Here is my review on 101 Dalmatians from October.
101 Dalmatians
If you are looking for a family friendly new show, 101 Dalmatians may be the show for you.
101 Dalmatians, which had its world premiere at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, MN on October 13th, takes Dodie Smith’s 1956 novel from the page to the stage.
This new adaptation of “Dalmatians” is from the dog’s point of view. Humans are seen as pets, not owners. The dogs walk on two feet, not four. The actors playing humans are on well-disguised stilts, which cause problems throughout the show (some of the actors walked around clumsily, and there were a few who actually fell).
The Dalmatians, led by Pongo (James Ludwig) and Missus (Catia Ojeda), are the primary heroes of the story. Pongo and Missus suffer the agony of Missus’ pregnancy, then enjoy family life until their pups are stolen by Cruella De Vil (Rachel York).
Usually you wouldn’t root for a villainess who plans to murder and skin dozens of puppies for her fall fashion line, but when you see how much fun Rachel York is having in the role of De Vil, you come close. York steals the show with her loud screeching entrances, very glamorous and outrageous costumes and fun numbers.
The show also features 15 furry cast members who carry two scenes during the show, one at the end of each act. The Dalmatians add a much-needed boost to the show by performing “tricks.”
Beyond that, there really isn’t really much of anything that makes the audience go “wow.”
Former Styx member, Dennis DeYoung, wrote the music for the show and was co-lyricist with B.T. McNicholl. Dalmatians has some fun numbers and a few heartfelt ballads, but the music, though light and nice, leaves you with the feeling that you’ve heard all of it before.
When you see “Dalmatians,” you can leave the theatre with a light hearted feeling - knowing that the good guys won and the bad guys got punished.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
In The Heights
In the beginning of December I saw the show I have been waiting a little over 2 years to see. I have loved In The Heights since I heard some demos on YouTube! This national tour is worth waiting for. The show as a whole is amazing. The tour cast is phenomenal! From the moment I sat down in my seat to the curtain call I was amazed. I had a smile on my face the whole time and I usually don't smile. I don't know who my favorite cast member was because everyone from Usnavi to the ensemble shined so bright! The Band was great too. Some people think that the cast recording sounds the best and nothing can compare (some NOT all), I have to say I enjoyed this cast a little more than the cast recording. The cast recording is amazing, but there is something about that live theatre magic and experiencing it live. Two of my favorite songs ‘The Club’ and ‘Carnaval del Barrio’ were so amazing live!
One of my favorite things to do after a show is to go to the Stage door and tell the actors how amazing there were in hopefully a somewhat less campy way! The whole cast on top of being super talented are super nice and good people. The cast trickled out of the stage door one by one. I said the usual “You were amazing! I can’t wait to see the show tomorrow” They kept a smile while enduring the wonderful Minnesota cold while signing and taking pictures. It was so fun. I met a lot of the cast like Joseph Morales and Arielle Jacobs! Finally Kyle Beltran who played an amazing Usnavi came outside. Kyle recognized me from Twitter. He was so nice he signed my playbill and program, took a picture and thanked me for my kind tweets. Then he asked if I liked the show. I told him I loved it and I was coming back the next day. Then Kyle said he would give me a tour of the stage when I came back the next day. Of course the whole way I had a smile on my face because I was so happy and excited.
The next day I took my friend who isn’t really into theatre. At intermission I asked if she liked the show and she was loving it. Then after the show on the way to the stage door she couldn’t stop talking about how amazing the show was and all I could say was “I told you so”. We took some pictures with some of the cast until Kyle came out. Then we got a tour of the set. The set was amazing! Then we went back outside. Rogelio was there and I got him to sign my Playbill then I got a picture of me, Rogelio, Kyle and Yvette. After that Yvette came up to me and asked if I was the girl Kyle had told her about I said “yes” and then she said thank you and gave me a big hug. Kyle introduced me to Tommy Kail. Tommy is nice I talked to him for a few minutes and then he signed my Playbill and took a picture. I had another permanent smile on my face. The whole way home I couldn’t believe what had happened.
In The Heights was the best touring production I have ever seen. It is also the best Christmas present I have gotten and was worth staying up late the day before finals to see. The cast they have is something special. I am so lucky to have seen the tour
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."- Maya Angelou. I may forget some of the thing the cast said to me but I won’t forget how they made the experience so amazing. I want to thank cast for being so sweet and kind at the stage door and on Twitter. They are all amazing people. I wish them only the best on the rest of their tour and Beyond!
@th3heights :)
One of my favorite things to do after a show is to go to the Stage door and tell the actors how amazing there were in hopefully a somewhat less campy way! The whole cast on top of being super talented are super nice and good people. The cast trickled out of the stage door one by one. I said the usual “You were amazing! I can’t wait to see the show tomorrow” They kept a smile while enduring the wonderful Minnesota cold while signing and taking pictures. It was so fun. I met a lot of the cast like Joseph Morales and Arielle Jacobs! Finally Kyle Beltran who played an amazing Usnavi came outside. Kyle recognized me from Twitter. He was so nice he signed my playbill and program, took a picture and thanked me for my kind tweets. Then he asked if I liked the show. I told him I loved it and I was coming back the next day. Then Kyle said he would give me a tour of the stage when I came back the next day. Of course the whole way I had a smile on my face because I was so happy and excited.
The next day I took my friend who isn’t really into theatre. At intermission I asked if she liked the show and she was loving it. Then after the show on the way to the stage door she couldn’t stop talking about how amazing the show was and all I could say was “I told you so”. We took some pictures with some of the cast until Kyle came out. Then we got a tour of the set. The set was amazing! Then we went back outside. Rogelio was there and I got him to sign my Playbill then I got a picture of me, Rogelio, Kyle and Yvette. After that Yvette came up to me and asked if I was the girl Kyle had told her about I said “yes” and then she said thank you and gave me a big hug. Kyle introduced me to Tommy Kail. Tommy is nice I talked to him for a few minutes and then he signed my Playbill and took a picture. I had another permanent smile on my face. The whole way home I couldn’t believe what had happened.
In The Heights was the best touring production I have ever seen. It is also the best Christmas present I have gotten and was worth staying up late the day before finals to see. The cast they have is something special. I am so lucky to have seen the tour
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."- Maya Angelou. I may forget some of the thing the cast said to me but I won’t forget how they made the experience so amazing. I want to thank cast for being so sweet and kind at the stage door and on Twitter. They are all amazing people. I wish them only the best on the rest of their tour and Beyond!
@th3heights :)
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