Singin' in the Rain is playing at the North Shore Music Theatre.
First of all, Matt Loehr as Don Lockwood is nothing shy of phenomenal. He's charming, sexy, has stage presence to spare, and more than masters the challenges of Don. Mark Ledbetter as Cosmo Brown is comfortable in the role and shoots out the one-liners with ease, but "Make 'Em Laugh" needed a bit more energy and spark.
Kathy Selden is played by Kelly D. Felthous, and she has a smooth, clear singing voice with the right amount of perkiness. However, she needed more of an edge and chemistry with Don to fully flush out the character. Beth Beyer as Lina Lamont is spot-on perfect throughout and a genuine joy to watch -- and listen to!!
Director Richard Stafford keeps the pace flowing nicely even though it felt the need to jump-started in some places. The beginning appeared a bit slow and choppy as if no one really knew where this was going. The number "Beautiful Girls" allowed the show to kick into gear.
Stafford's choreography is terrific and consistent, and thank you, thank you for doing the entire "Broadway Melody," which was wonderful. Randall Klein coordinated the outstanding, colorful costumes.
Even though the production seemed a bit cloudy, there is enough sunshine to put a smile on your face. B+
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Psych
TV-PG on USA
Using his acute attention to detail, sexy Shawn Spencer fakes being a psychic to help the police solve crimes. It's a cute premise, and the title role is portrayed very well by James Roday. His best friend from childhood, Gus, is paranoid that they will get caught, and that's part of the fun.
The program is more character study than mystery, but that's okay. One can look forward to see what types of mischief these boys will get into and how they will get out of it. B
Using his acute attention to detail, sexy Shawn Spencer fakes being a psychic to help the police solve crimes. It's a cute premise, and the title role is portrayed very well by James Roday. His best friend from childhood, Gus, is paranoid that they will get caught, and that's part of the fun.
The program is more character study than mystery, but that's okay. One can look forward to see what types of mischief these boys will get into and how they will get out of it. B
Random Thought 41
It's amazing that bags of popcorn, boxes of candy, and cups of soda become so heavy once they are empty: no one has the strength to pick them and throw them away.
Broadway On CD 3
TARZAN
Well, the songs from the movie are good, even if they appear to be lacking significant percussion one might expect from songs penned by Phil Collins. The rest of the soundtrack is not bad, and Josh Strickland has a wonderful voice, but there a sense that these tunes were rushed. It's almost as if the producers contacted Collins at the last minute crying for help to creat a finished score.
Given more time and attention, this could have been a more enjoyable soundtrack. While it won't make anyone want to swing from vines, it still might be worth a listen or two. C+
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
How sad is it that we are excited by "original" musicals? Anyway, it is easily understood why critics' darling Sutton Foster received her nomination and why Beth Leavey won for portraying the title role. The songs are fresh and funny, and the orchestrations are authentic and adorable.
This must be another show that relies on its visuals, because some listeners might feel like they are missing something or that the show could have been taken to another level. The angle here is that we are watching a show from the 1920's via Man in Chair's re-telling of the story while he plays the soundtrack. It might have been interesting to hear/see what would have happened had the two worlds met, but this musical is straightforward and enjoyable enough to play. B+
Well, the songs from the movie are good, even if they appear to be lacking significant percussion one might expect from songs penned by Phil Collins. The rest of the soundtrack is not bad, and Josh Strickland has a wonderful voice, but there a sense that these tunes were rushed. It's almost as if the producers contacted Collins at the last minute crying for help to creat a finished score.
Given more time and attention, this could have been a more enjoyable soundtrack. While it won't make anyone want to swing from vines, it still might be worth a listen or two. C+
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
How sad is it that we are excited by "original" musicals? Anyway, it is easily understood why critics' darling Sutton Foster received her nomination and why Beth Leavey won for portraying the title role. The songs are fresh and funny, and the orchestrations are authentic and adorable.
This must be another show that relies on its visuals, because some listeners might feel like they are missing something or that the show could have been taken to another level. The angle here is that we are watching a show from the 1920's via Man in Chair's re-telling of the story while he plays the soundtrack. It might have been interesting to hear/see what would have happened had the two worlds met, but this musical is straightforward and enjoyable enough to play. B+
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