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This Brooklyn Tree still needs some pruning Review by: Diract 66, Mar 22, 2011 |
| This tree needs a little more care. If you want to see a musical that failed on Broadway in 1951, this is the place. Although, in all fairness its competition at the time was, South Pacific,Guys and Dolls, Call Me Madam, The King and I,Top Banana, and Paint your Wagon. This production has some good actors but nobody really shines and takes over the play. Where is the ENERGY? Francie,the girl, is hardly seen in the first act except for some ... read more narration, and her role is quite limited in the second act. The main story between Johnny and Katie Nolan is overshadowed by the sister of Katie, Cissy. This may be because Shirley Booth,a big Broadway actress at the time, took this role and her story becomes more important thus relegating the Nolan's story to a supporting plot. There also are a lot of scenes in this show. The set is very inventive to portray these locations, opening and closing by the actors so there is no blackouts. This theatre is very small so any seat will be good. The slow moving play can't decide if it's a comedy or a tragedy and the rise and fall of Johnny during the turn of the 20th century is just not potent. But, if you like Theatre you should see this show. When will you get that chance again? The Peccadillo Theatre Co. missed a chance to edit and cut this show to make it better than 1951, as I'm sure Betty Smith, Dorothy Parker and Arthur Schwartz would have liked them to do. The did not. It has been extended so get those discount tix now. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Adults
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