My Top Ten Favorite Performances of 2012

Here is a list of ten favorite and memorable performances that I attended during 2012.

1.) Carolee Carmello as Aimee Semple McPherson in Scandalous on Broadway. A powerhouse performance. Read more about her performance here. 

2.) The National Touring company of Memphis led by Bryan Fenkart and Felicia Boswell. Who would have thought that two actors with talents rivaling that of original Broadway performers, Chad Kimball and Montego Glover, even existed? The best touring production I've seen in a long time. Read more here. 

3.) Christina DeCicco (Eva alternate) in Evita on Broadway. I loved the entire production of Evita, but I especially loved Christina's portrayal of the mysterious and contradictory first lady of Argentina. I will be sad to see this show exit in 2013. 

4.) Rob McClure as Charlie Chaplin in Chaplin on Broadway.  Mastering Chaplin's physical comedy, his performance was perfection and worthy of a Tony nomination. Read more about his performance here. 

5.) The cast of Once, 2012 Tony Award winner for best new musical. With honest, emotionally-raw performances by Cristin Milioti and Steve Kazee, Once is unique and refreshing. 

6.) The four talented cast members of Broadway's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf; Amy Morton, Tracy Letts, Carrie Coon, Madison Dirks. This production left me amazed and speechless. 

7.) Tracie Bennett as Judy Garland in End of the Rainbow on Broadway. An impeccable and powerful performance. 

8.) The cast of Peter and the Starcatcher on Broadway. An exercise of creativity and imagination. 

9.) The dancing newsboys in Newsies on Broadway. Never have I experienced such impeccable and exhilarating choreography! Bravo, boys! 

10.) For favorite "funny" performances, I can't decide between Da'Vine Joy Randolph as Oda Mae Brown in Ghost and Ari Graynor as Peeps in The Performers. Both stole the show with impeccable comedic timing.

Now tell me about YOUR favorite performances of 2012!  

Scandalous

Broadway

Neil Simon Theatre

December 9, 2012

Last Sunday, I attended the final Broadway performance of the new musical, Scandalous, at the Neil Simon Theatre. Based on the life of evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson in the early 1900’s, Scandalous chronicles her young life on a farm in Canada, her traveling ministry and subsequent rise to fame, her contradictory personal life, and mysterious kidnapping trial. Music was composed by David Pomeranz and David Friedman with book and lyrics by Kathie Lee Gifford. Unfortunately, McPherson’s story did not captivate the interest of New York theatre-goers. After receiving lukewarm to negative reviews, Scandalous closed on December 9th after only 31 preview performances and 29 regular performances. 

So, why am I writing about a show that has closed? Because I liked Scandalous, and I’m very sad for its talented, newly unemployed cast, as well as the audiences that will never have the opportunity to see it. 

Comments: Aimee Semple McPherson was played by Broadway veteran, Carolee Carmello, and to say that she conquered this mammoth role would be an understatement. Her commanding stage presence and her powerful singing voice resounded throughout the Neil Simon Theatre. The experience of listening to her sing this role is one that I will not forget. She gave an emotionally-charged, charismatic, Tony Award-worthy performance and seamlessly carried the entire show. Bravo. And as a sidenote, I’m glad they didn’t cast a less talented movie star to drive ticket sales. Carolee Carmello was perfectly cast. 

The supporting cast was also well-cast. Aimee’s parents were played by George Hearn and Candy Buckley (George Hearn also played a preacher who challenges Aimee’s ministry). Both gave very solid performances, and unless you referred to the playbill before the performance, you would not realize that James Kennedy and Brother Bob are both played by George Hearn. Candy Buckley nailed the dry, sarcastic humor and gave the audience quite a few laughs. Edward Watts played Aimee’s first and third husbands. I particularly enjoyed his solo (“Come Whatever May”) as Robert Semple in the first act. After Carolee, he was probably the most vocally “memorable”, at least for me. Andrew Samonsky played Aimee’s second husband and Kenneth Ormiston, one of Aimee’s lovers, and also gave a solid performance.  Finally, Roz Ryan portrayed Emma Jo Schaeffer, a brothel owner who encounters Aimee and discards her lifestyle to follow Aimee’s ministry. She provides most of the comedy in the show. The audience loved her and with good reason. What I really liked about her comedic performance was that it wasn’t completely over the top, which very easily could have been the case. I liked that her character did not function solely as the comedic relief, and that the writing allowed her to have some serious and subdued moments. Roz Ryan gave just the right balance of comedy and drama. 

I enjoyed most of the music and I disagree with the critics’ opinion that the songs were bland and unmemorable. I enjoyed all of Aimee’s songs, and of course, part of that is because Carolee Carmello is an extraordinary singer. However, many of these songs can stand on their own two feet, including, “Follow Me”, “For Such A Time As This”, “Come Whatever May”, “Stand Up” and “A Girl’s Gotta Do What A Girl’s Gotta Do”.  I have not heard anything about a cast recording. The book was very clear cut and did a good job of condensing Aimee’s real life into a 2 1/2 hour show. Told from her point of view, the writing was very sympathetic to the character and portrayed her as a good person with flaws (as opposed to a lying, manipulative, immoral woman hiding under the guise of a God-fearing preacher). 

So what went wrong? Why didn’t this show sell tickets? 

What I do know is that there was very negative buzz on the Internet since the day previews started. Much of the negativity surrounded Kathie Lee Gifford and her relentless efforts to move this show to Broadway. Hateful comments were written, denouncing her writing ability, and wishing her efforts to fail. Despite Kathie Lee’s ability to promote Scandalous on her show, I wonder if her association with the production turned some people away. That would be unfortunate. Furthermore, many theatre-goers who admitted to never seeing Scandalous were making speculative assumptions about the show online, perpetuating the negative buzz. But welcome to the world of social media. Though it’s frustrating for me (as someone who generally finds something enjoyable in every show I encounter), I can only try to use social media for good by continuing to keep my blog as positive as possible and writing about performances that entertain and inspire me! 

Another possible factor involves the number of “religious” shows on Broadway in the past year. The Book of Mormon. Godspell. Jesus Christ Superstar. Leap of Faith. Sister Act.  Scandalous is actually somewhat similar to Leap of Faith in that they both tell the story of a flawed preacher. Are Broadway audiences weary of religiously-themed productions?  If that’s the case, the demise of Scandalous could just be poor timing. Or perhaps, audiences simply wanted Aimee Semple McPherson to be portrayed as more scandalous. 

Memphis

National Tour Cast

Providence Performing Arts Center

December 4, 2012

The “fantastical” new musical, Memphis, arrived at the Providence Performing Arts Center on December 4th!  Memphis deservingly won the Tony Award for Best New Musical in 2010 and also earned Joe DiPietro and David Bryan of Bon Jovi a Tony Award for their impressive rock & roll score. 

Synopsis: Memphis tells the story of Huey Calhoun, the first white radio DJ to play black music in 1950’s Memphis, and the talented black nightclub singer, Felicia Farrell. Huey is drawn to “the music of [his] soul”, sung by Felicia at an underground African-American bar, owned by Felicia’s brother, Delray. A promise to get Felicia on the radio, smack dab in the middle of the radio dial, is the beginning of their love story, set against the raging prejudice of the South. After overcoming many obstacles, Huey finally brings Felicia’s voice to the radio, and the music is embraced by the young people of Memphis, but not without cost. Sorry, no spoilers. 

Comments: Memphis is the perfect compilation of all the elements of a successful Broadway show.  There is no weak link. Memphis boasts powerful vocals, impeccable choreography, smart comedy, rocking music, lovable characters, and an honest and heartwarming story, which culminates in a very satisfying evening of theatre.    

It is my belief that Huey Calhoun is one of the most beloved characters to ever grace a Broadway stage, and it requires a special actor to play the part. Bryan Fenkart is one such special actor.  As Huey, he nails the physical comedy and encompasses all that is unique, quirky, truthful, and endearing in this beloved character.  I saw Bryan Fenkart as Huey (u/s) on Broadway in 2010 and his performance has only improved, if that’s even possible. Bravo. Or should I say, HOCKADOO! 

No voice has ever filled the Providence Performing Arts Center like Felicia Boswell’s did on Tuesday night. She is a vocal powerhouse, who gives a fierce, superbly acted performance as nightclub singer, Felicia Farrell. Bravo. 

The supporting cast made the very most of their time in the spotlight. The character of Gator may be quiet, but Rhett George’s indelible cry for hope in the final Act I number, “Say A Prayer” is more than memorable. Likewise, as Mama, Julie Johnson’s performance of “Change Don’t Come Easy” was completely over the top and I loved every minute of it! This rousing number was a show highlight!  Will Mann’s Bobby gave the audience an unexpected treat with “Big Love”, and Horace V. Rogers brought down the house with the powerful, “She’s My Sister”. 

In my experience, a touring show sometimes loses something during the translation from Broadway to National Tour.  This is the first touring show I’ve seen in a long time that strengthened as a National Tour. The former Broadway and National Tour casts are so phenomenally talented in their own right, that they can both be enjoyed for what they bring to this spectacular show without comparisons. 

And if I haven’t persuaded you to see this show yet, let me mention Huey’s costumes.  Words cannot describe.  You’ll just have to go check them out yourself. Hockadoo.

The Verdict: A must-see. See it at PPAC before December 9th. Or catch it in Boston before December 23rd.  

Check out the Broadway cast's performance at the Tony Awards below. 

The Holidays in New York City- 2012

Here is a little video montage of NYC during this holiday season. Enjoy!