Assassins
Thu, 27 Apr 2000, 02:41 amWalter Plinge6 posts in thread
Assassins
Thu, 27 Apr 2000, 02:41 amI saw Assassins final dress rehearsal tonight so I thought I'd tell you all about it. Firstly, Jason Seperic was pretty accurate in his self evaluation (See "Half Price Tickets" in the Gossip section). He played Booth with strength and focus and sang wonderfully. (You've come a long way Charlie Brown!) David Meadows may be a rotten critic, according to some, but if you see him in this show you would have to agree that he is an exceptional actor. His first monologue, as the delightfully insane Byck, was a highlight for me. (Now I've got those two trouble-makers out of the way!)
The singing in Assassins is fabulous. I mention this above anything else because, for me, the singing is the most important part of a musical. There were some, minor, problems but I have never seen an amateur production of a Sondheim which didn't have some. The musicians (Yeh! Real live muso's- it is still possible!) also did an amazing job with such difficult dots. (I have to applaud Deb Shilkin who was not only part of the ensemble but also played the flute,beautifully,when she wasn't on stage! Deb, you're mint!) Special mention to Nick Christo whose voice and characterisation in Unworthy Of Your Love (as crazed Jodie Foster stalker, John Hinckley) was divine.
When the singing is hot the acting sometimes suffers. NUP! Not with this show. The acting ranged from good to super. Greg Jones is stunning as Leon Czolgosz and Clayton Zwanenburg was so not Melvin P Thorpe (the role he played in Best Little Whorehouse which I directed in '98). I find that many actors, who are considered to be good actors, are very much the same in each of their roles but there was no sign of Melvin in Giuseppe Zangara. Maybe this is what makes a good actor a great actor? I get excited when I see it anyway! I also loved the performance of James McNeill (apologies if the surname is wrong but I didn't have a programme) as Guiteau. He was 'there' from open to close with heaps of energy and those wild but striking eyes. I won't say anything about Hellie McFarlane because I'm far too biased and think she's the bees knees but go and see her and the show for yourself.
Don't go to see Assassins for the set or the lighting. They are nothing exceptional. The costumes are great but not the usual Terry McAuley works of art (only because none of the Asssassins got around in feathers and sequins) so don't go to see them. Finally, this is a show with lots of guns going off and other such sound effects which, as we should all know, often fail or lack the impact that they need to be truly effective. Go to see this show with an understanding that amateur shows often lack in the technical department because we lack the thousands of dollars it costs to get it right every time.
Most importantly, go to see this show because it is a sensational piece of Musical Theatre which has been very well directed by Alex McLennan and has a fine cast of exceptionally talented singer/actors.
(Of course, this is all just my opinion).
Happy theatre going,
Gill
The singing in Assassins is fabulous. I mention this above anything else because, for me, the singing is the most important part of a musical. There were some, minor, problems but I have never seen an amateur production of a Sondheim which didn't have some. The musicians (Yeh! Real live muso's- it is still possible!) also did an amazing job with such difficult dots. (I have to applaud Deb Shilkin who was not only part of the ensemble but also played the flute,beautifully,when she wasn't on stage! Deb, you're mint!) Special mention to Nick Christo whose voice and characterisation in Unworthy Of Your Love (as crazed Jodie Foster stalker, John Hinckley) was divine.
When the singing is hot the acting sometimes suffers. NUP! Not with this show. The acting ranged from good to super. Greg Jones is stunning as Leon Czolgosz and Clayton Zwanenburg was so not Melvin P Thorpe (the role he played in Best Little Whorehouse which I directed in '98). I find that many actors, who are considered to be good actors, are very much the same in each of their roles but there was no sign of Melvin in Giuseppe Zangara. Maybe this is what makes a good actor a great actor? I get excited when I see it anyway! I also loved the performance of James McNeill (apologies if the surname is wrong but I didn't have a programme) as Guiteau. He was 'there' from open to close with heaps of energy and those wild but striking eyes. I won't say anything about Hellie McFarlane because I'm far too biased and think she's the bees knees but go and see her and the show for yourself.
Don't go to see Assassins for the set or the lighting. They are nothing exceptional. The costumes are great but not the usual Terry McAuley works of art (only because none of the Asssassins got around in feathers and sequins) so don't go to see them. Finally, this is a show with lots of guns going off and other such sound effects which, as we should all know, often fail or lack the impact that they need to be truly effective. Go to see this show with an understanding that amateur shows often lack in the technical department because we lack the thousands of dollars it costs to get it right every time.
Most importantly, go to see this show because it is a sensational piece of Musical Theatre which has been very well directed by Alex McLennan and has a fine cast of exceptionally talented singer/actors.
(Of course, this is all just my opinion).
Happy theatre going,
Gill