I don't know just what was wrong, but the show dragged. There were too many long periods of silence which were awkward. A couple of the actors didn't seem to know their lines and the other actors had to wait for them. The set design was sparse and bland. There were a couple of musical numbers that worked, most notably "Mame" at the end of the first act, but others were just so-so. Some of the actors overplayed their roles to such a degree that it was distracting. Others seemed to just be sleepwalking through it. The funny lines weren't funny.
Maybe we were spoiled after seeing The Music Man and loving it. That show had such energy - everyone in the show looked like they were having fun. And the audience had fun also.
Last night, there were not many laughs, not much applause. Kathy Russell, who played Mame, is a terrific talent with an exceptional voice and stage presence. But even she had a hard time carrying the show alone. Our favorite, Lauren, who played Marion in The Music Man, had a small part. She seemed to be about the only one on stage who looked like she was having fun. Lauren's voice was clear and could be heard above the others - everyone else sounded flat and bored.
This was only the 4th performance. We're going back again next Thursday night. Hopefully everyone will know their lines this time and maybe there won't be so many awkward silences. If not, it's going to be hard to sit in the front row and look interested for 2 1/2 hours.
5 comments:
Oh Lynne, I'm sorry Mame wasn't as good as The Music Man-you loved that so much. Hopefully the next time you see it, it will be better. Like you said they will have more time to learn their lines. Have a great weekend!
I assume this is community theater - not professional. Sometimes you get good actors and directors and sometimes they are just inexperienced. Sounds like that is what happened to this show. I don't know as I would sit through it again!
very good critique, Lynne! And, you are going back? Good for you. They may just have it together by then! Hope so!
That's really too bad! Jeremy was in a production of Mame a couple of years ago and it was hilarious!!! Jeremy stayed up way into the wee hours of the morning before the show to do some work on the set and it looked amazing.
Jean - I wish Jeremy could have done the sets for this show. I think the bland sets were a major part of the problem.
It really should have been a good show. It's a terrific musical with great songs and the woman playing Mame is so talented. But it just didn't work.
Hopefully next week will be better.
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