Anyone who thinks the golden age of American musicals is long past has only to come to this one and have a good cry. All of the creative decisions served to support the cast and the material speaking for itself.įun Home is easily one of my favorite musicals written in this century. Yeaji Kim’s set design was thoughtful and understated, hitting the perfect balance of being minimal while still feeling thoroughly realized. Every scene was given the space to breathe, and it allowed the audience to connect with the story and the cast. Under co-directors Jim Corti and Landree Fleming, the show gets out of the way of these amazing actors performing this amazing material. This production’s greatest strength is its confidence. Schellhardt did a fantastic job of adding layers to help the audience understand why Bruce wasn’t capable of closer relationships with his family and that Bruce feels that absence as much Alison. There has to be something for Alison to connect with, or the search for that connection goes from tragic to ridiculous. Even as the show outlines his shortcomings as a father and a man, you have to feel some compassion for him, or the central conflict of the show falls apart. The entire cast was incredibly talented, but I have to give some additional praise to Stephen Schellhardt as Bruce, Alison father. I saw Maya Keane for this performance, and I was blown away by the caliber of singing from such a young singer, particularly in her big number, “Ring of Keys.” Elizabeth Stenholt plays ‘Medium Alison’ in her college years, and totally nailed the rush of awkward joy at her first kiss with a girl in “Changing My Major to Joan.” Maya Keane and Milla Liss alternate the role of Small Alison. She absolutely crushed the heartbreaking climax in “Telephone Wire,” one of my favorite songs from the show. Emilie Modaff plays the adult Alison, serving as the show’s narrator. Maybe that’s good, maybe not,” said Rater.Three actors portray Alison at different points in her life. So whatever happened this time, chances are it will never happen again. “There is no norm when it comes to creating a new musical. 12, 2020.Īgain, let me emphasize … “world premiere.” In downtown Aurora. Fox - is a partnership with Universal Studios that will enjoy its world premiere as a musical Feb. “The Secret of My Success Musical”- based on the 1987 film starring Michael J. The staff has already begun casting for next season’s new works project. Now that the Paramount has dipped its toe into new works, it’s determined to wade further into the pre-Broadway pool. What’s really good news, especially for Aurora, is that the process will continue. ![]() “It is just a matter of taking the time to continue to deliver this work … It is a long process.” “They are extremely talented and know what needs to happen,” he added. Jayne Sherman, one of the producers for “August Rush,” estimates that another show she helped produce, “Kinky Boots,” which is coming to the Paramount next April, changed about 30 percent from the time it premiered in Chicago until it got to Broadway.Īnd “The Cher Show,” which she also helped produce and opened on Broadway in December, changed about 70 percent from its original concept that Sherman said “added time to the production and made the women’s singing choppier.”īecause the Paramount’s “August Rush” was so much about the music, the creative team will likely start adding more narrative to make sure the story becomes clearer, noted Rater. “Any new work that’s created with eyes to Broadway are considered developmental productions,” he said. Which pretty much sums up, Rater pointed out, what this production is all about. “People understand this is a new work and a tremendous experience for them to be part of,” Rater said, adding that a couple of women he overheard talking after one of the matinees wondered how much the show will change before it gets to Broadway. And one alderman even reported loving “August Rush” so much he’s planning on purchasing tickets for another show later in the run - it goes to June 2 - something he’s never done before. ![]() Three out of four comments, he told me on Wednesday, have been positive. ![]() ![]() Paramount President Tim Rater, although understandably disappointed in critics’ reviews, has been buoyed by audience feedback.
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