I am expecting across-the-board raves for Jessie Mueller, nice things said about the designs and choreography, and mixed-to-positive reactions to the book, which will be the most criticized. The book is imperfect, but not awful. The show is entertaining, enjoyable, and engaging enough.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
Jessie Mueller deserves all the praise though. She is truly a star. By the time she sings the title song at the end, I was thoroughly blown away by her.
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Jessie Mueller has proved herself big time with this. We have been waiting to see her carry a show in a lead, and that's exactly what she does here. She has proved that she deserves to be in competition with all the other big actresses come Tony time.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
Jukebox overload! Yet another Broadway musical based on a huge catalog of songs! This time it’s Carole King’s turn, but how did we feel about “Beautiful, The Carole King Musical” now playing at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre? Watch our video review and find out! Click Here for full Video Review of BEAUTIFUL
Much like Barbara Hershey in the film "Portrait of a Lady", not a trained pianist she actually spent several months learning to play Schubert's piano solo (I think it was Impromptu in G Flat) but the piano was a prop and while she played the actual keys the music was added in post-production and played by Jean-Yves Thibaudet.
Congratulations to the cast and crew! What a nice set of reviews. Not raves, no, but I don't think anyone was expecting out and out raves? The criticism of the "hit parade" feel and of Cynthia and Barry occupying a bit too much space have been suggested on here by a few different posters. Those reviews make Jessie Mueller a real contender for the Tony this year though. Ben Brantley may have had some serious misgivings about the show but there was no doubt about his love letter to her. Even in the less glowing reviews, there are some great pull quotes.
Plenty to toast to here and a solid start to 2014!
I do have to give the show props for being a story driven jukebox musical. Something we really haven't seen since Jersey Boys. Throw in 2 fantastic performances for Jesse Muller and Anika Larson and it is a very good show. However, in a season with four stand out upcoming new musicals being a good show just won't cut it.