I can’t speak to eight times a week, but I saw last Wednesday’s matinee, and I was hoping to love “Mama will Provide.” But he did growl through it, like at the Tonys. More problematic, there was no joy in his take on the song, and it oddly came off as a kind of bossy, angry anthem. Given the material, that was peculiar.
Throughout the performance, he seemed to alternate between moments of truly interesting Meisner-y engagement (mostly when he was reacting on the side), clear boredom, and exhaustion. I came away understanding why some could think it was a nomination-worthy performance, while others might be totally unimpressed.
Overall, seeing the show was a gift I will always cherish. Had I been a voter, it would’ve killed me to vote against David Cromer, whose direction always impresses me. But Michael Arden’s work here was beyond transcendent. He is directorially on fire. They should let him tackle the revival of The Secret Garden. Or maybe Merrily. Or heck, a new Ahrens and Flaherty show. |
