#1
Posted: 6/18/07 at 2:51pm
For those worried about spoilers, I saw four shows - Grey Gardens, 110 in the Shade, Legally Blonde and Spring Awakening.
I am writing this at work (nothing else to do!), but when I get home, I'll put up all my pictures, too.
The first show I saw was Grey Gardens on Friday night. I know that a lot of people are really against the American Idol type musicals (lots of belting, power notes and riffing), but I really enjoy that in a show. This had none of that, but I enjoyed it. I watched half of the documentary AfTER the show and really wish I had seen it before. It was haunting to watch it after, though because of how dead on the portrayals were. Mary Louise Wilson was completely the character, as was Christine, but Mary looks more like the actual woman.
After seeing the musical and part of the movie, I have to say that while I think the real-life story of these women is interesting, I am not completely intrigued. Strange? Yes. Fascinating? Not completely.
That said, I really think this musical was not aimed for my age group. Many of the times that people were laughing, I thought it to be only mildly funny, if at all. It did have its moments, though. I do believe both women deserved the Tony's, as well because they were just so completely dead on.
My friend that I was visiting is actually neighbors with Christine, so we were able to go backstage and walk on the stage which was very cool. Christine is very sweet. I was too nervous to ask for an autograph and a picture, but we ambushed her later and I got those. I won't post the picture, though because I took it with her when she was just being her, not being the Broadway performer. So, I think that would be ****ty of me.
Then, on Tuesday (my birthday!), I saw 110 in the Shade. I absolutely ADORE Audra McDonald and I loved every bit of it. She was a joy to watch. I got chills during the scene when her brother tells her that she is not beautiful, but plain. That was very well done and heart wrenching. The song she sings about being an old maid afterwards was wonderful. It was also very cool to see her do "Raunchy" right after seeing it on TV that Sunday!
I thought the rotating stage was fun and I liked the big, simple circle of light. I was not impressed by File (Christopher Innvar). I thought that was a boring character and the actor didn't do much for me. Starbuck (Steve Kazee) had a wonderful voice and he was very nice at the stagedoor, even to those creepy people that there always are a few of. You know who I am talking about. Haha. After having nice pacing, the show just sort of has a quick ending. Having Lizzie end up with File was boring because they never had any chemistry. The ending definitely left a lot to be desired, but if you can get past that, it was a great show.
Legally Blonde. . . what to say. Haha. I had expected more, that's for sure. A lot of the staging felt kind of high school. There would just be this bare stage with something small happening in one area. The marching band number was totally stupid. The songs about why those people deserve to be at Harvard and then the one about blood in the water were TERRIBLE. Absolutely horrible. I know that I shouldn't expect much from a show that is just trying to be cute, but still, it was very awkward and painful at times. I was not impressed with Laura Bell Bundy and cannot believe that she was nominated for a Tony. Maybe she was sick, but she missed a handful of notes, including the big ending note to "So Much Better." Overall, it was an unsatisfying show. Almost no one came out at the stagedoor either. Laura Bell Bundy, Orfeh (who apparently actually had something to get to), Christian Borle, DeQuina Moore. . . none of them came out. I know that people always debate whether or not you can criticise them for that, but I think it is rather crappy, especially with a show that has so many young fans.
The last show I saw was Spring Awakening. I have the CD and had listened to it plenty, so I knew the music well. I liked it, but did not understand the huge deal. I knew I still wanted to see it, though, especially after all of the Tony wins. I did student rush on Wednesday. I got there at 7:30 (the earliest people got there at 6:00) and got second row tickets, all the way on the right. They were great seats and. . . Spring Awakening did not disappoint!! I absolutely loved it. The cast has so much incredible energy and the story is wonderful. I think the part that sticks out most in my mind is during "Those You've Known" when Melchior grabs the hands of Wendla and Moritz. That was very powerful to me. I really don't know what else to say about this show other than that I loved it. It was such a great, young cast.
They were all very sweet at the door. My friend made a comment to Jonathan Groff about how we felt so inadequate because they were so young and talented and were on Broadway. He was very nice and made some cute reference to Mary Poppins. I didn't get to talk to or get a picture with Christine Estabrook because she just kind of walked right on by and I was not even sure if it was her. Oh well! I loved her on "Desperate Housewives," though, so I wish I had gotten a picture.
My friend and I had to catch a train home and John Gallagher, Jr. was taking a very long time talking to everyone. So, we felt kind of ****ty about it, but we went to the front and asked the next person in line if they minded, which they didn't. (In retrospect, I don't really think it's that bad because everyone gets out of the show at the same time. So, technically, you have all really been waiting for the same amount of time. Thoughts?) So, we got a quick picture and signatures. He just seems so very nice, though and I wish we could have stayed longer and talked to him.
I am writing this at work (nothing else to do!), but when I get home, I'll put up all my pictures, too.
The first show I saw was Grey Gardens on Friday night. I know that a lot of people are really against the American Idol type musicals (lots of belting, power notes and riffing), but I really enjoy that in a show. This had none of that, but I enjoyed it. I watched half of the documentary AfTER the show and really wish I had seen it before. It was haunting to watch it after, though because of how dead on the portrayals were. Mary Louise Wilson was completely the character, as was Christine, but Mary looks more like the actual woman.
After seeing the musical and part of the movie, I have to say that while I think the real-life story of these women is interesting, I am not completely intrigued. Strange? Yes. Fascinating? Not completely.
That said, I really think this musical was not aimed for my age group. Many of the times that people were laughing, I thought it to be only mildly funny, if at all. It did have its moments, though. I do believe both women deserved the Tony's, as well because they were just so completely dead on.
My friend that I was visiting is actually neighbors with Christine, so we were able to go backstage and walk on the stage which was very cool. Christine is very sweet. I was too nervous to ask for an autograph and a picture, but we ambushed her later and I got those. I won't post the picture, though because I took it with her when she was just being her, not being the Broadway performer. So, I think that would be ****ty of me.
Then, on Tuesday (my birthday!), I saw 110 in the Shade. I absolutely ADORE Audra McDonald and I loved every bit of it. She was a joy to watch. I got chills during the scene when her brother tells her that she is not beautiful, but plain. That was very well done and heart wrenching. The song she sings about being an old maid afterwards was wonderful. It was also very cool to see her do "Raunchy" right after seeing it on TV that Sunday!
I thought the rotating stage was fun and I liked the big, simple circle of light. I was not impressed by File (Christopher Innvar). I thought that was a boring character and the actor didn't do much for me. Starbuck (Steve Kazee) had a wonderful voice and he was very nice at the stagedoor, even to those creepy people that there always are a few of. You know who I am talking about. Haha. After having nice pacing, the show just sort of has a quick ending. Having Lizzie end up with File was boring because they never had any chemistry. The ending definitely left a lot to be desired, but if you can get past that, it was a great show.
Legally Blonde. . . what to say. Haha. I had expected more, that's for sure. A lot of the staging felt kind of high school. There would just be this bare stage with something small happening in one area. The marching band number was totally stupid. The songs about why those people deserve to be at Harvard and then the one about blood in the water were TERRIBLE. Absolutely horrible. I know that I shouldn't expect much from a show that is just trying to be cute, but still, it was very awkward and painful at times. I was not impressed with Laura Bell Bundy and cannot believe that she was nominated for a Tony. Maybe she was sick, but she missed a handful of notes, including the big ending note to "So Much Better." Overall, it was an unsatisfying show. Almost no one came out at the stagedoor either. Laura Bell Bundy, Orfeh (who apparently actually had something to get to), Christian Borle, DeQuina Moore. . . none of them came out. I know that people always debate whether or not you can criticise them for that, but I think it is rather crappy, especially with a show that has so many young fans.
The last show I saw was Spring Awakening. I have the CD and had listened to it plenty, so I knew the music well. I liked it, but did not understand the huge deal. I knew I still wanted to see it, though, especially after all of the Tony wins. I did student rush on Wednesday. I got there at 7:30 (the earliest people got there at 6:00) and got second row tickets, all the way on the right. They were great seats and. . . Spring Awakening did not disappoint!! I absolutely loved it. The cast has so much incredible energy and the story is wonderful. I think the part that sticks out most in my mind is during "Those You've Known" when Melchior grabs the hands of Wendla and Moritz. That was very powerful to me. I really don't know what else to say about this show other than that I loved it. It was such a great, young cast.
They were all very sweet at the door. My friend made a comment to Jonathan Groff about how we felt so inadequate because they were so young and talented and were on Broadway. He was very nice and made some cute reference to Mary Poppins. I didn't get to talk to or get a picture with Christine Estabrook because she just kind of walked right on by and I was not even sure if it was her. Oh well! I loved her on "Desperate Housewives," though, so I wish I had gotten a picture.
My friend and I had to catch a train home and John Gallagher, Jr. was taking a very long time talking to everyone. So, we felt kind of ****ty about it, but we went to the front and asked the next person in line if they minded, which they didn't. (In retrospect, I don't really think it's that bad because everyone gets out of the show at the same time. So, technically, you have all really been waiting for the same amount of time. Thoughts?) So, we got a quick picture and signatures. He just seems so very nice, though and I wish we could have stayed longer and talked to him.
Updated On: 6/18/07 at 02:51 PM
