| The Visit at WTF: my take on the show | |
| Posted by: | Glitter 10:54 pm EDT 08/15/14 |
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| I've seen The Visit twice this week. First off, here's been some discussion abiut which translation they used as source. It was the Valency. I ADORE what they've done with the show. It's smooth, economical, expressionistic, full of beautiful imagery. The new orchestrations are Viennese, operatic, and gorgeous. Gone: One Legged Tango, most of the buttons on the songs, all the husbands, minor towns people, and Lenny & Benny. The Schell children are now adults, not kids. I enjoyed Rees' performance, but it didn't mesh with the whole show for me. Maybe his accent? His very animated and blustery style? It's not that he was bad or made wrong choices at all, but it didn't click with the whole for me. If you love Doyle, you 'll like what he's done. If you loathe him, you'll loathe what he's done. Lots of people on stage, watching and walking. I think it serves the material beautifully. I was surprised that the show opens with "youthful cunnilingus" (to put it politely), but it fits. I know it sounds out of left field, but it does work and isn't awkward or funny (is it a first? How many other shows open with someone going down on his girlfriend?) There is a beautiful, moving pas de deux between Claire and her younger self. Several people around me teared up....excellent conception and performance. Also, The Visit traditionally ends with horror creeping over the Mayor's face. Doyle has given the show a new ending that is even more unsettling and beautiful. It's powerful and took my breath away. Last night, I was in Chita's dressing room after the show, and spent a good part of the evening with John Kander. Talking to him candidly about the show and his goals with it was gratifying, and I am confident in saying that people (and reviewers) who focus on the revenge, the horror, and the politics of the show are completely missing the point of this show. Should it transfer? Yes. I say that because most of the people I overheard after were saying lovely things about the music, the imagery, the performances, the romance, being moved etc etc. The few people I overheard who didn't like it were very vocal in their dislike of the story (one person said "well, that was a sour evening" as his wife was wiping away tears). Lots of superlative things have been said about Chita's performance, and when it comes to NYC there will be many more. It's a performance worthy of her years :) any more questions? | |
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| Previous: | Ben Brantley's coming up on "Charlie Rose" ... - kieran 11:33 pm EDT 08/15/14 |
| Next: | re: The Visit at WTF: my take on the show - Murphy27A 12:38 am EDT 08/17/14 |
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