I absolutely hated "Caroline, or change" last night.....

[leeinlondon]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 9:50am

I went to the first preview of "Caroline, or change" at the National Theatre last night. As a huge fan of Angels in America I am so disappointed, no I didn't expect it to be anything like the other play but I did expect some quality of writing. I don't think for me it would improve over previews since the cast were very good with what they were given, I just disliked the actual piece so much. In case people are wondering it looks exactly the same as the Broadway version.

At the end of the day I just didn't get this show at all. As a character Caroline is completely un engaging, a miserable woman who spends 2 1/2 hours with a scowl on her face. I swear to God if I had to see Tonya Pinkins pull that "I am a hard done byyyyyy woman" look at the audience again I would have been on that stage to throttle her.

There is SO little in the way of story it is ridiculous, another show where you could sum up everything that actually happens with a small handful of words. Yes there is subtext, heavy handed "batter you over the head" subtext, because Caroline takes change from the trousers of the young son of the house where she works and change is happening in the country. Did you see what Kushner did there... change. It all felt so cold and sterile to me that I really didn't care about anyone on stage at any time.

All of the songs sound the same to me, I knew "lot's Wife" before the performance from a download and even this felt very much like anti climactic stand on the stage shouting kind of mess.

The only thing going for this show in my opinion is that the young actors last night were sensational performers even with that material, especially the boy playing the Jewish son of the house and the girl playing Caroline's daughter in very large roles for such young performers.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 10:01am

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy the show...I guess it is not for everyone. IMO, it is the third best Broadway musical I have ever seen (behind RAGTIME and PARADE). Tonya Pinkins' performance was incredible.

[gustof777]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 10:02am

that's too bad...hopefully the UK audiences will feel differently from you

[leeinlondon]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 10:02am

Yes it has to be said that so far mine is a minority view... ahem !

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 10:06am

Yes, I know someone who saw it last night and absolutely loved it.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 10:15am

It's a love it or hate it show. But that's okay. So are LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, PARADE and a host of others. It will be interesting to hear, however, if some of the people who don't like it in London think the material is too distinctly American.

[leeinlondon]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 10:23am

I didn't think it was too distinctly American, just too uninvolving.

Personally I think any good writing can travel Countries or Continents without suffering too much. There might be times when people miss nuances of certain cultural references but thats about it.
Updated On: 10/12/06 at 10:23 AM

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 10:24am

To me Caroline, or Change is such an American show because a lot of the context surrounding it deals with white/black relations in the South and how the society was still reeling in from the Jim Crow laws. However, I also think that the dynamic of someone embittered with life and finds it hard to let go of the fact that her dreams and wants will mostly likely never come true would be universal. And race relations in general isn't just an American thing.

I understand why you probably wouldn't like it. I think the show is a lot to take in, and I actually don't think Tony Kusher's material here is very subtle so it might seem like that it hits you over the head with what he's trying to say. I, however, think it's a brilliant piece of theatre that had one of the best scores (by Jeanine Tesori) I've heard. The only thing I sort of disliked were the way Kushner wrote some of the lyrics in that again, some of it did seem contrived. However, I absolutely appreciated the effort he put into it and what he was trying to do. So many shows today don't even go for the level that Caroline, or Change tried to reach, and instead settle for mediocre scores/writing/staging.

Updated On: 10/12/06 at 10:24 AM

[leeinlondon]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 10:28am

"I understand why you probably wouldn't like it. I think the show is a lot to take in"

Grin... some of my favorite plays are a lot to take in but if something is well written I usually manage.. ahem !

By the way I can completely see that some peopel will love this piece, this is all my own personal opinion and there is no right and wrong.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 10:37am

The thing that struck me about Caroline is it is more of an abstract piece. The writing changes between general dialogue and poetic asides. Then, as must happen with change, there are transitions in which dialogue becomes poetic and sort of separates the audience from the action and forces us to hear the words.

I also think it is brilliant in the use of the radio, washing machine, Dryer (enemy of the basement), moon, and the bus as characters. It's almost a poetic cartoon in a sense.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 10:37am

I'm American..and I didn't like it.

[Actrzz]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 11:15am

Yeah, well, I thought Caroline or Change is what musical theatre should be . . . I liked the fact that it is abstract, not pretty and it's not about how great your voice is. It's about the story, which I was completely moved by and then of course the musicality of it creeps up on you, they don't all of sudden break into song. I think the issues in this piece are real and for the most part right on, I was completely captivated, I understood it fully. I agree that it is a lot to take in, but being a black woman myself everything made sense. Sorry you didn't feel the same, but you're definitely not the only one. I thought it was definitely a step up from the way musicals are presented, something different for a change.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 11:34am

This show definitly is one that takes quite a few listening opportunities to sink in. When I saw it in August of 2004, I thought it was an okay show, nothing spectacular but after listening to the score for over 2 years now, I have grown to not only appreciate it but regard it (looking back of course) as one of my theater going highlights.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 12:19pm

I was completely engrossed in the show when I saw it. I found the story utterly fascinating. I enjoyed watching how the dynamic of both families changed simultaneously and how, even though Caroline was the central character, both mothers dealt with their frustrations and struggles with their roles as mothers, employer/employee, women, North/South native, race, and religion. Every single one of these characteristics were sprinkled amongst the lyrics and essential to the characters' actions and motivations.

Sure, outlining the actual plot, it seems simplistic, but the show is not simply about the journey from point A to point B. It's about the history, psychology and sociology of all the characters in the show in a very specific time in US history and a very specific, if little-known, locale. And even if the setting of the show might seem "too American", I think the conflicts and emotions are univeral.

And "I Hate the Bus" is truly one of the most moving ballads I've ever heard in a musical. I was moved to tears (and still get a lump in my throat each time I hear it). This young girl's declaration of independence stating, "I'll gather the nothing I own..." is as profound to me (if not more so) as anything in "Lot's Wife", which is why I think the show ends with Emmie, rather than Caroline and Noah, which would have been the most obvious choice. While I knew the show would not be a financial hit, I think it has earned a place as one of Broadway's most artistic endeavors in musical theatre.

The funny thing was, when I took my boyfriend to see it, he was really exhausted that day and didn't care much for the show at the time. But after we arrived home and he listened to the CD a couple more times, he has grown to really love it.

Updated On: 10/12/06 at 12:19 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 12:25pm

I have posted here many times that I think the show is a masterpiece. It, along with Sweeney Todd, are my tied #1 favorite shows. I saw it in May of 2004 and I will agree with one thing that leeinlondon said. I wish Caroline would have smiled a few times. It has been so long, but I don't recall her smiling a lot at the top of Act 2 when singing about her past. That gave her a chance to smile back on the short good time in her life before things went bad with her husband. As far as the songs all sounding the same, I suggest you sit and listen to the show on disc. I left the theatre on overload. I knew I had just experienced something bold and new in the theatre. I sat with a person I met at the show at a bar afterwards and we discussed the show. After processing it, I too, like Actrzz thought that this is what musical theatre should be now. Or it should at least be going in this direction. The story was spot on as far as depicting the relationships between the two families. I didn't live in the south but I lived on the east coast and my mother, for the most part, was Caroline. I had more interaction with the people she worked for than Caroline's kids did but I could still relate. This said, I don't think that is the reason I liked the show so much. I liked it because I think it is just a brilliant show, and I think that this piece takes its place right up there with Kushner's "Angels..." as being brilliant! SO sorry you did not like it leeinlondon. To each his own! JMHO

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 12:34pm

I thought Caroline smilied about as much as I would expect her to. I thought she smiled on the Billy Dee Williams line and when she gave her children the quarters, but I can't remember. I never once thought about it during or after the performance. I just think Caroline herself doesn't believe she has much to smile about. That's not so far-fetched. The funny thing is, even Rose pleads for Caroline to smile in an aside to the audience, so it's clear her sour expression is intentional from the start.

Updated On: 10/12/06 at 12:34 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 12:42pm

You are right Matt. I guess I just expected her to smile a bit while reflecting back at the top of Act 2. It just seemed appropriate to me.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 1:06pm

I love the show and I'm so pissed I missed it on Broadway. I hope it does well in London. It's such a beautiful show and I think it's exactly what Broadway should be. It is the best in theater at the moment. Just like I felt with Sweeney Todd, it showcased true talent.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 1:12pm

I loved this show, despite not loving Pinkins as much as everyone else, and finding the music of the score forgettable.

Kushner's work is what makes this piece stunning. I also thought Anika Noni Rose was amazing, and, as always, loved Veanne Cox.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 1:19pm

Veanne Cox is overdue for a Tony.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 1:21pm

I think the show is one of the greatest musicals ever written. Maybe it's one of those shows one should see or listen to more than once to assess. But, I loved it instantly.

[pattifan2]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 1:29pm

Sorry that you didn't like the show, LIL. I saw this last night and I thought it was really, really terrific. The opening sequence alone with just the voice off stage and then the washing machine, radio and tumble dryer....absolutely wonderful. The supporting cast were all excellent and I do take your point about the kids; I thought they were outstanding. Great voices. I loved the idea of the moon, too...and the gorgeous scene with the kids and the coins. I thought the writing also captured that particular part of history really well, and didn't need a sledge-hammer to knock it home. It was done beautifully. I do agree, though, that it will be a love it or loathe it show. Thanks for opening the thread, though, LIL. It's great to read all the differing opinions.

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 1:36pm

Was was the overall reaction to the performance last night. The afternoon I saw it, Ms. Pinkins all but got a standing ovation aftr "Lot's Wife" and most people shot to their feet at the curtain call.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 1:37pm

Veanne Cox is a genius of timing.

Plus, she had the most difficult part, imo.

Rose did blow me away, tho. I remember gushing in the cabride home, "who is that girl?!"

[pattifan2]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 1:40pm

Pretty much the same last night, uncageg.

I wish I'd been familiar with the cast recording, though, as I think there's probably so much that I missed.