The musical, High Fidelity, based on Nick Hornby's novel, has closed. I liked it. Even though the problems and concerns of the record store owner, played by a charismatic, charming leading man, Will Chase, are naive and simplistic, the show, a mixture of 70's and contemporary sensibility, was a lot of fun. Amanda Green has the gift, and I found her lyrics to be clever and full of humor.
Anna Louizos' set design did have a major flaw: a shelf (piano?) downstage right which blocked the view of almost half the stage from audience left. The rest of her design was quite good. With zippy direction by Walter Bobbie, the whole cast proved excellent, especially Christian Anderson and Rachel Stern. There was a rap fantasy, a Springsteen moment, a retro concert number. Yeah!
I think High Fidelity was what it tried to be, and the audience I saw it with loved it. Perhaps if it had played in a smaller theater it might have had time to catch on.
Previews:
November 20, 2006
Opened:
December 7, 2006
Ended:
December 17, 2006
Country:
USA
State:
New York
City:
New York
Company/Producers:
Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, etc.
Theater Type:
Broadway
Theater:
Imperial Theater
Theater Address:
249 West 45th Street
Phone:
(212) 239-6200
Genre:
Musical
Director:
Walter Bobbie
Review:
Parental:
adult themes, profanity
Cast:
Will Chase (Rob), Caren Lynn Manuel, Jenn Colella (Laura), Christian Anderson (Dick), Jay Klaitz (Barry), Katy Mixon (Liz), Emily Swallow, Paul Castree, J.B. Wing, Rachel Stern, Anne Warren, Andrew Call, Matt Caplan, Justin Brill, Jon Patrick Walker, Kristin Wyatt, Tom Plotkin, Jeb Brown (Ian).
Technical:
Choreog: Christopher Gattelli; Set: Anna Louizos; Lighting: Ken Billington; Sound: Acme Sound Partners; Costumes: Teresa Squire; Casting: Bernard Telsey.
Other Critics:
PERFORMING ARTS INSIDER David Lefkowitz ?
Critic:
Richmond Shepard
Date Reviewed:
December 2006
