I also loved the Bierko Luker revival, on all fronts. Being a midwesterner myself, I always felt there was a reality about Marian in particular, but midwrsterners in general in the show. They (we) are by nature friendly, trusting and fundamentally optimistic. But not stupid. Willson pulls off writing the characters (at least the main characters) without writing them as cartoons.
I will probably not see this Music Man (I'm not in NY anymore), but I will say this: regardless of other merits, hearing this score well played and sung makes for an enjoyable evening unto itself. If a production is otherwise good, that's a bonus. |