All That Chat - re: Carousel -- at the Chicago Lyric yesterday

HOME ALL THAT CHAT ATC WEST COAST SHOPPIN' RUSH BOARD FAQS

LOGIN REGISTER SEARCH FLAT MODE

not logged in

re: Carousel -- at the Chicago Lyric yesterday

Posted by:	StageStruckLad 01:11 pm EDT 05/05/15
In reply to:	Carousel -- at the Chicago Lyric yesterday - BroadwayTonyJ 05:19 pm EDT 05/04/15

Glad you enjoyed it, but this production left me stone-cold. Carousel is maybe my favorite musical, and I saw the show Friday night with the understudy Rob Hunt, who was sadly quite underwhelming. They made an announcement that Hunt had a cold, which explained why he had trouble hitting some of the higher notes, but it didn't explain his lack of acting skills. He played Billy like a surly thug, and despite his hunky headshot in the program, in person he looked a bit more like Rosanne Barr's former husband Tom Arnold. Laura Osnes sang nicely, but she was one of the blandest Julies I've seen. Where to start with Rob Ashford's hideous direction? The opening number with three circus tents was muddled and confusing. Why in the world are Billy and Julie miles apart on that giant stage during the bench scene? And at the end of the number, as the orchestra soars with that glorious melody, why does Ashford stage it so that it looks like Billy is raping Julie? Denyse Graves was the most sullen Nettie I've ever seen, and her attempt to lighten up by waving her arms in the air during "This Was a Real Nice Clambake" was unintentionally hilarious. The homoerotic couplings of the sailors during "Blow High Blow Low" made me cringe. And I felt that nearly all the choreography and directorial choices during Louise's ballet were godawful. There were a few redeeming factors: Jenn Gambatese and Matthew Hydzik were excellent as Carrie and Enoch. Abigail Simon danced well as Louise. And the orchestra sounded great. That's about it. I hope it's the end of the line for this misbegotten production. Revive Nicolas Hytner's brilliant production, LCT!

reply \|

Previous:	Carousel -- at the Chicago Lyric yesterday - BroadwayTonyJ 05:19 pm EDT 05/04/15
Next:	re: Carousel -- at the Chicago Lyric yesterday - BroadwayTonyJ 01:32 pm EDT 05/05/15

Thread:	re: Carousel -- at the Chicago Lyric yesterday - BroadwayTonyJ 01:32 pm EDT 05/05/15

All That Chat is intended for the discussion of theatre news and opinion
subject to the terms and conditions of the Terms of Service. (Please take all off-topic discussion to private email.)