Finally, after years of waiting, I got to see this show. I’ve seen a lot of stuff about the original production, and I knew the touring version was quite different, so I wasn’t expecting to be blown away by the sets or anything. But, I still thought they were pretty good, and if you’d never seen the original mansion, you would think this one was not bad at all.
Lewis Cleale was a great Joe. I was a little leery, since I didn’t really know him from anything else, but he did absolutely nothing wrong, and had a lovely voice to boot. I was disappointed that he spoke rather than sang the opening – something which they did with a lot of lines. I’m assuming it was a directorial decision, perhaps because people have complained. However, I missed it, especially in the scenes with Betty and Joe.
Sarah Uriarte Berry was fine as Betty. I liked her better toward the end, and particularly in “Too Much in Love to Care”, as it seemed she was overacting or something at the beginning. But she also has a lovely voice. Michael Berry was fabulous as Artie, and the two of them together were too cute.
The performer I was most excited about seeing was Allen Fitzpatrick as Max, since he’s an original Scarlet Pimpernel alumni, and I have fond memories of his Farleigh. He did a wonderful job as Max as well, and his “Greatest Star of All” and “Surrender Reprise” were beautiful. He had a kind of odd shuffling walk that I could have done without, but the way he reacted to what was happening between Joe and Norma was perfect.
And finally, Petula Clark as Norma. I’m not entirely convinced that the role is within her range vocally – although maybe we just saw her on an off day. She seemed to be really stretching at times to hit notes. However, her version of “As If We Never Said Goodbye” was dead-on, and beautifully delivered. I have mixed feelings about her portrayal of Norma, as she seemed to be milking the comic aspects of the role at times, to the detriment of the more serious tragedy underlying them.
What’s up with that car chase scene? That had to be one of the most ridiculous things I’ve seen on stage. A lot of audience members were laughing, and I had to actually turn away – I found it painful to watch.
The staging of many scenes was quite different from the original version – not better or worse, necessarily, but just different. I liked the party for “This Time Next Year”, and also the light-hearted treatment of “Too Much in Love to Care”. One thing I really, really liked was during the final scene, while Joe is waiting for Betty to arrive at the house, the “ghosts” of his past life came back to torment him, which provides more of a motivation for his cruel attitude towards Betty. Lewis also did a great job of that scene.
I missed Joe falling into the orchestra pit when he’d been shot. I’d only heard about it, but it sounds like it would be cool. This time he just staggered offstage.
All in all, I enjoyed the show quite a bit. There are problems with it, but I’ve always been a big fan of the score and, if nothing else, it’s an entertaining evening of theatre.
The Quotes:
“Oh. It’s a musical.”
The man behind us before the show started
“I think we should see naked men singing more often.”
Alison – no explanation necessary 😉
The cast:
|
Joe Gillis |
LEWIS CLEALE |
|
Artie Green |
MICHAEL BERRY |
|
Cecil B. DeMille |
GEORGE MERNER |
|
Betty Schaefer |
SARAH URIARTE BERRY |
|
Max von Mayerling |
ALLEN FITZPATRICK |
|
Norma Desmond |
PETULA CLARK |
|
Camera Operator/Cowboy/Cliff/Salesman/Guard/Soundman |
CHRISTOPHER VETTEL |
|
Electrician/Indian/Prop Man/Salesman |
ERICK PINNICK |
|
Reporter/Secretary/Lisa/Astrologer |
ELLEN HOFFMAN |
|
Reporter/Jonesy/Sammy/Salesman |
BILL KOCIS |
|
Reporter/Myron/Salesman/Assistant Director |
JOHN-MICHAEL FLATE |
|
Reporter/Wardrobe Lady/Waitress/Priestess/Beautician |
MARY KATE McGRATH |
|
Photographer/Priestess/Heddy Lamar/Masseuse |
AMANDA PAIGE |
|
Photographer/Choreographer/Salesman/Victor Mature |
RANDY BOBISH |
|
Photographer/Priestess/Masseuse |
DARIA LYNN SCATTON |
|
Police Captain/1st Finance Man/Actor/Musician/Hog-Eye |
MICHAEL DANTUONO |
|
Policeman/Sheldrake/Undertaker/Actor/Musician/Electrician |
MICHAEL FARINA |
|
Policman/2nd Finance Man/Soda Jerk/Manfred/Actor/Camera Operator |
RICK QUALLS |
|
Policeman/Morino/Actor/Salesman/Cinematographer |
MICHAEL RICCIARDONE |
|
Katherine/Make-up Lady/Doctor/Reporter |
KIMLA Y. BEASLEY |
|
Joanna/Heather/Analyst/Reporter |
ALICE LYNN |
|
Mary/Waitress/Priestess/Beautician/Photographer |
LISA TRADER |