blaxx's thoughts on 8 musicals (with spoilers)

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/24/08 at 8:08pm

So, I finally had the chance to catch a few shows I had missed and see a few new musicals of the new season. I'll be back in a few weeks to see the last 6 shows that I'm still missing (I'd like to see all those musicals that will be considered for the Tonys this season and every season from now on - some I saw in previews already, but I'd like to catch them again after they have officially opened).


A CHORUS LINE - I'll admit that I can't help but being somehow influenced by poster's comments.
It may be because it was Easter week, but the show was completely sold out. I thought the opportunity to see this on Broadway was thrilling. I was amazed by the acting - it was spot on. Bryan R.Knowlton's (Paul) acting was especially good, but the whole thing looked fresh and not flat at all (as I gathered from others here), at least IMHO. Michael Berresse had a lot of energy too. Charlotte d'Amboise was a huge disappointment. I had seen a clip of her and she had even less energy, though her singing wasn't too bad. Her dancing - well, let's just say she ran from one end of the stage to the other and that's about it. The only number I felt was rushed was "One". I also felt that the fact they have to make an announcement for Broadway Cares kills the effect of not having those final bows. Still, I thought it was the closest thing we can have to the original, and it really shows how good the piece is.

SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE- It took less than a few seconds to bring me to tears. What a magical production this is. However, I never felt that the projections were the star of the show. The performers physicality was very well studied, almost calculated. I did appreciate Evan's Georges. He seemed afraid and vulnerable in his childish obsession, just like I imagine true artists to be- having to gather strength and concentration as they are surrounded by fears and losses. I thought Russell was fantastic too, but I really felt that the rest of the cast was up there with them - I love how easy it is to identify their 80's counterparts in the second act. I was sad when I heard there was no actual chromolume - but wow, that was the most fantastic take on the idea - I loved when the figure of Dot and the umbrella was given a modern approach and I went crazy when time goes by and you can see people from different eras admiring the painting.
I think we're very lucky to have this production, it's not an easy task and a big risk, and it is great to have such a fantastic vision for one of Sondheim's greatests.

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN- Expecting the worst but...did anyone else relate the humor to movies like Airplane or The Naked Gun? I've seen the original Mel Brook's film, and I thought it doesn't work as an adaptation, but as a crowd pleaser it served its purpose.
Still, I don't see the show surviving without the charismatic stars. Andrea Martin was out, but her understudy was perfect.
Perhaps Stroman could have accomplished something much more spectacular with the musical numbers.
It was full of tourists and they couldn't have loved it more, it was like a toy store for adults. I must admit I thought the pacing and energy were good, and they don't try to sell you something they can't provide. Mixed or negative reviews and all, I think it could still surprise when the awards season comes, for the fact that simple jokes and spectacular effects tend to be most theater goers first choice.

Coming up: CURTAINS, XANADU, PASSING STRANGE, IN THE HEIGHTS, SPRING AWAKENING

[BenKaye]

Posted: 3/24/08 at 8:10pm

Glad to hear you like all those shows blaxx. Can't wait til your next set of reviews.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 3/24/08 at 8:24pm

Fair assessments thus far, blaX. Can't wait for the rest!

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/24/08 at 9:49pm

Nice review of A Chorus Line. The last time I saw ACL(Feb. 20), Charlotte seemed tired as well. I'm surprised she extended again, they should of given the part to Jessica Lea Patty full time.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 3/24/08 at 10:20pm

Did you see Eyedine while you were in the city? :-P

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/24/08 at 11:01pm

Omigod! No, love, if I see Eyedine I'd pee myself...

CURTAINS - Sadly, Debra Monk was replaced last minute, but it was just another case of a great understudy. It was nice watching talents like Jason Danieley and Karen Ziemba and I certainly enjoyed the fact that it had more murders than I thought (I thought it had just been the first one, which seemed very tame to me).
David Hyde Pierce is fantastic, but I never saw anything better than Esparza's Bobby in his performance - kill me for this, but I even thought that Groff was better. The man has great presence, however, but it is obvious that the show consist of a bunch of punch lines and depended too much on the classical musical comedy structure.
I also liked the that the second murderer was revealed in a somehow dramatic manner. It was great fun, and I'm sure community and regional theaters will have a blast with this one.

XANADU - How obsessed are people with this? I had to witness some girl crying and ranting for not getting the onstage seat she always gets after watching 30 times (?)
I think I lost A LOT of the action because I was onstage, but it looks like it is very funny, and the singing is great. I love how concise and straight to the point it is.
However (sorry 'Du lovers), I was thinking Off Broadway the whole time, and it would be sad it if it ends up being a flop - the whole cast is great, but at the same time I thought it was just too short and small. The jokes are great and it goes by SO fast. It was very nice to watch, but I feel I lose objectivity because of the angle, maybe I should give it a chance again from the orchestra or mezzanine.

[MungoGypsy8232]

Posted: 3/24/08 at 11:50pm

thanks blaxx! great reviews! may I inquire as to which understudy for Andrea you saw? I really hope it was Linda Mugleston.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/24/08 at 11:56pm

It was Linda Mugleston, she was beyond fantastic - I can't describe how good she was, she has perfect comedic timing.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 12:07am

sorry you don't understand our obsession with xanadu, but i'm happy you can appreciate its merits! i do agree that it should be seen at least once from the house; while you miss the fun of the interaction, the experience is somewhat richer from the orchestra.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 12:10am

PASSING STRANGE- This is, by far, the best show I've seen in a long time. I found funny that I didn't see any of the "problems" some people talk about. It was accesible, hilarious, had a great story, it was easy to digest, and I thought it could have been a lot louder. In fact, it was pretty cute and sweet. Never cried so much after a show, I was really choking.
Stew is a true star, and the performers have so much energy - the way they move from one character to the other is truly amazing.
I hope it gets the reconginition it deserves, it is simply mind blowing.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 12:13am

Regarding Xanadu, I really hope to have a chance to see it from the orchestra, it looks like it's a lot of fun - I did have a good time, but I wanted to see the expressions and such.

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 12:38am

I can't wait to read the rest of your reviews.

I completely agree on Bryan R. Knowlton. He brought me to tears.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 12:45am

IN THE HEIGHTS - It didn't start very well for me, I thought I was watching Telemundo at 3PM. It does get a lot better and by the end I thought it was very good and touchy, but far from perfect. Songs like Inutil (and a couple more) could've easily been replaced or just cut, IMHO. The cast has fantastic energy, and Miranda's commitment to his work is incredible - truly emotional.
There were lots of understudies (Krista Rodriguez was Vanessa) but, again, no disappointments. Olga Merediz is fantastic (what a voice!) - and the set is gorgeous. Truly a must see - I'm impressed that this season we have three new musicals where we get to see its writer and or creator onstage - that is a unique and rare opportunity that truly affected me.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 2:12pm

SPRING AWAKENING - Big fan of the set, and the lightning design - Kevin Adams has a new fan, this show and Passing Strange certainly are enhanced by his creations.
I thought the cast was uneven. Some may think that a younger cast can get away with being less than perfect, but I disagree. I thought that Blake Daniel's singing was good but he had no presence and Jonathan B. Wright's singing, well, does he sound like that all the time?
It was a good show, but I thought it was tame compared to the original. It was evident it was manipulated to not scare people away. It made me think that with all the talent they could've written something more loosely based on the original and not go as far as using the original and the title - I have already seen ads for productions of "Spring Awakening - NOT THE MUSICAL", which is kind of sad, the source material is fantastic.
Groff was very good, however. In fact, it felt like he was carrying a performance with an ensemble that didn't quite care, or looks just tired to be there.

[jeffrey1dog]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 2:17pm

Just watch out for the spittle - haha. I've never seen someone spray so much in my life, but he IS wonderful. Can't wait to see him in "Hair" this summer but I will prolly bring an umbrella'ella'ella - hehe.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 3/29/08 at 8:21pm

wow! I cant believe I missed your reviews- thanks! I am soo tempted to see PASSING STRANGE again..

J*
Updated On: 3/29/08 at 08:21 PM

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/29/08 at 8:22pm

Well, yours are a lot more detailed and include pics, no one can top that. :)