| I think it's positively splendid. Incredible performances from this cast, terrific editing. | |
| Last Edit: GrumpyMorningBoy 05:24 pm EDT 07/03/20 | |
| Posted by: GrumpyMorningBoy 05:17 pm EDT 07/03/20 | |
| In reply to: Quick Thoughts on Hamilton - WWriter 03:43 am EDT 07/03/20 | |
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| A fantastic job on all accounts; I think the edits and camera choices are excellent, and really capture the mood just the way they're supposed to. Mr. Kail seems to have inherited some smart lessons from Bob Fosse who understood that the camera's angle could essentially become a new dancer, and that you've got to be super judicious about when the camera should move and when it should stay still. It's very well done. Washington's entrance alone was thrilling. Same for the "rewind" segment at the start of "Satisfied." Also loved the way he shot Burr's climactic finale of "The Room Where it Happens," all the way from the sotto voce vocal through Burr's entrance into the choreography to the exhilarating final moments. REALLY well done. I also came away all the more impressed by some of the performances here -- which, considering how far into the run they were, still managed to keep things alive and spontaneous. Lin-Manuel himself surprised me. For a guy who wrote the piece, it's impressive how well he really doesn't get ahead of himself in the performance. And once again, I can't say enough good things about Anthony Ramos, who was the cast standout for me from the first moment I saw this cast. I'm unsurprised that he's on his way to movie stardom. One side note: considering how refreshed and vocally healthy Phillipa Soo sounded in the clip the cast did for The Tonight Show this week, I was reminded just how tough of a sing Eliza really is. She sounds nearly identical on this live performance as she sounds on the OCR, but some of that high belting must have been exhausting. I wonder if other Elizas are placing that much of the role in a belt voice? The Eliza I saw in Chicago (whose name escapes me) certainly did. But if I were casting this or music directing this, gosh, I really think I'd look for a singer who has a bright mix she could rely on. FWIW, Ms. Soo sounded sooooo relaxed and terrific on that Tonight Show clip of "Helpless" that it reminded me how much easier some things are when you aren't doing 8 shows a week. While we're talking vocal technique... what a great reminder here to see just how gifted a singer Leslie Odom Jr. is. I know he's got more studio singing experience than many others, but he's also got the most beautiful sensibilities on how to caress a musical phrase. His acting is spot on, of course, and NEVER too much, but the guy really knows how to use his instrument. But above all, I'm beyond thrilled for the countless kids and teenagers who are going to fall in love with musical theatre specifically BECAUSE of this live recording. An entire generation will love the arts just because of this one work. That's more than enough to give me some optimism about our nation this 4th of July weekend. - GMB |
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