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The cast of Emma made the show work.
From what I got off other patrons, the cast was the main reason they liked the show. Several people mentioned that the music was so-so but that the cast was basically adorable.
I completely agree. There is no other word for Patti Murin, who played the title role. Emma is not necessarily a likeable character but Ms. Murin was an Emma we cared for and pulled for and sympathized with. Emma creates every problem and every issue in the show, for herself and for others, but we didn’t mind because she seemed truly sorry for the mess she was making of things. Ms. Murrin’s comedic timing was solid and she resisted the temptation to “ham up” the scene where Emma is required, by her pride, to play the piano and sing a song for everyone. Ms. Murin’s voice was nice and pleasant but I would consider her to be an actor first, singer second.
As the romantic protagonist, Adam Monley was an understated, subtle, Mr. Knightley. Knightley gets to sing the best music in the show and Mr. Monley did well. In his big song, titled Emma, I could hear Mr. Monley pacing himself to ensure the top notes were there. Throughout the show, he tended to back off the high notes and they sounded careful and controlled. Of course, that was not out of character for Mr. Knightley. I assume there was vocal fatigue involved as this was the fourth performance in two days. I’m being a tad nitpicky. At the end of the show, Mr. Monley gave us all we needed when Mr. Knightley says what he needs to say. Again though, I consider his acting to be much stronger than his singing.
The supporting roles were well done. I don’t wish to completely ignore the rest of the cast but that’s what I’m going to do so I can spend a little time with my favorite.
Kelly Hutchinson has maybe three or four scenes as Mrs. Elton, the vicker’s obnoxious wife. However, each time I saw her come on stage, I got excited. Her accent almost made me lose it. Had I been watching this show by myself, I would have probably laughed myself into tears. The accent and inflection she used sounded part British, part French, part South Park. I usually find affected humor like an accent to be annoying but in the case of Ms. Hutchinson, I only wanted more.
Emma and Mr. Knightly.
The cast of Emma made the show work.
From what I got off other patrons, the cast was the main reason they liked the show. Several people mentioned that the music was so-so but that the cast was basically adorable.
I completely agree. There is no other word for Patti Murin, who played the title role. Emma is not necessarily a likeable character but Ms. Murin was an Emma we cared for and pulled for and sympathized with. Emma creates every problem and every issue in the show, for herself and for others, but we didn’t mind because she seemed truly sorry for the mess she was making of things. Ms. Murrin’s comedic timing was solid and she resisted the temptation to “ham up” the scene where Emma is required, by her pride, to play the piano and sing a song for everyone. Ms. Murin’s voice was nice and pleasant but I would consider her to be an actor first, singer second.
As the romantic protagonist, Adam Monley was an understated, subtle, Mr. Knightley. Knightley gets to sing the best music in the show and Mr. Monley did well. In his big song, titled Emma, I could hear Mr. Monley pacing himself to ensure the top notes were there. Throughout the show, he tended to back off the high notes and they sounded careful and controlled. Of course, that was not out of character for Mr. Knightley. I assume there was vocal fatigue involved as this was the fourth performance in two days. I’m being a tad nitpicky. At the end of the show, Mr. Monley gave us all we needed when Mr. Knightley says what he needs to say. Again though, I consider his acting to be much stronger than his singing.
The supporting roles were well done. I don’t wish to completely ignore the rest of the cast but that’s what I’m going to do so I can spend a little time with my favorite.
Kelly Hutchinson has maybe three or four scenes as Mrs. Elton, the vicker’s obnoxious wife. However, each time I saw her come on stage, I got excited. Her accent almost made me lose it. Had I been watching this show by myself, I would have probably laughed myself into tears. The accent and inflection she used sounded part British, part French, part South Park. I usually find affected humor like an accent to be annoying but in the case of Ms. Hutchinson, I only wanted more.
Emma and Mr. Knightly.