When I bought tickets for The Most Happy Fella tonight at City Center Encores, I hadnt read Ben Brantleys review in the NY Times, but now that I have seen it, I couldnt agree with him more and understood why he was so thrilled with what he saw. What a sublime treat it was seeing this amazing production tonight! I am Laura Benantis and Shuler Hensleys newest and biggest fans. Besides looking and sounding amazing, Laura Benanti acts beautifully. And so does Shuler Hensley, and what a compelling voice he has, too! Wow! They were so touching in the final scene that I couldnt not be emotional. Heidi Blickenstaff and Jay Armstrong Johnson were delicious in their roles of Cleo and Herman. Jessica Molaskey--who knew that you had as awesome a legit voice as you do a jazz voice? You go with your talented self! The Abbondanza trio was excellent. I have NEVER heard a finer male ensemble sound in any show that Ive EVER seen, and the overall choral sound was spectacular. Loved me some high sopranos too! Casey Nicholaw did a superb job of the direction and choreography, and Rob Berman was a master with the orchestra, which played beautifully and so musically. Not only did the orchestra enhance the proceedings magnificently, but he managed to keep an onstage orchestra soft enough that it didnt cover the underscored dialogue sections. What a gift these City Center Encore productions can be. I only wish this entire show--cast and orchestra intact--could move to a Broadway theatre, and then sit down in Los Angeles, and then the Kennedy Center so many others could see the wondrous production I was lucky enough to see tonight.
Posted on: Mon, 07 Apr 2014 02:51:10 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015