Anything Goes Musical @ Ahmanson Theatre

Photo via Center Theatre Group

Cole Porter songs.  Check.
Nautical setting.  Check.
Wanting to see Anything Goes because of my love for Midnight in Paris (one of my favorite films of last year), Boardwalk Empire, and the time period in general.  Triple check.

Jennio and I attended the Friday 12/7 performance and sat in the balcony, where a few other younger folks could afford to sit.  I was mostly there for the music, so I didn't mind the distance.  And fortunately, the acting, dancing, and humor made for a wonderful musical. 

Seeing the show for the first time, I imagined Reno Sweeney would have a voice more characteristic of Cole Porter's singing.  Although, Rachel York is very talented, her vocal style didn't quite sit right with me.   I much prefer Sutton Foster's vibrant voice on the Anything Goes 2011 cast album.  In the current run of the musical, Erich Bergen (playing Billy Crocker) does have the perfect voice for Porter's songs, but Alex Finke's (Hope Harcourt) singing was a bit quiet for me, especially during her duets (I could barely hear her voice).  

However absorbing the show was, there was one scene "that really took me out of it" (to quote the girl next to me).  During the couples dance number in It's De-lovely, it was hard to appreciate the lovely choreography when I could hear the abnormally loud "ee er ee er" of the squeaky floorboards.  I had to try hard to stifle my laughter along with a few other people in the audience.  I wonder if anyone sitting closer to the stage had to do the same. 

Song's Stuck in My Head:

• You're the Top
• Friendship
• It's De-Lovely
• Anything Goes

Phantom of the Opera @ OC Performing Arts Center

I've only been to Pantages, so this theater was much bigger and the stage was round. We were sitting off to the right side. I don't know if it was the seating arrangement or because I'm too short, but the head of the woman sitting in front of me obscured the middle of the stage. During the first half of the musical, I all the action seemed to take place at the center of the stage. I struggled to peer around her head or over it, but after awhile I gave up. So, I ended up zoning out a bit because it was like I was just sitting there listening to a soundtrack. Also, the music was more operatic than I'm used to, which is understandable because of the name of the musical. I think I need to be able to see people's gestures and see what's going on to keep my attention. I liked the stage effects like the chandelier, the fire, the guns, and the boat scenes. During the second half of the musical, I switched seats with F, which wasn't much better because the woman in front of me was constantly moving around to see past the head of the person sitting in front of her. At least the first woman, sat still most of the time. Fortunately, most of the characters were running back and for on the stage and the action wasn't so much in the center. I enjoyed the second half much more. It kept my full attention and the music was good. I'm considering renting the movie just to see what I missed during the first half.

I was debating what I should wear to the musical, but I guess I had nothing to worry about because I saw some people who looked like they were dressed to go clubbing: mini skirts or dresses that looked like they should be tops. And I saw a guy wearing shorts!

Wicked

FINALLY got to see this at F's urgent request since he said one of the actors was leaving. Surprisingly, I was able to get decent seats when I bought them just a few days in advance, Orchestra Left Center Row P. We were MUCH closer than I thought we would be. Makes a huge difference. The last time I was at Pantages was to see Les Mis and I was sitting in the Mezzanine. Anyways, Wicked was MUCH funnier than I thought it would be. I knew it was a different take on the original book, which was great btw, but all the changes worked well on stage, I think. Plus I liked all the twists with the other characters like the Scarecrow and Tinman. All the lines were pretty good and I heard that the original Broadway actress, Kristin Chenoweth (who is currently on Pushing Daisies), pretty much defined the role of Glinda. Knowing this definitely affected how I felt about the performance of the current Glinda actress, but she was still good in her own way. I just wish I could've seen Chenoweth on stage. I've listened to her singing on the soundtrack and it's amazing. So, fantastic show. The actress playing the Wicked Witch has an amazing voice. And F, there is no way that the singing is prerecorded. People wouldn't pay that much money to see people lip syncing on stage.