Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
#1Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/24/09 at 1:47am
Prior to the announcement of this production moving to Broadway, I had next to no idea what this show was truly about. I read the show's Wikipedia page and was really still not sure how exactly that plot would transfer into a show, but I was willing to give it a go.
I'm so extremely glad that I did.
Finian's Rainbow is a classic Broadway musical with a capital C and it truly has such a genuine feel of a classic musical and that's truly part of it's appeal.
The plot is dated here and there, but there are still several themes about greed/money and racism that still exist even today. Living in a country where we just elected an African American president, it's not hard to imagine that some of those good old boys in the South don't act just like the slimy and bigoted Senator Rawkins.
The cast is down right superb and really give one-hundred and ten percent with each song, dance move, and scene. The ensemble dancing was fantastic and the ensemble as a whole was very strong, one of the strongest I've seen in awhile.
As for the leads:
Jim Norton is enchanting as the always dreaming big title character. His want to help his daughter settle down and give her all he can is truly heartwarming and his comedic scenes are fantastic. He's endearing, a bit stubborn and just fantastic.
Kate Baldwin's voice is so gorgeous that she could sing the phone book and I'd be completely enchanted by it. With each song, step or line, Kate completely enchanted the audience with her comedic-ways as well as her endearing charm. Truly the spitting image of an Irish lass, Baldwin and Norton made a perfect father/daughter team and played off one another brilliantly.
Cheyenne Jackson is a star. The man oozes charisma and charm with a single smile and his singing voice is perfect for the gorgeously lush score, especially "Old Devil Moon", his signature song. Jackson and Baldwin's chemistry is pitch-perfect and their voices blending is just heavenly.
Christopher Fitzgerald is adorable and a huge scene stealer as Og the Leprechaun. His voice is gorgeous and soaring, and I'm so glad that I get to see him finally use it (I've only previously seen him in Wicked). His comedic timing was pitch-perfect and he just was beyond adorable, neurotic and fun!
Chuck Cooper as the enchanted form of Senator Rawkins has a powerful voice and really rocked "The Begat" number to it's core. Cooper and Terri White, as Dottie, truly work their fairly small roles with huge voices that make use of their time on stage.
The dancing in this production is top-notch, especially the ballet done by Alina Faye as Susan The Silent. Each number burst with energy and joy that truly did the classic show justice.
I know many people have said they weren't too fond of Finian's Rainbow, but I truly think this classic tale of dreams and a little bit of magic is just what Broadway could use right now. I suggest that you follow the rainbow over to the St. James and see the beautiful colors of Finian's Rainbow.
"Anybody that goes to the theater, I think we’re all misfits, so we ended up on stage or in the audience.” --- Patti LuPone.
Updated On: 10/24/09 at 01:47 AM
#2re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/24/09 at 2:04am
And the girl you saw it with made it 138138913x better.
#2re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/24/09 at 2:06am
^Tis true.
Here's looking at you, Hockadoo.
"Anybody that goes to the theater, I think we’re all misfits, so we ended up on stage or in the audience.” --- Patti LuPone.
#3re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/24/09 at 2:08amI haven't seen him in this yet, but in every other show I've seen him in, Cheyenne Jackson has been as about exciting as watching paint dry. How such a dull, boring performer continues to get work puzzles me.
#4re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/24/09 at 3:00am
I was there tonight too & loved the show. Everybody in it does an incredible job.
I was totaly blown away by Kate & Cheyenne's singing & chemistry together. And Jim & Christopher are both scene stealers.
I gotta give props to Terri White too... OMG what a voice.
I smell a hit 
< Patty Duke (the original Neely O'Hara) & me (March 8, 2010)
#5re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/24/09 at 10:49am
My partner and I loved this show - we saw it on our last night in Manhattan. We got to meet all the cast at the Stage Door and get their autographs on the poster. Chris Fitzgerald has spectacular legs!!
Everyone was fantastic, and the set design was beautiful. I have fond memories of seeing THE PRODUCERS at that theatre during previews.
#6re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/24/09 at 7:20pm
I got a rush ticket for the matinee today and I thought it was phenomenal. Chris Fitzgerald stole the show for me, but everyone in it was sooo amazing!! Cheyenne Jackson flubbed on one of his lines though, which was kind of funny.
Updated On: 10/24/09 at 07:20 PM
millie_dillmount
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#7re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/24/09 at 7:43pm
"How such a dull, boring performer continues to get work puzzles me."
He's hot.
But I think he is talented as well.
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
#8re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/24/09 at 8:05pm
"How such a dull, boring performer continues to get work puzzles me."
He gets work because your opinion is in the minority. Good luck with your puzzlement.
Leading Actor Joined: 12/31/69
#9re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/24/09 at 9:20pmWell not so much of a minority- he's never been in a successful show.
#10re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/24/09 at 10:10pm
I saw the matinee today, and thought it was cute. I didn't find the plot to be dated, just old-fashioned (I don't mean that in a bad way, though). I agree with you, Clumsy, that Christopher Fitzgerald, the ensemble dance numbers/second act ballet, and the score were great. For me, those three things were the highlights of the production.
AbbyNormal13, Cheyenne's line flub was funny! He did a nice job trying to cover it up.
Updated On: 10/24/09 at 10:10 PM
broadwayrob
Featured Actor Joined: 4/14/08
#11re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/24/09 at 10:49pm
Yeah.. because you HAVE to be exceptionally talented to be in a successful show. No. Comparatively untalented people are in successful shows, just as HUGELY talented folks are in unsuccessful shows.
Needless to say I personally love Cheyenne and think he's absolutely brilliant on a stage.
anything you do let it come from you and it will be new.
Updated On: 10/24/09 at 10:49 PM
millie_dillmount
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#12re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/24/09 at 11:16pm
"Well not so much of a minority- he's never been in a successful show."
Cheyenne isn't the reason why the shows he has been in weren't successful.
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
#13re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/25/09 at 3:22amWhat was Cheyenne's line flub?
Morgaine885
Featured Actor Joined: 4/4/06
#14re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/25/09 at 9:18am
"Well not so much of a minority- he's never been in a successful show."
He hasn't?
Thoroughly Modern Millie-Tony winner for best show, ran for over 2 years
AIDA-almost four years
Xanadu-1.5 years, critically acclaimed, three Tony nominations
Even All Shook Up wasn't as "unsuccessful" as shows we've seen recently.
And he DID originate a role in Altar Boyz, and that show is still going...
#15re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/25/09 at 10:47am
Morgaine885- Success has nothing to do with how long a show runs. It has to do with making money. None of the shows you mentioned (except Altar Boys, which doesn't count because Cheyenne wasn't involved in the off Broadway incarnation of the show) made money. They all flopped, which, technically means they were not successful.
ps- I think Cheyenne is an incredible performer, and I don't understand anyone who doesn't see that. While I am not a huge fan of some of the pop inflections he has used in Damn Yankees, he did a pretty good job of dropping those for Finian's... at Encores.
David walked into the valley
With a stone clutched in his hand
He was only a boy
But he knew someone must take a stand
There will always be a valley
Always mountains one must scale
There will always be perilous waters
Which someone must sail
-Into the Fire
Scarlet Pimpernel
Smaxie
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
#16re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/25/09 at 11:12amOf the Broadway shows mentioned, Aida recouped. But the rest did not.
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.
#17re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/25/09 at 11:19amSmaxie- Thank you for reminding me about AIDA. For some reason I always think it was still in the red when it closed.
David walked into the valley
With a stone clutched in his hand
He was only a boy
But he knew someone must take a stand
There will always be a valley
Always mountains one must scale
There will always be perilous waters
Which someone must sail
-Into the Fire
Scarlet Pimpernel
Morgaine885
Featured Actor Joined: 4/4/06
#18re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/25/09 at 12:14pm
I guess "successful" means something different to me, then...
But, for the most part, he's gotten great reviews and audiences seem to love him. He's also only been a working NYC actor for seven years, and I suspect he has many projects ahead.
#20re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/27/09 at 3:08pm
Christopher Fitzgerald article!
http://tdf.org/TDF_Article.aspx?id=317&do=v
#21re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/27/09 at 3:23pm
Actually, I'm not a huge Cheyenne fan myself, but I thought he did a very good job in Finian's (certainly better than in Xanadu, and I know I might get lynched for that...) I've seen people complain about his folksy aw-shucks-style acting, but it completely works for Woody, who is a folksy aw-shucks kind of character.
That said, he was completely overshadowed by Baldwin and Fitzgerald.
"Are you calling me a procrastibator?" Hunter, [title of show]
"Guess who's gonna get blamed for the war in Europe?" Eugene, Brighton Beach Memoirs
Understudy Joined: 12/31/69
#22re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/27/09 at 3:52pmI have nothing against Jackson- but he is simply not a draw. People do not come see a show to see him. And in the two shows you call successful (Millie & Aida) he was a replacement- and again, no one bought tickets to see him.
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#23re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/27/09 at 4:09pmLiar. When he joined the Millie cast as "Dishwasher" the sales went through the roof!
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#24re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/27/09 at 4:40pmI do know at least a couple people bought tickets to All Shook Up in Chicago to see him take his shirt off.
#25re: Clumsy follows the rainbow to Finian's Rainbow: 10.23.09E.
Posted: 10/27/09 at 5:25pmClumsy I could not agree more with your assessment. I saw the show this past Saturday night and loved it. I liked the books pleasant mix of whimsy and social satire and there quite literally is not a bad song in the score. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this will get a cast recording.
