Alright, let's jump right back in.
Saturday night I saw Ghost. It was most certainly a spectacle. The story was kind of cool and there were some musical highlights but the most impressive aspect by far were the lighting and special efects.
Epic marquee.
Pretty chandelier. (It's not actually rainbow. That's the photo effect.)
I can't believe they actually had custom slushies. All out.
Pre-show set. Pretty scrim.
Almost the whole set was made of huge screens that projected video almost the whole time. Also, they did an unbelievable job with the ghost tricks. By way of special lighting and theater tricks, they truly made it seem as though Sam Wheat were passing through doors and solid objects. I can't even begin to imagine the cost of this extravaganza. My mind is still reeling. Without all these technical show-offs, I don't think I would've enjoyed the show as much. The actors were cute and there were knockout singing moments, but mostly so-so.
Crazy visuals. There are a lot of videos and pictures with the actor's faces on them during the show. It must be a bitch to change when understudies go on.
When the ensemble was dancing, often they would project silhouettes of more people on the screens. Way cool.
It just looks. so. cool.
Sweet ghostiness.
New York City.
Caissie Levy (Molly Jensen) was adorable. She has a killer voice. I am pretty sure I saw her as Sheila in Hair a few years ago. That's a perfect role/show for her. She has also been Elphaba in Wicked, Maureen in Rent, and Penny in Hairspray. All awesome shows and awesome parts. Richard Fleeshman (Sam Wheat) was a little bit of a bore, but I give him mad props for completely pulling off all the ghost tricks so convincingly. At the stage door I discovered he was British which improved my opinion of him a bit. Da'Vine Joy Randolph was so damn funny as Oda Mae Brown. She deserved her Tony nom for her Broadway debut. She had real guts and completely fooled around on the stage. Her costumes were also hilarious.
Funny little tidbit--Beyonce was there the night I saw it! I didn't see her there but I heard afterwards. So cool. She's a goddess.
From left: Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Richard Fleeshman, BEYONCE, Caissie Levy, Bryce Pinkham.
On Sunday I saw the Best Man matinee. I was a little nervous going in since I knew it was a political comedy and I am completely useless when it comes to politics. I was mostly just interested in the star-filled cast. James Earl Jones. Angela Lansbury. John Larroquette. Candice Bergen. Eric McCormack. Kerry Butler. Jefferson Mays. Michael McKean. Very impressive.
Marquee.
The show completely went over my head but I am so glad I can say I got to see these people. I saw Angela in A Little Night Music a few years ago. That woman blows my mind. One of the best talents out there and still rocking the stage at her age. Her part in this was rather annoying and only had, like, two scenes but it's ANGELA LANSBURY. So it doesn't matter. James Earl Jones was really funny, though sometimes hard to understand. Also, I thought it was interesting that he was playing a Black former president as of 1960. I quite enjoyed John Larroquette's performance. Damn, that man is funny. I also saw him in How to Suceed with Daniel Radcliffe last year. Funny guy. His relationship with Candice Bergen in the play was very interesting. She was fantastic. Eric McCormack was awesome as the slimy young politician who will use any means to get to the end he wants. Kerry Butler walks a fine line for me. She ALWAYS plays the over-the-top annoying characters and it often works for her. This one was hot and cold.
Also, the play was damn long. THREE ACTS. At the second intermission, I thought it was over but then there was no curtain call. Very strange.
That's all for now! I am rushing out the door to go see Once. I am so so so so so so so so excited. I'll write more tonight, hopefully.
xoxoleah
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