Comment Archives: Events: 2 Stars
Re: “Elton John”
Horrible sound, even in $150 seats. Elton's piano was pretty clear but many of the vocals and all of the other instruments just blended together in a big noise. Won't be going there again for rock concerts. Maybe okay for acoustic music.
Re: “Gas and Candles”
Mildly entertaining. Too long for what happens in the work. These small-cast shows are performed here chiefly because they are the only ones these theaters can afford. However, when you are hanging everything on the interactions of just two characters, the risk of tedium is quite high, and even seasoned actors may not quite overcome it.
Re: “Gruesome Playground Injuries”
Don't know if it's the work, or the players, but I found the evening dragged. To pull off 90 minutes (no intermission) without making people wish to flee, you need really strong performers with great depth who can make each scene individually interesting, indeed, compelling. These two likable young people, unfortunately, are not quite there. The unbelievable moments kept piling up, and I found myself not caring much about either by evening's end.
Set was ok, but the choice to keep making a long box (bed, examination table, coffin?) the center of all the action was a bit obvious and tedious.
Re: “Drag Queen Bingo at the Bearded Clam”
I my world. As a young teenager we were taught by our peers that a bearded clam was a vagina. Never been there, but I'm gonna check it out. I am a senior citizens, so I gotta play Bingo.
Re: “Hairspray”
(It's really risky doing a show that everyone is already familiar with having seen the original, recent, film, and then the even more recent film of the musical. You're almost always going to come up short.)
While I agree that this particular show might not be worth $20, if you think about it, in 2011, that is really not a lot of money for 2 and a half hours of entertainment. Even discounting the fact that the cast is not paid in an amateur production, by the time you add up the costs for rights, hall rental, set materials, modest stipends for the creative team (and usually) instrumental musicians, and publicity, $20 per seat is not making anyone any money. Inflation has driven the price of everything up since the 80's (wages, of course, less than anything else.) 20 bucks to see a show is a bargain.
Re: “Same Time, Next Year”
Pretty bad. It felt akward and forced.
Re: “Asia”
A good show ... not a great show. Started strong, and they had me thru Steve Howe's solo ... which was a pleasure. Then the "duo" portion with John & Geoff was rather torturous. And with the exception of Carl Palmer - who delivered a creative, blistering drum solo - the band energy pretty much dropped. The rest of the show was a chore. Great to hear the songs from the debut though.
Maybe it was an off night ... I know it's near the end of the tour, but it was painfully obvious.
Not worth the $$.