THE MOST HAPPY FELA! at Encores!- Page 3

[Fan123]

Posted: 4/5/14 at 6:08am

EricMontreal22, there are a few very short snippets of the 'Big D' choreography scattered throughout this Broadway.com video:

http://www.broadway.com/videos/155410/our-most-happy-fella-video-will-make-you-feel-warm-all-over-and-make-laura-benanti-roll-her-eyes/#play

ETA - there's also a fair bit of the number in this rehearsal video, though it cuts elsewhere before the real dancing starts.

http://www.broadway.com/videos/155391/in-rehearsal-the-most-happy-fella-with-shuler-hensley-laura-benanti-cheyenne-jackson-more/#play

Updated On: 4/5/14 at 06:08 AM

[StageStruckLad]

Posted: 4/5/14 at 1:04pm

It was a magical evening. I got chills during "Song of a Summer Night," gorgeously sung by Kevin Vortmann, who is much younger (and cuter) than any actor I've ever seen play the doctor in this show. Laura Benanti was just perfect, Heidi Blickenstaff was a riot (she definitely borrowed some of Susan Johnson's vocal stylings), and I don't think I will ever see a better-acted performance of Tony. Shuler Hensley had to reach for a few of the higher notes, but it wasn't distracting. And special kudos to Jessica Molaskey, who managed to humanize the usually one-dimensional Marie. I actually felt a bit sorry for the character, which is pretty amazing. It did seem like Cheyenne Jackson was sort of walking through the role, but he sang it nicely, looked good, and was involved enough that it didn't hurt the show.

The only musical cuts I noticed were the postman delivering Rosabella to the party (I was sorry they cut this), a bit of the dance music in "Big D," and a reprise of "Abbondanza."

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/5/14 at 2:36pm

I love reading what people had to say about this production. I'm sorry I couldn't make it up to NYC to see this. Too bad Encores isn't two weekends.

I saw the 2 piano revival in '92. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Just downloaded and listed to the revival cast recording today. I forgot just how wonderful the score to this show is.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 4/5/14 at 3:08pm

Thanks Fan! I *really* love the performance of the song in that rehearsal video.

Youtube used to have the number as it was originally done, but like most of their Ed Sullivan clips it has been removed

[Addison D.]

Posted: 4/5/14 at 3:28pm

Another hole--err...gap!--filled. This show was not part of my landscape, and so I had no expectations, fears or hopes.

The orchestra was magical, and the score was transporting. Honestly, I was thrown by the complexity and unpredictable variety of the music. Right off the bat, the Overture knocked me for a loop--this was not 'Guys and Dolls'. (I mean--I KNEW it wasn't 'Guys and Dolls', but it wasn't what I expected from a Loesser overture). 'Oooh! My feet!' seemed to put us back on track, but then 'Somebody Somewhere' was so complex and stirring. By the time we got to "Joey Joey Joey" I gave up trying to categorize what I was hearing and just gave in to the joy of listening. I see now why so many of you say it is a favorite show--what a rare and beautiful bird!

As others have said, "Songs of a Summer Night" is just beyond beautiful.

I LOVED the performances of 'Abbondanza'--especially the endearing and appealing Zachary James.

I confess the book annoyed me at first--the gimmicks which move the plot forward are clumsy and Joe and Maria are simultaneously too crucial to eliminate, yet too thin to come to any kind of life. And their exits--particularly Maria's--are almost comically abrupt and un-resolved.

Ultimately, though, I found the last 2 scenes--originally their own Act??--so moving and redemptive that I let go of my quibbles with the book. I was choking back tears along with all the Hadassah Theater Guild yentas sitting around me.

I confess that I'm skeptical that the book can support a Broadway run, which makes me all the more grateful to Encores! for giving us the chance to see such a wonderful, wonderful show.

Updated On: 4/5/14 at 03:28 PM

[Fan123]

Posted: 4/5/14 at 6:15pm

You're welcome! While I'm at it, here are some other general clips which I don't believe have been posted around here yet. A fair bit of overlap with other videos here, but a few new parts too.

http://www.playbill.com/multimedia/video/5864/Highlights-From-The-Most-Happy-Fella-Starring-Laura-Benanti-Cheyenne-Jackson-and-Shuler-Hensley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKjVV2WcCSQ

Also, a fun Laura Benanti interview here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_jha21C39E

As others have said, I really love Laura's more 'legit' voice. Can anyone advise if that sound comes out much on her 'In constant search of the right kind of attention' CD? Judging from the sample clips, probably not.

[Okiekat]

Posted: 4/5/14 at 7:22pm

I know nothing about this show, and had no interest until I read what Whizzer and everyone else is saying. Now I can't wait to see it Sunday night.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/6/14 at 7:22pm

I enjoyed this quite a bit. I don't think it's a perfect show, but it's undeniably original and ambitious in its wide range of musical varieties, and in how they're interwoven throughout the piece.

And overall, this was a lovely (and loving) mounting. Casey Nicholaw managed to conjure up more magic with this minimalist production than he did with all of the money and extravagancy over at the New Amsterdam. This cast is just simply exquisite. I'm not a huge Cheyenne Jackson fan, and something about his performances wear on me more and more each time I see him live, but he was fine in a pretty small role. Benanti, Hensley, and Blickenstaff, however, were each just divine. Gorgeous, fully-realized performances with an excess of humor and heart in all of them.

The orchestra, per usual with Encores!, sounded sensational. It was, overall, a highly enjoyable and sometimes truly blissful night of theater. This is some track record Encores! has got going on...

[macnyc]

Posted: 4/6/14 at 8:23pm

Song of a Summer Night was gorgeous! It was staged and sung beautifully. I don't think I breathed until it was over.



Updated On: 4/6/14 at 08:23 PM

[rjm516]

Posted: 4/6/14 at 8:58pm

God it was SO GOOD.
I was there Friday night, when during Laura's beautiful first song, someone SNEEZE-COUGHED in the loudest, most awful, most hilarious way I've ever heard, and it was loud enough for the entire theatre to hear it. Laura said she heard it and was like WHAT IN THE WORLD! but of course didn't let on at all. She was perfection. And she is so sick! How is that possible? Just a wonderful evening at the theatre.

[Okiekat]

Posted: 4/6/14 at 10:52pm

I learn quite a bit on this message board. As I stated earlier, I was not familiar with this show. I knew a few of the songs, but gee did I have a terrific time. Laura, Heidi, Shuler and the entire cast were all fantastic. I loved the choreography, and I can't say enough about the orchestra and Loesser's score. Many thanks to those who posted reviews, prompting me to buy a ticket. This was a great way to end the weekend.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 12:09am

I loved it, but I agree I think the book is almost... I don't know. There were some weird moments. I mean, Cheyanne Jackson didn't barely anything. And he felt way too contemporary compared to everyone else. I really enjoyed the score though and I LOVED Heidi. I was so happy her character came back and loved her little moments. Tonight - Sunday night - the applause after Laura and Shuler's big duet "Full of Love" or whatever it's called went on forever. They started the scene and people were still clapping well into the scene. It was incredible.

[StageStruckLad]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 8:25am

Seeing those clips of this production REALLY made me wish that PBS could have somehow filmed this show. I wonder if union rules would have prevented it. What a shame that such a stunning production could only last for four days of performances.

[newintown]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 8:59am

A beautiful evening, really ALL about that score. Comparing it to another contemporary hyper-romantic lite opera of the time (South Pacific, 7 years earlier) is very interesting.

As noted, the storytelling is clunky (at least in this Encores abridgement) - you don't really see Rosabella fall in love with Tony, it just sort of happens, and Joey just disappears for almost all of Act II. Still - gorgeous orchestrations, and good strong performances made the evening.

Well, meeting the Growl made the evening, but that's another story.

[Steve721]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 10:47am

I saw the 7:00 show on Sunday, and I can only reiterate what others have said. I loved it and, judging from the response, so did most of the audience. Benanti and Hensley were superb--absolutely gorgeous singing. The comedy numbers--Big D, etc.--were a stitch. I don't now how much rehearsal time they had, but this was a fully realized performance that is as good as anything on Broadway now. It's too bad it won't transfer, but I suppose there is no audience for something like this in a longer run.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 10:57am

I went to the Saturday matinee and loved everything about the show. What a score, what an orchestra, what a cast! I honestly had no problems with Hensley's vocals, though I suppose I could see why others thought his top notes were a bit thin.

I stayed for the talkback, which didn't include most of the principals (though Blickenstaff, Armstrong, and Molaskey were there and all answered questions about their characters' roles in the show). Jo Sullivan Loesser was there, and talked about her husband's work, including shows she would like to begin licensing for the stage. But she talked about how long the show originally was, and that Marie had something like five songs originally. She was so effusive in her praise for the show and cast, which was lovely to hear.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 11:10am

What was at the back of the stage? I couldn't quite tell if there was anything happening back there. I was way up in the balcony but still had an awesome view of the orchestra and the front of the stage.

[jkstheatrescene]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 1:02pm

I saw it Saturday night. Here's my review: http://jkstheatrescene.blogspot.com/2014/04/review-most-happy-fella.html

[newintown]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 1:18pm

I don't think there was anything at the back of the stage except projections of fanciful drawings of Napa fields right behind the back row of the orchestra (brass and percussion).

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 4/8/14 at 7:25am

That's all I recall seeing, as well.

The sounds of the evening were glorious, with Hensley, Blickenstaff, and Johnson as standouts, but the show -- in this form, at least -- wasn't as dramatically rich and compelling as I'd hoped. It plays so excellently on disc, but in this staging, as a friend of mine pointed out, aside from the exuberant dance numbers, everything sort of happened at the same level. The story and characters weren't mined for their emotional complexities and contradictions, of which there are many. I wasn't bored, as others in my party were, but several times I found myself closing my eyes and just listening, which was almost more gratifying, like hearing a great opera sung well.

But the highlight of my night was meeting THIS GUY ^ who's a real sweetheart (but don't let that get out).

[newintown]

Posted: 4/8/14 at 9:11am

Don't ruin my rep.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 4/8/14 at 9:20am

You're only 16; you dont have a rep yet.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 4/8/14 at 1:28pm

Ha!

Newintown I'd love to hear more about how you compare it to South Pacific. I've never thought of that before, but they do definitely both share a nearly hyper-romanticism. Still South Pacific to me has always seemed one of the least operatic of R&H's scores, which sounds odd I know since one role is nearly always played by an opera singer (and I assume was written for one.) People have commented before how the relative failure of Allegro seems to have allowed Rodgers to temper Hammerstein's desire to keep on being more adventurous with the structure of their musicals--and of course with SP and King and I they seem to have perfected the "well made musical."

[CWash]

Posted: 4/8/14 at 1:57pm

I will be seeing it on Sunday also :)

[newintown]

Posted: 4/8/14 at 2:19pm

Eric, after Sunday's show I was comparing and contrasting Fella and South Pacific, starting with the romantic similarity of "Some Enchanted Evening" and "My Heart Is So Full of You." But then, going further, it seemed to me that Loesser's music is so much more "American" than Rodgers' - who isn't particularly "European," but whose music lacks some of those rhythms and dissonances that make the work of Copland, Gershwin, Bernstein and Loesser sound so "American" (to me).

I also find Loesser's music to be more harmonically complex than Rodgers' - "Joey, Joey, Joey," for instance, goes to some really odd and unexpected places, and has some truly unearthly (to use a cliché) harmonies (for which, perhaps, Don Walker takes more credit than Loesser?).

And then there's the different ways each show explores the "exotic" - "Bali H'ai" in SP with its harp runs (yet still in a simple sort of slow fox-trot basic figuration), and "Abbondanza," "Sposalizio" and "Benvenuta" in Fella, as well as Tony's broken English songs like "Plenty Bambini."

But one thing that strikes me as particularly operatic in Fella is the subservience (often) of the lyric to the music, with many instances of multiple repetitions of a simple lyric, over and over again, set to gorgeous music. I think that Hammerstein's lyrics are dealt with very differently.

Stuff like that was what I was mulling - I know that's contrasting more than comparing. The initial similarities that brought it to mind, I guess, were the exploration of the "foreign" and the large, sweeping, lush nature of both scores, and how both shows are about learning to love someone despite yourself.

Updated On: 4/8/14 at 02:19 PM