(no subject)
Last night, Jim and I attended Carnival, at Goodspeed Musicals in East Haddam CT. The prouction was directed by Darko Tresnjak, and Choreographed by Peggy Hickey. Michael Stewart's book (based on material by Helen Deutsch) was revised by Francine Pascal. New orechstrations were by Dan DeLange (for those of you interested: 2 keyboards, Reed, Trumpet, Trumbone, Violin, Harp and Percussion). Both my husband and I felt that the show on paper was stronger than the production on stage. The song stack seems slightly different than the original production (at least based on what records I can find) -- It is posted at the end. Adam Monley, as Paul, had a fabulously big voice, and concentrated on the brooding aspects of the part. Lauren Worsham's Lili was very sweet, but I felt that perhaps she was almost too innocent. Mike McGowan and Michelle Blakely as Marco and Rosalie were a lot of fun (although the script seemed to make Rosalie's threats to leave very weak). Laurent Girox as Schlegel was a master of comic timing, and the double take (he was probably my favorite of the principle performers). Nathan Klau's Jacquot was very sympathetic, and did a great job with "Cirque de Paris Ballet." The real standout of the show, was the ensemble. They were fabulous dancers, and decent circus performers, and had lovely voices. The two male aerialists who did the arial Pas de Deux during the Carnival Ballet were very effective
David' P. Rogdon's set was very simple and effective, consisting of three concentric steal arches with lights.. John Lasiter's lighting was fun (and I really appreciated the subtle use of the automated light -- just supportive enough without being about "look at the lights wiggle"). Fabio Toblini's costumes were lovely -- like an old photograph. I don't want to comment on Jay Hilton's sound design, because we were in the front row, and we perceived some balance problems that were probably due to my location, not the design.
I felt like the production didn't trust the material. All the dramatic moments seem to have been treated like boring exposition. Paul and Lili (until the last scene) seemed rather on one level, but due to the whole production this fault probably lies with the director rather than the cast. I want to track down the original script, as I felt there were some problems with the flow, and the "stakes." Rosalie's threats to leave were patently false. The double suicide attempt scene at the end of act 1 didn't ring true. It also seemed like some of the puppet sequences were cut (at least according the synopses I was able to locate).
The song stack was:
ACT I
Direct from Vienna / Very Nice Man / Fairyland / Mira / I've Got to Find a Reason / Sword & A Rose & Cape / Humming / Yes, My Heart / Magic, Magic / Carnival Ballet / Love Makes the World Go 'Round / Everybody Likes You
ACT II
Yum Ticky Ticky Tum Tum / We're Rich / Beautiful Candy / Her Face / Cirque de Paris Ballet / I Hate Him / Always Always You / She's My Love (Reprise of Love Makes the World in curtain call)
David' P. Rogdon's set was very simple and effective, consisting of three concentric steal arches with lights.. John Lasiter's lighting was fun (and I really appreciated the subtle use of the automated light -- just supportive enough without being about "look at the lights wiggle"). Fabio Toblini's costumes were lovely -- like an old photograph. I don't want to comment on Jay Hilton's sound design, because we were in the front row, and we perceived some balance problems that were probably due to my location, not the design.
I felt like the production didn't trust the material. All the dramatic moments seem to have been treated like boring exposition. Paul and Lili (until the last scene) seemed rather on one level, but due to the whole production this fault probably lies with the director rather than the cast. I want to track down the original script, as I felt there were some problems with the flow, and the "stakes." Rosalie's threats to leave were patently false. The double suicide attempt scene at the end of act 1 didn't ring true. It also seemed like some of the puppet sequences were cut (at least according the synopses I was able to locate).
The song stack was:
ACT I
Direct from Vienna / Very Nice Man / Fairyland / Mira / I've Got to Find a Reason / Sword & A Rose & Cape / Humming / Yes, My Heart / Magic, Magic / Carnival Ballet / Love Makes the World Go 'Round / Everybody Likes You
ACT II
Yum Ticky Ticky Tum Tum / We're Rich / Beautiful Candy / Her Face / Cirque de Paris Ballet / I Hate Him / Always Always You / She's My Love (Reprise of Love Makes the World in curtain call)