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re: TB REGIONAL REVIEW: "ROAD SHOW" in SAN FRANCISCO

Posted by: MarkBearSF 05:25 pm EST 01/13/14
In reply to: TB REGIONAL REVIEW: "ROAD SHOW" in SAN FRANCISCO - T.B._Admin. 04:47 pm EST 01/09/14

I think this production is mostly for Sondheimites and completists.

Admittedly, one of his minor works at best, the production's limitations in production values and some of the singing made it difficult to enjoy it on its own terms. ("Mama" was so off pitch in "Isn't He Something!" I was thinking "Please end it quickly")

As you mention, Dramedy, the score is jaunty and tuneful and I would've loved to hear a clarinet and a couple more pieces in the orchestra. That said, the pianist did an excellent job.

I'm really happy I saw it - It's always great to see exactly how a familiar score fits in with the show itself. However, someone coming in to it who was unfamiliar with the work would likely be disappointed, were they to simply judge it by what's on the stage.

(I just need to see Anyone Can Whistle, The Frogs [and Saturday Night] to cover all the squares in "Sondheim Bingo")

Mark


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the sets may not be that different from the Public

Posted by: dramedy 05:55 pm EST 01/13/14
In reply to: re: TB REGIONAL REVIEW: "ROAD SHOW" in SAN FRANCISCO - MarkBearSF 05:25 pm EST 01/13/14

what i read in BAR, it seems similar. THe public was a wall of crates, book shelves, cabinets and file drawers where beds and other items pulled out.

I recommend getting the cd--you will slowly start to enjoy the score and appreciate it. It's definitely not "in your face" type of score.


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re: the sets may not be that different from the Public

Posted by: MarkBearSF 07:51 pm EST 01/13/14
In reply to: the sets may not be that different from the Public - dramedy 05:55 pm EST 01/13/14

I suspect the set piece was better constructed at the Public.

I appreciated the "let's put on a show" minimalism of the staging (in fact, I enjoyed the cut paper "snow" that one reviewer took issue with).

However, here, it was clumsy and awkwardly painted (there was a globby checkerboard pattern on some surfaces for no apparent reason). At another point, they unfolded a panel and had to ask the audience in the front row to shift their legs to open it. At another point, a flap got hung-up.

Perhaps if all the performances were top-notch, the set piece might not be such a problem. However, here both shortcomings reinforced the each other - and not for the best.

Of course, all of this is IMHO.


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