...is Amra-Faye Wright still playing Velma? If so, I have to ask, how does this woman still have a job? Poor Ms. Neuwirth must be having to avoid rolling her eyes every night.
Granted, Ms. Wright looks absolutely stunning on those giant billboards and buswraps I saw all over NY -- the legs going on forever, the pair of you-know-whats looking fabulous and that shock of blonde spiky hair. It's a striking image, but from the first notes of "All that Jazz" she was a monumental disappointment. The vacant, disengaged stare, the strained vocals on most songs, the limp, embarrassingly sloppy dancing and perhaps most bizarrely the strange voice in which she delivered most of her lines. I've seen her interviewed and she doesn't talk like that in "real" life, but on stage she had this strange squeaky, shaky "old woman" delivery -- like a bad Katherine Hepburn impression. So bizarre.
I did not see Bianca Marquin, but rather her understudy/standby who was gorgeous (strawberry blonde/redish curly hair), but in the charisma department, a big fat... zero.
Ryan Silverman was a terribly dashing Billy, though he could have used a bit more confidence and swagger the night I saw him.
R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine had a stunning voice, but was getting bored and REALLY hamming it up.
Roz Ryan as Mama sounded great, but looked bored as hell.
About half the ensemble was very strong -- engaged, on point, singing fiercely, dancing wonderfully -- that would include Donna Marie Asbury (who was a knockout Velma on tour). Unfortunately, the usually wonderful Stephanie Pope seemed a bit, well, tired. Unfortunately, she was not the only one in the ensemble. I saw the show close to Thanksgiving. There was also a gentleman in the ensemble whom I won't name who, well, looked like he'd been eating carbs well before Turkey Day. I don't believe in body shaming, but it's Fosse, in those slinky black costumes. I can't imagine him casting such a well fed dancer.
The best thing, by far, was the band. I'm sure some of those musicians have been playing this score for years, but they sounded red hot. I had a front row rush ticket and hearing that sublime Kander/Ebb score played with such style and passion was a joy. The band got the loudest ovation of the night. Hopefully the rest of the ensemble can raise their game to meet the band and Ms. Neuwirth.
(apologies for typos...typed from my phone)
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