Had two interesting viewing experiences in the last two nights. On Thursday evening we saw Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music in an outdoor venue on the grounds of an old Cedar Rapids mansion called Brucemore.
Then on Friday night we saw the 1958 film of South Pacific. What a contrast in terms of the development of musical theatre over the past fifty years. The film was a big hit, but shows its age badly with hokey color tinting for the lovey-dovey scenes and some performances that seem wooden as well as in-appropriate in the modern era.
Although I am not a big Sondheim fan, the Theatre Cedar Rapids production hit the mark is almost all ways. You couldn't ask for a more gorgeous setting for this show--outdoors and twilight deepening to dark as the 2nd act starts. The CR actors and singers showed that they were more than up to the difficult score. The miking was excellent and we could hear the lyrics and dialog clearly. Not sure what can be done outdoors to keep action on the far side of large stage from coming at you from the left speaker array. Stage design and direction excellent.. Lots of levels and they were used nicely. Blocking of dinner scenes always give directors the heebie jeebies, but Angie Toomsen had a beautiful and successful solution. With small low tables on two levels and a third level for the grand dame hostess, everyone could be seen and no backs were turned.
I still think Act I could use some trimming. By the time we get to the Act I finale the going is tedious and the last number goes on forever. No weekend in the country needs to be repeated that many times. Then again the South Pacific film could use more than a lot of trimming too.
Plenty to think about all around.
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