Muny 2013: Nunsense

I really wanted to love Nunsense at the Muny. But, alas, it is only a poor man's 'Book of Mormon.' 

The premise itself - a talent show to raise money for some dead nuns stuffed in a freezer - is ridiculously awesome. But I wish there was more of that 'talent show' and less explanation of who the nuns are, their relationships with each other, them freaking out about how bad the show is going, etc. In fact, some of the best scenes we're from the show-within-a-show - the quiz show in the beginning of the first act, the understudies Chicago-esque number, Sister Amnesia and the puppet, for example. 

The first act went on way too long. Most of the songs weren't as funny as I'd hoped (I was hoping to get a few laughs from 'Growing Up Catholic' but alas, it was slow and sentimental). I certainly didn't expect the musical to feature an elaborate ensemble tap number, and while I loved it, it did feel a bit out of place (but not more so than all the ballet, particularly the Flying Nun scene). 

Yes, I laughed. Yes, I was ecstatic to see Phyllis Smith in the show. The jokes about Catholics were awesome. The jokes about other musicals were okay. I did feel like some of the jokes were too mature - as in, my grandma would have found them hilarious - while others were too adult. And it's hard to mix references to Cher and Sally Field with a 'that's what she said' joke. Perhaps they were trying to appeal to too many audiences - young, old, Office fans, Catholics, non Catholics.... And I'm not sure it worked. 

All in all, an enjoyable show (made more tolerable by the fact that it was only 65 degrees outside). I know there are many versions of Nunsense, adapted for different theaters or productions, and I'm eager to see other versions before I write-off the entire musical itself. 

Read my other Muny reviews.

Muny 2013: Shrek

All you need to know - Lord Farquaad steals the show. I know he's the villain and all, but I actually found myself looking forward to his scenes. Not to mention, the actor was on his knees the entire time. Impressive.

The rest of it? Meh. I wasn't really impressed. The scenery was really nice, and it's the best use of that digital screen I've seen so far, but the musical itself sort of drags. That's not at all the Muny's fault - the pacing is just off.

The first act ended with Fiona being rescued by Shrek and Donkey. Correct me if I'm wrong - that happens in like the first 15 minutes of the movie, no? I understand the importance of character development, but man, the first act was just slow.

The second act was much better, faster, despite having something like 9 or 10 scenes and 15 songs listed (I was worried, and counting down, obviously). But it all just sort of wrapped up suddenly. When the fairytale characters reappear in the end half of the second act to sing 'Freak Flag' - supposedly the flagship song of the musical - I'm thinking, 'Oh, I forgot you guys were in this show, too.' We hadn't seen them in so long!

Bonus points for the dragon (love me some puppetry), the use of the digital screen, and the casting of 2013 Tony nominee Rob McClure as Lord Farquaad.

Deductions for odd pacing, too many snoozer songs, mic issues and those new fans not being on high enough.

Read my other Muny reviews.

Muny 2012: Pirates!

Casting/Acting: A

The Pirate King = Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. 

Mabel's sisters = A delight. 

The men (the pirates + the native band/police) = Entertaining. 

The General = Impressive. 

Frederic and Mabel..... eh. For these being the main characters, I didn't really care about them. I know Frederic is supposed to be a little dumb naive, but I found him quite annoying. Not exactly what you usually look for in a leading man. 

Song & Dance: A

There were a number of lively song and dance numbers, which I always enjoy. A few of the slower ones (especially 'Stay, Frederic, Stay') made me antsy and the duet between Ruth and Frederic about her lying about being a virgin was weak, but I'm overlooking that because by the end of the show I was smiling and clapping. My favorite number was probably the pirates sneaking in to the Governor's home (something about being 'catlike' and not making a sound). I don't want to spoil it for anyone going to see it, but I'll just say it was a treat. I'm pretty sure I squealed with delight at the end. 

Set Design: A+

They really knocked this one out of the park. Most impressive set design I've seen all season, by a landslide. Even the giant LED screen wasn't bad! It actually added something positive the show! They took us to ports, beaches/jungles and a Governor's mansion with ease. 

Overall, a great show that, if you're free this weekend and in St. Louis, I would recommend you see. I read in the STL Today review that the director told the cast to have fun, and boy, does it show. I remember thinking that watching them all dance around during one of the songs. It just looked like they were having a ball up there on stage. And that always translates to the audience as well.

Oh, and the Albert Pujols joke was the loudest I've ever heard people laugh/clap during a show at the Muny.

image source: STL Today

Muny 2012: Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Reasons I know I liked loved Joseph...:

• It was the first time all season I was humming the songs at intermission and on the ride home... and I didn't even know them. Also, I may or may not have rocked out to the soundtrack on Spotify the next day at work. 
• In general, I've found all the dancing sub-par this season, but not this week. It was the first time I was watching and thought, 'Man, I miss dancing.'
• Justin Guarini didn't wear a shirt for most of it. 
• I smiled. A real genuine smile. And I laughed. Not like, a little chuckle or 'ha. clever.' I legit laughed. (Hint: Stick around for the FULL finale/curtain call. Most fun I've ever seen had on that stage.)
• I was in my car by 10:20! I love quick shows. Especially after the marathon that was Dreamgirls. 
• I teared up. I know, it's weird. But sometimes really good musicals (or commercials or songs or articles etc) get me choked up. Out of no where. It doesn't even have to be sad or anything. Anyway, last night, when the Narrator took her bow, I just got a lump in my throat. It was that good. 

Now - be warned. Joseph... may not be for everyone. It's a sort of over the top 70's/80's musical from Andrew Lloyd Weber, like Jesus Christ Superstar. It has no dialogue, just song after song. It doesn't have elaborate sets or costumes. It has modern references and is adapted for every staging. Some people don't like musicals like that. In fact, I usually don't. But I love this one.

You've got Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday left to go see it. Don't miss this one.

Muny 2012: Aladdin

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that scene from Ten Commandments where Sephora's sisters dance for Moses (why isn't this clip online?!)

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There are two versions of this review - the polite, I-go-to-the-Muny-once-a-year-or-so review, and the nit picky, high expectations, seen-too-man-shows-at-the-Muny review.

First, the polite version: 

It was a really great show. Enjoyable. You'll laugh, for sure! Really on point pop culture references (people who complain about this - and yes, I heard you complaining about it after the show - obviously don't remember the original movie that was full of them). It's fun for kids AND adults. The set design is absolutely gorgeous. Seriously. And there are a few 'Muny magic' moments that really set the show apart. 

Now, the nit picky version:

• The three friends, one of whom was played by the amazing Francis Jue, outshined Aladdin and Jasmine. By like, a million. (To be fair, I think Jue outshines everyone.) They were better dancers, better singers, more entertaining. To be honest, I wanted Aladdin to ditch Jasmine and do the band with them, too. 
• The Genie is just a guy playing Ken Jeong playing Genie. 
• The voice that they cast as the Cave of Wonders was terrible. Have Ken Page do it! Or another strong male voice. I was not afraid of that giant tiger-faced cave. 
• The show, in general, felt amateur. Some of the acting was terrible (by the guards, attendants) and everyone was flubbing their lines. Rough. 
• Some of those 'magic' Muny moments just didn't do it for me. The Genie's entrance was cool, but took way too long to get him to the stage (and why did you save all that smoke for the 2nd act?). 'Prince Ali's' parade needed more energy. Wave those banners, get some ribbons waving in the air, bring the camels back out! The lighting for the magic carpet was terrible and looked like they were just floating against a wall of black. And that would have been an awesome time to use your new LED screen! With mountains or something moving in the background to make them look like they were flying! Plus, I'm not impressed with your camels because (a) they were on stage for about 2 seconds and (b) I've already done that. Psh. 

The kid's show is becoming my absolute least favorite. People are showing up when it is already three-songs in. People are getting up in the middle of the show. Kids are crying, yeling during the show while they are at the concession stand and bathroom. Parents are starting their mass exodus to get to the car and beat the traffic during the second- or even third-to-last song. And to the tween girls that so rudely marched to their seats during the National Anthemn instead of standing still and showing some respect... yeah, we saw you. 

Muny 2012: Chicago

I was really curious how the Muny would stage Chicago. The movie is all glitz and glamour and sparkle (and all that jazz!). But the stage version, at least from what I've seen, is pretty bare. Orchestra on stage. Not big sets. No flashy costumes. Mostly black leotards and simple props. I know that sounds boring, but it is what makes any pops of glamour stand out - Billy's suit, Velma and Roxie at the end. The lighting, the dancing, the singing - it all takes centerstage.

Anyway, I figured most people were coming to the Muny for Richard Gere. Not black leotards.

But they did a good job of balancing it. The sets were still pretty sparce (and the orchestra was on stage!), but the costumes were pretty glitzy. Because Kristin will ask, the dancing was great. How can you go wrong though? It's kind of hard to mess up the choreography for Chicago.

A couple of notes:
- When the foreign inmate gets hung. This is usually so dramatic. The lighting, the music plays a big role. But she was still standing there. She didn't drop down or anything. She pranced off the stage after she was supposed to be dead. I'm big into suspension of belief... but it just wasn't enough for me.
- 'Nowadays.' That song is my absolute favorite and I'm disappointed that they didn't work some of that 'Muny magic' to make the wall of lights behind Velma and Roxie. I know they had that big staircase and the orchestra on stage... and they already had the big Chicago backdrop.... but that number WITHOUT the lights behind them is just another number with two girls singing and dancing on stage. It isn't special. It doesn't stand out. It certainly isn't a finale!
- Again this week, the digital board did not impress me. I kept looking up there thinking I would see the words to the music so we could sing along. It still feels forced and out of place.

Opening Night! Muny 2012: Thoroughly Modern Millie

It's Muny season! That means another summer of (often-delayed) recaps and reviews. Let me be clear - I am the worst possible person to ask about a show at the Muny. I'm totally jaded and biased. I've had season tickets for years, so I've seen about a bajillion shows there. Show has to seriously blow me away to give it a glowing, enthusiastic review. If you're just enjoyable... you're just enjoyable.

Take this season's opener, Thoroughly Modern Millie.

It was good enough. Great dancing. Great singing. (Both a tribute to good casting). I chuckled. But it won't be on my 'best ever' list. It was enjoyable. 


Some thoughts:

• I wanted more glitz and glamour and sparkle on set. There was not enough glitter for 1920s New York. 
• Seriously though, kudos to the new producer for filling Paul Blake's shows. You never would have known a different from this show to year's past's. Except...
• That new LED backdrop. Not so sure about that. It seemed.... out of place. The colors were off. They don't reflect light the same way the painted set does and it just looks odd. It might work really well for more modern musicals (Bring it on at the Fox this year used video screens brilliantly), but not sure if it works well for more classic musicals like this one. 
• The human trafficking subplot was odd and uncomfortable. This is a weird musical that I would not like to try to explain to kids....

And if you're in the mood, check out my review from last season - 
Legally Blonde, Kiss Me Kate, Little Mermaid, Singin in the Rain, Little Shop of Horrors, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Bye Bye Birdie. 

Bye Bye Muny

[Excuse my lame Bye Bye Birdie reference.]

So last two performances of the season were.... varied.


Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was the best of the season and will be on my all time favorites list (joining Aida, Miss Saigon, Show Boat, Annie Get Your Gun, Singin in the Rain....). I was skeptical because I didn't know the story, but briefly- Boy meets girl. Boy falls for girl. Boy marries girl (all in one day). Boy brings girl home where she meets his clan of brothers who also need some womanly influence in their lives. They decide to kidnap - yes, kidnap - girls to fill said role. Hmmm. Weird story, yes? But the dancing, oh the dancing! It was so goooooooood. I was literally on the edge of my seat with a smile on my face the whole time.

Also helps that it takes place in the mountains out West (Utah maybe?) and the sets all reminded me of Colorado.

Bye Bye Birdie was.... bad. Sorry. I didn't like it. As it started, I was getting my hopes up because I realized it is the first live musical I remember seeing as a kid - at the St. Simon's 8th grade play. I was maybe in first or second grade at the oldest. But, man, what a disappointment. Birdie is weird. Weird music. Weird story. Just weird. And I don't recommend seeing it if you are under the age of 40.

Let me explain- There are some shows that are timeless. And there are some that you see listed in the back of the Muny program and think, 'Why don't they show that one anymore?' Birdie is going to be one of those musicals I think. I mean, it has an entire song about Ed Sullivan! I'm not vapid. I get Ed Sullivan references. I get Conrad Birdie is sort of like Elvis, and he's great (in fact, 'Honestly, Sincere' is probably one of the best Muny performances I've ever seen, even though the whole show overall was a bust for me). But there were other references that I totally did not get. During the Ed Sullivan song, I look around and see everyone (over the age of 40) is laughing. And I think it is lame. I heard my grandma say, 'Oh that's so funny' more than once and my aunt something about 'when [she] was 19.' When I'm the adult.... Who is going to go see (and love) Bye Bye Birdie?

So the season is all said and done. If I were to rank this seasons shows (best to worst) it would be....

1. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

2. Little Shop of Horrors

3. Singin in the Rain

4. Little Mermaid

5. Legally Blonde

6. Bye Bye Birdie

7. Kiss Me Kate

Another summer passed us. Sadface. And Paul Blake, who has produced 22 seasons at the Muny is leaving. Double sadface. 

Muny Revue... er, Review

Okay, okay I owe you two Muny reviews... soon to be three. So much for timeliness. You'd never know I have a journalism degree.

Singin in the Rain and Little Shop of Horrors. Two very different shows, but both had a lot in common. One's a classic, one is more adult, but when they announced the line-up this season, these two were the ones I was looking forward to the most. I had seen Singin in the Rain a few years ago at the Muny and loved it; and saw Horrors at Stages in Kirkwood and immediately fell in love with it. I had high expectations.... and of course, they were met exceeded.

First, Singin in the Rain:
I'll get to the dancing right away, since that was a request from Kristin and Kelsey. I'll be honest... I think they should have spent a little more time rehearsing. They weren't always together, and this is coming from someone that isn't even into the drill team, perfect synchronization thing (anymore). But you can't really go wrong with Gene Kelly-inspired choreography, can you? And there was a lot of tap dancing, which is always a plus.

Also, the sets. Wowza. Usually at the Muny it is predictable - there are one or two big backdrops and a couple smaller ones, and then props/furniture on stage. If you're really lucky, you get a big moving ship or something special. But for Singin in the Rain, I couldn't even tell where these backdrops were coming from. Almost every one was different! Better than Legally Blonde, where the classroom doubled as a dorm room doubled as a court room...

And speaking of sets, there is no better moment of 'Muny Magic' than the singing in the rain scene. Seeing  the actor dance around in the puddles on stage is always worth sitting there in the heat and I love being surrounded by people seeing it for the first time (a little girl sitting in front of us exclaimed to her mom, 'That's real water!?').

Moving on to Little Shop of Horrors (not to be confused with Rocky Horror Picture Show. Apparently, a lot of people think they're the same thing).

In Horrors, the hero is a hapless florist, his damsel in distress is a semi-skanky coworker, and the villians are a man-eating plant and a dentist. Yes, a dentist. It's hilarious.

I can't say enough good things about this musical - the plot is genius; the music (rock / motown-inspired) will be stuck in your head for days; the puppetry is a delight; and I'm a sucker for deep voices (legendary Ken Page was the voice of Audrey II). Another one of those that is great with first-timers to see the shock on their faces the first time you see the plant move, or talk, or eat someone.

Just two shows left this season - Seven Brides for Seven Brothers this week and Bye Bye Birdie next. Check out my other reviews - of Legally Blonde, Little Mermaid and Kiss Me, Kate - here.

Meet Me At The Muny

I've been going to the Muny for years.

(Non-STL reader disclaimer: The Muny is an outdoor amphitheater - the oldest and largest in the U.S. - that was built in Forest Park for the 1904 World's Fair and plays hosts to musicals every summer. They aren't travelling tours of the shows though, they are all produced right here in the city. Watching the sunset behind the stage before showtime - like this picture- is the best.)

It started off with random shows when I was a kid. In middle school, my Mom, Sister and I started a tradition of getting Mom's Deli and sitting in the free seats in the back. And then, Mom bucked up and started getting season tickets every year.

Blame it on my love of musicals or my dance background or that theater criticism class I took in college, but my sister and I always spent the car ride home dissecting the show we just saw. The costumes. The acting. The singing. The set. And usually most of all, the dance numbers.

Now that Kristin is in DC and my Mom drives home to South County after the show, I've got no one to rant (or rave) with. People ask me how the show was and I know damn well they are looking for a good/bad response, not my answer of how it compares with past shows or why that actor wasn't right for the part.

Good thing I have a blog, eh? We're already three shows in this season, so here goes:

Legally Blonde:
Let's get this straight. I'm not a big fan of the 'modern musical.' The kind where they sing pretty much all the dialogue. The kind where the music sounds more like a pop record than a stage production. I'm just not a fan.

LB is that kind of musical.

That being said, it was funny, enjoyable, but didn't blow me away. The set design was lackluster (maybe because it was all pink?). There wasn't enough of the cute dog(s). Most of all, I didn't think it was appropriate as an opening production. LB is a bit, well, adult. I get that they wanted a big blockbuster musical to open with, but I would have saved this for mid season where they usually put the big kid shows (you know - the Miss Saigon's, the Hairsprays. Maybe it was complicated because they are also showing Little Shop of Horrors this year?).

Kiss Me Kate:
There's nothing much to say. It isn't The Muny's fault - this show was just bad. Plays within a play are always annoying, but this takes the cake. I love you, Cole Porter, but no.

Little Mermaid:
Every year, the Muny hosts a big, family friendly show to run for two weeks. Of course, Mermaid was that show (in its first off Broadway production!).

I was worried this would look like the shows I've seen at Disney..... a girl dressed as a mermaid sitting on a rock the whole time, being pushed around the stage (read: lame), but it wasn't. Everyone walked around - Flounder, Ariel, the mermaids (and mermen), Ursula, Sebastian. That whole 'suspension of belief' thing really came into play here. I have a feeling if you had never seen Disney's animated Mermaid, you would have no idea what these brightly colored creatures were supposed to be.

Casting gets an 'A.' Anything with Ken Page and Francis Jue usually gets high marks from me, but adding Paul Vogt as Ursula?! Yes, please. And that little girl as Flounder (and her real life Dad as Scuttle)? Well done. But the real star was the set design. It was gorgeous. Big. Creative. Colorful. Exactly what productions like this call for. (Maybe they took some of Legally Blonde's budget....)

That's it. So far. Coming up next (one of my favorites) - Singin' in the Rain! 

[Reblog:] Meet Me at the Muny…

Note: This post originally appeared on Girls Guide to the Galaxy. The site has since gone under, and I'm not sure how much longer these posts will still exist. But they were good. And I don't want to loose them. To see the original, click here. 

For me, summer in St. Louis means one thing… Muny time!

I’ve been My mom has been a season ticket holder for something like five or six years, and before that we always used to sit in the free seats (yes, I said free. Didn’t know you could explore this St. Louis treasure without dishin’ out the big bucks? Well, now you do. More on that in a minute…). The Muny has become part of our summer traditions- every Wednesday, we meet for dinner, head to the show, and spend the whole car ride home chatting about what we liked, what we didn’t like, and which singing audience member annoyed us the most.

The Muny season is about to come to a close- this is the last weekend to go see Showboat, the last show of the season!- so I thought it was high time for me to weigh in with my tips and tricks to enjoying your season at the Muny. Use them to your advantage, this season or next…

Dress appropriately

Okay, I get it. To some people, the Muny is the theee-A-tor, but remember, you live in St. Louis. It is a million degrees outside. Gals, throw on a comfy but cute sundress and pull your hair back in a bun or ponytail. Guys, polos and shorts will do the trick. Trust me on this one.

Leave the kids at home

I’m going to get a lot of debate on this one, I just know it. But seriously, the Muny is (usually) no place for children. You are asking your ADHD four-year old to sit in the heat with limited food and bathroom breaks for something like two hours and expect for them not to be a disturbance to fellow patrons? Are you kidding?

On the flipside, kids should be exposed to the theater. My advice? Make sure it is a show they really want to see (and one that is appropriate for them to see… Miss Saigon for five-year olds? Bad choice) and get them pumped beforehand by showing them the movie. My first show at the Muny was Oklahoma, one of my absolute favorite movies when I was a kid (and still now). The Muny has ‘family-friendly’ shows every year, for example Beauty and the Beast, Wizard of Oz, Annie, Peter Pan…

Take your seats

The Muny is huge. (Seriously. It is the biggest,and oldest, outdoor amphitheater in the country!) No matter where you’re sitting, you might be leaning from side to side to see around that big head in front of you. It’s just a fact of life (and a fact of the theee-A-tor). The best thing abut the Muny’s size though is that there really is no bad seat in the house. Every seat gives you a different angle, a different view. And like I mentioned before, the Muny has free seats. That means you can go for absolutely nothing! Genius.

Don’t force it

Got a family member, friend, boyfriend, or husband that doesn’t enjoy musical theater? Don’t ask them to come to the Muny. Simple. It is too hot, too long and too boring for them. Let them stay home in the AC and you can enjoy the show without their complaining.

That being sad, I believe there is a show out there for everyone to enjoy. Which leads me to my next point…

Pick your shows wisely

As I said before, every year, the Muny features at least one family-friendly option. This is usually the big, blockbuster performance that runs two weeks (aka the one they can make the most money off of). The rest of the season will be rounded out with a few classics, a sort of operetta show, and a new, trendy musical. Take this season for example:

Showboat- classic

Sound of Music- classic; family-friendly

Cats- operatic-style

Beauty and the Beast- family-friendly

Titanic- operatic-style

Footloose- new and trendy

Damn Yankees- classic

Every season is different and there will always be a handful of shows you aren’t interested in seeing (for me, it was Cats – because I didn’t like it at all last time it was there- and Sound of Music- because I’ve seen it a gazillion times and I prefer the movie to the stage version), but you’re bound to find one that fits the bill. And don’t be afraid to try new shows! Most of my favorites have been shows I had never seen before (Aida, Annie Get Your Gun, Damn Yankees, My One and Only…)!

The Muny matters

Paul Blake and the rest of the Muny crew spend countless hours bringing these shows to our city every summer. These are not traveling groups like you would see at the Fox… these shows are all unique to the Muny! Produced just for us, just for this stage! The Muny matters to St . Louis. It was part of the 1904 World’s Fair. It is part of historic Forest Park. It is a major player in St. Louis theater tradition. We should be proud of it, and enjoy it!

PS: Make sure you are following The Muny on Facebook and Twitter! They post tons of pictures and information, even in the off season!