I disagree about Jackman "suppressing his natural charisma." It's there in spades. His/Zaks's version of a conman does not emphasize the dark, slithery side; he wins people over by oozing friendliness and letting them shine, especially in the dance numbers. And he's certainly not the same in his scenes with Marcellus as he is when glad-handing the townspeople. His demeanor and body language change when with his old partner. For example, he's mischievous and lecherous-sounding in their duet, "The Sadder But Wiser Girl."
As to Marian, yes, Sutton is mostly wonderful and in gorgeous voice. But it seems to me that she and/or Zaks have overly reshaped her character since the early previews when she was much more reserved. In Act II, In recent performances, in a jarringly stark departure from her earlier demeanor in Act I, she's mugging and engaging in broad comedy to the point of being cartoonish, especially in her scene with anvil salesman Charlie Cowell. The change doesn't seem organic, but the audience eats it up. So I guess it works. |
