Sunday, April 24, 2005
The Light in the Piazza - Revisited
The second time around is SO much improved. I loved it! Granted, my first time was the very first preview, and I do recall reading how they had made some major changes. They did fix up the issues that I, and obviously others had with the earlier production. The ‘secret’ is revealed in the first act, not the second. And the writers have done a nice job of getting us to that point - it doesn’t just slam us.
Also, Clara, played by Kelli O’Hara does a more refined job of playing Clara’s disability. Victoria Clark is still superb - even more so. It is actually fascinating to see how she transforms from controlling mother wanting to protect her daughter into an accepting mother wanting what is best for her daughter and trusting that she, her daughter, can make those choices.
I still found the music fairly unmemorable, but that was ok. The music is lovely. Very classical sounding, yet very appropriate for the piece. No big Broadway show tunes. And that is good. It is a wonderfully emotional piece I think, with outstanding performances from everyone, a beautiful design and effective direction. I am looking forward to the cast album. Quite possibly the music will become more meaningful with more listening.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Good Vibrations
After a sudden but expected closing notice for Good Vibrations earlier this week, I decided that I needed to see this before it closes this weekend. One of the ‘jukebox’ musicals, Good Vibrations is a collection of 30 Beach Boys songs shoe-horned into a rather stupid, sugary story. There is definitely a lot that is cheezy about this production: corny choreography, silly dialogue, amatuerish staging. But what it lacks in those areas, it does come through in performances. The cast appeared to be having a good time. They must know what crap the piece is, but are resigned to giving it their best.
And that is what made this actually enjoyable - taking it for what it is. Certainly nothing brilliant, but I’ve seen worst. This will probably be a show in high school within a few years. It’s a crowd pleaser for sure. Especially when the crowd consists of the occasional theatre goer. They seemed impressed with the beach balls during the megamix Finale. To each his own. Not really my cup of tea, but I was transported into this world of fluff for the two hours that I was there. So I guess that is one thing in favor of it.
Friday, April 22, 2005
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
For me, this was the biggest disappointment of the year. Spelling Bee started Off-Broadway this season and is currently running in previews at one of Broadway’s smallest houses - Circle in the Square. What has obviously happened here is the transfer of a show from a more traditional space to one that is not - a thrust stage vs. a proscenium. There has been no modification of the show for its run at Circle in the Square. And what a shame.
I wanted to like this. But since my seat was all the way off to the side, I couldn’t hear much, nor see anything including all-important facial expressions on the actors. Typically these seats sell for $95! Thank God for discounts!
When they were singing, I lost probably 50% of the lyrics. And saw their back sides 50% of the show. Not a fun time. In addtion, I found the music to be sub-Finn - less than memorable actually. I laughed a few times, but it did start to get routine, cliche and predictable.
I wonder if they were trying to be the Avenue Q of 2005. The show doesn’t have the same creativity, cleverness or bite to it. It seemed like the people right in front were enjoying it, but I surely wasn’t. It’s been a fairly crummy season, with many shows that really shouldn’t be happening on Broadway. And I’m afraid this is one of them….