final Nine last night

[flaemmchen]

Posted: 12/15/03 at 2:17pm

Well, it was amazing. The atmosphere in the theatre was solemn and electric at the same time--most people knew that it was the last show. A bunch of the originals were in the audience; I spotted Chita (and her entourage), Mary Beth Peil, and Linda Mugleston, and I'm sure there were others. As I sat in my seat and flipped through the playbill, I couldn't believe that I this was the last time I'd be seeing this amazing show. I remembered my first time seeing the show on March 31 and falling in love with the complexities of the show, it's incredible score, and the fabulous performances from everyone in the cast, and that after the performance I was about to see, it would all be over.

The second the lights went down, the entire place erupted in applause. When the large white screen ascended to reveal John Stamos, there was more applause, and when Sara Gettelfinger began to descend the winding stairs, the applause was absolutely deafening. It was incredible. Mary Stuart got great entrance applause, as did Sara and Eartha Kitt, who walked forward, slowly looked up at the audience, and delivered "Bonsoirrrrrrrrr" in her catwoman voice.
Overture del Donne was fabulous. Since it was my fourth time seeing the show, I watched various cast members singing their various parts and the personalities that came out as they did.
Hearing John Stamos speak as Guido for the first time was a little jarring, only because the accent seemed very fake and didn't suit him one bit. He also didn't have the same energy that used to just radiate off of Antonio. BUT I didn't want to judge him that way and just let his performance run its course. Guido's Song was weak, particularly because his voice isn't very strong, therefore "So arrange it!" wasn't very powerful. Oh, well. I heard he did better with the softer songs anyway.
Mary Stuart's rendition of My Husband Makes Movies was incredible. You could see how deeply she loved Guido and how she wishes he would realize how much he needs her, the only real woman in his life. Kristin Marks's, "Thank you very much, Mrs. Contini," was delivered with a sentimental smile.
A Call From the Vatican brought the house down. Applause when Sara descended from the ceiling, applause when she belted out "And I can hardly wait to show you how," applause when she had her orgasm, applause when she hit the high C and began to ascend back to the rafters upside down. She didn't even say her final, "I love you Guido," because the applause was just so loud, no one would have heard her. Mary Stuart's sultry, "Guiiido?" that followed the number was a hilarious hearkening to Carla.
I've always loved the movie montage scene. The Western cracked me up most, particularly when Lina Darling gets shot and just keels over.
Only With You and the scene before were sweet and tender. Stamos did much better.
Folies Bergeres was just...weird! It looked like it was modeled after a Fellini movie, which makes sense in the context of the show. The kiss got a big, "Oooooh!" from the audience, and Marni Nixon's reaction was priceless. Jacqueline Hendy's Gypsy Rose Lee moment was odd, and Eartha Kitt in the bustier was...frightening. I'm sorry! She, like everyone has said, had difficulty with the monologue, but the random French she let slip was funny.
The catacombs scene, in which Stamos had to be both Guido and "his eminence" didn't work as well, for some reason. It didn't seem like he was two distinct personalities. Good thing Marni Nixon did a fabulous job with Nine. It seemed like she and the kid (Evan Daves) had a close relationship; she was cudding with him the entire time.
Be Italian was great, particularly the sand dance. Stamos was burying his face into Myra Lucretia Taylor's cleavage, which cracked the audience up.
The Bells of St. Sebastian was absolutely haunting. They've moved it up a step for Stamos, so the vocals were even more powerful than they were before. The final "Kyrie eleison" of the choir resonated through the whole theatre and sent chills down my spine. Little Evan was particularly incredible in this scene--he was lying on the floor and sobbing as Marni cried out, "YOU'VE BROUGHT SUCH SHAME ON US!"

Now, Act II.
Rebecca Luker is just a vision as Claudia. Her Unusual Way was so heartfelt; it had the entire audience, and Stamos, in tears.
The Grand Canal sequence was powerful. When Stamos tore up the divorce papers, Sara picked them up and stared at them in disbelief, as she tried to smooth them out and put them back together. I immediately started welling up. The look of horror on her face when Christine Arand entered as Maria is one I surely won't forget in a hurry.
I feel I must make mention of the "Cassanova takes a vow," quartet of Kristin Marks, Nikki Renee Daniels, Kathy Voytko, and Farah Alvin. I've always enjoyed that group of girls (whether they were the ones from last night or the originals).
"GUIIIIIDO NO!" was fierce. Mary Stuart was just brimming over with anger, and when they began to sing the end of the Grand Canal, she just threw her head back in laughter, and then dissolved into tears. It was an amazing moment.
Simple was heartbreaking. Sara and Stamos were both crying their eyes out, and Rebecca was the strong one, as always. She whispered her final, "Ciao, Guido," tenderly.
Be On Your Own was, perhaps, the highlight of the evening. Everyone was a basket case at this point. Mary Stuart could barely get out her first line because of all the tears and continued to sob throughout the number. She has always done this song so well because she conveys the emotion that Luisa has truly had enough and is spent from this relationship that has been, as she says, "all of me." As she cried out that final line and gave Stamos that final look of pain, the audience exploded in whoops and applause that lasted up until she had disappared into the rafters. Again, a moment I will never forget.
I Can't Make This Movie was good. You could see that he was at his wits end, but again, not enough vocal power. The Waltz di Guido and Mama's, "Bad news, you're going to die," scene went over well. Getting Tall was great, and I got all weepy again. When the girls started walking out on the catwalk to give hugs to Little Guido, and I saw that they'd brought out all the swings to participate in the final number, I just started sobbing. When the girls started to sing Be Italian, the entire audience started clapping in rhythm. The final, "La," during which the starwell starts turning, gave me chills.
Bows was insane. Everyone was on their feet right away and screaming. The entire cast was bawling. Sara, Mary Stuart, and Eartha Kitt got flowers. Evan brought out Daniel Malinche to take a final bow with him. Then, Mary Stuart silenced everyone and gave a short speech about it being the final performance and how much of a family the cast had become. She ended with a heartfelt, "I love Broadway!"

As the exit music started up, I could only think, "And Broadway loves you."

Updated On: 12/15/03 at 02:17 PM

[BwayLover]

Posted: 12/15/03 at 2:41pm

Thank you so much for that wonderful report. :) Sure sounds like an amazing evening!

[Phantom2]

Posted: 12/15/03 at 3:28pm

flaemmchen- What a wonderful review! It sounds like it was a very magical show. I enjoyed both the original and replacement casts myself. I liked the contrasts between Chita Rivera and Eartha Kitt. Both Broadway legends. Mary Stuart Masterson is a goddess!!!!!!!!!!! It's a shame it had to close a bit early.

Posted: 12/15/03 at 4:09pm

wow an excellent recap on the final show! Thank you!

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 12/15/03 at 6:55pm

Beautifully written review- I hate the fact that Nine closed. I hadn't gotten a chance to see it, and the show sounded so incredible. The last show must have been pretty powerful. I wish I was there.

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 12/15/03 at 8:21pm

Sara's characcter has an orgasm? Hm, I've never seen the show. But I love the fact that the audience appluaded it.

[dotmarie]

Posted: 12/15/03 at 8:36pm

I just love your reviews! I've loved every single one of yours I've read. I'm going to miss Nine so much. It sounds like the show was incredible... I was getting teary eyed just reading about it! What I wouldn't give to be in your shoes. Thanks for sharing with us.

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 12/16/03 at 8:39pm

*jealous* I LOVE the review!!! I hope I could watch the show, even for ONCE!!!! This is a very nice review of the final night! *jealous again* Is there any possibility of the show going aboard to UK or other countries? I live in UK!
My NINE the musical group!

[Hello Gorgeous]

Posted: 12/16/03 at 9:41pm

That sounds amazing! I wish I couldv'e seen that show at least once!

[flaemmchen]

Posted: 12/16/03 at 10:36pm

It won't come to the UK, because it actually came HERE from the UK. The show played the Donmar under the direction of David Leveaux (who directed it here) in 1998 or 99, and that was the production that came over. There's this whole little section about it in the new book about the Donmar.

*sigh* I miss the show already, and it's only been gone for two days.

[redmustang]

Posted: 12/21/03 at 11:42pm

WOW! You really brought tears to my eyes several times while I read your review of the final performance. What a marvelous show it is. I saw the original revival cast and also the original original cast back in the 80's. Both productions were just incredible, with some of the best songs ever written. Thank you for letting us all "experience" closing night.

[Bway_Mill_Fan]

Posted: 12/22/03 at 4:10pm

is it me or was there never an article written on the DAY of the closing? do they ever do that? like playbill or something, post pictures?

[CK2]

Posted: 12/22/03 at 4:57pm

There was a mentioning on Playbill.com on the day of the closing. I was looking everywhere for pictures from the final show or from a farewell party or something, but no luck.

[flaemmchen]

Posted: 12/22/03 at 9:53pm

They usually won't post pictures from a farewell party unless they can get in to cover it. I guess the farewell party for Nine was very private. I wish I could have seen pictures, though--I'm sure it was fabulous.

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 12/22/03 at 11:03pm

In a very unusual way, flaemmchen's post has made me whole.

[Bwayfan]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 12:53am

Great recap of the last show!!
It is too bad the show had to end.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 12/25/03 at 9:25am

Ditto! A truly fab recounting. Ya got talent kid!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/25/03 at 10:22am

I understand Corine2 captured the event on video and it will be featured on her long-awaited talk show (when it finally begins to telecast). Great joy, I'm sure.