Well, if I'm being kind the show is...slight, but the score is a real winner. The production is beautifully staged. I really felt like I was at a Broadway show and not a concert. The costumes and sets are fun and of course the orchestra, with those big ole brassy orchestrations, killed it. (Is this score a rare instance where the Entr'acte is better than the overture?)
I really, really loved Jenny Powers. She made what could be a bland role perky and charming. Will Swenson was a slimy Max, and "You've Got What I Need" with David Pittu is appropriately Vaudevillian and exuberant. Ally Mauzey's role is tiny, but she does get two of the best songs and sells them well, especially "Ooh Do You Love You."
For as stupid and silly as the show is I had a great time and highly recommend it.
Thanks for the first night dispatch, Whizzer. Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, yes, yes, that's the one score/cast recording I can think of where I prefer the Entr'acte to the Overture.
That is so good to hear...on the basis of one post on ATC late last night, I bought a $24 mezz ticket to see Superman this weekend just as the electronic box office was closing; it sounds like great fun!
The Flying Lings and their leader Father Ling appear as written. (They also have a much larger role than just being in "Pow! Bam! Zonk!) There is no PC sanitizing going on here.
I hope you like it April Saul! There's so little plot that it almost plays like a song cycle about Superman, but you will walk out humming all the tunes.
I had just as much fun as I did seeing the show as an adolescent. While Jenny Powers and Ali Mauzey were right on target, Will Swenson and David Pittu steal the show, as all good villains should. Loved hearing the score, esp the overture and entr'acte played with a full orchestra. Just lots of giddy fun. So glad they kept the concept of comic book storytelling.
This is a slight so for sure, but I thought it was wildly entertaining, and given a top notch production by Encores.
Do they really even need to bother with scripts at this point? I saw one person holding the script early on, but they were quickly gone and used later only as props. Yes, Will Swenson did forget a line, but the rest of the show ran so smoothly. I am always amazed at how polished these shows are given the extremely short rehearsal time.
For me the standouts were definitely Jenny Powers and Ali Mauzey. I can definitely see that Lois Lane could be dull and bland in the wrong hands, but Jenny exuded charisma, and nailed all of her songs. Ali Mauzey is just so good at chewing the scenery (I recently saw her in Wicked and her Popular was truly brilliant) and her act 2 number was a standout.
I am not sure how much of the direction is a from the original and how much of it is John Rando, but props to whoever thought of the comic book squares. That scene with all of the ensemble onstage was a definitely highlight.
And of course the Encores orchestra always deserves mention. I really wish they could do an evening of Overtures from shows, because they sound so wonderful every time I hear them.
A true delight of an evening. I wish I could go back and see it again, and I really wish it could be recorded.
What retro fun! A little bit "The Mothers-in-Law" (esp. the "You've Got Possibilities" girl who seemed so much like Deborah Walley) & I kept hearing little bits of "Jetsons/Flintstones"era orchestrations. The show looked slick (loved the bright colors), no scripts to be found, & other than a couple 'Birdie' influences - seemed like a unique musical. I only wish the Asian gymnastics number had been lit a little more glitzy since its like a variety act & that the 2 guys who were not Asian would have worn eyetape or whatever productions use to help transform non-Asians into looking like? Oh, & in reference to earlier comments about Overtures/Entractes? I always liked SUGAR BABIES Entracte better than the shows Overture.
I want to see this so very much but I can't because my sister HATES Superman and I can't go without her because our mom is on a cruise. I can't leave her home alone for that long.
I believe Hal Prince used the comic strip panel staging for some of the group numbers (at least judging from the few group shots I've seen). I've always been interested in his take on the show--this was just a few months before he really hit the big time as a director with Cabaret--I know that Stephen Sondheim has repeatedly said he found it one of the funniest nights in the theatre he had seen.
SO happy I was able to see this. While some will argue that this show was not begging for revival, this is far and away a great, fun night out and a very very strong Encores! offering. First rate in almost every sense and they even restored the Broadway orchestrations that haven't been used since the original closed. The cast is top notch. Somce of Swenson's best work. Powers makes a great for herself and Alli Mauzey and David Pittu walk off with the show. Ed Watts is a spot on Superman. The acrobats and Josh Bergasse's choreography were great to see and top ntch, especially within the confines of an Encores staging and timetable. A few costume choices were a tad off, but the staging is first rate. Funny, witty, creative, often making you laugh out loud and pretty elaborate by encores standards. The scenic design is great - bright, comic, funny and thoroughly effective. It's always a real treat to see some pf these ensemble performers, but Ward Billeisen, Sara Jean Ford, Kenita R. Miller, Jessica Lea Patty and Charlie Williams in the same group? Yes, please! The score is a gem and the orchestrations are a wow. Mauzey's numbers, particularly, were a highlight. Pittu gives younclassic, old Broadway style and jumps right over the footlights with his. I won't spoil, but Superman's many flights are a definite crowd pleaser and earned applause every time.
This production was really a lot of unexpected fun. The book is as dated as it can be, but the score is vibrant, the perfornances all spot on, and the Encores orchestra at the top of their gane. The show zips along at a brisk two hours (including intermission) and it is all pretty wonderful. There are a couple of Chinese references that I suppose could be interpreted as having a tone of racism, but this is a product of its time and they are playing it as written, so.......
As to the flying effects, or lack thereof, it was clever how they pulled this off, but clever in a Fringe Festival two dollar budget sort of way, so I must admit to being slightly disappointed on that front. If this happens to move, I wonder if they will look to make some improvements here or not.
Regardless, there are discount codes available, and if tickets remain, there are much worse things you could rain your money on. Some balcony seats are less than thirty bucks, so go!
Why do I enjoy these Encore Productions better than almost anything on Broadway? Superman was so well staged, Gentelmen Prefer Blondes was ready for Broadway! Kudos to all involved. Especially Director John Rando and the choreographer. I loved it. And I was sick and in a bad mood and I still had a blast! Jenny Powers was great. ((much better role for her than the one in Donnybrook) Ed Watts was the perfect Superman. Will Swenson, David Pittu, Ally Mauzy and the entire cast right on. And Ken Billington's lighting was creative clever and superb. Did I mention the adorable comic book sets. This was a treat!
Terrific Encores. Wonderful cast, choreography, production, and score. Silly, yes. You might be left scratching your head at the end, but go with it, It really is a true night of musical comedy fun.
Saw it this afternoon, and had a great time! Such fun! Is David Pittu not the funniest character actor in New York? I think Will Swenson would have made Jack Cassidy proud. A great staging of a lovely, nifty gem.
This "show" seems to be the only one of the season on which everyone agrees, thus far! I'd give anything to see it, especially knowing the orchestra is able to deliver the goods of this dynamic and sparkling score.
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Posted: 3/20/13 at 10:39pm