| Charmless | |
| Posted by: Genealley 03:38 pm EST 02/10/22 | |
| In reply to: re: THE MUSIC MAN Last Night - Roman 11:45 am EST 02/10/22 | |
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| It's the key element that's missing in this production. We don't feel much for anyone. It's kind of a nasty plot. Conman is duping an entire town and against all odds, the smartest woman in town falls for him just because she's lonely and resigned to her lot. The whole plot turns on the fact that this clueless town falls for his con against all odds. If you don't care or even LIKE these people, there's not a lot to root for. Hell, they get what they deserve. But in the original, we grow to care about the town and the people. Even though they're cranky, they are homey (albeit VERY midwest conservative) and upright and have their sweet idiosyncracies. And part of that charm is reinforced in the use of the Barbershop Quartet. To take out even a bit of one of their songs is sacrilege! There seems to be no time to develop any feelings for anyone in this prod. Everything is rushed, efficient and quickly on track to get to the next bloated, tuneless, charmless dance number. And, you're right....don't get me started about that set and "main curtain". Let's kill the charm right when the audience enters the theatre and sits in the seats! I would pay to see Hugh sit at a table and talk to me for an hour. He's one of the more delightful stars around. But here, they don't give him a moment to "charm". He's so BUSY all the time. He's just run ragged. And as I've said before, he really looks like he needs a sandwich! Sure Sutton's voice is not what was written. But IMHO, she worked around it just fine. And her straight-on approach to the role totally won me over. She really accepts him for what he is and she accepts her lot for what it is and she makes it work for her. It's actually a very modern take on the role. She's the star of the show and her story is the interesting one. But why, oh why, does she have to do a Reno Sweeney tap dance at the curtain call. I just don't get it, except for giving the audience their overpriced money's worth. Our newly enlightened arts administrators (see ENCORES!) seem to want to banish "old style" musicals to the dust bin, claiming they aren't relevant, woke or representative of the world. Sometimes all you want in your musical is a bit of grace and charm...and fun. |
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