Word: awkwardness
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...wonder the Asians are seeking additional markets besides the U.S. for their products, and currencies other than the dollar for their reserves. The political side effects are subtle but troublesome. The U.S. is caught in what former Secretary of Commerce Peter Peterson has called "the awkward attempt to stand tall while on bended knee...
Despite all the ballyhoo about the $8 million price tag, the work onstage can appear modest, even a little tatty. The sets are mostly painted drapes, an awkward compromise between old-style realism and contemporary abstraction. There may be hundreds of costumes, but a lot of them look flimsy; they might have been basted together by the second-rate strippers in the You Gotta Have a Gimmick number from Gypsy. While the performers dance as brilliantly as one would expect from disciples of Robbins, most can't act very well, and there is not one striking singer in the entire...
...result, when Max and Nicky actually stop dancing to debate the merits of the life of crime, which promises cash but little happiness, the scene is awkward. Hines is not a bad actor, but his forte is obviously dancing, and he seems uncomfortable standing still...
Jason Rosencranz's direction is good overall. He directs the actors well in highly emotional moments, including those mentioned above. The staging, however, is sometimes awkward. In Act Two, Starr's back is to the audience for a long time, and we miss the benefit of his facial expressions. But the feeling in Martha's seduction sequences is heightened because of the continuous circles she makes around Nick while he sits on the couch...
...would be a shame if Schmitty couldn't live up to even limited expectations. Who wants to see Schmidt doing an awkward Howard Johnson imitation out there at third every night? New York's Johnson is no Fred Astaire at the hot corner...