We got to see this early in its run and it lived up to its reputation as a dazzling Broadway musical. Here’s a review which describes it all better than I could.
The set piece singing and dancing routines were great. I liked Switch It Off best which was led by an Australian performer Rowan Witt, who bore an uncanny resemblance to a secondary school crush of mine! It was great seeing a cast made up of so many great Australians. VCA graduate Zahra Newman gave a great performance in the leading female role. were only five or six international stars, which included the two main characters who were reprising their Broadway performances. And did it very well. It always astonishes me how performers can maintain their energy and enthusiasm for these long running shows.
Another great set piece was the door knocking song which brought back memories of political door knocking; few things more dispiriting! And I liked the reprise of this routine that concludes the show with a nice surprise at the very end. But there are lots of great songs and dance routines. Fantastic dancing!
The subject matter is a bit challenging for a religious phobe like me – a weird American religion that is completely ridiculous, missionaries bent on saving heathen natives in in deepest darkest Africa (brings back memories of a Catholic upbringing). But the authors clearly taking the piss as explained in this interview.
All in all a fun night out in Melbourne. Enhanced by a great meal at the European beforehand.
Joe says
Yes. Thank you Meredith for the tickets. It was a classic night out with a classic musical.
Pauline says
Would you recommend?