rOcKS @ 'Happiness'

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 7:47pm

No review yet (obviously). But you guys' rave reviews convinced me to buy a ticket. I'm in my seat though, waiting for it to start, and wanted to let you all know Mr. Brantley is right near me. Pen and pad in hand. Ready to strike.

Can't wait to see the show!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 8:07pm

Can't wait to hear your thoughts!!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 11:38pm

I am not quite sure of A) what I just saw and B) how I feel about it.

It's a very, very odd musical. Somewhere in between metaphysical and realist, it's a weird story with weird characters and a lot of it just felt very awkward. The score is pretty good. There are some moments that are really fantastic (particularly the opening song) and some that are just awful ("The Toothfairy Song." Enough said.) I felt like the book and the music were at odds at certain points. The music is mostly upbeat but the book is really very dark and while it's certainly not neccesarily a downer of a book, it's not really one that's going to make you grin from ear to ear by the shows' end.

The book has some major problems. First off, the show should have and could have been two and a half hours with an intermission and I wouldn't have minded it. Whatever it would have taken to get to know these characters better would have helped. None of them really stick out to me and many of them were totally underwritten and uninteresting (Maurice was irritating as hell to me and his scene with his partner *SPOILER* dying of AIDS *END SPOILER* didn't ring true at all and felt totally forced). When the book did LESS in terms of trying to get an emotional response from the audience, it succeeded as a more purely emotional piece. When it tried hard, it felt flat.

The cast is extremely talented but none of them really make their marks here, except for Jenny Powers and Fred Applegate. Applegate's story was the most touching, I thought. And I've always loved Powers (she was the only reason I stayed for Act Two of GREASE) and she's great here. What a voice...and she's stunning. Sebastian Arcelus was fine, I really disliked Miguel Cervantes and Ken Page, Joanna Gleason and Hunter Foster provide their usual solid support but don't really break out.

The direction is very strong (Stroman proves she can do smaller shows very well here) and reliable. I didn't like the lighting, the sets were suitable, and the orchestra sounded great.

Brantley didn't seem too enthused. Didn't really applaud and when he did it was two or three half-assed claps and he went back to jotting notes.

So, after breaking it down in the review, I have to admit I was extremely dissapointed. The show isn't completely awful, it's just odd. And awkward. The premise is there and it really does get you thinking but I left the theater thinking as much about my life and my happiness as I did when I read the reviews on BWW and the summary of the plot.

** out of ****


Updated On: 3/26/09 at 11:38 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/27/09 at 4:08am

Aw....I was hoping for more from this "little show".

I would think that critics in general don't spend too much time with applause....that IS a time for them to write without missing what's going on! Besides, they are they being critical and not just for entertainments sake, so I can see that would hinder their outward "enthusiasm" as well.

When does (did?) this open?