#51
Posted: 2/3/07 at 2:14pm
I saw the production last night and I have to say that I am mostly in agreement with the LA Times review.
First of all, the Good: The orchestra and the vocals were top notch- both Mano and Kelli sang beautifully. Kelli's characterization in the 1st act was not perfect, but she was amazing as the 92 year old Marie. It was wonderful to see Nancy Dussault on stage again and she was wonderful as both the Mother and the Art Critic.
Where the production utterly fails is in its direction. Jason Alexander must have gone to the George Lucas school of direction. The two weeks of rehearsal seemed to have been spent on staging choices and traffic direction rather than on character work.
Jason Alexander makes all kinds of bold and busy staging choices, some of which work and some of which don't. Where direction utterly fails is giving the actors guidance guidance about getting into the character and "character arc". While the talented leads and the ensemble are doing their best, there seems to be no directorial vision to the story of the charactesr. Alexander's directorial vision is all about showing the process of "making art", and this vision is at the expense of showing characters that show any real development and that audiences will care about.
To echo the LA Times reviewer, I would not be surprised if either Kelli and/or Mano get cast in the upcoming Broadway revival- with Sam Buntrock's direction, they could give amazing performances.
First of all, the Good: The orchestra and the vocals were top notch- both Mano and Kelli sang beautifully. Kelli's characterization in the 1st act was not perfect, but she was amazing as the 92 year old Marie. It was wonderful to see Nancy Dussault on stage again and she was wonderful as both the Mother and the Art Critic.
Where the production utterly fails is in its direction. Jason Alexander must have gone to the George Lucas school of direction. The two weeks of rehearsal seemed to have been spent on staging choices and traffic direction rather than on character work.
Jason Alexander makes all kinds of bold and busy staging choices, some of which work and some of which don't. Where direction utterly fails is giving the actors guidance guidance about getting into the character and "character arc". While the talented leads and the ensemble are doing their best, there seems to be no directorial vision to the story of the charactesr. Alexander's directorial vision is all about showing the process of "making art", and this vision is at the expense of showing characters that show any real development and that audiences will care about.
To echo the LA Times reviewer, I would not be surprised if either Kelli and/or Mano get cast in the upcoming Broadway revival- with Sam Buntrock's direction, they could give amazing performances.
"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"
