The Apple Tree, a musical. Music, Books and Lyrics by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick. The Roundabout Theatre Company - Studio 54 theater, starring Kristin Chenoweth, Brian d'Arcy James and Marc Kudish. Considering the brilliant success by Kirstin Chenoweth in the well received "The Apple Tree" revival at the City Center Encores!, this seemed like a sure thing, especially as Chenoweth has become a genuine star with the teenage crowd in the wake of her Tony-nominated work in "Wicked."
Unfortunately, this revival of "The Apple Tree" doesn't quite catch fire, despite the incomparable talents of Kristin Chenoweth and her supporting cast. They work hard and I found the first act, "The Diary of Adam and Eve," affecting, even moving, but lacking anything that could remotely be called scenery, the best opportunity of the musical is lost. The applause was virtually non-existent even from the surprisingly young, and apparently ready to be enthusiastic audience.
"The Lady or the Tiger" is altogether better, and the scenery would not be too bad if this were a regional theater, but for a Broadway show, it's an utter embarrassment, as is the terrible-looking "Passionella" . This is the second revival I've seen recently ("Company" was the other) that had chintzy sets. Maybe I've been spoiled by the wonderful productions that seem de rigeur on Broadway. Maybe budgets can't take it anymore, but this was minimalist to a fault.
Kristin Chenoweth seemed more subdued than I remember from the Encores! performances. An unrivalled vocalist and comedienne and a more than worthy successor to the legendary Barbara Harris, she was not as scintillating as I expected. She seemed flat -- the whole performance seemed flat; very little energy is generated from the stage or in the audience. The orchestra was undersized compared to the Encores! revival and being split between the stage boxes of this miserable Studio 54 theater doesn't help. I really dislike this shabby wornout looking theater which has not, in my opinion, made a successful recovery from its life as a nightclub. I particularly dislike the soundsystem which makes it impossible to get any sense of where the singer is standing onstage.
I love "The Apple Tree" as a musical and despite my reservations this is an important revival. Any chance to see mega talented Kristin Chenoweth must be seized. Passes the Broadway Bridge and Tunnel Test with a B-.
Unfortunately, this revival of "The Apple Tree" doesn't quite catch fire, despite the incomparable talents of Kristin Chenoweth and her supporting cast. They work hard and I found the first act, "The Diary of Adam and Eve," affecting, even moving, but lacking anything that could remotely be called scenery, the best opportunity of the musical is lost. The applause was virtually non-existent even from the surprisingly young, and apparently ready to be enthusiastic audience.
"The Lady or the Tiger" is altogether better, and the scenery would not be too bad if this were a regional theater, but for a Broadway show, it's an utter embarrassment, as is the terrible-looking "Passionella" . This is the second revival I've seen recently ("Company" was the other) that had chintzy sets. Maybe I've been spoiled by the wonderful productions that seem de rigeur on Broadway. Maybe budgets can't take it anymore, but this was minimalist to a fault.
Kristin Chenoweth seemed more subdued than I remember from the Encores! performances. An unrivalled vocalist and comedienne and a more than worthy successor to the legendary Barbara Harris, she was not as scintillating as I expected. She seemed flat -- the whole performance seemed flat; very little energy is generated from the stage or in the audience. The orchestra was undersized compared to the Encores! revival and being split between the stage boxes of this miserable Studio 54 theater doesn't help. I really dislike this shabby wornout looking theater which has not, in my opinion, made a successful recovery from its life as a nightclub. I particularly dislike the soundsystem which makes it impossible to get any sense of where the singer is standing onstage.
I love "The Apple Tree" as a musical and despite my reservations this is an important revival. Any chance to see mega talented Kristin Chenoweth must be seized. Passes the Broadway Bridge and Tunnel Test with a B-.
posted by James Camner | 6:47 PM
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