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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

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

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

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

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

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

nmi


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