I saw the show Wednesday night and was captivated by the stellar performances of the cast and band. The nonsense and whimsy of the show was a delight, one of the best shows I've seen in a while. Yes it is dated as are the cutlural references but any show that is older than 5 years old can be put in this category.
1
I remember the original quite well. it was exciting and new. Several friends and I used to go down to Judson Memorial to see the latest Al Carmines opus, and we saw Promenade when it went off Bway. Terrifically demanding on singers but a treat for the audience. I can still remember some of the songs from Carmines' Christmas Rappings.
I don't know what show others experienced last night but I'm fairly sure it was not the same one I witnessed. The talented cast sang beautifully and the orchestra was wonderful. The rest was a disappointment to put it politely. This felt like a museum piece, dated and not particularly well-written. I understand it's importance in the history of theater but this production left me wondering why anyone would revive it.
@Tom, regarding "I understand it's importance in the history of theater"
That's why "New Yorkers" was able to be done, too, we have to assume - no one in their right business minds could do that commercially, and true to what the legislators had to have meant when they included performing arts for favorable tax treatment.
I'm actually starting to think that about the "inclusion" version of Throughly Modern Millie that's coming up - a lot of work, that could only be done with no expectation of being a huge moneymaker. But feeling that doing these things while creators are around and active as artists will be of societal value.
(Other thoughts from the past remain, but these specifically sound like what the tax benefits were intended for - whatever Mnuchin thinks, LOL.)
@Tom
Sorry you didn't appreciate it. I found the music to be a brilliant and glorious stylistic reflection of so much musical history - Threepenny Opea, The Cradle Will Rock, Candide, Gilbert and Sullivan, operetta, opera - and the book a wonderful synthesis of style as well. I think one has to be open to nothaving to chart every moment on a continuum of story and character development to appreciate a piece like this. I think 50 years later it's even easier to appreciate it given the abundance of mediocrity that has passed for successful musical theatre.
1
Attended on Thursday evening.
Wildly talented singers made the most of the Carmines score, embracing a multitude of widely contrasting styles.
Instrumentalists and musical direction were absolutely first class.
The intricately staged presentation did considerable justice to the offbeat world of Carmines' and Fornes' collective imagination.
And the occasional profundity of the lyrics came through.
A success.
3
@Charlie I was there, also, and absolutely concur! Fabulous production and excellent singing by the entire cast.
2
How do you leave Kent and Overshown out of the cast list at the bottom? Is it practice to only include names not in the review?
Kudos to City Center for two hours of unexpected of musical bliss. The legendary Al Carmines came thrillingly alive at City Center tonight. What a shame that this splendid gem should pass through Manhattan like a shooting star. Come on, LCT or St Ann’s, don’t let those magnificent voices and inspired performances fade into the ether.
7
Wow. This reviewer obviously saw a different show than I did. I thought it was pretty awful, though I agree that the performances were very good.
1
Oh yikes, is it really looking like this happy accident of all things coming together may disappear after tonight? Even if just as a piece of history. This screams out for a "Great Performances" style preservation which we inexplicably did not get with Porter's "New Yorkers" while everyone was still rehearsed. There must be "profits" galore ahead from the risk-free tour-stop booking of "Bat Out of Hell" and money will keep rolling in for the gala "Evita" (!).
4
This would be so perfect for the Beaumont and Lincoln Center Theater members, that it almost feels like the theater booking gods have been holding the Beaumont open for it.
(And it's too big for commercial off-Broadway anyway.)
6