My Journal

*Mon, 9/8/08
RENT closed on Broadway yesterday, 9/7/08:

What an amazing musical! It's so sad now to think it's over. I'm listening to the cast album right now and crying. I've been suppressing all my history and emotional connections to this show... especially the OBC recording. It was such a revelation to see and hear a MUSICAL with gay people as principle characters. I saw the show 10 years ago and obsessed about the recording. It was around the time I was coming out, so it really meant a great deal to me at that time. I didn't really reflect back on all that till today. I've been so focused on Eden and her involvement in the show that it distracted me from what impact the show itself had on me in years past. It will always be an important, inspiring show to me.

I can't believe I was actually there, seeing it on Broadway... in the theatre that has housed it since the original cast. Wow! It blows my mind to think what everyone experienced yesterday. *sniff*

~S

*Fri, 9/12/08
9 TO 5: the Musical - previews started at the Ahmanson Theatre, LA, on 9/9/08. I saw it last night. OH. MY. GOD! What a fabulously entertaining show!!! I love the movie, so I was thrilled to see the musical... It was better than I hoped.

Megan Hilty ("Doralee")

was so scary. She sounds like Dolly - speaking and singing wise - and she even walks and moves like her too. I told her this after the show and we both agreed it was the boobs... which are HUGE on her (and fake, btw)! LOL! She has several really sweet songs... very Dolly... very country! Megan sings "twang" amazingly well... and even yodels! ("Cowgirls' Revenge") She can do anything, that girl, which is Megan's strength and appeal. She makes it all look so effortless and believable.

Allison Janney ("Violet")

was FANTASTIC! She plays the part beautifully, and even impressed me with her singing. She has a belty, razzle-dazzle number where she struts her stuff with a stage full of dancing chorus boys - "One of the Boys". FUN! Then in her fantasy song ("Potion Notion"), she shows some legit singing chops too... humorously, of course. Well done. Allison didn't get the part for her singing voice, but she pulled it all off, just the same. She's definitely the grounding force on stage. And she was the sweetest thing at stage door - so thrilled at how much we loved her performance (and clothes), and the show.

Stephanie J Block ("Judy")

rocked the house! Her growth from insecurity to strong, independence is very well played. This all important character arc provided her with the dynamic, vocal powerhouse song - "Get Out and Stay Out". Stephanie is so adorable - at one point, quite sexy ("Dance O'Death") even - as Judy. I loved her performance, and gushed profusely to her at stage door! I was especially excited to see her in the show, because I'd never seen her perform live. I missed her Elphaba completely and have heard nothing but great things about her. She's everything I heard she was and more. Such a gorgeous voice and personality and stage presence. And what fun to see her and Megan together. That would have been an interesting green/pink combo.

OH! There is a very funny Wicked in-joke with one of the lines at the end of Act I. I won't spoil it for anyone who's planning to see it, but we died laughing! It definitely pointed out who in the audience was "in the know". LOL! We're not sure if it was intentional or not when written. I'll have to ask Megan or Stephanie the next time I see them.

All three of them are having a blast! They each said so, after they practically bounced out of the theatre at the stage door. They obviously really care about the show and what they are doing on stage. It must be so thrilling and gratifying to see people loving this brand new production so much.

It's definitely a three star show, fairly evenly balanced, and perfectly cast, no question. They have some really nice trio numbers that show off their different characters, yet similar journeys. ("9 to 5" of course, "The One I Love", "Shine Like the Sun") The music is really quite good, fitting all characters and story arcs, as well as the '80's setting. The book is solid as well... Great dialogue, wonderful flow from scene to scene... Beautifully realized on stage. My favorite scene is the pot party. ROTFLMAO! Stephanie kills me!

The set (which was the cause of all the canceled preview performances last week) was ASTONISHING! I've never been so impressed by a set at the Ahmanson before. It's technically hellish, for sure, but visually it is stunning and effective. The costumes and hair were fun, retro '80's. Loved it!

My only criticism, surprisingly, is that I think Megan got the short end of the stick in terms of character development and songs. The other two have big WOW numbers that really touch on their strong character/story development. But Megan doesn't really have a WOW number... nor much character development. Even the character "Roz" one-ups her by getting the best comic number in the show - "Heart to Hart". Don't get me wrong. "Doralee" has some great scenes, especially with "Hart", and her couple solos are cute ("Backwoods Barbie" is very sweet, though awkwardly staged), but they don't showcase Megan's full range, or expand on her character much. This is especially noticeable in the second act when her throw-away number "Well-Oiled Machine" is juxtaposed to Stephanie's "Get Out and Stay Out", which immediately follows. Doralee is a fun part and Megan gives it her all, magnificently. But it's a little limiting when you know how much more she is capable of.

The only other criticism I can think of is that maybe the second act is a little short. They didn't change a whole lot from the movie. A bit of condensing here and there to streamline scenes for the stage, as well as slight additions, especially for Violet's storyline (which I liked!) But that's about it. If they could just strengthen Doralee's character and story, and give Megan a second act WOW number, I think they'll have an award winning new musical.
~S