#1
Posted: 8/9/08 at 12:49pm
Basically, it was the best LEGALLY BLONDE experience I've had thus far (I saw the show in previews and liked it but after a while, I realized how severely flawed it was and then I saw it again in November of '07 and really disliked it. The cast looked bored, the energy was low, he flaws became more and more obvious, and the show as a whole just felt like it was trying too hard to be lovable).
But after last night's BLONDE experience, I am a born-again BLONDE fan. Yes, it's still very flawed in its writing (some of the jokes in the book are terrible and are only funny because of the actors' delivery --see 95% of Orfeh's lines--, the score is banal at points, the lyrics are sometimes cringe-worthy, and there really isn't much of a recognizable character arch for anyone besides Paulette and Elle --and I guess Vivianne, although her motives for change seem a bit undefined--). The choreography, if a bit headache inducing, is bright, bubbly, and smart and the show as a whole is just a lot of fun.
But I realized tonight why the show is so much fun sometimes and a bit labored other times. It's because of who is playing Elle. I liked Laura Bell Bundy even if I thought she was a bit over-the-top when I first saw her and I had my doubts about whether or not she was the right choice to carry the show, and it looked like it was taking its toll on her the second time I saw it. She looked tired, was performing the show half-dead, and just completely mad the entire experience and total misfire. Now it's hard to say whether or not Bailey Hanks will fall into this situation, but I do have to say that she (especially for someone making their Broadway debut) makes it looks so effortless compared to Laura Bell. She carried the show like it was a feather, dancing up a storm, signing beautifully (even though there were a few stray notes here and there), and acting the part surprisingly effectively. She made the entire thing look so easy and effortless and she really knocked it out of the park. She is the perfect choice for this role. For someone who was chosen on a reality show to play this role, she is a lot more seasoned than the two leads of GREASE were and, dare I say it, better than Broadway veteran Laura Bell Bundy. I had a great time at BLONDE last night because its anchor, its Elle, looked like she was having a great time too...and played the role really well.
The rest of the cast was fine (Richard Blake was out...is he ever in this show?!?...as was Michael Rupert but Kevin filled his shoes well enough) and the energy was really high onstage.
I also have to mention the three supporting ladies, Orfeh, Kate Shindle, and Nicolette Hart. First off, Orfeh has grown so much in this role and is finding laughs in places I wouldn't even think to look. And that voice...she brought the house down during IRELAND. She was absolutely fantastic. Kate Shindle is really strong as Vivianne and deserved more attention when the reviews came out. She belts like no one's business and does a great job with an underwritten role. Nicolette Hart is playing Brooke totally different than Nikki Snelson, with a tough, gritty undertone (complete with what might be lesbian innuendo here and there) and it totally works. She has great comedic timing and WHIPPED INTO SHAPE started the second act off with a huge bang.
So I had a lot of fun at BLONDE. I waited by the stage door (although I was upset Orfeh and Kate didn't come out...do they usually not?) and everyone was so nice, especially Bailey, who was so personable and generous.
And I also have to say, in risk of opening up a whole can of worms, that the audience ATE IT UP like I've never seen before. And from what I hear, they have been doing so for the last few weeks. And it wasn't because of Bailey alone, people really loved the show itself. I'm beginning to think that if word of mouth starts up again that this show could be a late-blooming huge hit. Don't underestimate this fun, energetic, exciting show. It leaves you on could nine and that is what people are looking for in the theater nowadays.
But after last night's BLONDE experience, I am a born-again BLONDE fan. Yes, it's still very flawed in its writing (some of the jokes in the book are terrible and are only funny because of the actors' delivery --see 95% of Orfeh's lines--, the score is banal at points, the lyrics are sometimes cringe-worthy, and there really isn't much of a recognizable character arch for anyone besides Paulette and Elle --and I guess Vivianne, although her motives for change seem a bit undefined--). The choreography, if a bit headache inducing, is bright, bubbly, and smart and the show as a whole is just a lot of fun.
But I realized tonight why the show is so much fun sometimes and a bit labored other times. It's because of who is playing Elle. I liked Laura Bell Bundy even if I thought she was a bit over-the-top when I first saw her and I had my doubts about whether or not she was the right choice to carry the show, and it looked like it was taking its toll on her the second time I saw it. She looked tired, was performing the show half-dead, and just completely mad the entire experience and total misfire. Now it's hard to say whether or not Bailey Hanks will fall into this situation, but I do have to say that she (especially for someone making their Broadway debut) makes it looks so effortless compared to Laura Bell. She carried the show like it was a feather, dancing up a storm, signing beautifully (even though there were a few stray notes here and there), and acting the part surprisingly effectively. She made the entire thing look so easy and effortless and she really knocked it out of the park. She is the perfect choice for this role. For someone who was chosen on a reality show to play this role, she is a lot more seasoned than the two leads of GREASE were and, dare I say it, better than Broadway veteran Laura Bell Bundy. I had a great time at BLONDE last night because its anchor, its Elle, looked like she was having a great time too...and played the role really well.
The rest of the cast was fine (Richard Blake was out...is he ever in this show?!?...as was Michael Rupert but Kevin filled his shoes well enough) and the energy was really high onstage.
I also have to mention the three supporting ladies, Orfeh, Kate Shindle, and Nicolette Hart. First off, Orfeh has grown so much in this role and is finding laughs in places I wouldn't even think to look. And that voice...she brought the house down during IRELAND. She was absolutely fantastic. Kate Shindle is really strong as Vivianne and deserved more attention when the reviews came out. She belts like no one's business and does a great job with an underwritten role. Nicolette Hart is playing Brooke totally different than Nikki Snelson, with a tough, gritty undertone (complete with what might be lesbian innuendo here and there) and it totally works. She has great comedic timing and WHIPPED INTO SHAPE started the second act off with a huge bang.
So I had a lot of fun at BLONDE. I waited by the stage door (although I was upset Orfeh and Kate didn't come out...do they usually not?) and everyone was so nice, especially Bailey, who was so personable and generous.
And I also have to say, in risk of opening up a whole can of worms, that the audience ATE IT UP like I've never seen before. And from what I hear, they have been doing so for the last few weeks. And it wasn't because of Bailey alone, people really loved the show itself. I'm beginning to think that if word of mouth starts up again that this show could be a late-blooming huge hit. Don't underestimate this fun, energetic, exciting show. It leaves you on could nine and that is what people are looking for in the theater nowadays.
