re: THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN' - 6th Preview - 9/29/06 — Page 2

How was Jason Wooten?

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To think, I almost bought tickets to this stink-a-roo last week. Glad I saved my money!

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I saw the show twice in SD once with Michael and another time with his stand by Doug Kreeger (who will be in Les Mis this fall). While I thought Michael was charming, Doug was more suitable as Coyote and he had more chemistry with Jenna.

Who is Michael's standby in this production?

Well, I wound up at the matinee yesterday and all I can say is, WHAT HAPPENED? This show had an extended out of town run, cast shuffling and more than enough "fixing" time and this is what's left? I've seen alot of really crappy theater lately but this takes the cake. I just didn't get it, none of it.

There's no book at all so you're left to "figure it out" all on your own and none of it meshes in any sort of comprehensive way. The sets are just plain ugly and although it's just 90 minutes, I wound up looking at my watch more times than I remember doing at any show in the recent past.

The songs are fine, but you do have to be a Dylan fan to know some of the more obscure ones that they have decided to interpret and oftentimes, not well. I disagree with those who said the dancing was bad, if anything, the only thing the show has going for it are the seemingly bone-less dancers who are contorting themselves in ways that would make Cirque Du Soliel(sp) proud. The dog is annoying at best, confusing at worst. Michael Arden is a GREAT singer but yes, he's a bit "boring" doing the same thing for each song which is, standing center stage belting out song after song. Get's alittle "ok, I get it" after about the 5th time he does it, CLM should honestly be replaced asap. I don't know much about her but it makes no sense to me that they got rid of J.Colella for this person. She couldn't reach any of the high notes and is not a good enough "actress" to convey any emotion without the aid of a script. I think almost the whole audience felt the same way judging from the lukewarm applause she'd get after all her songs. Sesma was fine, competent but I think a show like this needs more than "competent". It needed three, (not one) amazing singer to at least make you forget there was not a whole heck of alot going for the show. I was extremely disappointed and would have been really upset if I had had to pay 100 plus dollars for a ticket. The curtain call is longer than the show and also makes no sense.

I wonder, what the hell were they thinking?
Bob Dylan, musical poet genius that he is, but this is supposed to be a dance musical.
Huh!

KEVO-

Thank you for saying something positive about this show. I was beginning to think I was the only one who enjoyed this show. I think of it more as an art piece, not a musical. I thought the show was beautiful, despite its flaws, and would recommend it to anyone just because of the talent of the ensemble. I agree that CLM was not wonderful, but I thought both Arden and Sesma were. I think that Twyla's vision does not translate to anyone, but people should go see it with an open mind and just enjoy the ride for the beauty in the performance.

Michael IS really good in the show, so that is reason enough to attend.

I didn't dislike it quite as much as Rup did but I understand why it's getting the responses it is. I realize that Tharp was going for some big artistic statement but something got lost in translation and you wind up going "huh" most of the time. I think the choreography was, at times, stunning but that's not enough for 111 dollars. Michael Arden is an odd choice to sing "rock" but does well nonetheless. He looked alittle put upon but he is the least of the problems. Sesma was forgettable, even as loud as he delivered every note (not a compliment) and Manuel is absolutely lost and practically tone deaf. Not even her 6 pack abs were enough of a distraction and really, this isn't a "miss universe contest", it's a musical with no book, the singers BETTER blow me away, all of them.

Again, I feel bad saying this as I do believe Tharp was really going out on a creative limb but after all this time, it should be in a much better state.

Saw the show... I'm going to keep my mouth shut because that's not the reason I'm posting.

To those who are considering seeing it... IF you like Michael Arden AND Bob Dylan music (must be both- trust me) then you'll love the show. Michael basically sings every song (very well!) and hardly leaves the stage, and Bob Dylan wrote every song... so there you go, you can't lose (just close your eyes). I promised myself I wouldn't go there... dammit.

Updated On: 10/1/06 at 10:21 PM

"To those who are considering seeing it... IF you like Michael Arden AND Bob Dylan music (must be both- trust me) then you'll love the show."

This is HARDLY true, Regina! I love both Michael Arden and Bob Dylan music, and couldn't have hated the show more. Poor Michael Arden...his talent is so wasted here!
-BJH

Really BJH!? I was sure I had found the solution to their problem! Well I’m pretty sure that’s what they had banked on also… oh well, they had a good run.

It is definitely amusing. I found that my friend and I were laughing at the show a lot (there were some really boring moments though). However, I still think IN MY LIFE is the worst musical ever written.