#1
Posted: 3/1/07 at 4:11pm
Yup, I did it again. I may be the closest thing Tarzan has to those folks who went to see Scarlet Pimpernel every week… Visit 7. I know I posted an update on my visit to Tarzan just last Wednesday, but after a lousy day at work and no motivation to go home and do my schoolwork, I said what the hell and went back to my favorite swingers club, and I’m glad I did. Last night’s show may have been the best all around performance I’ve seen yet. I found myself wondering if they had done some tuning up in preparation for the cast change later this month because the show was *tight*. I dunno, it looked like some technical cues had been changed and everyone was spot on.
Shuler Hensley (Kerchak) was out last week, and somehow I had it in my head that he’d already left for Westport, but there he was with his frighteningly impressive intensity and fine voice. Josh Strickland seemed more physical and animated than usual as Tarzan, which led to part of my wondering about the tune up. Merle Dandridge (Kala) was, as usual, sublime and in great voice and Chester Gregory (Terk) looked like he was having more fun than usual (and he ALWAYS looks like he’s having fun!). I haven’t seen Alex Rutherford as Young Tarzan in awhile, and I was wondering if he was outgrowing the part; Nu-uh, he sounds as amazing as the first time I saw him (see notes below) and his energy is contagious. I felt bad about what I wrote last week and was rooting for Horace V. Rogers and he delivered ten-fold in the lead Son of Man vocals. Even Donnie Keshawarz (Clayton), who sometimes seems too two-dimensional (yup, I know that’s how the role was written), was right on top of his timing and I think this was the best performance I’ve seen from Tim Jerome (Professor Porter) yet. I saw a chemistry with Jane I hadn’t seen before, which leads me to why I’m posting this mini-review in this thread about understudies.
Out of seven visits, I have never seen the entire cast at the same time and last night Niki Scalera was on as Jane. My God, the Lady can sing. Jenn is an awesome Jane but Niki rocked my world. She made the performance her own, integrated seamlessly, yet still brought a new depth to Jane (Depth? Yes, I know it’s a Disney musical). Her voice was transcendent and her acting superb, and I’d bring my friends back to see her in a heartbeat.
And finally, to the ensemble… you guys totally blew me away last night. How is it that you seem to have MORE energy when you’ve already done one show that day. I think the background vocals for this show may be some of the most demanding that I know (and I know a lot of shows), combined with the demanding acrobatics and choreography. Each of you is a true ‘triple threat’ and I can only hope you can keep this up for many performances to come.
So… for something completely different… I finally waited at the stage door last night. I’m usually racing for the train to get home after a show as I have a two hour commute to and from the city and I don’t relish getting home at 1am and up again at 5:30am but anyway… But this was my seventh visit so I thought I should take the chance and set my phone alarm for 10:55 and waited. Here’s what I learned:
Donnie Keshawarz really talks like that, he’s warm, funny, and took time to talk to everyone.
Tim Jerome spent time Answering questions and was awfully polite about correcting folks who knew the shows he’s been in but got the parts wrong. (Uh, that wasn’t me, I was the other guy, Fermin). A veteran and a gentleman, thanks for your time.
Alex Rutherford really sounds like that. I work with kids his age (13) and somehow I thought it was, um, you know, acting. Great poise, polite and engaging, thanks for signing, but you should stay away from creepy old guys like me like your mom warned you about.
Chess, dude, wear a coat next time, it was cold out and you’ll catch pneumonia! You and Merle are the only ones I’ve seen at every show, and yeah, I was the one who asked you that. Good luck on the new CD! He took time to talk to everyone.
Merle Dandridge, how can I say this right… Even though I saw her in Rent she’s Tarzan’s mom now… but she looks so young in person. Beautiful, warm, engaging, and she had a kind word for everyone.
Josh Strickland stayed to pose for pictures, sign programs, big smile and pithy comments. I know he had to be exhausted but he didn’t rush off, and the folks gathered loved it.
The last one I caught was Niki Scalera, who seemed a little taken aback by the enthusiasm of the group gathered. Big smile, said I’d seen the show more often than her husband. She said ‘impressive’, I said, ‘no, obsessive’ but if you have read this far, you know that. I promised you a post here… I think she reads these boards, folks.
My only regret was that I couldn’t wait for Shuler Hensley but alas, I had a train to catch, another long day of work and school after no sleep, and another review to write. Hope you liked it, folks! Next time, I’ll pick on another show. Have I told y’all about my visits to Company or Grey Gardens yet?
Shuler Hensley (Kerchak) was out last week, and somehow I had it in my head that he’d already left for Westport, but there he was with his frighteningly impressive intensity and fine voice. Josh Strickland seemed more physical and animated than usual as Tarzan, which led to part of my wondering about the tune up. Merle Dandridge (Kala) was, as usual, sublime and in great voice and Chester Gregory (Terk) looked like he was having more fun than usual (and he ALWAYS looks like he’s having fun!). I haven’t seen Alex Rutherford as Young Tarzan in awhile, and I was wondering if he was outgrowing the part; Nu-uh, he sounds as amazing as the first time I saw him (see notes below) and his energy is contagious. I felt bad about what I wrote last week and was rooting for Horace V. Rogers and he delivered ten-fold in the lead Son of Man vocals. Even Donnie Keshawarz (Clayton), who sometimes seems too two-dimensional (yup, I know that’s how the role was written), was right on top of his timing and I think this was the best performance I’ve seen from Tim Jerome (Professor Porter) yet. I saw a chemistry with Jane I hadn’t seen before, which leads me to why I’m posting this mini-review in this thread about understudies.
Out of seven visits, I have never seen the entire cast at the same time and last night Niki Scalera was on as Jane. My God, the Lady can sing. Jenn is an awesome Jane but Niki rocked my world. She made the performance her own, integrated seamlessly, yet still brought a new depth to Jane (Depth? Yes, I know it’s a Disney musical). Her voice was transcendent and her acting superb, and I’d bring my friends back to see her in a heartbeat.
And finally, to the ensemble… you guys totally blew me away last night. How is it that you seem to have MORE energy when you’ve already done one show that day. I think the background vocals for this show may be some of the most demanding that I know (and I know a lot of shows), combined with the demanding acrobatics and choreography. Each of you is a true ‘triple threat’ and I can only hope you can keep this up for many performances to come.
So… for something completely different… I finally waited at the stage door last night. I’m usually racing for the train to get home after a show as I have a two hour commute to and from the city and I don’t relish getting home at 1am and up again at 5:30am but anyway… But this was my seventh visit so I thought I should take the chance and set my phone alarm for 10:55 and waited. Here’s what I learned:
Donnie Keshawarz really talks like that, he’s warm, funny, and took time to talk to everyone.
Tim Jerome spent time Answering questions and was awfully polite about correcting folks who knew the shows he’s been in but got the parts wrong
Alex Rutherford really sounds like that. I work with kids his age (13) and somehow I thought it was, um, you know, acting. Great poise, polite and engaging, thanks for signing, but you should stay away from creepy old guys like me like your mom warned you about
Chess, dude, wear a coat next time, it was cold out and you’ll catch pneumonia! You and Merle are the only ones I’ve seen at every show, and yeah, I was the one who asked you that. Good luck on the new CD! He took time to talk to everyone.
Merle Dandridge, how can I say this right… Even though I saw her in Rent she’s Tarzan’s mom now… but she looks so young in person. Beautiful, warm, engaging, and she had a kind word for everyone.
Josh Strickland stayed to pose for pictures, sign programs, big smile and pithy comments. I know he had to be exhausted but he didn’t rush off, and the folks gathered loved it.
The last one I caught was Niki Scalera, who seemed a little taken aback by the enthusiasm of the group gathered. Big smile, said I’d seen the show more often than her husband. She said ‘impressive’, I said, ‘no, obsessive’ but if you have read this far, you know that. I promised you a post here… I think she reads these boards, folks.
My only regret was that I couldn’t wait for Shuler Hensley but alas, I had a train to catch, another long day of work and school after no sleep, and another review to write. Hope you liked it, folks! Next time, I’ll pick on another show. Have I told y’all about my visits to Company or Grey Gardens yet?
any other bww'ers going?
