Stage Review: The Philadelphia Story

The Philadelphia Story is a classic film from the 1940s. It stars Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and Jimmy Stewart. The film is based on a Broadway play by Philip Barry. The play also starred Katherine Hepburn, and was a great success, which isn't surprising as the story and script are excellent. I own the a copy of the film, and it is a favorite of mine. I was excited to see the play at Pioneer Theatre Company, as the theatre is known to hire good actors and directors.

First of all, the set was beautiful. As soon as the curtain came up, many of the audience members broke into applause. The parlor in the first scene of act one was ornate and looked like rich people lived there. Upon seeing the set, I had high hopes for the production. I'm sad to say that I was a bit disappointed.

Allison McLemore (Tracy Lord) looked very similar to Katherine Hepburn. Her hair (wig) was styled similar to Katherine's in the film. Also, her voice inflections and mannerisms were very similar to Hepburn's, and it annoyed me that Allison was trying to imitate her. Katherine Hepburn may have originated the role of Tracy Lord, but most actors don't recreate the performance of another actor, they try to make the character their own. Grace Kelly did a wonderful job of making the part her own when she starred in the movie musical remake of the story, High Society. I wish that Allison would have tried more to make the role her own.

Todd Gearhart (C.K. Dexter Haven) physically fit the role that Cary Grant played in the film (I'm so glad they cast someone who looked more like Cary Grant than Bing Crosby, who played Dexter in High Society *wink*). He was very handsome (in fact, he had a uncanny resemblance to a friend of mine, who has also done some acting); however, he was extremely stiff and didn't seem to have the debonaire quality that Dexter should have. Also, I was surprised at how small Dexter's part is in the first act. In the play, Dexter doesn't bring the reporters to the Lord home, it's Tracy's brother, Alex, whose role was completely cut from the film.

The actors were good at their craft, but I had a problem with the style of acting that either they or the director chose. You could tell they were "acting." When you perform on stage, you want your acting to seem like you're "being," to allow the audience to get caught up in the story and believe in your character. I don't know if it was because the actors were intimidated by the material or if they thought that that's the way to perform plays written in the late 1930s. I don't know, it was just very affected. When the first act ended, I couldn't help but voice my disappointment in the production so far to my friend.

The second act was actually better than the first. I started to enjoy the production after Tracy gets drunk following her pre-wedding party. That's when she started being a little more real to me, and so did many of the other actors.

Some of the costumes seemed totally wrong for the period the play is set in. 1940's women's fashion is wonderful, and I feel the costumer lost a great opportunity to design stunning dresses for the actresses. I was very excited to see the evening gowns because women had beautiful evening gowns then. However, the evening gowns were simply ordinary. Even the slacks that Tracy wears in the first act were more modern than period-appropriate. The waist band was low on the actress's hips, and the waist bands of pants from that time on both men and women were usually even higher than the natural waist. Tracy looked so out of place in those slacks.

I was looking forward to a different interpretation of the play from the well-known film. I didn't expect so many mannerisms and blocking to remind me of the movie. I wish the director had brought a new and fresh vision to the play. Yet, in spite of its negatives, I did enjoy the production in the end because they had such a great script to work with, and if you're going to recreate a film, The Philadelphia Story isn't a bad one to choose.

Stage Review: In the Heights

L-R: Debra Cardona (Abuela) and Joseph Morales (Usnavi). Photo by Alexander Weisman.

In the Heights, which is playing at Pioneer Theatre Company in Salt Lake City, was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who grew up in Washington Heights. The show is a love letter for the neighborhood where he was raised. And what a lovely love letter it is. It’s a sweet, vibrant, and at times touching snapshot of the Manhattan neighborhood.

The musical opens on a wonderful set representing the neighborhood, with a great view of the Brooklyn Bridge and a bright full moon in the sky. As we get into the story, walls open so we see the inside of Usnavi’s bodega, the Rosario Car Service, Daniela’s beauty salon, and the Rosario dining room.

The music is a eclectic mix of rap, Latin rhythms, and beautiful ballads. Some of the songs had you tapping your feet, wanting to stand up and dance along with the ensemble, especially during " Carnaval Del Barrio." The first number, “In the Heights,” draws you into the world while Usnavi raps about his life in the neighborhood and introduces his neighbors. Each of the solos gave you a glimpse of the characters, who they are, where they came from, and what they want in life.

The majority of the cast was very good, but standout performances came from Joseph Morales (Usnavi), Natalie Hill (Daniela), Natalie Toro (Camila), John Herrera (Kevin), Emily Vasquez (Nina), and Anthony Ramos Martinez (Sonny).
Joseph Morales has performed the same role in the touring company, and his performance of Usnavi was very strong and moving. Natalie Hill is a native of Orem, Utah. Her portrayal of Daniela was very entertaining, and her voice was one of the strongest in the cast. Natalie Toro’s rendition of “Enough” was one of the highlights of the all of the musical numbers in the musical.

L-R: Manoly Farrell (Vanessa), Natalie Hill (Daniela), Emily Vasquez (Nina) and Ariana Escalante (Carla). Photo by Alexander Weisman.



One of the most moving numbers in the show, “Everything I Know,” was sung by Emily Vasquez. I don’t like it when musicals make me cry, but I forgave them this time because “Everything I Know” was such a beautiful song that will touch the heart of anyone who had someone special in their life help change them for the better.

The ensemble was very strong, and the choreography was energetic, entertaining, and well performed.

I seldom give a standing ovation at a theatrical performance, even if everyone around me is standing, but by the end of the curtain call for In the Heights, I was on my feet. The musical won me over completely.

In the Heights plays at Pioneer Theatre Company through September 29, 2012.

Stage Review: Emma

I have seen four stage adaptations of Pride and Prejudice. One was a musical. I only enjoyed one, and it wasn't the musical. So (although I was excited to see it, because I love all things theatre, and all things Jane Austen), my expectations were not extremely high when I went to see Pioneer Theatre Company's stage adaptation of another Jane Austen novel, Emma.

I am happy to say I was pleasantly surprised. The script, adapted by Jon Jory, stayed true to the book, and although some scenes and characters from the book had to be cut due to time limits, for the most part he chose well what and who he cut.

The production was well staged, and the play flowed seamlessly from scene to scene. The set was nice and simple, but the audience was still able to determine where the scenes were set. The costumes were pretty and well researched for the time. Because Emma was in almost every scene, she didn’t have time to change her costume off stage, so she changed onstage with the help of a “maid,” and I think it was a clever way to do her costume changes.

Speaking of Emma, Nisi Sturgis did a wonderful job portraying the character that Jane Austen herself said that no one would like but herself. Michael Sharon played Mr. Knightley (my favorite of all Jane Austen’s heroes). I have seen Sharon in many plays at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and I’ve always enjoyed his performances. This performance, however, was not my favorite in the production. In Act I he didn’t quite seem sure of who his character was. He was stiff and a little boring. But that did change in Act II when he chastises Emma. After that scene, he seemed to loosen up more, and I enjoyed his performance.

The strawberry picking and Box Hill scenes were combined, and were set at Mr. Knightly’s estate, Donwell Abbey. I understand why this was done, and at first I was disappointed, but then I think it was a good choice. This is the scene where Emma makes fun of Miss Bates. I thought that there should have been a bigger reaction from the characters at Emma’s remark to Miss Bates. I wanted the scene to have more of an impact, but it seems it was just glossed over until Mr. Knightley chastised her.

The other characters were well cast. Katie Fabel played a sweet, innocent Harriet Smith, Richard Gallagher was a good-looking Mr. Elton and had the right amount of ego. I especially enjoyed the performance of Paul Kiernan who played Mr. Weston. I liked his interpretation of his character, and he really made the most of small part. Jenny Mercen, who played Mrs. Elton was snobbish and entirely unlikable, which was exactly who her character was.

I was pleased with the performance and I especially enjoyed the evening with a friend whom I haven't done much with lately.