The musical, written by David Yazbek with a book by Jeffrey Lane, is based on the Pedro Almodovar film of the same name. The show is written in a kind of telenovela format for the stage. I'm not quite sure that everyone around me really got that concept.
I do have to say, as of now, the show isn't really easy to get into. The opening number (My Crazy Heart) just felt a little odd as an introduction to the show. I'm not quite sure what the purpose of it was because, while all the women are there, you don't really "meet" any of them. Anyway, the story doesn't really get started until after it ends and, from then on, I had no problem getting it.
In fact, my biggest problem with the music was the fact that the songs that started both acts just didn't seem necessary. The Act Two starter, "Madrid", was an ok song but did nothing to help advance the story and could easily have been cut (it still could be, seeing how there's still two weeks of previews left). It didn't help that the Act One closer, "On the Verge", was a great ensemble number that left us with a really cool closing image. It just seemed as though someone thought, "We need more dancing. Let's hold off on really starting the second act until after we after we've added some more dancing." And really, the choreography by Christopher Gattelli didn't really deserve its own number.
The impressive and constantly moving set was designed by Michael Yeargan. There were also projections by Sven Ortel that added to the overall production. These helped to move the action along and were pretty much characters in themselves. The night we saw, everything moved smoothly with no stops.
The human characters of the show were played by what has to be, in my mind, the best ensemble on a Broadway stage right now. Each of them had their moment in the spotlight and grabbed it. Sherie Rene Scott had what would be considered the lead role of Pepa, the mistress with great gazpacho and a message to deliver. I was excited to finally get to see her on stage and she didn't disappoint. Her accent seemed a smidge shaky at the start but, her performance wasn't. She took control of the stage and everyone around her like the star should.
As great as she was though, she had two ladies stealing the show at every turn. Patti Lupone (another one I was SO excited to see!) and Laura Benanti both were hilarious playing a crazed ex-wife (Lucia) and a suspicious model (Candela). I wasn't too keen on Patti's first number, "Time Stood Still", mainly because of the way it was staged but her second, "Invisible", gave her the chance to shine the way she deserves. Laura's number "Model Behavior", was easily one of the highlights of the show.
As this show is about women, the men were relegated to being off stage for a lot of the time. Danny Burstein was very funny as the taxi driver but, unfortunately, he's the one that gets stuck with the "Madrid" number. Brian Stokes Mitchell, easily has the "paycheck" role. He comes on, sings a song or two and then leaves but, he makes the most of it. Justin Guarini was the nicest surprise of the cast for me. Expectations were low for this American Idol runner-up but, he did a very nice job as Carlos. But then, you'd better do a nice job when you're playing the son of Patti and Brian Stokes!
Overall, I thought the show was great for where it was. It still has two weeks of previews to gel before opening but, I think they've got it for the most part. I DO find it a bit unfortunate that, as of now, my two biggest issues with it were the beginnings of both acts. Also, the ending was a bit abrupt and the audience didn't know it was over until the ensemble came out to take their bows.
I liked the way that the audience is thrown into the story but, I don't think that was the general consensus from the crowd around me. During the intermission, some were still confused as to who some of the characters were since they weren't really introduced. Maybe this will work itself out during the rest of previews. Possibly by fixing that opening number?
Anyway, I think the show is in good shape and would love to go back and see what that cast and director Bartlett Sher do with it between now and opening.
Until next time...
