Having finally seen the show, I can finally properly chime in about the costumes. I don't know if it would have stood out to me without the NYT review. I think I mainly would have been focused on why everyone was in hideous jackets. Anyway, I certainly don't think Alysha was dressed badly and she may have even asked for some of the elements of her costume because she thought they were flattering. But her costume definitely took a lot of cues from old school rules about how plus-size women are supposed to dress. Basically, hide the fat, show off the chest. No upper arms (jacket, off the shoulder ruffle), no stomach/VBO (empire waist/peplum), not tight in the hips (empire waist), no butt (empire waist), no thighs (leggings/high low skirt), no legs (leggings). It's always language about what is "flattering" but it's about hiding and minimizing plus size bodies as though they shouldn't be equally celebrated.
As for the show itself, I thought it was a lot of fun. The cast is crazy talented. My favorites were Dionne and Nicole because they had more unique voices and Dwayne and John because I miss hearing lower male voices in musical theater. The show was a little jarring. I don't think I've seen a revue quite like this. They sort of create a world, it's not like vaudeville or like they're just putting on a show. But there's no story or characters... except maybe? But not really, and the pacing doesn't really give you a chance to breathe except when there's suddenly a slow ballad that grinds it all to a halt. I think it's better to approach it as a concert instead of a show because there's no through line except the Emma/John couple who are pretty consistently paired together. I also felt a little bad about them having to go into the audience when it was very much not a full house. I was surprised at the catalogue. A lot of hits I never assigned to particular songwriters. I would 100% recommend it and see it again knowing what I'm in for this time.
joined:1/30/15
joined:
1/30/15
Posted: 8/5/18 at 10:23pm