I wish I'd had more time in the city, there are a lot of shows to see. I made my choices on various criteria, but here's a few thoughts:
HEIDI CHRONICLES - first time seeing. Some lovely moments, sharp acting especially between Pinkham and Moss. I feel like there's a deeper interpretation to be made, not sure how to do it or how to better connect it to a 25-years-later awareness. This is the third play I've seen Elisabeth Moss in and I admire her choices. Lovely actress. (And damn I am going to miss "Mad Men".)
ON THE 20TH CENTURY - Thoroughly enjoyable, fun set and staging and really had a good time--but some of the comedy felt forced and at times I wanted it all kicked up a notch. Chenoweth certainly delivers vocally and I loved every second with the porters. Didn't see the original or tour so this is the first big production I've seen and glad for it. Was most skeptical about Mary Louise Wilson in this role but she was charming. I just love this score but couldn't help thinking it could have used some Casey Nicholaw-type polish of Scott Ellis' work. Would definitely see a second time, though.
FUN HOME - without doubt the best thing I saw this weekend. Emotional, beautifully performed and staged, just loved it. For me the mix of past and present accomplished everything that The Visit did not.
THE VISIT - love Chita, liked a lot of the music but felt the whole endeavor is working too hard and somehow still missing the point. Great cast all delivering more than the material gives them. Not terrible but a lot of missed opportunities.
AN AMERICAN IN PARIS - What?!? Whose idea was it to take that most theatrical of movies where dance and story were fully integrated and make it a not-ballet, not-well-staged over-complicated version of a simple love story? I appreciated that the time was moved closer to WWII and some context was established, but almost every number failed to live up to its potential. OK, maybe you don't want to steal directly from Vincente Minnelli, but no staircase in "Stairway to Paradise" and no POV in the final ballet? And no theatrical magic in that ballet? I'm sorry, projections mean nothing to me, get a set. And three (3) three men vying for this young woman? And maybe one is gay but huh? And where was the romance? I was not dazzled. But I did thoroughly enjoy Veanne Cox.
So that was my weekend. Great to catch up on some things but sorry I missed others.
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