Marie Christine?

Did anyone have the chance to see Marie Christine while it was on Broadway? I never saw it, but I borrowed the cast recording fromt he library, and so far I like it.


Any opinions on the show? Thoughts?

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Thanks! I'd very much like to read that paper when you're done with it.

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what theater did it play at on broadway?

I would love it if you sent the paper to me as well. Audra Was stunning, but Mary Test was also phenominal. It was a joy to see the two on stage.

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It was easily one of the most thrilling shows I have ever seen. The staging concept was absolutely breathtaking and infinitely innovative (the whole show was done as sort of a reenactment of various events in Marie's life as being performed for a sort-of courtroom jury/audience who sat on bleachers on the side of the stage, the show beginning and ending on the night before Marie's execution). The score has some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard. Audra MacDonald was absolutely breathtaking and immensely powerful. The score was absolutely amazing, with Jonathan Tunick's expert orchestrations (I acutally feel this show has the best orchestrations of any show, with possibly the exception of FOLLIES). In case you couldn't tell, I'm a fan.

BUT, Anthony Crivello did a mediocre job and his character was underwritten. There were some problems with the out-of-sequence story-telling and the 5 year gap between acts. The show could've used one more rewrite and I think it would be much more highly regarded and function dramatically better. The cast recording, while exquisite, is missing one of the show's best songs, "All Eyes Look Upon You" (although the reprise contained within "No Turning Back" is on the recording). Mary Testa was brilliant, hilarious, and touching as always (and at the performance I attended she was definently "infusing [her] performance with pathos"). I think the show would be infinitely better with one last final song for Marie in Act 2 (hell, even a reprise of "I Will Give" with new lyrics would work), either right before or right after she murders her sons. "I Will Love You" just doesn't work well enough giving the severity of the event. "Tell Me" is undoubtedly one of the most passionate and powerful songs in theatre history, as far as I'm concerned.

Funny you mention that you wrote a research paper on MARIE CHRISTINE, because I also chose it as a topic (and related it to Aphra Behn's OROONOKO) for one of my research papers recently (I got an A). I think the show/score is ripe for analysis. There's a lot more to the show than what may first appear. And, yeah, its pretentious. But I don't give a damn.

Oh, and that final chorus... pure heaven (literally).

A Good Nightmare Comes So Rarely,
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Updated On: 11/17/05 at 10:58 PM

I saw it several times on Broadway (with both Audra and her alternate, Sherry Boone) and was simply blown away every time. The show is gorgeous. Some of the most melodic, operatic and breathtaking compositions written for musical theatre this side of Sondheim.

I would also recommend Barry Singer's EVER AFTER. It has a whole section/interview with Michael John LaChiusa and goes quite in-depth into the show. An invaluable resource for writing a research paper on MARIE CHRISTINE- lots of excellent quotes and succinct explanations/ well-justified opinions.

Highly recommended for its non-LaChiusa content as well (and the cover of the book is gorgeous).

A Good Nightmare Comes So Rarely,
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I didn't find a lot to like about Singers book. It's an enjoyable read but I didn't leave it appreciating musicals any more, if anything I just saw the fault in so many of them.

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For the sake of not starting a new thread, I'm wondering if anyone can suggest any scores that are similar to the scores/themes set in Marie Christine or Once on this Island. I know there's Dessa Rose, but is there anything else one can suggest for me? Thanks.

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Anthony Crivello wears on me. So much of what he does sounds almost exactly the same.

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