It is rare to be able to say that a show is flawless, and it is even more rare to have two such experiences in one day, so I consider the events of this day to be an extreme anomaly. I attended the matinee production of Come From Away, which was the original cast except for Jenn Colella, which was sad in a way, but her understudy, Julie Reiber was phenomenal, and I have her Jenn talk about being the understudy for Idina Menzel and dealing with a disappointed audience, so I was not about to do the same thing to Jenn's understudy. It did not matter because this cast was seamless in their presentation. There is so much I could say, but one thing stood out to me. This cast was realistic. The people were talented and beautiful, but the natural beauty you find in your favorite aunt or your coworker that makes you laugh or your friend who brings you food when you are sick. I have lived in a small town before, and the feeling that every cast member brought into this wonderful story about hope and help and fear and understanding after tragedy was perhaps the best theatrical display of empathy that I have ever seen. The music and choreography and staging all added to the ambiance, but nothing but the love and joy that the cast felt for the story, the people of Gander that they represented, and their sincere love for their art could have given the audience such an experience. This was evident quite perfectly at the end of the show, when a stranger sitting next to me turned and told me of the day she and her husband spent in Gander, where a routine stop at a gas station turned into a kind invitation to stay for dinner and overnight. She said "this production is exactly the experience I had in Gander" as tears welled up in her eyes.
It may seem like quite the transition to say that the Barrow Street Theatre production of Sweeney Todd was the second flawless event, however that is precisely what makes the theatre such a vibrant, living art. Further, while Come From Away represents what coming together during tragedy can do to strengthen a community, Sweeney Todd is a grim warning of the destruction that can happen when pride, anger, and grudges overtake the ability to experience empathy. The cast of Sweeney Todd, from the eloquent Carolee Carmello and the larger than life Hugh Panero, to the team that included pianist and music director Matt Aument, aka hands of a God, executed a immersive theatrical event that I am not sure can be matched in any fashion. From the preshow meat pie dinner by former pastry chef to the White House, to the small venue where the cast members actually chat with the audience afterword, I cannot imagine in any way a more pristine telling of this Sondheim masterpiece.
My feet are sore, and I have been awake for almost 24 hours. My hotel bed has never looked more inviting. However, the emotions that my favorite form of art have allowed me to experience today will not soon be forgotten. How lucky we are to be alive right now.
It may seem like quite the transition to say that the Barrow Street Theatre production of Sweeney Todd was the second flawless event, however that is precisely what makes the theatre such a vibrant, living art. Further, while Come From Away represents what coming together during tragedy can do to strengthen a community, Sweeney Todd is a grim warning of the destruction that can happen when pride, anger, and grudges overtake the ability to experience empathy. The cast of Sweeney Todd, from the eloquent Carolee Carmello and the larger than life Hugh Panero, to the team that included pianist and music director Matt Aument, aka hands of a God, executed a immersive theatrical event that I am not sure can be matched in any fashion. From the preshow meat pie dinner by former pastry chef to the White House, to the small venue where the cast members actually chat with the audience afterword, I cannot imagine in any way a more pristine telling of this Sondheim masterpiece.
My feet are sore, and I have been awake for almost 24 hours. My hotel bed has never looked more inviting. However, the emotions that my favorite form of art have allowed me to experience today will not soon be forgotten. How lucky we are to be alive right now.
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