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So we went to see Company with the New York Philharmonic last night. The Philharmonic and also every star ever. Neil Patrick Harris, Stephen Colbert, Patti LuPone, Craig Bierko, Jon Cryer from Two and a Half Men, Katie Finneran from Wonderfalls, Christina Hendricks from Mad Men and Firefly, Martha Plimpton from The Goonies, Anika Noni Rose who was Tiana in The Princess & the Frog, and several more people who have been major roles in some of the bigger shows on Broadway in the last couple years. The applause levels were ridiculous, just for people walking onstage.
To be honest, the levels were really problematic (not surprising with the full orchestra behind them, but the microphones levels weren't set properly enough and lyrics got lost in some of the group numbers). And while Stephen Colbert has a very nice tone, his support and phrasing could use a lot of work.
That said, so much fun. It's a really funny show to begin with, and Avery Fisher Hall is now covered in tooth marks--the entire cast went on a scenery-chewing rampage. Everyone basically glowed with "I'm totally onstage with [fill in the blank]! This is so awesome!" And for a cabaret-ish, basically bookless musical comedy, that actually worked. I was particularly amused as the actors treated Paul Gemignani, the conductor, as a giant prop. In "Getting Married Today", Amy (Finneran) tries to stop the wedding by literally stealing his baton out of his hand and breaking it over her knee. As April (Hendricks) explores Robert's (Harris') apartment, she pokes Gemignani in the back as an element of the decor, sending him gently oscillating back and forth. The good-humoredness of the entire production was completely infectious. Under normal circumstances, it would seem a bit over-the-top, really, but this entire thing had the air of two or three of these folks getting drunk at an industry party, and saying "You know what would be awesome...?" "Holy shit, we should totally do this!"
To be honest, the levels were really problematic (not surprising with the full orchestra behind them, but the microphones levels weren't set properly enough and lyrics got lost in some of the group numbers). And while Stephen Colbert has a very nice tone, his support and phrasing could use a lot of work.
That said, so much fun. It's a really funny show to begin with, and Avery Fisher Hall is now covered in tooth marks--the entire cast went on a scenery-chewing rampage. Everyone basically glowed with "I'm totally onstage with [fill in the blank]! This is so awesome!" And for a cabaret-ish, basically bookless musical comedy, that actually worked. I was particularly amused as the actors treated Paul Gemignani, the conductor, as a giant prop. In "Getting Married Today", Amy (Finneran) tries to stop the wedding by literally stealing his baton out of his hand and breaking it over her knee. As April (Hendricks) explores Robert's (Harris') apartment, she pokes Gemignani in the back as an element of the decor, sending him gently oscillating back and forth. The good-humoredness of the entire production was completely infectious. Under normal circumstances, it would seem a bit over-the-top, really, but this entire thing had the air of two or three of these folks getting drunk at an industry party, and saying "You know what would be awesome...?" "Holy shit, we should totally do this!"
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no subject
Date: 2011-04-10 07:02 pm (UTC)From:The sound was mud up where we were.
Our guess about the levels being where they were was for the filming they're doing.
On the other hand, I have an excuse to go see it when it's shown in a movie theater in June. Hee.
The "I'm totally onstage with [fill in the blank]! This is so awesome!" thing was infectious and gleeful. You could practically HEAR Stephen Colbert thinking OH MY GOD I JUST SLAPPED MARTHA PLIMPTON ON THE ASS. GOONIES NEVER SAY DIE!!!
I also really, really loved what he brought to Sorry/Grateful.
Even with all the problems, I wanted to tie the whole production in a big red bow.
no subject
Date: 2011-04-10 07:26 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2011-04-10 07:32 pm (UTC)From:God bless her, she powered through.
I'm impressed. I couldn't deal with Patty LuPone through a migraine.
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Date: 2011-04-10 07:38 pm (UTC)From:And yes, the sound was pretty muddy. But I enjoyed it anyway.
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Date: 2011-04-10 08:17 pm (UTC)From:You left out the best part of the joke--NPH saying he never looks at it. Oh, singers.
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Date: 2011-04-10 08:18 pm (UTC)From:no subject
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Date: 2011-04-10 08:45 pm (UTC)From:no subject
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Date: 2011-04-11 04:09 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2011-04-11 05:46 am (UTC)From:I swear none of those ideas were mine. (Well, I added "Pillow Fight" to the "Slumber Party", because you have to. But I was not even involved in the discussions leading to any of these.)
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Date: 2011-04-11 12:07 pm (UTC)From:no subject
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Date: 2011-04-11 09:49 pm (UTC)From: