The new musical written by David Henry Hwang and Jeanine Tesori starts performances tonight at the Ahmanson Theatre. Anyone going? I'm attending this weekend, so I'll make sure and report back.
Carnzee, that was absolutely hysterical. Actually, I hadn't heard anything about this until you posted, LesWickedly. And Tesori/Hwang are both "wickedly" talented and skilled at treating thick subject matter with grace and intrigue.
I saw the show tonight (2nd preview) and it's one of the hottest messes I've ever seen - the kind of trainwreck that can only be made by genuinely talented people.
The plot is an indescribable muddle involving three central characters: David Henry Hwang himself, a Chinese media mogul played by Conrad Ricamora, and 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (you read that right).
Hwang's script is obvious and pandering, but VERY genuine - partially inspired by personal experience and truly honest in its attempt to reconcile dueling Chinese-American identities. It unfolds as a straight play for part of Act 1 until the music kicks in, then becomes a full-fledged Broadway style musical. Some of the numbers are so outlandish and outrageous, it would be unfair to spoil them. Tesori's music is broad and pastiche-y, more MILLIE than FUN HOME, and she's the least at fault for the material as written.
That said, the audience ate the show up tonight. It's a bizarre, unexplainable concoction, and I found myself rooting for it even though the book is going in five different directions at once. It's a tonal nightmare, inconsistent and sloppy but undoubtedly real in its exploration of American life in the Trump (whose name is alluded to but never spoken) era.
In the end, I found myself admiring the production and the actors, who are crushing it - especially Ricamora (an incredible leading man), Francis Jue as Hwang, and a truly fearless Alyse Alan Louis as Hillary Clinton herself. The cast really put the show over tonight and it was fantastic to see an almost entirely Asian ensemble, all of whom are extremely talented and passionate about the show.
If I had to describe it, I'd say it's OF THEE I SING on crack - an political satire/acid trip unlike any other I can think of. While I can't say the evening was entirely successful, I respected its intentions and it'll be interesting to see if any changes are made during the run.
By intermission I'd already decided I'm going to see it TWICE MORE.
I was planning on going when it gets to SF, just for Conrad, because I adore him, but I also can't help but loving hot messes that you want to root for, and whatever it says about me, this sounds like one I'll enjoy. (Honestly, I'm just easier to please than most and not overly picky. I can recognize flaws but easily look beyond them)
joined:2/18/13
joined:
2/18/13
Posted: 5/3/18 at 3:52pm