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110 In The Shade Reviews
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110 in the Shade - 07.17.07 Review by: , Jul 19, 2007 |
In the middle of a heat wave in 1930's Texas, when everyone is longing for rain, or a breeze, Lizzie Curry is on the verge of becoming a hopeless old maid. Her wit, intelligence and skills as a homemaker can't make up for the fact that she can't find true love. Even the town sheriff, for whom she harbors a secret yen, won't take a chance. However, when a charismatic rainmaker named Starbuck enters the town and her family's life, Lizzie's world ... read more is turned upside down.
Four-time Tony winner Audra McDonald returns to the Broadway stage to play Lizzie Curry, her first Broadway appearance since her Tony-winning portrayal of Ruth in A Raisin in the Sun.
I had the pleasure of attending a performance of 110 IN THE SHADE on the evening of July 17th, with a dear friend and fellow theatergoer of mine. I had purchased these tickets on May the 22nd, so I had the best seats in the house (Center Mezzanine, Row AA, Seats 111 and 112).
Audra blew my mind with her performance as 'Lizzie'. Christine Ebersole must've had herself olne heckova monumental performance to win over her at the TONYs this past June 'cause she was fantastic! John Cullum (as H.C. Curry) and Steve Kazee (as Starbuck) were both stand-out performers with wonderful presence of mind and warm spirits throughout the performance. The best male vocals (in my humble opinion) came from Christopher Innvar (as File), such a rich baritone.
IF YOU HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED THIS SHOW YET, GET YOUR TICKETS FAST 'CAUSE IT CLOSES ON JULY 29th.
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Business Associate
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Business Assoc.
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A Goddess Emerges Review by: HerrDirecktor, Jun 20, 2007 |
In spite of a Herculean effort (including a cartwheel during Raunchy) on the part of the heroine
Glorious Audra McDonald cannot rescue this broken down antique from the trash heap
Director's attempt at color-blind casting just does not work and the Sheriff is possibly the worst actor I have ever seen in a Broadway show
the rain effects were laughable or would have been had I not paid for my ticket
110 indeed it was FREEZING in the ... read more theatre the evening I saw the show which did NOTHING to help this relic |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
The Entire Family
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| 3 |
must see show!!!!!!!!!!!!! Review by: rskblueyes, Jun 18, 2007 |
I had fallen in love with this show after seeing it at the NYC City Opera in 1992. I think this production from Roundabout even suprassed my prior experience. The sets and staging were very innovative. I found the use of the Roundtable set very effective.
The performances from all were outstanding. The actor who played Starbuck ( Steve Kazee) was somewhat lacking the charisma and sex appeal, whoever he seemed to win me over ... read more by the end of the show. Audra McDonald was amazing, Ive have seen her in other prooductions, but in this one she was able to show such a wide range of emotions. I dont think there was a dry eye in the audience after the end of Act 1 when she sang Old maid.
Dont miss an opportunity to this show.
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Tourists, Adults
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| 4 |
Delightful Review by: jenni, Jun 14, 2007 |
I found this show quietly enjoyable. It is not like one of the big Broadway productions that washes over you. You sit, you enjoy and you remember it fondly after you have left. As expected Audra McDonald was pure magic. The music is beautiful. The simplicity of the scenery allows the story and cast to shine.
It was nice to see a show that beckons back to simpler times. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Seniors
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| 5 |
Highly recommend! Review by: tc, Jun 8, 2007 |
| Excellent show! Audra is outstanding -- both in song and acting. I completely loved her character. Strong company all around. Wonderful to see this story from her side of things rather than the focus on Starbuck character. Highly recommend. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Adults
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NOT SO HOT Review by: Buz, Jun 4, 2007 |
| Everything wrong with this production is the fault of the Director. This is a gentle story,with a charming score, but this Director wants it to make it into Oklahoma! The chorus overacts; and after the opening, there is so much forced energy on stage, one never believes there is a drought or a heatwave. Worst of all, the Director has the singers sing behind the beat, and this destroys the melodic line of these fragile songs. ... read more Everybody plays big, even Audra McDonald, and it betrays the fragility of the show. After all, it's supposed to be about "Simiple Little Things." Having seen the original, I was looking forward to this revival and was hugely disappointed. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 7 |
Very enjoyable. Review by: Terry, May 23, 2007 |
I very much enjoyed this show. Audra McDonald is a national treasure.
A nice evening at the theatre. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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| 8 |
RUN to see this show!!! Review by: verticalchaos, May 18, 2007 |
I'll admit it. I went to see "110 In The Shade" for one reason. Audra McDonald. I went BACK to see it for the story and the entire cast. And Audra McDonald. There's something in this story for everyone, and everyone has a little Lizzie in them, no matter how pretty or successful they are. The threads of relationship that are woven through this performance are subtle but strong. And the scenes with Audra and John Cullum,... read more, who plays her father, are especially heart-wrenching knowing Audra has just lost her own father. I saw it her first night back and worried it could be an emotional train-wreck but was thrilled to see that it seems to be a safe place of catharsis for Audra ~ and the emotions you know are coming form the heart. I honestly could see this show every night until it closes (now 7/29...it extended!!) and not get tired of it.
Do yourself a favor. RUN to see this show NOW!!!! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Business Assoc.
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| 9 |
Run to this show. Review by: Coaster Fiend, May 14, 2007 |
This powerhouse production of a "little show" literally jumps off the stage at 54 and wraps itself in your heart and mind until you believe that a man can make it rain. The performers are superb, each and every one! If you choose to miss this show now, you will be truly sorry and will have missed a fantastic revival presented in the grand Broadway style.
The plot is predictable (it is 40 years old!) and the music unknown to most, but you will ... read more become part of this family and this town. If you don't laugh and cry at the same time, there is something wrong with you.
Go Go Go before it's too late. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Anyone
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| 10 |
110 SCORES A SOLID 100% Review by: RALPHIE, May 10, 2007 |
WONDERFUL, ENGAGING, WINNING musical drama. With no knowledge of Audia McDonald's many Tony awards, I saw the show without preconceptions. It was entertaining and kept one's interest from the get-go. Comparing Tony winning Audia with Tony-winning Christine Ebersole in Grey Gardens, AUDIA really displayed her talent whereas Christine was in no way deserving of the Barry Manlow Fan-like excessive shreeking and wild applause of her every move.... read more.
110 IN THE SHADE is not a Black show as I expected. Most of the cast is White, and the integration is handled smoothly and without the agenda-driven feel Broadway usually gives.
AUDIA McDONALD's character Lizzie Curry has lots of grief and disappointments in her life. I can't help but think AUDIA might cry a quiet tear or two, with all her success, seeing less Blacks in the 900 seat audience than the 3 who appear with her in this fine show. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Business Assoc.
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| 11 |
110 is Lukewarm Review by: J.Longchamps, May 7, 2007 |
I am pretty ambivalent about this show. Of the past three productions at Studio 54, this is the only one where I did witness not mass droves of people fleeing the theater mid-performance. I thought the tunes were catchy and the staging was far more professional than we've recently seen in this space; however, the gigantic scrim used as sun/moon was really quite absurd. And the story was pretty decent, despite the fact that 10 minutes after the ... read more show ended, I could not remember which fellow Lizzie Curry ends up with.
I understand the draw power of the two featured actors: however John Collum has only 2 songs in the show- neither of which are solo pieces, and I found Audra McDonald's singing dissonant, both with the music and the rest of cast. I'm not criticizing the performers, but I feel they were miscast. Not being familiar with the plot, it took me the majority of act 1 to realize that the mix of blacks and whites on the stage were suposed to be a family. I also thought it was terribly odd to see a young 16-year old and a bald man playing the roles of brothers. I'd like to say I could see beyond the racial and age lines, but by the time I suspended belief and just "went with it," I also gave up my expectations for this show.
Again, not painful, just difficult to see beyond the Roundabout's attempt to "shove" great performers into this production and expect it to work. |
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Review by: , May 3, 2007 |
| I enjoyed this play. The songs were fun. Audra and John did a great job. Be aware that the seats are extremly small. If you are 6 feet or atller you will find them cramped! |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
The Entire Family
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| 13 |
A fine production on a small scale, great performances Review by: stagestrucknyc, Apr 29, 2007 |
I had never before seen the musical 110 in the Shade, but I had seen earlier revivals of the play that forms the base, Rainmaker. I have to say that I like the musical better. The story is a simple one, and it is homespun and touching, and the songs deliver the emotional messages perfectly. Even though none of the songs are in themselves big hits, they are excellent in the context of the dramatic experience.
This is a small, intimate ... read more production and I thought it worked well on the small stage of Studio 54. The production and scenery are simple and very effective. ,
Best of all are the performances. Audra McDonald is a gem. I also liked John Collum and Steve Kazee. I would like to see it again. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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| Acting: |
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| Music: |
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| Production: |
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| Story: |
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Business Assoc.
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| 14 |
Go See It Review by: coolboi, Apr 27, 2007 |
| I just attended a performance of this show and I really would have to say that it was amazing. One of the best shows of the season. The entire production was outstanding and it really gives these wonderful and talented actors to shine. I highly recommend it anyone. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| Acting: |
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Anyone
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| 15 |
A real disappointment Review by: Kokuanani, Apr 27, 2007 |
| Very, very weak show. Audra McDonald is wonderful, as are some of the other actors, but the book is SO weak, it's all one can do to remain in your seat into the second half. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Large Group
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Recommended for:
Tourists
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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