| re: MERRILY: How much do reviews affects our views? | |
| Posted by: pagates 10:35 am EST 02/24/19 | |
| In reply to: MERRILY: How much do reviews affects our views? - Zelgo 09:35 pm EST 02/23/19 | |
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| I also wondered at the time whether that was a factor in the audience response when I saw Friday. I’d never seen Merrily, though I was familiar with the story, its history and its music. I had very much been looking forward to seeing it … until Green's review deflated my anticipation. Reading Sergius concerned me even more as I greatly respect his judgment. As usual what he said is very helpful (though I think I liked it more than he). The book seems decidedly problematic; I can’t judge whether this production exacerbates or resolves any of its weaknesses, never having seen a different production. But I affirm that its streamlining and focus on the story makes what's happening clear. The people I saw it with who were most disappointed were people who had seen other productions. I confess: I loved the Hytner Carousel; I thought it transformed that show to a deep level of greatness. I endorse Sondheim’s view; I too love actors who can sing. So whatever vocal deficiencies the cast may have, they were not a problem for me. I also love this Merrily. I encourage others to see it. It’s an absorbingly interesting depiction of ideas. It boldly communicates the challenges of lives intersecting around friendship, love, work and play. It speaks thoughtfully and movingly about the shifting sands of hopes, dreams and expectations as they surface and sink in the characters’ abilities, talents and needs. I suspect its conceptual thickness plays a large role in what makes it such a difficult show to mount. It reminded me a bit of Company in being more like a staged/musicalized concept draped around a story rather than a story that illuminates concepts, most particularly in song — which, as others suggest, given the thinness of this production may undermine some of its power. But that said, this very thinness added a highly valuable human dimension. No, it’s not perfect, but it is deeply engaging — at levels that much of what I’ve seen in recent years is not. It has weaknesses, but it still connects and awakens the viewer with interior realities in a meaningful way. |
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| Previous: | re: MERRILY: How much do reviews affects our views? - mattyp4 04:31 pm EST 02/24/19 |
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