#31: Listen to that! Will you listen to that?
Monday 8/12/24
I just got back from a trip to DC this weekend where I got to see NINE at the Kennedy Center. This production starred Steven Pasquale, Elizabeth Stanley, Carolee Carmelo, Lesli Margherita, and more. Honestly, it was pretty riveting and I’ll explain why.
First off, this show is one of those shows people say “you have to see a top notch production with stellar actors or you will hate it”. I haven’t seen a full production of it - it never seemed like my style of show. So, I never sought it out to go see. I knew some of the music but that was about it. I thought it was FINE music, but not the best haha. I got to know it a tad more when I almost did the show in 2016 but I ended up getting a job at a professional theatre and had to drop.
But I was SHOCKED by how many women I encountered during that audition process who were absolutely obsessed with NINE and just wanted to be in it in ANY way. Then, of course, they had a hard time casting a Guido. This seems to be a constant struggle haha but anyway…
I get it now. I get the hype and everything. It still may not be my number one choice and I may not go out of my way to see it, but I completely understand why people DO love it.
THE ACTING. Holy crap. These incredible musical theatre performers were also just acting their damn faces off. It was intense, and playful, and interesting, and solemn, and funny, and kept me fully engaged the entire time. Apparently there were some big edits and a complete character changed too so maybe this helped with the pace.
But back to the acting. Elizabeth Stanley absolutely NEVER misses. She is so natural and engaging. Plus, her vocals… she was WAILING in “Be On Your Own”. Watch anything you can starring here- even weird pandemic zoom concerts. She is one of the best contemporary actors in musical theatre.
Steven Pasquale made this tortured man so human and loveable. I actually felt for this man who’s big problem was “too many women” lol. He was masterful as well as amazing singing.
Acting always interests me especially in pieces that have complex humans. These performances reminded me to stay curious, to LISTEN PRESENTLY, and to really stay focused on the other person in the scene. A+’s across the board. An actor's dream to watch.
Dreams Don’t Die
Julie