I saw this earlier in the week and loved it. I echo this review - it has its flaws, but it is a powerful and important piece of theater. I love the songs I have heard from Lempicka and wanted to hear more of Matt Gould's work. I didn't see the productions at ART or Second Stage - but from what I have read about those, there have been some significant changes. Griffin no longer plays himself, but has moved into the role of director. Emma Hunton is in it again as Ryan. While I am not sure her role is necessary, I did enjoy her vocals. Amber Iman gives a beautifully restrained performance as Joy. It seems that the role of Joy has been filled out a little more. Ledisi is wonderful as the Rain Lady and Jai'len Josey, who played Pearl in SpongeBob on Broadway, delivers some powerful vocals. Most of the action takes place on the floor with 4 rows on each side, with staging areas on each end. It is a small space and I loved the way they used the theatre. I gave it a very intimate feeling. They just extended the run into early March.
I saw it at Second Stage when it was called “Invisible Thread”. I thought it was extremely flawed, but wow what a gorgeous score. I’m glad it’s getting another life, if only because there’s now a spark of hope for a cast recording!
I am really curious what they changed since this is my first viewing. I looked at the song list from Second Stage and a lot of the songs have been moved around and some added. I don’t want to spoil anything - but were Jacob and his sister, Joy, significant in the end of the show? Joy’s song appears to be new. I am really hoping for a cast recording too. I haven’t been able to get “Beautiful” and “Invisible Threas” out of my head.
Well, it was a couple years ago that I saw it, so I don’t totally remember what happened with Joy, but I remember Jacob having a large plot significance in Act 2. I didn’t think that plot-line was particularly successful.
I’m sort of confused/curious about Emma Hunton’s role, given that the version at Second stage didn’t have any white female characters.
Speaking of female roles, this is actually where I first saw Nicolette Robinson onstage, and she killed it! Is she still in it?
Glad to hear they kept “Beautiful” - that was definitely my favorite number, and the one I would most look forward to listening to on a cast album.
From what I have read, Emma Hunton played female Ryan at ART and then they changed it to a white boyfriend at Second Stage. She is Griffin's childhood friend who moved to NYC with him and is now his roommate. She goes to Uganda and gets involved when she gets worried about Griffin. Nicolette Robinson is not in this production, though she and Leslie are listed as producers. Most of the cast is new for this run, but they are fantastic.
This show went from Witness Uganda at ART to Invisible Thread at 2nd Stage back to Witness Uganda again in LA. Emma's character went from a white woman to a white man back to a white woman. I'm so confused...lol.
joined:1/17/16
joined:
1/17/16
Posted: 2/13/19 at 5:36pm