As previously noted, my favorite show of 2010 was the Public Theater's Broadway production of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. The first time you see the show, you're caught up in the story line. It's evident that leading man Benjamin Walker, to quote Ben Brantley, "has the charisma and polish to rule any stage, uptown or down." You laugh at the big jokes and the physical comedy. You want to bring Jeff Hiller and Lucas Near-Verbrugghe home to entertain you on gloomy days. The second time, when you're familiar with the plot, you have more time to catch some of the little jokes and notice more of the cast members. You go home and look up "prescient" in the dictionary and "broham" in the Urban Dictionary (just me?). It's not until your third, fourth or fifteenth time that you can peel your eyes off of Mr. Walker and begin to notice all of the nuance that makes the work of Alex Timbers and Michael Friedman so clever and addictive.
It is here that I hope to document some of the little details that make me love this show so much. I'm sure there are many that I'm missing, and I hope you can add to the list. In chronological order -
Charlie Rosen's silly tuxedo: I couldn't tell you what the other musicians are wearing, but that gray tux gets me everytime. I would love to take his pants and get them hemmed to fit me. I like his shoes, too.
"Surely you're not advocating deforestation!": This line get swept under the rug, but it's so funny.
The two times Kate Cullen Roberts is referred to as a man: In two different scenes Jackson calls her Frederick and broham, with her long blonde hair flowing (supported by the bumpit).
" . . . the requirements of narrative economy . . ." Jackson is talking so fast when he announces his run for presidency that you might miss this, but I appreciate books written with narrative economy in mind.
Juxtaposition of the blondes, brunettes and redheads during "The Corrupt Bargain" You just have to see it. This is what Broadway choreography is all about.
"Rockstar" backup dancers: Jackson enters the house floor and it's very distracting, but you need to watch the backup dancers. Bryce, Emily and Kate rock out like they're in a music video. It's amazing. Cheers to dance captain, Greg Hildreth, as well.
James Barry: James Barry. Period. He's the rockstar is this show (and here's my favorite YouTube video of him doing Our Hit Parade). Men and women alike will be throwing their underwear at him for years to come.
Maria Elena Ramirez's solo: Her performance of "The Great Compromise" is one of the best in the show. I can just imagine Rachel Jackson taking to the stage of a night club.
Lighting during Darren's monologue: Darren Goldstein has a great monologue about Jackson's inauguration. The stage is dark with a cross-stage spotlight on him, and large blue bulb lights behind him. The effect is perfect.
Kate Cullen Roberts painting her toenails: I always thought she was barefoot because Jackson's oval office was such a chill workplace, but just last week I noticed that at the start of the scene she's painting her toenails. This week I noticed her smoking a cigarette.
Jeff Hiller's deep voiced Florida man: This voice has evolved as fall ran into winter; it got deeper and funnier, a dramatic difference from the voices he uses as the messenger and John Quincy Adams.
Ending of Public Life: The ending of the song "Public Life" is different from the off-Broadway version and cast recording. I think it actually changed during the previews.
"Canasta!" Jackson shouts this when he's given up on listening to the people and decides to do what he thinks is best.
"Jeremiah looked down on the people of Judah" It's my favorite line of all of the songs. Great for the treadmill. Jackson is angry and you can tell.
Everytime I see Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson I find more things to love. I am hoping to add your favorite tidbits here. Please leave them in the comments section or tweet them to me.
Now that our beloved show is closing, what should we do with our spare time? In New York City the options for attending the theater can be overwhelming, so I always find some actors and some theaters that I love to follow to narrow down the selection. Join The Public Theater and see everything they produce. You loved the cast of Blood, Bloody Andrew Jackson, so follow their careers and pay to see whatever they do next. Nadia Quinn has a show coming up at Joe's Pub on January 12. Greg Hildreth can be seen in Peter and the Starcatcher at the New York Theatre Workshop (co-directed by Alex Timbers), previews starting in February. Ben Steinfeld and Emily Young will be performing in Shakespeare's Cymbeline with their own company, Fiasco Theater, January 13-30. Buy tickets, tell your friends and keep me posted on additions to this list.
this is great. Can i actually steal some of this and put on my blog (or steal the idea.. I would still credit you) and add some of my things that i actually noticed. I started noticing these things the 3rd time after i saw the show and well now (if I don't get to see it again before I go to closing) I will have seen it 19 times :-0.
ReplyDeleteOf course, Imani. Last night I noticed Greg plucking at a guitar. I would have sworn up and down that he doesn't touch a guitar the whole time. I look forward to reading your post!
ReplyDeleteYeah I've noticed that one time have you ever noticed him during the "Bar Scene" when Jackson finally decides to tell them he kicks his foot up to his hand as if to do an extension then turns around into his seat. That makes me laugh every time I see it.
ReplyDeleteI'll post it in an hour or 2 :)
Hey I finally finished it: http://imaninicole16.blogspot.com/2010/12/moments-we-love-to-notice-in-bloody.html
ReplyDeleteAlso about Kate Cullen Roberts painting her ails... she does both: paint her toenails and smoke. She smokes in the beginning of the scene and once she moves to the downstage left she sits on the side right next to the desk and paints her toenails, while smoking (I think).