David Hurst takes a look at The Secret Life of Bees:
Following their award-winning, smash hits Spring Awakening and The Band's Visit (and forgiving misguided debacles like This Ain't No Disco), the Atlantic Theater Company may have another hit musical on its hands with The Secret Life of Bees. That is, they may have a hit if they can fine-tune the second act to match the level of polish already evident in the first. Based on the 2001 best-selling novel by Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees boasts a book by Lynn Nottage, a score by Duncan Sheik (music) & Susan Birkenhead (lyrics), and direction by Sam Gold, who won a Tony for shepherding the groundbreaking Fun Home. There's so much that's wonderful about this gorgeous new musical, including its stellar cast, it would be a shame if the writers don't make the changes the show needs to cohere and soar. . . . |
