rOcKS @ 'The Story of My Life'

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 11:19pm

I wanted to love it, I really did. But I just found it too disjointed, too derivative, too inconsequential, and to be quite blunt, too boring. I can see where the parallels to A CATERED AFFAIR can be drawn on a surface level but below that surface, AFFAIR is a much, much, much more satisfying musical.

To me, the whole show felt like a rollercoaster and not a good one (which, I believe is how I described SPEED THE PLOW, but in a positive light). It's bumpy, has its ups, has it downs, and when it reaches its highest points, it suddenly plunges into contrivance and mundanity. The book is slow, plodding, and repetitive. And, besides the traits that Gets and Chase imbued in their characters, I really didn't care about either of them to be quite honest. It also (agreeing with yankeefan) stays on one level the entire time, never climaxing plot-wise. The music is a bit more successful albeit uneven. Three songs stood out in my mind and they were "Mrs. Remington," a witty, touching, and clever song that Gets performs beautifully, "The Butterfly," the best number in the show which got the longest applause and which Chase delivers with gusto, and the final song, "Angels in the Snow," wherein the two cast members knock it out of the park. Besides that, all of the other songs kinda fell by the wayside and never really took off. Side-note, many moments in the show are clearly, well let's say...influenced by SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, INTO THE WOODS, and other Sondheim shows. And are, obviously, not nearly as strong.

The best thing about this show, as most will agree, are the two performances from Malcom Gets and Will Chase. Both handle the challenging score and (to me) underdeveloped roles very well and made the evening a lot more enjoyable. They are not brilliant, brilliant performances as some claim but they are very strong, very entertaining, and both get moments to show their immense talents.

The direction is mediocre at best (which I found surprising coming from the brilliant Richard Maltby Jr.), the orchestrations are nice, and I particularly enjoyed the simple but effective lighting designs by Ken Billington who always does a wonderful job with his lighting designs proving less is sometimes more.

And I have to say I had a very stressful week and was very tired when I sat in my seat at the Booth this evening so maybe it was just me...maybe I should give it another chance. I wanted to love it but I just didn't find any part of it particularly worthy of loving (besides the performances). Some people were crying as they left and I have suddenly become a cry baby at Broadway shows in the last few months but I didn't even feel myself getting misty. The whole thing just felt a little too methodical and not emotionally resonant enough to me.

I really was let down a whole lot by this show and I'd have to (almost regretfully) give it * and 1/2 out of *** stars.

Is it just me? Was I just not in the mood to see a show like this? Should I give it another chance? What do you guys think?

[Actor 7]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 11:52pm

I think your opinion is completely valid. The three songs that you mentioned have sparked my interest and I only wish I could hear them as you did at tonight's performance. We each have a different take on a new musical. I enjoyed your comments. Question: Did the playbill list the musicians and the instruments they played? I would be very interested in knowing what instruments Jonathan Tunick used for the orchestrations. Thank you for a very thoughtful and insightful review.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/13/09 at 12:14am

The Playbill lists the following:

CONDUCTOR: DAVID HOLCENBERG
ASSOCIATE CONDUCTOR: SUE ANSCHUTZ
PIANO: DAVID HOLCENBERG; DRUMS/PERCUSSION: BILL HAYES
BASS: MARC SCHMIED; VIOLIN: ELIZABETH LIM-DUTTON
VIOLA: KEN BURWARD HOY; CELLO: SARAH J SEIVER; CLARINET: LES SCOTT
BASSOON: TOM SEFCOVIC; TRUMPET: TIMOTHY L SCHADT
MUSIC COORDINATOR: JOHN MILLER
Updated On: 2/13/09 at 12:14 AM

[Actor 7]

Posted: 2/13/09 at 1:34am

Many thanks for listing the orchestra and conductors. It sounds like a beautiful instrumentation. I truly hope a cast recording with Tunick's orchestrations is made. One never knows if they will have the money to do this. The great advantage about being able to see and hear new works on Broadway can't be underestimated. I am in San Francisco and I fear by the time I make it to NYC this coming June, many of the new musicals will no longer be playing. I would have loved to have seen several new plays and musicals this past fall that have already closed. Title of Show and 13 held my interest as did several plays that are no longer playing. The Story of My Life was talked about by many friends who saw it a Goodspeed, so I have enjoyed reading every post, including yours.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/13/09 at 5:28am

I'm seeing the show on Tuesday night, so I can't YET suggest whether or not to give it another try.

I have to say that I am always so impressed with those of you that are willing to TRY a show a second time that left you unsatisfied initially. I've certainly seen shows more than once that I didn't LOVE, but more as a happenstance rather than a choice. I have to admit, it's never changed my mind in a positive way.

[Elke]

Posted: 2/13/09 at 6:51am

Thanks for your interesting review, rOcKS. Props to you for willing to give the show another chance. If you felt that you weren't really in the mood for a show like this, I guess it'd be a good idea.

On a sidenote: how full was the theatre when you saw it? Just wondering, because I know you can't tell how many got in with a comped or discounted ticket.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 2/13/09 at 8:53am

I think Will and Malcolm are terrific! Hope this show does well!