so I watched harry potter dance last night
Yeah, I know, whatever. I can be irreverent on my own journal, damnit!
So first thing's first: He was perfectly fine. He has quite a good singing voice and danced rather well, and as the dancers were very good and the choreography amazing that's saying something. He's also got a steady American accent that lifts his speaking voice up about a third; that and the slicked down hair and costumes rendered him fairly unrecognizable. Not that there wasn't a lot of screaming, but more on that in a moment.
The thing is, this kid has almost no stage presence whatsoever. The narrative, the lighting, the choreography conspired to keep my eyes on him, but he didn't do anything himself to make me want to watch him. For example, at the start of the show is a number where Finch, still in his window washing uniform, walks among sharply suited businessmen who are singing and dancing (you know, like you do) and while it is supposed to be awkward, rather than standing out he fades away.
Also, I'm not sure why he keeps choosing these shows that aren't just old, but seriously dated. The sexual politics of this show in particular are very strange--Finch is noted for not being a flirt or a wolf, but for putting his career first, and his girl sings about how she wants to be a neglected housewife in New Rochelle--and yet they still had no sexual chemistry whatsoever.
Things not Dan's fault in any way: MAN the first act lagged. It was endless. The show has energy, but not urgency; not much happens, there's no real goal to be reached, nothing in the hero's way. And you all know that I'm pretty forgiving in plottiness (I really don't need much) but this was silly.
Things not about Dan that were awesome: All the ladies were spectacular. The show looked gorgeous; the set and costume and lighting design worked together seemlessly and told a real color story. The dancing and choreography is often great on Broadway but here it was noticeably inventive. (There was a long tap dancing secretaries number!)
Also there was a TON of screaming in the audience, though notably never when there wasn't an applause break. The teenyboppers were very polite. They screamed when Dan first appeared (he rises up from the orchestra in the cold open) and they screamed whenever he danced (though only when the number was over) and I thought the theater would shake apart when he came out for his curtain call. Then, because it's Broadway Cares season, he auctioned off the bright blue bowtie he'd worn all night, which sent $3000 to various AIDS charities supported by Equity.
So in sum, I don't think the severe pans were really deserved, though I also don't think the show adds that much to, say, the Broadway stage. It isn't something that needed to be revived. But Dan did perfectly well in it, and I'd definitely go to see him sing and dance again.
Oh and
pinkfinity also treated me to a tour of the Harry Potter exhibit, which was super cool. Lots of sets and props and costumes, especially Quidditch robes which, yay, and wands everywhere, and the robes they wore to the ball, etc. etc. etc. Definitely gave me some oomph as I head into the homestretch of the HP writing I'm doing right now!
crossposted from Dreamwidth |
comments | comment at Dreamwidth
So first thing's first: He was perfectly fine. He has quite a good singing voice and danced rather well, and as the dancers were very good and the choreography amazing that's saying something. He's also got a steady American accent that lifts his speaking voice up about a third; that and the slicked down hair and costumes rendered him fairly unrecognizable. Not that there wasn't a lot of screaming, but more on that in a moment.
The thing is, this kid has almost no stage presence whatsoever. The narrative, the lighting, the choreography conspired to keep my eyes on him, but he didn't do anything himself to make me want to watch him. For example, at the start of the show is a number where Finch, still in his window washing uniform, walks among sharply suited businessmen who are singing and dancing (you know, like you do) and while it is supposed to be awkward, rather than standing out he fades away.
Also, I'm not sure why he keeps choosing these shows that aren't just old, but seriously dated. The sexual politics of this show in particular are very strange--Finch is noted for not being a flirt or a wolf, but for putting his career first, and his girl sings about how she wants to be a neglected housewife in New Rochelle--and yet they still had no sexual chemistry whatsoever.
Things not Dan's fault in any way: MAN the first act lagged. It was endless. The show has energy, but not urgency; not much happens, there's no real goal to be reached, nothing in the hero's way. And you all know that I'm pretty forgiving in plottiness (I really don't need much) but this was silly.
Things not about Dan that were awesome: All the ladies were spectacular. The show looked gorgeous; the set and costume and lighting design worked together seemlessly and told a real color story. The dancing and choreography is often great on Broadway but here it was noticeably inventive. (There was a long tap dancing secretaries number!)
Also there was a TON of screaming in the audience, though notably never when there wasn't an applause break. The teenyboppers were very polite. They screamed when Dan first appeared (he rises up from the orchestra in the cold open) and they screamed whenever he danced (though only when the number was over) and I thought the theater would shake apart when he came out for his curtain call. Then, because it's Broadway Cares season, he auctioned off the bright blue bowtie he'd worn all night, which sent $3000 to various AIDS charities supported by Equity.
So in sum, I don't think the severe pans were really deserved, though I also don't think the show adds that much to, say, the Broadway stage. It isn't something that needed to be revived. But Dan did perfectly well in it, and I'd definitely go to see him sing and dance again.
Oh and
pinkfinity also treated me to a tour of the Harry Potter exhibit, which was super cool. Lots of sets and props and costumes, especially Quidditch robes which, yay, and wands everywhere, and the robes they wore to the ball, etc. etc. etc. Definitely gave me some oomph as I head into the homestretch of the HP writing I'm doing right now!
crossposted from Dreamwidth |
comments | comment at Dreamwidth