Ron Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 It looks as if the reviews of the shows are improving as it gets deeper in the run. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...n1.432ef7b.html Theater review: 'The 101 Dalmatians Musical' is grand entertainment at Fair Park Music Hall 01:58 PM CST on Thursday, December 3, 2009 By LAWSON TAITTE / The Dallas Morning News ltaitte@dallasnews.com The 101 Dalmatians Musical is grand entertainment – and a pretty good musical. This new touring show, which opened at the Dallas Summer Musicals on Wednesday, skips over both Disney versions to take inspiration from the original Dodie Smith novel. B.T. McNicholl wrote the book, Dennis DeYoung (of Styx fame) the music. The two collaborated on lyrics. Three-time Tony Award-winning director Jerry Zaks has come up with a staging gimmick that works better than it sounds. The actors playing dogs wear costumes that suggest their breeds, but no specifically canine elements such as ears or tails. To create a difference of scale, the actors playing humans walk (and dance) on 14-inch stilts. Their mobility is compromised, but the dogs are the main thing anyhow. Dalmatians Pongo (James Ludwig) and his Missus (Catia Ojeda) are happy enough with their owners, the Dearlys (Mike Masters and Kristen Beth Williams). But joy overtakes the entire household with the arrival of eight puppies, played winningly by child actors. Of course, the epically nasty Cruella De Vil (Rachel York) and her two henchmen (Michael Thomas Holmes and Robert Anthony Jones) threaten this little Eden when they cast their greedy eyes on the beloved pups. DeYoung's score casts a surprisingly wide stylistic net. Cruella's anthems for evil come closest to flat-out rock power, and York goes for broke in belting them. But other numbers come much closer to traditional Broadway style, and the two henchman cavort in a ditty that owes much to the British music hall (and Cole Porter's "Brush Up Your Shakespeare"). There's no big number that grabs you and makes you hum it on the way home, but it's all fun while it lasts. All the adult performers are seasoned pros on best behavior, but the show belongs to York. She has toured through here several times in classic leading roles, but nothing in them prepares you for the over-the-top (but tasteful!) tour de force of her Cruella. In her, the Wicked Witch of the West meets the Bride of Frankenstein, but with powerhouse vocals and sex appeal (if your tastes run to the diabolical). And, lest we forget, The 101 Dalmatians Musical has a pack of real Dalmatians. Frankly, the kids are cuter. But the dogs create a stir every time they race across the stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blt Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Are you sure? http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2009/dec/0...atians-musical/ Here are some excerpts: .... These are the times in which I actually do not enjoy writing reviews. Why? Because unfortunately the end product as it is right now, 101 Dalmatians the musical is a complete mess that is in desperate need of a complete renovation from top to bottom. .... Dennis DeYoung composed the music, while McNicholl wrote the lyrics. DeYoung might ring a bell to you rock fans, as the lead singer of the famous '80s band Styx. DeYoung composed many of the band's major hits. Boy, could we have used something like "Come Sail Away," "Mr. Roboto," "Babe," etc. within in this musical score. The majority of the score is slathered in Valium. Many of the songs lack any real pizzazz or resounding Broadway busting gusto. They don't have that unique and special musicality that begs for a second hearing. Most of the numbers have a camouflage-like covering of not providing any true character development or subtext. Where DeYoung & McNicholl miss the boat completely are their songs for Cruella. First off, to have such a memorable character resorted to only two numbers in the first act and then just ONE song in the second deserves these two writers a trip to the guillotine. What made it even worse was that the numbers composed for her went nowhere. No sidesplitting lyrics or terrific musical composition for the role to perform. .... Are there real dogs? Yes. For the final scene they do come out and do a really enjoyable and exciting set of tricks that drew the loudest applause and reactions from the audience. That's what's so sad about this show. It was a final scene with live dogs that generated the loudest response from the audience. Not the book. Not the music. Not the direction, choreography, etc. I honestly don't know if this material can be turned into a successful musical. Because right now it needs so, so, so much work. For sure the book and score are the first to go. Plus those distracting, god-awful stilts. .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted December 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 WOW. That sounded like (if you read the entire article) the author had a preconceived notion of what the show was going to be like (Disney-esque) but when it failed to meet his criteria it was time to burn down the entire stage, production, hall, and maybe even the entire city with his wrath of negativity. While many of the other reviews shared both negative and positive comments, it seems like this writer just wanted to trash the entire production. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtlfan Posted December 5, 2009 Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 WOW. That sounded like (if you read the entire article) the author had a preconceived notion of what the show was going to be like (Disney-esque) but when it failed to meet his criteria it was time to burn down the entire stage, production, hall, and maybe even the entire city with his wrath of negativity. While many of the other reviews shared both negative and positive comments, it seems like this writer just wanted to trash the entire production. Sometimes there are just things that you either love or hate. Apparently we've got one of each with these reviewers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladybugking Posted December 5, 2009 Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 I think the nasty review is the fate of most musicals out there, with the exception of a few. And often the divide is between the audiences, who often love a show, and some critics, who seem bent on destroying a show. The negative one above is certainly no exception. As Ron stated, there have been reviews for "101" that have been mixed, but at least have had positive things to say. I will take the nice one from the major Dallas newspaper, though. :wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubulator2k Posted December 6, 2009 Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 Critics can say what they will... especially if its a show that leans toward kids, if the kids like it... the parents will spread the word and the bottom line on what level of success will be the sales... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtlfan Posted December 6, 2009 Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 Critics can say what they will... especially if its a show that leans toward kids, if the kids like it... the parents will spread the word and the bottom line on what level of success will be the sales... Kids just plain old love dogs. Even if my son is 12 and sort of too old for the play, I'd take him anyway because he just loves dogs and music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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