Applause

May 10th, 2005
Reprise! Broadway's Best
UCLA's Freud Theatre
Musical

Sheryl Lee Ralph (Thorouhly Modern Millie, Dream Girls) was so well cast in this musical version of "All About Eve." Every moment this women is on the stage, you think Diva, but only in the warmest, most commanding and talented sense of the word. We saw her in Millie twice, and she just takes the stage. I can't really imagine anyone who has previously played Margo being any better (I say that very quietly).

Another strong cast: Kevin Chamberlin (Seussical, Triumph of Love, Company with Reprise), Jean Louisa Kelly (again!), and Veanne Cox (whom we'd seen in Caroline or Change, and you might recognize from Disney's TV movie version of Cinderella with Brandy and Whitney).

I didn't know most of the music ahead of time, and after the production, it really made me want to run out and buy it (even with Lauren Bacall singing). Sets were effective and nice.

We left with that tingle that erases the longing to fly to NYC. I love Reprise.