(no subject)
Went to go see opening night of American Idiot in Toronto last night. Oh, this show. How I love.
OMG VAN HUGHES. Van’s Johnny was practically perfect in every way. His voice was never lacking, nor was his acting. I just adored his performance from top to bottom. Not a note out of place. He's also looking v.v. fine As much as I love John Gallagher, Van is my fave Johnny. Can't wait to see him again!
Jake Epstein’s Will was lovely. It’s hard to live up to Esper, but I thought he acted the role really, really well, and his singing was good. He doesn’t have the most powerful voice, but I thought it really fit Will’s character. He definitely held his own. Little Craig Manning from Degrassi, all grown up!
Scott J. Campbell’s Tunny was hit and miss for me. From a shallow perspective, I hate that he felt the need to beef up, because it's not a good look on him. Blech. (But I generally go for lean guys, so YMMV.) Some moments were excellent, but on others his voice was barely there (e.g. on the “city of the dead” bit where he’s changing channels at the end of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”). But it might have been mic problems? I really, really wanted to love him, but he didn’t quite do it for me in this performance. :/
But the big disappointment for me was Favorite Son, who I could barely hear (and I was in the sixth row). Again, I think it might have been the mic, because there was zero power to his voice. I’m seeing the show again on the weekend so I hope they’ll have fixed any sound issues.
Josh Kobak’s St. Jimmy was awesome. Had a laugh when they totally missed putting the spotlight on him when he comes out near the end. It went on after he’d gone back inside. Heh. But he was fab. Saw him twice on Bway, and aside from Tony Vincent, who will always be the best St. Jimmy, Josh is right up there. I’d take him over Billie Joe any day. Strong actor and singer.
Gabrielle, Leslie and Nicci were all good as Whatshername, Heather and EG. Gabrielle’s body is rather ridiculously gorgeous, and I thought she did a good job being fierce. So nice to see Leslie in a major role! Loved talking to her at SD last January in New York. She and Van are such a cute couple. Nicci didn’t blow me away, but she held her own.
The ensemble was excellent! I really, really enjoyed them. One guy (I think it was Vince Oddo, a swing) really stood out: He was on the stretcher on the far right and sung first in “Before the Lobotomy,” and he was awesome. Gorgeous voice. Also looooved Larkin Bogan, who has Brian Johnson's role. And Krystina Alabado was great! I’m so happy for her she got to do this tour after joining the Bway show and having it close so soon thereafter.
Seeing it at least two more times. I really wish there was a lotto or rush. But whatevs, this is likely my last chance to enjoy the show, so.
OMG VAN HUGHES. Van’s Johnny was practically perfect in every way. His voice was never lacking, nor was his acting. I just adored his performance from top to bottom. Not a note out of place. He's also looking v.v. fine As much as I love John Gallagher, Van is my fave Johnny. Can't wait to see him again!
Jake Epstein’s Will was lovely. It’s hard to live up to Esper, but I thought he acted the role really, really well, and his singing was good. He doesn’t have the most powerful voice, but I thought it really fit Will’s character. He definitely held his own. Little Craig Manning from Degrassi, all grown up!
Scott J. Campbell’s Tunny was hit and miss for me. From a shallow perspective, I hate that he felt the need to beef up, because it's not a good look on him. Blech. (But I generally go for lean guys, so YMMV.) Some moments were excellent, but on others his voice was barely there (e.g. on the “city of the dead” bit where he’s changing channels at the end of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”). But it might have been mic problems? I really, really wanted to love him, but he didn’t quite do it for me in this performance. :/
But the big disappointment for me was Favorite Son, who I could barely hear (and I was in the sixth row). Again, I think it might have been the mic, because there was zero power to his voice. I’m seeing the show again on the weekend so I hope they’ll have fixed any sound issues.
Josh Kobak’s St. Jimmy was awesome. Had a laugh when they totally missed putting the spotlight on him when he comes out near the end. It went on after he’d gone back inside. Heh. But he was fab. Saw him twice on Bway, and aside from Tony Vincent, who will always be the best St. Jimmy, Josh is right up there. I’d take him over Billie Joe any day. Strong actor and singer.
Gabrielle, Leslie and Nicci were all good as Whatshername, Heather and EG. Gabrielle’s body is rather ridiculously gorgeous, and I thought she did a good job being fierce. So nice to see Leslie in a major role! Loved talking to her at SD last January in New York. She and Van are such a cute couple. Nicci didn’t blow me away, but she held her own.
The ensemble was excellent! I really, really enjoyed them. One guy (I think it was Vince Oddo, a swing) really stood out: He was on the stretcher on the far right and sung first in “Before the Lobotomy,” and he was awesome. Gorgeous voice. Also looooved Larkin Bogan, who has Brian Johnson's role. And Krystina Alabado was great! I’m so happy for her she got to do this tour after joining the Bway show and having it close so soon thereafter.
Seeing it at least two more times. I really wish there was a lotto or rush. But whatevs, this is likely my last chance to enjoy the show, so.