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LoveMusik Reviews
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CELEBRATING THE RELEASE OF THE CD Review by: Beth M, Feb 6, 2008 |
“Thank You for the Music:” LOVEMUSIK
By Beth Mandelbaum
I was deeply moved and intensely fascinated when I saw LoveMusik in the spring. The performances were perfection and the music rapturous. I found it to be a powerfully emotional show. I am writing about it now in celebration of the CD which has recently been released.
It was a gift to me to have the opportunity to learn more about the life and love journey of the ... read more German composer Kurt Weill and the Austrian born Lotte Lenya who established herself in Germany as a singer and actress, and collaboration between Weill and Berthold Brecht, the extremely well known German playwright and poet. The work of Lenya and Weill is perhaps most familiar in Three Penny Opera, for which Weill composed the music and Lenya performed the role of Jenny. This was an enormous success.
The theme of the power of music in peoples’ lives, how it can even be, for some, impossible to live without, and how music fills the human soul and spirit, have been the subject of a number of shows of the past few seasons (and I am sure of many others over time).
In LoveMusik, when Lotte Lenya asks Kurt Weill when she first meets him what he cares about, what his passions and his dreams are, his response is “music.”
In a lighter vein, but extremely touching, The Drowsy Chaperone and Curtains come to mind, both of which are ultimately about the healing power of music. And in the very unfortunately short lived Coram Boy, music is a life force, filling one with grace, without which some cannot live. And perhaps a Chorus Line can be included here, where the act of dance is a gift of love. And, of course, we have the ever running Phantom of the Opera, a tribute to the power and compelling nature of music.
I realized that the title LoveMusik has a double meaning: literarily the love of music, and love itself, in all of its complexities.
Among my favorite songs from LoveMusik was “Speak Low,” which so effectively opens the show. LoveMusik begins in complete darkness. Then spotlights focus just on the faces of Weill and Lenya and then, gradually, their whole figures come into view as they sing.
I felt the intense power of “The Alabama Song,” first sung by Ms. Lenya at an audition for a Weill/Brecht musical, for which Weill is playing the piano. She has surprised her husband, and now comes to the attention of Berthold Brecht, who she has never met before.
“The Alabama Song,” reprised by Weill, Brecht, Lenya and ensemble members is a melancholy and for me, riveting, first act closing, in which they are fleeing from Germany for the United States because of the rise of Hitler. They all hold on to the sails of the SS Majestic as they leave their homes, possessions, and successes behind them, saying goodbye to this significant chapter of their lives, while facing an unknown future.
The “Tango Ballad” seemed to evoke Cabaret and (also Bob Fosse). In this number, Brecht sings in a “quartet” consisting of his frustrated wife, and two other women. The way the women move and intertwine among themselves and with Brecht reminded me very much of “Two Ladies” from Cabaret. Also, some of the movement seemed to me very much like classic Fosse moves, as one saw in the movie of Cabaret, and in Chicago as well.
Another favorite song is “Surabaya Johnny,” sung by Ms. Lenya in a New York nightclub as she struggles for some recognition in the U.S., having left her life as an international star back in Europe. I could see the tears in Donna Murphy’s (Lenya) eyes, singing this song with great emotional power.
The song “Schickelgruber”, a sort of Vaudeville style number sung by Weill and Brecht, is an extremely clever and humorously and brilliantly staged anti-Hitler spoof anthem. This scene felt like a fantasy/dream sequence, which made me think of Follies and perhaps also Company.
But to me, one of |
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My recommendation:
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Recommended for:
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| 2 |
I think this show is only appropriate for Brecht/Weill freaks like me. Review by: PMcDiddy, Jun 22, 2007 |
| Oh dear! Well, it's not very good. I'm still really glad I went because I love Weill, I don't mind a bad Broadway show, and I did learn a lot about his life. The interpretations of the songs were very authentic and resembled vintage recordings of Weill, Brecht and Lenya singing. The lead performances by Murphy and Cerveris were very good but others were not great. The direction by Prince was pretty dreadful - dusty and off the mark. I would only ... read more recommend this for true Brecht/Weill fans who don't mind seeing a bad show. Again, still glad I went for what it's worth. |
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Don't go
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| 3 |
4 STARS: DULL, BORING, FALSE, ANNOYING! Review by: JAZZMAN, Jun 19, 2007 |
Creative Writing 101 instructs that you don't just say a person is brilliant and intellectual. No, you write the character in such a way that the audience will figure it out by their words and actions. In LoveMusik, Kurt Weill is a dunce, a fumbling character worthy of a bad sitcom. While Lotte Lynia's character is sharply formulated by the writing as well as the performance, it makes no sense that such a pretty and lively girl would ... read more be instantly attracted to the foolish-acting, bungling not-at-all-handsome Kurt Weill. Thick German accents aside, this musical is a false as it is boring. The one and only good song is Mack the Knife, and one song does not a musical make.
Lots of obscenities to pepper the dialog, and of course the inclusion of an overworked but necessary gay scene. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 4 |
correction to the previous posters obsurd comments Review by: newyorker, Jun 10, 2007 |
| just to clear up the previous reviewers post...george gershwin is not a character in this show...george davis is. and the playwright mentioning george davis' homosexuality is indeed significant because weill suspected lotte was having an affair with davis. which is funny when we find out he is actually gay. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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Recommended for:
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| 5 |
Small Mindedness Chokes Mediocre Show Review by: RALPHIE, Jun 8, 2007 |
The talked-about thick German accents were easy for me to get by after the first few minutes. A lot of good work went into this unusual, unconventional musical, but sad to report that doesn't add up to a great show. The fact is that Kurt Wiehl was a rather dull person (at least in this show) but Lotte Linya is quite the opposite: full of life, pretty, slender. The music is well below par, but they give us a better "Mack the Knife" than ... read more in Roundabout's 3penny opera and September Song is good too.
George Gershwin is a character in the show and has about 5 minutes of dialog. In that time, we're reminded no less than 3 times that Gershwin was homosexual. I think there was so much more to Gershwin than his alleged gay life --- after all, he has a Broadway theatre named after him; so it's a reflection of both the playwrite's small mindedness as well as Manhattan Theatre Club's pervasive gay agenda to portray Gershwin with the focus 90% on this one factor without even mention of his musical career. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 6 |
A Sleeper Review by: Howaluna, Jun 8, 2007 |
| I was very dissapointed in this show. I am a big fan of both leading actors. But even they could not save this show. Sorry.......... |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 7 |
BORING... Review by: BigKen, Jun 8, 2007 |
I went with some friends to see this musical and was looking foreward to it. Even though I purchased tickets at discount, I should used my money in other ways.
Donna Murphy gave a wonderful performance. Friends told me that she sang just like Lotte Lenya(in which case I know that I would never have purchased one of her records!) But, in my opinion the show just lacked a spark. It moved like a fly in molasses. I was anxious for ... read more it to end.
There are very few musicals that I have not enjoyed on Broadway. This tops the list! |
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My recommendation:
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| 8 |
A Lengthy Bore Review by: RES, Jun 3, 2007 |
| this was really bad. My wife and I are long time MTC subscribers, and almost always find something interesting about their productions. This show, however, was slow, the acoustics (front row mezz) terrible, and the german accents completely distracting (all I could think of was Madeline Kahn in Blazing Saddles. You can skip this - go see Blackbird on MTC's Stage I instead. |
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My recommendation:
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| 9 |
A Fragmented Mess Review by: Theatremaven, May 26, 2007 |
This so has many problems. The first and major problem is that is doesn't capture the mood and tone of Weil. The show is very segmented and it is hard to believe that Harold Prince directed such a poor show. The show is very fragmented and disconnected. The audience never feels the connection for Lenya or Weil.
It is also way to long. The second act was such a bore I was staring at my watch waiting for it to be over. I was surprised ... read more since Murphy and Cerveris are such solid actors but they did not seem to connect to these roles.
Can someone explain why they had to make such a strong German accent...it was hard for English speaking people to comprehend. In any case...save your time. If you were lucky maybe you got to see last years revival of Threepenny at the Roundabout. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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Large Group
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| 10 |
Talented cast Review by: Selery, May 10, 2007 |
| I loved the show.The cast was outstanding and the voice quality excellent.If you once loved the Three Penny Opera you will love this. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Recommended for:
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| 11 |
Review by: Tom B, May 6, 2007 |
The story of the relationship between composer Kurt Weill and his wife and muse Lotte Lenya, "Love/Musik" has a great deal to recommend it, primarily that fascinating story, two solid leading perfomers and a lot of Weill music. Unfortunately, the show is long. But it was early in previews the night I went, an additional cuts have been made that have likely helped the show.
What is more unfortunate, however, is that the show lacks ... read more that dark, edgy quality I get from Weill's music. The songs all seem to have been overdusted with musical Splenda, sweetened almost beyond recognition. It's the same music, but the arrangements and orchestration have changed the core mood of Weill's songs. And that's a pity. On top of that, I could just never get behind the idea of Donna Murphy as the dissolute, world-weary Lotte Lenya. Michael Cerveris is eminently-believeable as Kurt Weill, but Murphy is just too healthy-looking to be Lenya.
For now, I say give it a pass, but keep an eye on it, in case they can make the major changes needed to rescue Weill's music and bring the solid book by Alfred Uhry to the fore.
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| 12 |
LoveMusik, a Masterpiece Review by: Crawford, May 4, 2007 |
| I was moved by "LoveMusik". Anoyone who has ever really been in love could relate to this story. All the way from my top balcony seat, I could feel the intense connection between the characters of Lotte and Kurt. I believed every moment of their struggle and triumph. Their richly developed characters are effortlessly endearing and natural. I am so grateful to know the story of Lotte and Kurt, for it is a beautiful one that should not be ... read more missed in "LoveMusik" at the Biltmore. Congratulations to all who contributed to this masterpiece. |
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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, Business Assoc., Seniors
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Michael Cerveris & Donna Murphy are true broadway stars! Review by: mattlepacek, May 1, 2007 |
| I thought this was one of the best shows I've seen @ MTC's Biltmore in a while. Didn't even know the Biltmore had an orchestra pit! Superb acting, music got a little tiresome, but you have to take this musical for what it is.. a fine tuned period piece influenced by Brecht. Marvelous performances by Michael Cerveris & Donna Murphy, mastering a Berlin accent... far surpassed my expectations. Donna Murphy is a true star again, and I'd rather ... read more see Love Musik (although I dont like the K in the musicals title) any day of the week, rather than Wonderful Town. Her vocal technique was reminiscent of Grey Gardens & Cabaret. At least this show has a heart, the chemistry between Donna & Michael is real. Once you get past the intentionally "unreal" Brecht inspired sets, this show really takes off! David Pittu's rough vocal style made for an interesting twist in score as well. I must say, I really enjoyed this show. I expected to come here and read some rave reviews. This show is probably more about going in with little to no expectations, and being blown away. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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| Acting: |
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I saw this show with:
Business Associate
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Adults
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| 14 |
Can Donna Murphy do no wrong? Review by: rksblueyes, Apr 30, 2007 |
| This show was a complete surprise. I had read the reivews on here and was dreading that I accepted an invitation to see the production. The premise of the show is simple, it chronicled the complicated relationship between Kurt Weil and Lotte Lenya. The first act was amazing, the staging was pure Hal Price and did not disapoint. Donna Murphy not only resembled Lenya she became her even capturing her speaking and singing voice.... read more. Michael Cervias perfomrance was excellent too. The use of Kurt Weil music was able to move the plot forward. My only complaint was the 2nd act the show lost some steam and dragged a bit. It was nice to see a simple piece of theatre that had great acting, staging, and vocal performances. This is a great companion piece to Grey Gardens and Spring Awakenings that proves you dont need to have a huge production piece to be a quality show. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Adults
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| 15 |
Way too long and would not recommend it Review by: Bouncer, Apr 20, 2007 |
This show was terrible, boring. There was no chemistry between the couple.
I thought Donna Murphy couldn't sing at all; she was off key.
Further she flubbed her lines several times.
Her character was irritating; her voice whiney and scratchy.
The play was much too long; there were too many songs and many were not entertaining or inspiriing in the least. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
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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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