Lakewood Theatre Co.July 11 - August 24, 2008
Review by Thursday
Production brings depth and humor to Ludwig's funny yet one-dimensional adaptation of Dumas's classic. Director Don Alder, with an all-around extraordinary cast, embraces the comedic nature of the piece, yet brings complexity to easily one-note characters. Design supports the action, and audience is easily immersed in the constantly engaging story.
27 comments:
Anyone care to review this show? I haven't seen it & I'd sure be interested in reviews!
I saw it on the first Saturday of their opening weekend and this was one of the worst Lakewood shows I've seen. The acting was over the top for some characters and too shallow for others. What happened to believability ? It's great to have diversity in the cast, but I couldn't understand the lead sometimes because of his Spanish accent. Sword scenes needed to be rehearsed more. They seemed very stiff. The show didn't flow very smoothly. A lot of pregnant pauses that slowed things down. I was very disappointed. For the price they charge, I expected a better performance. Maybe it's gotten better, but I wouldn't waste the $$$$
Is the last comment a D. Millstone review?
Since David has been doing summer stock all summer, I doubt it.
I saw the play and thought it was loads of fun. Garland Lyons (the Cardinal) walks away with the show. Melissa Whitney is wonderful as the murderous Milady. Go check it out for yourself.
Seriously?
Crap.
Some good actors, almost all cast in the wrong roles. Garland Lyons and Ken Potts are about the only ones able to carry their roles off properly.
Horrifically directed from a terrible script. Some seriously awful performances. And some disappointing turns from some respectable performers.
Skip it. You'll regret it if you don't.
I'm so sorry you didn't get a call back for this production. The cast is strong and plays well off each other. The sword fighting sequences are not great more flash then substance. Don't go see this expecting olympic fencing. The reason to see this play are the performances of the cardinal and milady. Whitney's milday is beautiful and seductively evil while Lyons' cardinal is wickedly fun, ruthless and power hungry. Ross plays the foppish boy king with an over the top flair of a drag queen but still pulls laughter from the audience. This is your last weekend to see this play. You will enjoy yourself.
I did not audition for this show and I agree that it was not well done.
I am so tired of people writing defensive responses to criticism on this forum. Sometimes the shows you are in, or the shows you produce, aren't great, people. Sometimes the directors are lousy, or the parts are miscast. Sometimes the actors are inexperienced or just plain lousy. Accept it. Work on your craft. Don't kill the messengers.
This show was slow, unengaging, and not entertaining. There were a few isolated performances that were ... I'd say adequate. And I don't say that to hurt anybody, I saw it because it's true.
Okay. Now rip me to shreds because I'm not your mother and I didn't write a glowing tribute, filled with lies, about how fabulous you were.
There certainly is a difference between criticism and being flat out rude.
I have to agree with the guy who didn't like it. And I don't think he was being too harsh.
The script really is inane and just badly written. Just because Ken Ludwig wrote "Lend Me a Tenor" doesn't mean he's the next George S. Kaufman. I would say the script came across as bad children's theater except that the children's theaters in this town usually pick better material. Does D'Artagnan really need a plucky kid sister?
Yes, Garland Lyons was very funny. Menacing and ruthless, however, not even close. The role is written as a clown which takes any possible suspense out of the story. From what I saw, poor Garland was working way too hard to keep the audience's attention off of how bad the script was.
Likewise Melissa Whitney was ridiculously miscast as Milady. She's too young, too wholesome looking and way too perky and cute to pull off a seductive and bloodthirsty assassin. Didn't believe her for a second, and the Nellie Olson wig and frumpy costumes didn't do her any favors either. Don't get me wrong. Melissa is a very good actress but this could not have been a worse role for her.
Also, are we supposed to believe that Athos was secretly married to Milady a long time ago and is now a dark, haunted man with a secret past? Ken Potts looked about 17 even with a beard and much younger than the guy playing D'Artagnan.
Then there was Kelly Goddell as a hot, sassy hip-swinging Mother Superior, but I think you get the point. The show was badly cast.
Don't get me wrong. These are all really good actors and they have all done really exceptional work in other shows at other theaters. Likewise Don Alder has directed some good stuff, and Lakewood has produced some good plays. But this was nobody's shining hour.
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
I enjoyed the show. No, I'm not in the cast either. The show is suppose to be fun not necessarily some great piece of theater. What ever happened to just having fun at the theater. I feel that all to often shows strive to be cutting edge and racy (sp). While that's fine and needed shows that are fun and entertaining are needed as well. Yes there are some hokey lines but that is partly what makes this show fun.
I can agree some casting choices were not ones I would make. However I think everyone did a great job based on what they had. Lyons, was perfectly cast as a sex obsessed, intelligent, conniving bad guy. Whitney, deliciously evil, ruthless, deadly sex appeal. She came accross as the type of woman that would kill you right after she F*#%ked your brains out. I hope to see Lyons and Whitney on stage together again, I thought they had great chemistry. Gilberto, was great as a boyish Musketeer wannabe who becomes a man. I enjoyed seeing him and Lauren play brother sister. It's a good show to bring kids to.
Congrats to the Musketeers cast, great show loads of fun. If anyone gets a chance to see it this closing weekend I highly recommend it as a FUN show that's entertaining and worth the ticket price.
Cheers,
Big Papa
TEDDY! Such eloquence! And quite refreshing on this entire blog, typically overloaded with snarky biased comments from people filled with bitterness, too cowardly to sign their names. If we support the theatre in either audience or craft, I challenge us all to energize and uplift the community instead of ripping it to shreds in order to secure our places on our very high horses. Your off-nite of show watching is no reason to deficate on this board, this show, and these artists. Maybe it wasn't your thing this time around. Maybe you weren't in the mental space to let loose and enjoy something meant to be silly and fun. But let's bring forth a sense of love for this art and for the people with the guts enough to do it.
Yes, we all admire the person who puts themselves at the mercy of the audience and the critics. Yes, a fancy literary quote is meant to put down anyone who dares criticize any aspect of a production. But let's be honest: criticism is part of the business. And this show was not a good one. Sorry if that wounds the tender feelings of the actors. If you're so vulnerable, maybe you should not act. At the very least, you should consider the criticism and at least consider getting more training, or picking parts better suited to you. I remain anonymous because I act in this town, and I want to continue getting parts. Parts for which I am suited, for directors I know do good work. I am not envious of anyone in this show. I did not audition and wouldn't be in it for all the money you could pay me. Did people work hard? Yes. Do they deserve thanks for trying? Yes. But does that mean we should lie about how good the show was? Absolutely not. No one, and no theater company, improves without honest criticism. If you call this comment rude, I question your judgment. No rudeness is intended. Just honesty.
I love Teddy's comment, but correct me if I'm wrong...isn't that posted on the bathroom wall at Profile? I'm being dead serious here, not trying to make fun. Teddy, if that's yours, it's awesome. If it's not...it's still awesome. (-:
this is a conversation that is just fueling "anonymous" to express he/she's full understanding of the craft and the business we are in and we should listen and appreciate such a generous effort to better ourselves and be as great as we are expected to be so we can deserve a place in this very important blog.
Maybe if you were a good actor you would be busy acting instead of Critiquing other actors. The play is just fun and silly it is not meant to have any deep meaning or make you rethink the direction of your life. I am not an actor just a theater goer who enjoys all kinds of theater. I enjoyed this play I had fun I laughed. Some of the actors were better then others but that is always the case with any performance. This play is like cotton candy fun to eat but has no nutritional value. Go see the play and make up your own mind.
You can read the review in the Portland Tribune:
http://www.portlandtribune.com/features/story.php?story_id=121604467997621300
Whether it's Shakespeare or a piece of fluff, audiences deserve a well-paced, well-directed, well-acted performance. I'm sure you agree with this, you're just hurt and you're lashing out. I understand, and didn't mean to hurt anybody with my honesty.
Oh -- and are you saying actors that work consistently (as I do) never read this board, or comment, because they don't have enough time? That's ludicrous. You're grasping at straws. Anybody has a few minutes here or there to comment on something they've seen. I comment much more on good shows. But I was moved to react when I once again (for the 10th or 100th time) saw people getting defensive instead of accepting criticism and moving on. I will not stop posting, good and bad. Childishness is never appropriate. Are you saying you are a lousy actor, because you have time to read this board?
I believe "Teddy" signed his post thus because his comment is a quote from Teddy Roosevelt. And yes, I do believe I've seen it somewhere around town.
My dearest anonymous, what are you so angry about? You didn't like the show. We got the message. Others did. That's okay too. Remember, by posting on followspot, we open ourselves up to critique. It's part of the business. ;-) Peace friend!
Cheers,
Milady
JT? Is that you spewing?
The wigs left something to be desired.
And the queen looked like something out of the 50-cent bin at Goodwill... of course, she matched the king, who looked like he was playing dress-up in his ill-fitting costume. These elements (wigs, costumes) were so inept they kept drawing attention away from the actors. Pity!
I see Garland's press agent (no joke, kids) has been hard at work... well done!
I had a lot of fun at this show. I thought that Jeff Gorham, Garland, Melissa, Gliberto, and Ken P did a great job. It was fun. It was flufffy. The fights were fun to watch. I have to admit, the wigs, yikes. But you know what? They worked hard and had a great time. I really liked Lauren B. as Sabine, too. Way to take script and have fun. XO. A Secret Admirer , L. Stone
Not mother?
I wonder if post on here would continue to be harsh if we couldn't hide behind the curtain of anonymity.
BP
Dear anonymous, just to let you know that The Three Musketeers closed last sunday and all the cast was very happy and we enjoyed very much all your attention; looking forward to more articulate and erudite input for our humble attempts to satisfy your very, very demanding plate.
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