I wanted to wait to see the full original cast before I did my review but my absurdly busy past few weeks have kept me from being able to partake in this again. But rest assured, I will see this show again.
My musical buddy from California has now become my roommate (YAY!!) so I'm hoping my excursions onto Broadway will be more frequent.
I can't believe my luck. I feel like Broadway just can't disappoint me (or perhaps it's my roommate and her good taste in theater). I was so astonishingly moved by this show. I knew it was going to be good, it racked up quite a reputation. I had no idea that I would not only enjoy the show but that I'd feel emotionally connected to every actor on stage. Shamelessly I cried through the entire production but it wasn't until Alice Ripley looked me square in the eyes that I erupted like a snotting volcano. No wonder she has major cred, she lives up to the hype. Ripley was Diana. I'm in love with this woman's performance!
Sadly for me the actors who play the father (Robert Spencer as Dan) and brother (Aaron Tveit as Gabe, my new lover) were not at the show. But luckily for me their understudies Michael Berry and Timothy Young (respectively) were brilliant. Young especially controlled the stage, almost effortlessly as if he were not an understudy. But it wasn't until I heard Young and Berry's father / son duet that I really fell in love. Berry was stiff at times but he still did an amazing job.
(One of my favorite parts!!)
The entire cast (Jennifer Damiano as Natalie, Adam Chanler-Berat as Henry, and the luscious Louis Hobson as Dr. Maddan / Dr. Fine) portrayed their characters extremely well. I really can't say enough how much I enjoyed this show. The music was haunting, the lyrics deep and so meaningful (I sobbed through "Superboy and the Invisible Girl). The on stage band didn't miss a beat. I mean really, what more could you want out of a show?
To see or not to see?
Missing this would be a travesty.
