Threaded Order Chronological Order
| Final Performance Today | |
| Last Edit: Shutterbug 10:48 pm EDT 05/21/23 | |
| Posted by: Shutterbug 10:40 pm EDT 05/21/23 | |
| In reply to: in praise of WHITE GIRL IN DANGER - ilw 09:57 am EDT 05/20/23 | |
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| I saw the final performance today. It was a sold out house with a very enthusiastic audience. Michael R. Jackson was in attendance and sitting near me. No curtain speeches but extended applause and standing ovation. I really had fun. Very entertaining. On the plus side: It’s smart and funny and has something to say. The allusions - in the dialogue, the staging, and the music - are very clever. It’s over-the-top and never boring. Then there’s Tarra Conner Jones who is absolutely amazing. She got a genuinely felt mid-show standing ovation for her 11:00 o’clock number. She SANG THE HOUSE DOWN. It was a performance for the ages. On the down side: The show is overstuffed and chaotic and messy. The plot is completely bonkers - and really becomes unhinged in Act 2. Also, it’s long - nearly 3 hours. Show started about 3:11 or so and ended a few minutes after 6. Thirty minutes could easily be trimmed. I don’t think this would find an audience on Broadway, but it was a hell of a lot of fun at 2nd Stage. Finally, the sound design could use an overhaul. It’s not easy to discern the lyrics over the orchestra. Bottom line - I’m glad I saw it. I really appreciate Michael R. Jackson’s unique voice. Such a creative mind. I can’t wait to see his next project, TEETH. |
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| Michael R Jackson and sound design | |
| Posted by: showtunesoprano 01:03 pm EDT 05/22/23 | |
| In reply to: Final Performance Today - Shutterbug 10:40 pm EDT 05/21/23 | |
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| This is the second show of Jackson's that has had repeated criticisms of sound design and an inability to understand the lyrics. I, too, experienced these issues at both shows. At what point do we acknowledge that maybe it's the writing that is making things hard to hear/understand and that this is something that he needs to work on? FWIW, I really liked A Strange Loop and thought White Girl was interesting but needs work. I like what Jackson has to say and he is an interesting new voice in theater. But he maybe needs a refresher on how to write for singers so they can be understood. | |
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| re: Michael R Jackson and sound design | |
| Posted by: ilw 05:27 pm EDT 05/22/23 | |
| In reply to: Michael R Jackson and sound design - showtunesoprano 01:03 pm EDT 05/22/23 | |
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| I don't think Jackson's writing is the problem. The lyrics are perfectly clear in The Strange Loop NPR Tiny Desk Concert. That doesn't mean Jackson is blameless, since I think a show's songwriter should make sure that their show sounds good in the theater. BTW, the linked Tiny Desk Concert is a wonderful experience. It's great to see the musicians, who were invisible in the theater. I'm particularly fascinated by the song "Periodically," which is the phone call that the main character's mother makes to her son on his birthday, which goes to some unexpected places musically and lyrically. |
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| Link | NPR TIny Desk Concert: A Strange Loop |
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