I work for a school that attempts to review it's every move with input that is either a "+" or a "Delta". Pluses are obviously praise centered and Deltas aim to highlight areas for improvement. So let me plus/delta rent:
PLUSES
~ The settings are well crafted. The lighting enhances this and you have a wonderful reminder throughout that you are experiencing something as much theatrical as cinematic.
~ Wilson Jermaine Heredia & Anthony Rapp in particular. Both the characters of Angel and Mark were stand out performances.
~ Broadway cast in general: the fact that so many actors who had begun the process where retained to create this unltimate expression of the work. (I am still pissed over Bebe Newirth's slight in "Chicago"! A great film adaptation made lesser by this decision.)
~ Kudus for the guts to experiment with settings and choreography. Most notably in the numbers, "The Tango Maurine" and "Santa Fe."
~ And the simple dignity given to the moments like "Life Support" and "Will I Loose My Dignity." Both of which left me a blubbering fool...
DELTAS
~ Computer generated breath frost! YUK! It was SO FAKE that it was quickly annoying. Not the feather from "Forest Gump."
~ Missing musical number: What happened to "It's Over?" Too hot? Too Racy? Made me thank God that HBO got dibs on "Angels in America!"
~ Recitative: hated the redrafting of dialogue that lost the music and the rhyme....
Overall, 4 stars, wish it had been 5.
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