25 replies to this topic

[vipa]

I agree with Barbara about Kelli O'Hara, wonderful performance.

I'm not so surprised that Tyler Peck sang in the chorus.  She was in the Broadway production of Music Man done in 2000.  That was a long time ago, but it shows that she has musical theater in her background.

[dirac]

 Barbara, on 28 April 2013 - 08:11 AM, said:

I recorded it and just got around to viewing last night. In my book Kelli O'Hara can do no wrong. She is totally invested in everything she does and makes it all believable. I loved Nathan Gunn as Lancelot in Camelot but he has such a sweet face that I didn't really buy him here as a ne'er do well. But I could listen to him sing all day long. I thought the real charisma was between Jason Danieley and Jessie Mueller as Mr. & Mrs. Snow. All the supporting players were superb like the always reliable John Cullum and Kate Burton. I'd never heard Stephanie Blythe before, what power! I was transfixed by Tiler Peck and Robert Fairchild, beautiful movement and commitment. I noticed she was singing too but then it might have been odd if she was the only one on stage not doing so. But I wouldn't doubt that she has a lovely voice to match her dancing. Oh yeah, tears in my eyes at the end. This is a keeper.

Nice review, Barbara, thanks for posting. I'd say the characterization of "ne'er do well" is being rather kind to Billy in one sense and unfair in another.

I hadn't heard Peck was in The Music Man, vipa, that's good to know.

[vipa]

 dirac, on 28 April 2013 - 04:01 PM, said:

I hadn't heard Peck was in The Music Man, vipa, that's good to know.

There is an interview on Ballet Pulp done when Peck was a soloist at NYCB = http://dancepulp.com...rk-city-ballet/

She said that when she came to NY to do Music Man, Susan Stroman told her that she should study to improve, not just do the show.  That's how Peck ended up at SAB.

[dirac]

Thanks, good interview. Stroman warned Peck that the repetition of doing a show would hurt her technique if she didn't also take class, a nice piece of advice to give a talented youngster.

[Natalia]

 dirac, on 28 April 2013 - 04:48 AM, said:

... I sat patiently through "This Was a Real Nice Clambake," the kind of homey-folksy linsey-woolsey Rodgers & Hammerstein number that makes me want to toss my clams, cleanly if unidiomatically sung.  ....

Dirac, so 'the vittles you et (ate) weren't good, you bet'? LOL! Yes, some of those lyrics make me shudder.

Totally loved Tiler Peck in this. She has such lovely feet/arches, that she appeared to be on pointe at times, even though she danced barefooted. Robert Fairchild was impressive in the brief pdd. I didn't see the name of the choreographer. Did Tiler and Robert create their own steps? Did they adapt some of Wheeldon's steps from Carousel - A Dance?

[rg]

Gia Kourlas's review in the New York Times, Mar. 1, notes the choreographer's name: Warren Carlyle.
I presume the review was linked here at the time.

[abatt]

No, it was not Wheeldon's choreography.  The choreographer for this production was Warren Carlyle, who has choreographed a number of Broadway shows.

[Natalia]

Thanks, rg & abatt. It was impressively done, given the tiny stage-space, in front of the large symphony orchestra.

[dirac]

 Natalia, on 29 April 2013 - 06:16 AM, said:

Thanks, rg & abatt. It was impressively done, given the tiny stage-space, in front of the large symphony orchestra.

It was well staged from that aspect. I never worried that Peck was going to pirouette into the string section.

[balletgirl22sk]

I finally watched it today since I am home sick. I thought it was wonderful- one of my favorite musicals!

[sidwich]

abatt, on 29 April 2013 - 05:56 AM, said:

No, it was not Wheeldon's choreography.  The choreographer for this production was Warren Carlyle, who has choreographed a number of Broadway shows.

There's youtube footage of Carlyle with Tiler Peck and Robert Fairchild that was part of the promotion for the concert:  

Finally got around to watching the concert and thoroughly enjoyed it.  The Rodgers music sounded glorious with the Philharmonic.

Was very impressed with Jason Danieley and Jessie Mueller as Enoch and Carrie.  To me, they were the highlight of the concert.  Danieley has come a long way from being the golden-voiced, but rather wooden performer he was starting out, and Mueller justifies her hype as a star-in-the-making.  The rapport between them was delightful.

Tiler Peck and Robert Fairchild were the other highlight of the evening for me.  Since I don't live in NY anymore, I hadn't 't had the opportunity to see them dance before, and now I will have to seek them out when I'm there.  True luxury casting to have them dancing Louise and the Fairground Boy!

Nathan Gunn sounded lovely, but I found him to be a very blah Billy.  I wasn't very enthusiastic about Michael Hayden's performance as Billy in the Nicholas Hytner production at the time because of his relatively weak vocals, but as time has gone on, I've appreciated the quality and subtlety of his acting more and more.



I was very glad to see Kelli O'Hara as Julie.  I completely appreciate her desire to stretch and grow as a performer, and I completely appreciate that people must love to work with her because she is hired all the time, but I've found her cast in far too many roles which I don't think really suit either her or her voice.  I don't think she's really a very naturally funny performer (Nice Work if You Can Get It, Bells are Ringing) nor does she have a true belt (The Pajama Game).  This kind of Rodgers and Hammerstein blonde soprano part is really where I feel her wheelhouse is, and she was wonderful in it.