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| re: THE MUSIC MAN Last Night | |
| Posted by: toros 12:05 pm EST 02/10/22 | |
| In reply to: THE MUSIC MAN Last Night - sergius 11:28 pm EST 02/09/22 | |
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| Whatever the merits of the source material are, and they're considerable, this revival undermines them at every turn. The design is ugly with conspicuous "squares" in the drops, the book scenes are rushed, the choreography is energetic but doesn't grow naturally out of the songs (which, in the original, emerege elegantly from the book scenes), the staging is flat, the humor is forced, and the two leads, to my disappointment, have substituted "fake crack-ups" instead of earning the laughs, which I haven't seen since Ann Miller and Mickey Rooney in Sugar Babies. Of course, the audience loves fake crack-ups, feeling like they're in on something, but it smacks of desperation. The entire production is mechanical, without a genuinely felt moment. | |
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| re: THE MUSIC MAN Last Night | |
| Posted by: Delvino 09:07 pm EST 02/10/22 | |
| In reply to: re: THE MUSIC MAN Last Night - toros 12:05 pm EST 02/10/22 | |
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| The Steve and Eydie stuff -- see Rainbow, Golden -- seems odd so early in this year's run. It worked with the last mega-bucks revival, but Midler and Jackman are not the same kind of stars. Midler played both Dolly Levi and Bette-playing-Dolly-Levi in the same performance, and moved between the two takes almost effortlessly. She could back up to the proscenium, panting, and it was a meta comment on the title number's demands, and her own winking need to remind us that she's a consummate entertainer who lets us see her sweat. "Yes, it's me, I'm up here, folks!" Bette got away with. But Jackman's appeal is more about his triple-threat street cred, and the role he's given himself to unstintingly. If he's survived 19 months of shutdown and even his own Covid infection and is ready to step out of the character already? That's probably not what many are paying $700 to see. But hey, I could be very wrong. If so -- if these two stars succeed in these step-outs, and do what Midler did as successfully, I'll take back my post. | |
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| re: THE MUSIC MAN Last Night | |
| Posted by: jo 02:42 am EST 02/13/22 | |
| In reply to: re: THE MUSIC MAN Last Night - Delvino 09:07 pm EST 02/10/22 | |
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| Hugh Jackman saved The Boy From Oz from the universal critical pan that the show received, by repositioning it to include many break-the-the-wall incidents. Which people loved! He did the same thing for BackOnBway and was equally successful. But I am not seeing this show for his triple-threat talent only. Nor for those 4th wall incursions! While it is true that I first saw him live in Oklahoma! in London, I did not even know him then. It was when I finally discovered his filmography that I became interested to follow his body of work. He is particularly good in drama, action, comedy ( including dark comedy) and eventually proved his worth in musicals ( stage & film). Two diametrically opposites are favorites - Logan & Les Miserables! He is arguably one of the most versatile actors these days - maybe even the one with the greatest range - as he has proved his versatility in both film and stage ( and even concert tours). I am keen to see The Music Man because I want to see again an actor/performer whose range is immense and who is very dedicated in sharing his talent with the audience. Btw, if you haven't see him in Prisoners or The Fountain or Logan or Bad Education - give them a viewing...and see how he can show the depths of his acting talent. |
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| re: what does "squares in the drops" mean? (nmi) | |
| Posted by: ilw 12:54 pm EST 02/10/22 | |
| In reply to: re: THE MUSIC MAN Last Night - toros 12:05 pm EST 02/10/22 | |
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| nm | |
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| re: what does "squares in the drops" mean? (nmi) | |
| Posted by: toros 01:29 pm EST 02/10/22 | |
| In reply to: re: what does "squares in the drops" mean? (nmi) - ilw 12:54 pm EST 02/10/22 | |
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| What I meant is that drops in most shows are, or look to be, of one piece. Some of the MM drops look "pieced together," and square panels are visible. I'm pretty sure these "squares" are not meant to be conspicuous, as they are not in all of the drops. Word is that Mr. Zaks is not happy with the sets. I'll see if I can find a photo and post a link to better explain. | |
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| re: what does "squares in the drops" mean? (nmi) | |
| Posted by: ilw 02:08 pm EST 02/10/22 | |
| In reply to: re: what does "squares in the drops" mean? (nmi) - toros 01:29 pm EST 02/10/22 | |
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| Thanks! That was helpful. | |
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