THE VISIT – Chicago 2001

The plot: Claire Zachanassian, the richest woman in the world, returns to her hometown, the economically devastated city of Brachen. When she was young she was forced to leave the city, because she was pregnant of her lover, Anton Schell, who refused to marry her. Now she promises to give all the money they need to save Brachen with one condition: she wants the life of Anton. The citizens decline her offer, but she tells them she’ll wait and soon everyone starts thinking of what they could do with her money, including Anton’s family. Anton’s fears for his life and decides to leave town, but a crowd of citizens don’t let him do it and he accepts his destiny.

Review: Kander & Ebb always felt attracted by dark and difficult subjects, usually themes that didn't seem fit to become musicals. So the idea of a musical adaptation of Friedrich Dürrenmatt play didn't seem strange to me.

Frank Galati's direction is heavy and tends to be boring, not helping the musical side of the show. Nothing really dramatic or emotional happens on stage, leaving us with the sense that this musical still needs work. The same can be said of Ann Reinking's uninteresting choreography.

Kander & Ebb delivered a good score, not helped here by a small orchestra and bad acoustics. There are two funny songs that have possibilities of becoming strong numbers. The first is "You Know Me" (it remind me of "The Grass is Always Greener" from WOMAN OF THE YEAR) and it was obvious that the public loved it. The other one is "Yellow Shoes". It's a simple melody that ends act I as a big production number; unfortunately the choreography is very poor. With better dance steps this can became a winner.

There are shadows of SUNSET BOULEVARD here and that made me think that this show needs a bigger production, with strong sets and better lighting work. Imagine the opening with a true train and lots of smoke that disappears to reveal Claire in all her glory and a strong song for her to sing, that'll be great. As it is, a poor production, I doubt this musical will work on Broadway.

The cast was okay, with the great Chita Rivera playing herself with dignity and humor. With Angela Lansbury (how would this show be with her?) out and Rivera in, Reinking didn't resist putting her dancing, even though her character has a wooden leg. The result is a tango, but that number doesn't belong in this show. John McMartin was too sweet to convince us that his character is the bad guy.

Although it has a few good moments it disappointed me, but maybe if one day it'll arrive on Broadway it'll be a better show. Anyway, Kander & Ebb's score deserves to be recorded.

Cast: Chita Rivera, John McMartin, Mark Jacoby, Steven Sutcliffe, Ami Silvestre, Guy Adkins, Cristen Paige, Tina Cannon, Brian Herriott, McKinley Carter, James Harms, SAdam Pelty, Mark Crayton, Raymond Zrinsky, Rob Hatzenbeller, Matt Orlando

Creative Team: Music by John Kander • Lyrics by Fred Ebb • Book by Terrence McNally • Choreography by Ann Reinking • Directed by Frank Galati

My Rate: 4 (from 1 to 10) / Photos: unknown

PS.: To see larger images just click on them.

ON THE TOWN - Broadway 1998

On my trip to Broadway back in 1998, that season’s revival of ON THE TOWN was one of the shows I saw. I had strong images from the MGM movie on my head, but the show wasn’t nothing like it. I confess I was disappointed with it. 

One of the actors, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, was then an almost unknown making his debut on Broadway, at his side Lea DeLaria was the star name. But the ones that I really enjoyed seeing were Mary Testa, Jonathan Freeman and the good looking and terrific dancer Perry Laylon Ojeda (what happened to him?)

Anyway, since ON THE TOWN is back on Broadway, I decided it’s was a good time to remember the 1998 production. So here is my personal page about it with the review I wrote at the time.

Review: It seems that the classics have taken the 1998/99 Broadway season by storm. Unfortunately not all revivals are worthy of the fame of the originals. That's the case with this ON THE TOWN.

When the show opened on Broadway in 1944 it was a whiff of fresh air and an instant success. The music by Leonard Bernstein was amazingly modern for its time and the book and lyrics by Comden & Green were a perfectly funny match for it.

Today the fresh air is gone and what's left could have been a great revival.

The cast is good. Perry Laylon Ojeda is a nice Gabey; Lea DeLaria takes star credit as the funny cabdriver; but it's Mary Testa who, as Madame Dilly, steals the show. She is absolutely fantastic and she should get a Tony for her performance.

The biggest problem with this revival is the choreography. Several names were attached to it, although Keith Young signed it, but the result is rather boring. For a musical that’s supposed to be funny and happy the dances are too classic and there's no joy in them. On the plus side, director George C. Wolfe takes good advantage of the sets.

By the end of the show, I felt like something was missing from the entire evening and wondered if the original was a phenomenon of its time.

Cast: Perry Laylon Ojeda, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Robert Montano, Lea DeLaria, Sarah Knowlton, Tai Jimenez, Mary Testa, Jonathan Freeman, Annie Golden

Creative Team: Directed by George C. Wolfe, Book and Lyrics by Betty Comden & Adolph Green, Music by Leonard Bernstein, Choreography by Keith Young

My rate: 4 (from 1 to 10) / Photos: unknown

PS: To see larger images just click on them.

SIDE SHOW - Broadway 1997

The Plot: Based on the true story of Siamese twins Violet and Daisy Hilton who became stars during the Depression.

The show starts with them being the star attraction of a carnival. One day two show business promoters see their potential and take them to the vaudeville. Meanwhile the girls fall in love with them, but the boys don’t feel very comfortable with the feelings they have for the girls.

A Highly Emotional Show: The subject of this new musical is without doubt strange or even bizarre, but the end result is an unconventional surprise. Director Robert Longbottom gave us a musical that is original, disturbing and highly emotional. Since the beginning we know we are in for something different that holds us until the final. He took total advantage of the dark sets, giving an odd atmosphere to the entire show. Also, as the choreographer, he surprised us with imagination, humor and simplicity. The vaudeville numbers are weird and unforgettable. A show not to be missed, it's a pity it didn't last longer on Broadway; I just hope that the future London production will have better luck. If you can, go see it and be ready for something astonishing.

Heavenly Twins: This musical had a wonderful company and if the likes of Jeff McCarthy, Norm Lewis and Hugh Panaro were great, the show belonged entirely to the Siamese twins. In fact Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner were a joy to watch. As the twins they were able to touch our hearts and at the same time they sang and danced in perfect harmony. Just for them, the show deserved to be seen and I believe they will have a bright future.

The Return of Henry Krieger: Henry Krieger was the composer of the famous DREAMGIRLS and of THE TAP DANCE KID. Both shows had an enjoyable score, but none of them conquered me. So this new score was a surprise to me. Although it's sometimes too modern for me, the truth is that it's perfect for the show. I specially love the delightful "When I'm by Your Side", the amusing "We Share Everything" and I cried with "Say Goodbye to Freak Show" and "I Will Never Leave You". 

Cast: Alice Ripley, Emily Skinner, Jeff McCarthy, Hugh Panado, Norm Lewis, Ken Jennings

Creative Team: Directed and Choreographed by Robert Longbottom, Book and Lyrics by Bill Russell, Music by Henry Krieger

My rate: 10 (from 1 to 10) / Photos: Joan Marcus and others 

PS: To see larger images just click on them.

SUSAN STROMAN – BIG FISH - A small webpage

On my Susan Stroman website I just finished adding a small page about her latest show BIG FISH. You can visit it by clicking here:

http://jorgeplace.com/SusanStromanPictures_BigFish.htm

JOHN KANDER – THE LANDING - A small webpage

On my John Kander & Fred Ebb website I just finished adding a small page about Kander’s latest musical THE LANDING. You can visit it by clicking here:

http://www.jorgeplace.com/KanderEbbPictures_Landing.htm

DAMES AT SEA on Broadway

Back in 1968, a small musical opened Off-Broadway where it played for 575 performances. With music by Jim Wise and book and lyrics by George Haimsohn and Robin Miller, it was an homage to the golden age of movie musicals.   

The show “tells the story of Ruby, who steps off a bus from Utah and into her first Broadway show. But hours before the opening night curtain is set to rise, the cast learns that their theater is being demolished. With the help of some adoring sailors, Ruby and the cast set a plan in motion to perform the show in a naval battleship.”

Now, it seems that this musical is Broadway bound, with a planned opening for 2014. The show will be directed and choreographed by Randy Skinner, who had already shown his production at the Infinity Theatre Company in Annapolis, MD, in 2012. Skinner got Tony  nominations for his work in “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas”, “42nd Street” and “Ain’t Broadway Grand.”

The original Off-Broadway production gave us a delightful cast recording featuring Bernadette Peters in one of her first roles and was also produced for television in 1971 starring Ann-Margret and Ann Miller, that unfortunately I never saw.

BIG FISH – The Musical

First it was a book by Daniel Wallace, then a movie by Tim Burton. Now it becomes a stage musical with a book by John August and a score by Andrew Lippa, that’ll open on Broadway next October, at the Neil Simon Theatre.

This new musical has direction and choreography by Susan Stroman, who I think it’s one of the most talented and inventive people in the business. The cast includes Norbert Leo Butz, Kate Baldwin, Bobby Steggert, Krystal Joy Brown, Zachary Unger and Brad Oscar. For more about Susan, visit my Susan Stroman site.

The Broadway previews begin September 5 and the tickets are already on sale, meanwhile you can have a sneak peek by watching the video below. You can also listen to a song or two by clicking here.

Photos from the Chicago production by Paul Kolnik.