The creators of this musical also were responsible for Cabaret and Chicago; two of the great American musicals but this is a lesser work. It is an ambitious musical for a small company to attempt and the offering is a pared down version with a cast of seven plus four musicians.
The first Act didn't quite work. The music was tuneful but the lyrics lacked wit and the voices of the performers didn't seem appropriate to their characters. The second Act was a complete contrast. The music continued to be tuneful but now the lyrics seemed wittier, the performers' voices stronger, the staging more interesting.
The musicians were splendid throughout except for the moment when the good looking young cellist took to biting his nails during one dramatic non-musical moment. (I know I should have been focusing on the actors rather than watching him at that moment but he was in my line of sight.)
I saw your blog on 2c Worth Down Under and had to comment because I just started reading the book. In Spanish, no less! It's even better than the movie and likely the show (excellent as that probably is). Do yourself a favor! The dialogue between the two blows me away as they strip off their 'outside' selves and go, I don't know where yet! lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks Eric. I imagine the book is good given that it inspired a fine movie and an unlikely musical.
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