SET: Since it is the first piece of the show that I saw it will be the first part I will describe. The set is without a shadow of a doubt the most fully realized piece of the show’s production. It has enough to be involved yet still not overly opulent. It isn’t like the ISPY look of the original broadway set, it looks as if someone took pieces off of buildings in the lower east side and welded them together. Beautifully rendered and sadly not really utilized to it’s full potential. It rocks with it’s designers‘ originality while simultaneously playing stunning melodic riffs of the classic original. The set gets a resounding A.
COSTUMING: Mimi looked like she jumped out of a 1980’s halloween party and Maureen is a bit too bubbly looking for her own good (we have to believe that Joanne would fall in love with her) Though you did get a clear picture of the time period in which it is set. Though not memorable (but really should it be) B
ACTING:
Mark: The weakest member of the cast without a doubt. His acting is in a word “cringeworthy” His voice cracked and was far too flamboyant for anyone to truly believe he screwed with Maureen. I actually thought “No wonder she went to Joanne, she wanted a real man.” Mark granted shouldn’t be too easy to like but honestly does he have to be that douchey. And the character should honestly be the leader of an ensemble during La Vie Boheme and not have it be a Mark song that the ensemble sometimes sings during. He could still sing and if the character was supposed to be flamboyant he would be the man for the job but since it isn’t he gets a D+.
Roger: Honestly just a chore to watch him act. It’s like a lesson on acting 101 with nothing truly organic emanating from his singing. During “Your eyes” it almost seemed like he cared more that the audience heard his singing (which admittedly is stunning) than Mimi feeling his love for her. His singing gets an A- (he sounded just like Adam Pascal) his acting gets a C
Mimi A balladeer if there ever once one. Out Tonight falls flat on so many levels it would blow your mind but her crooning during Without You more than repays her previous made debt. Her acting is definitely set for a tragic look rather than the sassy I’m going to get you girl. Act 1 gets a C+ Act 2 gets an A (she held her own and over all elevated the acting ability around her during her death)
Collins He was given a problem that his fellow actors did not have to deal with. He got a new personality. Apparently Collins in this production is a have to see the best in the world druggy, a part that in my opinion should be held by Angel. His singing is scratchy (and not in a good way) but he did an amiable performance. B
Angel. Not her fault the choreography sucked but she still did not have the overpowering energy that the character should encompass. The singing (during contact) I closed my eyes and I easily imagined the ORIGINAL. That should be commended so she gets a A-
Benny The strongest character on stage. Of all of the actors he is the one who I would say is Broadway ready. Voice and acting give this kid the part any day of the week A
Maureen Honestly not great, had great energy but never fulfilled the role of the rebel that should be the character of Maureen but not so bad in the humor area. She had the energy and a decent voice so she gets a B
Joanne The strongest actor on the stage. I have seen this show 4 times and she is the best one I have seen. Blew me away that’s all I can really say about her. A
TOTAL B-
DIRECTION:
Ah now here is a conundrum. How does one make the show their own when the show itself has become a piece of pop culture history? According to this director you make a disconnected collage of original pieces and previously awarded motions. Seasons of Love in the line can’t be topped but would it have seriously killed them to do their own work for Another Day and Santa Fe. The two parts that were the worst were Christmas Bells (far too organized you should see the shuffle and mess of the city streets and see how it compares to their lives. They should not be in nice neat groups.) The end with the projector, pictures of rehearsals and people who turn in money... really) The best part in direction, Contact, brilliant new choreography that though truly did not reach as far as it could go it was still brilliantly realized.
CHOREOGRAPHY C+ DIRECTION B-
The show on a whole B-
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