mini reviews: Sister Act the Musical, 10-31-06 and The Wiz 10-28-06 evening

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 2:48am

So I just got back from Sister Act: The Musical. And I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed the show. I got to see it for free because of the Free Night of Theater thing in LA. I'm going back again in two weeks for the show I actually paid for. Anyways, I gladly would have paid for it today. This musical is charming and boisterous. I've always been a fan of Alan Menken's work and he doesn't disappoint! The musical numbers (and there are A LOT!) are each wonderful. It's sad knowing that some of the songs may have to go because it doesn't add much to the story except for great music and fun numbers to watch, especially the romantic subplot song (which was a highlight number for me) as well as the song the hitmen sing (also a huge highlight for act 2). The book is actually quite strong and could use some tightening up for act 2. As for the actors, they all did superb. Dawn Lewis was great as Delores although she couldn't quite hit the high notes, but her acting is stellar. I'm excited to see what the show will be like in a two weeks since this is only like the second week of previews. So all in all a great musical and I really do hope it goes to Broadway and does well!

Now for the Wiz. I have never seen the original and I've only heard the OBC, so I'm not even going to compare it at all something I've never seen in it's original form. First, all I have to say is that the orchestrations are amazing. I love how it's been updated and given more "oomph" so to speak. I love hearing new modern orchestrations. The set was interesting. It looked ultra modern with levels and metal platforms all around. It did look like a rock concert which did annoy me somewhat. The lighting was amazing but at the same time too much. In fact, despite me really liking this production, it just seemed too much at some points. It's as if the creative team was pandering to the audience saying "look how modern this musical is." The book is decent but it tries too hard to be something it's not. Did that make any sense? I didn't care for the video monitors and the added nothing to the musical. It was just a way of saying "we're modern." The casting of Toto as a dancer, to me, was genius. The character of Toto is now an actual character rather than a dog that runs around the stage, and the actor portraying Toto was simply amazing and was my favorite character of the night. The rest of the cast was great. I loved Nikki M. James when I saw her in All Shook Up, but she didn't impress me too much as Dorothy. I wanted her voice to be bigger but it was good. I barely heard her or some of the actors because probably the mics and stuff weren't working properly or maybe because they are walking around the stage and running around the theater with the "yellow brick road." Oh and I wished there was more dancing in the show. Lastly, there are some reviews who say the show has no heart and I can definitely see where they are coming from. There were only a few moments in the show where I felt anything for anyone. And it was mostly with the Lion, especially during Be a Lion where all the actors were excellent. And I truly feel this is because they overdid the spectacle of this musical. But still, a wonderful night at the theater for me.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 3:07am

What were the sets like for Sister Act?

Akiva

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 3:15am

the sets were very simple and minimal... the stage is pretty barren... kinda had a tic tac toe looking design but it's not as bad as it seems... the biggest set piece is the lounge stage that comes from the back... the rest are just beds, desks that come in from the side... nothing extremely fancy... also... the entire proscenium has thi metal scaffolding in the shape of a church surrounding it... pretty cool... and no curtain

[Julian2]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 3:31am

Nice, it seems like Sister Act could be an excellent vehicle for Menken's non-Disney return to Broadway.

[DG]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 4:12am

Akiva - think original DREAMGIRLS, extra lite - and that goes for the lighting and overall aproach to the piece, as well.

[NewMusical]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 4:13am

I agree, and what a commercial enterprise! It will come to NY! it has to!