| The middle of "Bandstand"'s act two onward (SPOILERS). | |
| Last Edit: Delvino 04:20 pm EDT 07/09/17 | |
| Posted by: Delvino 04:12 pm EDT 07/09/17 | |
| In reply to: re: To your point about not being saccharine. - AlanScott 03:30 pm EDT 07/09/17 | |
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| MAJOR SPOILERS. Big discussion in my digs this a.m. about the stylistic change once they board that train for NYC. Everything alters visually, almost -- this is just for shorthand's sake -- the way "Follies' changes for "Loveland." Korins' gritty reality -- brown, aging walls, real deviled eggs, the ugly back of an upright piano, worn shoes, cigarettes and booze -- is abandoned entirely, as is the rear "Hamilton"esque faux brick wall of the theater. From then on, the entire show is lit differently against a cyc. And once those conductors arrive in grand, shiny 20th Century attire, with silver footlockers, and the band picks up gorgeous satin suits -- with only so much cash -- we are still seeing fantasy on some level, aren't we? The bold pieces that Korins flies in are abstract and not in the same world as the rest of the show. Not just to dazzle us, but to *say* something, theatrically, yes? Is the show suggesting that this is what the overdue journey to New York *feels* like? So wonderful, that they enter MGM land in their minds, finally? (The entire score is built on the opening sung refrain, "There is a train..." poignantly played out in "Right This Way," so finally getting to that specific train is organic, fulfillment dramatized.) But is what happens after they lose "true?" It would be believable enough if they ended up a successful band in the midwest, making progress. But one year later, they are at the Rainbow Room? Well, it's possible, due to the focus on the contest, bogus though it is. And maybe because Osnes's Julia is that damn good. I don't know. I would've been happy with them returning to Cleveland and struggling but with some ground made. They are suddenly Tommy Dorsey. To a certain extent, it doesn't ruin the show for me, that they are rewarded for their honesty. But is it believable? It isn't "Follies." These creators want to reward their character *and" the audience. Thoughts? I know you're not a big fan, Alan. |
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