Woman In White Review

[FriedmanFan]

Posted: 1/19/06 at 3:04pm

I was checking out ALLTHATCHAT.COM and saw a post about THE WOMAN IN WHITE. I've enclosed the "review" below! Enjoy!

THE WOMAN IN WHITE - Wed Night Jan 18.


Posted by: seeseveryshow 12:25 am EST 01/19/06

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I don't necessarily take exception with any of the criticism anyone has written about the new ALW show at the Marquis. Flaws notwithstanding, I enjoyed (maybe even loved) every minute of it, and had a great night at the theatre. And I don't think I was alone.

This is an unusually absorbing and intense musical drama that is played before an EPCOT-like set of moving panels that allow for projections that give a novel cinematic feeling to the stage action. Whether that distracts or enhances is quite subjective: I thought it was clever and fascinating. Very well executed throughout - some striking stage pictures.

The scenic production did not upstage the story or the performers. Full cast present tonight, and Ms. Friedman and Mr. Ball seemed to be doing what they do very well, indeed.

I admit to having IMHO the best seats - 5th row center orchestra - and I sensed that I would not want to sit too far from that location. There's a lot of dim lighting, and it can be hard to see all the faces. Sound was more than okay, but I imagine the amplification may be stronger (maybe too strong) elsewhere in the theatre.

The audience was larger than I expected for a coldish January Wednesday. The orchestra section appeared to be about 90% (vacancies in last couple of center rows and along the rear sides tapering forward).

This is not a show that I believe will generally please the casual theatregoer. However, I found it to be captivating musical theatre, intelligent and thoughtful, with a visually arresting production and a sublime cast. And I admit to being a sucker for Sir Andrew's melodies, and suspect that "I Believe My Heart" will linger happily in my mind forever.

I look forward to seeing the show again - sometime in the next few months.

Well, it's always great to hear that people are enjoying TWIW as much as I do! Hopefully word of mouth will really start taking off for this show!

Updated On: 1/19/06 at 03:04 PM

[YayJudyYayJudy]

Posted: 1/19/06 at 3:59pm

I was at show last night as well- and you were right, the sides of the mezz. were COMPLETELY empty. The $26 row was full, along with the first two center rows... and that's it....


* edit*
Extra note: The first act was REALLY rushed: It wasn't my first time so I noticed it almost immediately. First of all, they started at 8:17, but intermission was still at about 9:25- do the math, haha. Afterward we found out that the cast had a "meeting" so they had to make up for a bunch of lost time.

Updated On: 1/19/06 at 03:59 PM

[FriedmanFan]

Posted: 1/19/06 at 4:29pm

YayJudy-
I think you misunderstood my post. I found this on allthatchat.com and decided to post it on Broadwayworld where there are alot of us TWIW fans. I was not at this performance and as far I know "Seeseveryshow" is not a poster of Broadwayworld. Hope this helps clarify.

[YayJudyYayJudy]

Posted: 1/19/06 at 8:35pm

oh crap, I just saw the review and assumed. Ok, well whatever-maybe they read my response anyway...