Word: showings
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...greatest hurdle for any production of Superstar is the material itself. The show is less theater than song cycle, a collection of simple pop-inspired numbers that are memorable only for the wrong reasons. The exhilarating score, at the time of its debut, excited hope in the theater community that Andrew Lloyd Webber could turn out to be a great talent, but it also reminds us of the disappointment of his subsequent work, which has failed to transcend Superstar's artlessness. Tim Rice's lyrics are even worse: they consist of a series of sentimental clichs liberally scattered with forced...
Nevertheless, past productions of this show have overcome these flaws by approaching the material in some very intelligent ways. If audience members are able to identify with the characters on stage or appreciate the enthusiasm and talent of the performers and creative team, or even enjoy the religious story at the show's center, they come away having, at the very least, enjoyed their time in the theater. The notable talent showcased in this production allows for basic enjoyment; but we cannot be faulted when we desire a more meaningful experience...
This is precisely the reason why the Loeb Mainstage production ultimately proves so ineffectual: director Daniel Berwick '01 has a style which approaches the material solely on its own terms, allowing the script (or rather the songs) to drive the show rather than maintaining control over the theatrical experience. This approach results in two things: a pervasive sense of confusion and a profound lack of connection between the audience and much of the action on stage. The palpable anticipation of what is arguably this season's major theatrical event was met with, and disappointed by, the repeated failure...
...referred to in the script as "The 50,000," and Berwick seems to have taken this a bit too literally, casting a truly overwhelming number of actors. Although a large cast, directed so as to focus rather than diffuse the audience on the central action, can work to a show's, this production's overabundance of actors only bolsters the audience's already confused state. Is the crowd happy with Jesus? Angry at him? Leprous? Is their back-slapping friendly, or is it violent? Although the level of dissonance in the musical accompaniment provides some clues, we are generally left...
...also worked out with Mike Boyle, who specializes in getting pro football hopefuls ready for the combine, an annual show players put on for the NFL scouts. Kacyvenski, Nowinski, Clare and Eitzmann all traveled to Burlington, Vt., twice a week to work out with Boyle...