Really? Really Rosie at Encores

[Matt Rogers]

Saw it tonight. I'm sorry but who thought this was a good idea? 

Of all the shows they could have selected, they decided on an hour and fifteen minute long musical that was apparently written for kindergarteners?? I mean, it is a straight up  children's musical, which would be fine if it was playing in a school auditorium at 10:00 in the morning. What this is doing on the City Center stage is anyone's guess. 

 

I'm guessing it had to do with the score by Carole King, but the whole thing is just totally average and while kids MIGHT enjoy it, it was torture for this adult. 

The cast is all children and they are cute enough, but this is a show about nothing and the hour and fifteen minute run time starts to feel like a year. 

Knew nothing going in. Will never do that again. 

Proceed with extreme caution unless you are bringing a kindergartner, in which case, just take a nap while the child possibly enjoys this gobblygook mess.

[herewegoabc]

I thought it was a strange choice as well. I've never seen the musical, but I remember renting an old animated version of it from the library as a child. The cast is full of talented kids, so I'm a little sad to hear that it doesn't translate well at all to the stage.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

I absolutely adore Maurice Sendak, but I was puzzled by this selection. It's nostalgic, but there are better nostalgic pieces. Also because I remember jamming out "Chicken Soup with Rice" in preschool, c.1989 and my parents told me I loved it (and the animated version). Doing something 4 year olds love isn't a huge recipe for success, even with a venture like Encores.

[Auggie27]

I read the script and listened to the whole score the summer of 2015, to help a middle school drama teacher find something new.  It was startlingly flat and vinegary, nothing leaped off the page or any of the videos to suggest otherwise.  I get the attempt to avoid easy sentimentality. But it reads coy and more than a little precious anyway.  The score had a kind of yawning obviousness to it. I so wanted to love it, and tried, with multiple immersions, but just couldn't.  This early response doesn't surprise me.  But I wonder if it's about being dated, and not aging well, or just being too slim.   

[Matt Rogers]

Anyone there tonight? Curious to hear additional thoughts.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

I saw a great production at Camp Pontiac when I was 14 which added a few songs from Carole's Tapestry album to fill things out a bit. I thought that helped make an otherwise rote kiddie show more entertaining, but it didn't exactly fix the show's major problems.

[CoolDogeGuy]

I was very interested in seeing this musical because Anthony Rosenthal (MY BROADWAY INSPIRATION) is in it. I saw the rehearsal clips and thought that It would be great. Then, I saw the set & costumes. I totally agree. Looks like a kindergarten / clown musical. I wasn't very pleased when I saw them. But, I think the cast is very talented though. They're wonderful!

[SmoothLover]

I thought the directing was overly heavy handed. It did not seem like the kids were inventing the story in the moment which was a big miss and an obvious mistake. 

[dave1606]

I saw this last night and after reading this thread had very low expectations. Carole King's name got me in the theater, an yes, the whole thing feels and looks like an episode of Sesame Street, it has its merits. The young cast is peppy and fun, but the real standout is Taylor Caldwell. She certainly has a bright future ahead of her and really commands the stage. 

I enjoyed King's score which certainly has her signature sound. There are some fun adult jokes, and the show is 70 minutes. I don't think it needs a future life, but I'm glad I saw it, and it was worth the $25.