Jane Pfitsch is Heather Laws' understudy. She's one of a set of female swings, and she covers Amy, Susan and Jenny, which she'll go back to doing once Heather comes into the show. Jessica Wright was just hired very recently (within the last week) so that while Jane is covering for Heather until she returns, there's cover not only for Jane while she plays Amy, but for the other two roles her swing status covers as well.
Well, I thought Pfitsch's fast pacing was great. It heightened the frantic state of her character, and I, for one, thought it was very effective. I hope she doesn't slow down.
So overall a good bunch of reviews from some loyal Company and Sondheim fans, it seems. Thanks to the NYC BWW.com-ers who went tonight and shared their thoughts.
I've been sitting on my hands all day thinking of basically nothing else... Congratulations Company cast!
I didn't know Heather was delayed in joining the production, but now I'm glad I'm seeing it after she comes back. She was absolutely hysterical in Cincinnati.
I'm in this odd-level of excitement and awe where I don't know what to say. I'm not used to shows opening that I've been anticipating this...strongly. And I rarely read reviews, because I don't read them for shows I haven't seen, so it's even weirder for that not to apply.
This is going to be the longest 3 weeks of my life, I know it.
Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never
knowing how
I didn't stagedoor, but I heard he did sign autographs. And John Doyle was reportedly there, though I didn't see him.
Not enough great things can be said about "Being Alive". Seriously, it was mindblowingly good. To call his rendition amazing is an understatement. It is truly a magnificent thing to witness. And I say that as someone who had never seen Raul Esparza before (ie, I didn't go into the show being a fan of his).
I saw this last night and let's just say I adored it !!! The entire cast is amazing...what talent is on that stage. And yes, Raul's "Being Alive" did bring down the house as did Jane Pfitsch's "Getting Married Today"...I see a Tony in this girl's future.
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
All of these comments make me so much more excited to see it tonight! I'm excited to hear voices that I'm used to/ like more sing this score...can't wait!
"We don't value the lily less for not being made of flint and built to last. Life's bounty is in it's flow, later is too late. Where is the song when it's been sung, the dance when it's been danced? It's only we humans who want to own the future too."
- Tom Stoppard, Shipwreck
Thanks for the reviews! I must see this. It might be worth its own trip from Boston. :)
"This table, he is over one hundred years old. If I could, I would take an old gramophone needle and run it along the surface of the wood. To hear the music of the voices. All that was said." - Doug Wright, I Am My Own Wife
Can anyone who went last night talk about the orchestrations? In a way, the Tunnick originals were so tightly connected to the sound of the show. The cool, techno-synthesizer effect was quite revolutionary at its time -- the title song came across unlike anything that came before (or after) -- and perfectly captured the era, the Manhattan feel, the sophistication. (One reviewer said it literally sounded like glass and steel).
But this production is staged as current, contemporary. How does it "sound?" Is that synthesizer element prominent, gone, missing? Just curious. I think the arrangements are more built-in to an appreciation of this score than SWEENEY.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
I'm so so so thrilled that people are loving Raul. Not that he needs it, but I'm really proud of him. I knew people were going to fall over themselves over this performance.
It seems some of the folks over at ATC didn't care for this production too much. Still, I think I'm going to LOVE it and LOVE Raul. Friday will be my first time seeing the show and I can't wait!!!
They did have posters. When I went to the stand at intermission, she had one left. I didn't see them before the show. They probally only have a limited amount now.
Regarding the orchestrations. They sounded VERY sophisticated and crisp. I loved it. They weren't THAT far off from Tunnicks. The brass REALLY came alive during SIDE BY SIDE/WHAT WOULD YOU DO? - At that point they really sounded like a full pit orchestra.
Just read the reviews on ATC. Those members are so stuck on being theatre elitist. It's rare they find anything they like.
Was it cold at some points, was Raul's Bobby cold? I will admit it, yes. But his Bobby is cold for a reason. His breakdown before BEING ALIVE was amazing. It was the first moment in the show that the audience saw his Bobby come out of his shell, and then he brings the house down with Being Alive.