Archive post: September 2010, Chicago

Billy Elliot

My take: I was curious as to how Billy Elliot would be restaged for a shorter run and future tour. While I liked the changes made (at least I rolled my eyes a lot less!), it still amazes me how bad parts of this show are and how great parts of it are too. No matter what, the story remains endearing though it was hard to get use to an Asian Bilree Erriot. As an aside, I'd like to mention that there are about 40 times more f-bombs in Billy Elliot than there are in Rock of Ages. Not sure how appropriate it is for kids the ages of the ones on stage.

Detroit

My take: I was more impressed by Steppenwolf's state-of-the-art but concrete theatre than I was by this play about two sets of unlikely neighbors. Except for one how-did-the-actor-vomit?-scene (but not as impressive as the one in Broadway's God of Carnage), it was totally forgettable. In fact, I can't remember what role the fifth actor played or how it ended. The actors appeared to be having slightly more fun than the audience, at least in one long, rambling scene that seemed completely unscripted; but by that point I just didn't care anymore about any of the proceedings onstage.

Chelsea Handler

My take: Based on Saturday's late show (the second of three sold-out shows in Chicago's huge, eponymous theatre), Chelsea Handler is my new favorite stand-up comic (despite bombing on the VMAs)! Much funnier than Kathy Griffin and almost as crude as Lisa Lampanelli, Chelsea can deliver in front of a crowd as well as she can on the page.

Candide

My take: While I couldn't pass up the chance to see one of theatre's most-problematic, rarely-produced musicals, the results weren't exactly what I had hoped for. Mary Zimmerman was allowed to write a new book (the eighth by my count since every major production/concert has been allowed to tinker with the show) for what is a glorious score, but all she did was add a bunch of needless and endless narration. Candide's problem has never been a confusing plot, but in finding the right balance of comedy and drama to give the musical an emotional impact that matches the score's. Zimmerman prop-heavy antics didn't serve the show well either and my favorite moments were the simpler ones, such as when the entire company sang part of Make Our Garden Grow a cappella and unmiked. Unfortunately, you have to sit through 3+ hours of actors saddled by Zimmerman's tedious staging to enjoy that moment. I thought the thin orchestra (of a dozen or so) actually sounded pretty good. Unfortunately, seeing this new version only made me wish I could see Opera Theatre of St. Louis's magical 1994 production of the Scottish Opera version again.

Rock of Ages

My take: Not sure why I had avoided seeing this jukebox musical using 80s rock songs on Broadway because it is FUN!!! The tour, featuring original cast member Constatine Maroulis, is only a week-old, but the tight and hard-rocking cast delivers in a show that has high entertainment value. The story is simple, but the jokes are funny and the songs come so fast and furious that the audience barely has time to sing along before it moves on to the next one. Easily the highlight of the weekend!