| THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY tonight at the Schoenfeld | |
| Posted by: | seeseveryshow 12:53 am EST 01/21/14 |
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| The Schoenfeld Theatre, formerly known as the Plymouth and once considered to be the Shubert Organization's premier house for plays, has been lovingly and expensively refurbished. The crystal chandeliers and all ceiling lighting appear to have been replaced by glorious new fixtures, and all fabrics, curtains, carpets and seats have been elegantly replaced. Every inch has been repainted. I don't know if the men's loo in the lower lobby, nor the box office lobby, have changed much, but there appears to be a new ladies lav on the mezzanine level. The theatre's new colors remind of the stunning Haymarket Theatre in London. What a pleasure to see this venue polished and refreshed. (I didn't know it needed it!) As for the show - a mixed bag. The central performances of O'Hara and Pasquale impress as expected, and it is perhaps a shame that the book doesn't focus virtually exclusively on them and get delivered in a tighter 100 minute chamber musical format. In opening up the book and movie, and providing book scenes and musical moments for subsidiary characters, the creators now have a show that runs nearly 3 hours and feels long and diffuse. It's easy to see where cuts could be made (starting with Hunter Foster's two songs, an awful second act opening scene at the State Fair, and a gloomy "When I'm Gone" near the conclusion of the show), but I don't think the generally maudlin story is ever gonna knock the socks off theatregoers. Having said that, people who know the story will not expect a razzle dazzle musical. But, they should expect something that is adult and moving. Despite a lot of very pretty music and the two extraordinary leads, and even envisioning a show made tighter by sensible cutting and rewrites, it is not clear if they will succeed. The show barely touches one's heart at the moment. There were no apparent flubs in tonight's performance, although O' Hara at one point said "I'll get some film for your ice" instead of "I'll get some ice for your film" but she caught herself and corrected it - and maybe that is how it is scripted. Several audience members mentioned at intermission that they were distracted by the set - which gets us to one of the most disappointing aspects of the show - the scenic design. It was tedious watching ensemble members frequently carrying the kitchen set, tables and chairs, on and off stage - largely because there was nothing else to distract the eye from watching the scene changes. But, more than that, I thought there was a lack of imagination in the show's design, and the failure to give us an actual covered bridge, or reasonable facsimile, was unforgivable. Also, I expected some scenic references to the Kincaid character's photography - not what they did in THE HAPPY TIME years ago, but some way of using photography as a scenic design element. As for the music...???? It all seemed pretty enough in the theatre, and a song about life rushing by in a second ("One Second & a Million Miles") seemed lush and powerful. I thought O'Hara's Act 1 opening song ("To Build A Home") was undistinguished and hard to follow (with her Italian accent). One of the lyric's that took me out of the moment was in the unnecessary "He Forgave Me" sung by Francesca' sister. It went something like: "a woman can do anything she wishes...but don't ask her husband to do the dishes..." I will leave it to others to discuss whether O'Hara and/or Pasquale seem too young for the roles they are playing, whether they age appropriately, whether O'Hara needs better wigs, etc etc. Front row orchestra seating will be excellent as the stage is low, and there is an orchestra pit between the stage lip and front seats. Tonight's performance appeared to be SRO. Director Bartlett Sher and composer Jason Robert Brown conferred at rear orchestra during intermission. Neither one was smiling much... | |
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| re: THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY tonight at the Schoenfeld | |
| Posted by: | FinalPerformance 12:56 pm EST 01/21/14 |
| In reply to: | THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY tonight at the Schoenfeld - seeseveryshow 12:53 am EST 01/21/14 |
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| Just want to add that this show should have a 7:30 curtain. I did like the score and the cast were top notch. The idea of not having a covered bridge has to be taken care of. It does add to the story. Having cast members moving around props seemed alittle odd to me too.I wish everyone connected with this romantic musical the best of luck. | |
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| re: THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY tonight at the Schoenfeld | |
| Posted by: | mamaleh 08:58 am EST 01/21/14 |
| In reply to: | THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY tonight at the Schoenfeld - seeseveryshow 12:53 am EST 01/21/14 |
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| Well-made points, all. I spoke with some cast members after a performance. Tweaking is definitely taking place, which is good. Very few shows can be three hours long and get away with it. This one, while full of charm and mostly lush songs, cannot and should not. The Italian sister's number, while somewhat entertaining, took me out of the show and into NINE; I half-expected to see Antonio B. bound onto the stage. I can see why someone of the stature of Hunter Foster was given songs, but not those particular songs. No matter their ages, the two leads have the great chemistry that comes with the actors' having a longstanding relationship as friends and co-performers (Steven Pasquale originated the role of Fabrizio in LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA during previews on the west coast.) I just wish I could have understood more of the lyrics O'Hara sings. She still doesn't register as Italian or hauntingly dissatisfied to me as Elena Shaddow did, but her singing is beautiful. As to Pasquale, I'm happy to report that he is making the most of his way overdue Broadway musical debut, for which I've been waiting since A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE. Acting and vocal prowess--which will likely come as a surprise to those who know him largely from RESCUE ME or DO NO HARM--are both top-notch. He deserves a Tony nomination. The performance I attended likewise appeared to be totally full; the reception enthusiastic. With a bit of work, this could be a big hit. | |
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| re: THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY tonight at the Schoenfeld | |
| Posted by: | larry13 09:22 am EST 01/21/14 |
| In reply to: | re: THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY tonight at the Schoenfeld - mamaleh 08:58 am EST 01/21/14 |
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| Just a small correction. When you discuss Pasquale's chemistry with O'Hara(and, for what it's worth, a friend who saw the first preview specifically mentioned she felt this was lacking), you point out he was the Fabrizio early on in LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA. But wasn't he playing opposite Celia Keenan-Bolger, not O'Hara, then? | |
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| re: THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY tonight at the Schoenfeld | |
| Posted by: | perfectlyfrank 12:39 pm EST 01/21/14 |
| In reply to: | re: THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY tonight at the Schoenfeld - larry13 09:22 am EST 01/21/14 |
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| True, Pasquale played opposite Keenan-Bolger but his friendship with O'Hara has been long. Most recently, the two played husband and wife in FAR FROM HEAVEN. I wish the show well because Pasquale is way overdue for recognition for his beautiful voice and sensitive acting. | |
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| re: THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY tonight at the Schoenfeld | |
| Posted by: | lordofspeech 10:54 am EST 01/21/14 |
| In reply to: | re: THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY tonight at the Schoenfeld - larry13 09:22 am EST 01/21/14 |
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| This may be an older thread. But...what happened that Keenan-Bolger was replaced by O'Hara. The former seems right-er to play the damaged girl. | |
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| re: THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY tonight at the Schoenfeld | |
| Posted by: | superior_exterior 11:27 am EST 01/21/14 |
| In reply to: | re: THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY tonight at the Schoenfeld - lordofspeech 10:54 am EST 01/21/14 |
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| She's very right for the part on paper, and plays that kind of innocence and damage very well, as is evidenced by her work in the current revival of The Glass Menagerie. But, based on what I have heard about the run, she just wasn't up to the demands of the score as it had been conceived. O'Hara was already on hand, as she had been playing Franca (the part that later went to Sarah Uriarte Berry) I'm always more surprised at how O'Hara had been cast as Italian in that original production, which is funny in light of how the "Does she read Italian" conversation has now been renewed with Bridges of Madison County. | |
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| Yes, he was--and in Chicago as well. nmi | |
| Posted by: | Cleveland 10:03 am EST 01/21/14 |
| In reply to: | re: THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY tonight at the Schoenfeld - larry13 09:22 am EST 01/21/14 |
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| nmi | |
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