimi. I don't love her voice, unless she's belting. She has a crazy belt, and a very gravelly voice. The gravelly quality to it sort of reminds me of Daphne, though. Aside from her voice, I loved her interpretation, for the most part. I thought she could've turned down the flirtaciousness a little, but she's really quite good. She and Will have good chemistry. Another Day was *the* most powerful I have ever seen it. They both sing with astounding power, and were up in each other's faces like I've never seen before. They just tapped right into -- for me -- what that song should be. For some reason, it made me cry.
My opinion of Ava hasn't changed. I still think that she's beautiful and has a really great voice, but until Take Me or Leave Me, she is totally lifeless. Over The Moon needs to much more energy, and it needs to feel kooky and off-the-cuff. She feels overly rehearsed and tired.
Kenna Ramsey was really good at Joanne -- a little stiffer than Merle, but she has a really wonderful voice.
Justin Johnson remains my favorite Angels -- full of life, killer voice, great dancer, and... well, yeah. His Angel is just very alive. Lovable. Until the ICY Reprise, though, I felt like Destan Owens was a really blah Collins. He wasn't warm like Jesse, or anything. He was just kind of there.
For the sake of timing -- and because Fantabulous just came to visit me! -- I'll cut off here. But... good show. Good, good show. It's always weird, because every time I go in with more and more baggage, but... it was time to go back.
A work of art is an invitation to love.