Saw “Martin Guerre” at the Kennedy Center this past weekend.
Eh.
It was all right… took some major departures from the movie, and was (thank God) nothing like Summersby, but it was all right. Certainly the lead perfomrers could sing their roles… and when the show was just them on stage, it worked. But the ensemble dragged it down, I thought… not entirely their fault; the book was weak. I expected better from the composers of Les Mis and Miss Saigon.
Also saw “Chicago” when it was here, with Vicki Lewis, Nana Visitor, and Robert Urich. A very strong revival… and who knew Nana Visitor could sing? It took a moment to shake the ‘Major Kira’ image, but she sold the show. I had seen it previously in New York with Teri Hatcher, and Nana was even stronger. Great show!
Saw “Jeykll & Hyde” in Baltimore last month. Blech. This was a great show two years ago in New York – but the travelling version has some changes in cast that don’t work (the new Jekyll can’t hold a candle to Robert Cuccoili) and some new music (they cut ‘Good and Evil’, a showcase piece!) Anyway, the result was like drinking warm flat ginger ale. It’s not terrible, exactly… but not very satisfying.
That’s all for now.
- Rick