Official Blurb: Berlin, 1927. Six remarkably talented young men form a singing group who become international sensations: The Comedian Harmonists. They sell millions of records, star in major motion pictures, and play the biggest theaters around the world. By 1935, they were never heard from again. What happened? That’s the extraordinary true story of HARMONY. Featuring an original score by Tony®, Grammy® and Emmy® Award winner Barry Manilow with lyrics and book by long-time collaborator and Drama Desk Award winner Bruce Sussman, HARMONY has been hailed by The New York Times as a Critic’s Pick and “impossible to forget.” Directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Warren Carlyle (The Music Man, Hello Dolly!), this timely and captivating rags-to-riches story lost to history comes to dazzling life with a sensational cast of Broadway favorites, including Sierra Boggess (Phantom of the Opera), Julie Benko (Funny Girl), and Chip Zien (Into the Woods). Harmony is based in part on The Comedian Harmonist Archive as curated by the late Dr. Peter Czada.
my take: This was a hard one for me to judge. I loved the idea of the story, and it was a very powerful message and moment. The ending in particular is absolutely powerful and chill inducing. However I left not loving the show, and it was hard for me to pinpoint why. But if I was to summarize it I would say there were a few things that totally didn’t do it . First, the music was not my favorite, it was serviceable but none of the songs had me very excited, and definitely I don’t remember much. Second, it think it was a bit too long. When you look at your watch more than once during the show you know that there is a timing issue happening and that I’m thinking how much to go before I can get some food in me. Third, I think there was some disconnect character wise. My favorite characters where the two women, Sierra and Julie are amazing, but they are not the stars or the center of the show so its a bit weird that they were the ones that I liked the most. The stage design and the costumes were all beautiful however.
Official Blurb: Experience something remarkable for the whole family! How to Dance in Ohio is a “joyful and uplifting new musical” (Time Out New York) exploring the universal need to connect and the courage it takes to step out into the world. Based on a true story, this “feel-good milestone” (The New York Times) follows a group of young adults and their families navigating change and preparing for a spring formal dance—a rite of passage that breaks open their daily routines in Columbus, Ohio. Starring seven autistic actors, How to Dance in Ohio is “an exuberant coming-of-age musical comedy with a superb cast” (The Wall Street Journal). Don’t miss “Broadway’s most original new musical” (The Daily Beast)!
My take: This show might have had the complete opposite experience that what I had in Harmony. I had very low expectations going in. I checked it out, because mayor points opening in Fall when competition was low and its one of the new few musicals, so it fell on my list. If It had opened in the Spring where there is now a laundry list of musicals I want to see, it would have fallen off my list. I also watched the Thanksgiving day parade and their performance did not make me too exited. By the time I left the show, I was crying, cursing not packing a kleenex in my bag, and a true believer in the the heart of this little show. This is not a big musical, or a big musical number musical, which made my Thanksgiving experience logical. However, it is a big heart musical. It reminds me a bit of Kimberly Akimbo, with how much emotion is shown on stage by young super talented individuals. I felt the cast was varied, some where amazing, and some where Ok but in general I was thoroughly impressed with all the actors, and impressed that they casted all of them as autistic as their characters. Also, for those interested, the sensory accommodations in the theater were great, and it just felt very appropriate. I have never watched the documentary, but now its definitely on my to watch. Is it going to be my favorite new show, no, but did I enjoy it thoroughly whilst watching it? You bet!
Tati's Tidbits 