Post by tilda on Sept 29, 2007 15:36:23 GMT 11
Went to see 'Dead man walking' last night in Sydney at the state theater.
Although it was originally written as an opera this new production has some qualities I think an audience used to commercial music theater would really appreciate.
Nigel Jamieson's direction is very clear and well conceived and the cast is excellent.
Teddy Tahu Rhodes is amazing as Joseph De Roche with a smooth and rich baritone voice, clothed only in shorts whilst doing push ups and singing at the same time at one point.
Kirsty Harms is convincing as Sister Helen Prejean.
Elizabeth Campbell is heartbreaking as Mrs De Rocher and i can see why she won a Helpmann for the role when she did it in SA. The scene when Joseph asks her for forgiveness of a crime she still does not believe he committed especially moving.
Hayden Tee was the perfect villain as Father Grenville. When i heard a musical theater actor was going to be in it, i wasn't convinced by the casting but His voice more than held it's own amongst the cast of opera singers and the character was a breath of fresh air.
Tiffany Speight was wonderful and her voice is glorious.
Jud Arthur was very strong as the warden and his sheer physicality brought so much to the role.
Over and above everything else was the amazing set designed by Dan Potra, the orchestra dressed as inmates superbly conducted by Paul Kildea are behind prison bars stacked on top of one another over 4 levels and the effective use of projected film and images are stunning.
I am very curious to know if anyone has seen this production and the South Australian production and how they compare.
Although it was originally written as an opera this new production has some qualities I think an audience used to commercial music theater would really appreciate.
Nigel Jamieson's direction is very clear and well conceived and the cast is excellent.
Teddy Tahu Rhodes is amazing as Joseph De Roche with a smooth and rich baritone voice, clothed only in shorts whilst doing push ups and singing at the same time at one point.
Kirsty Harms is convincing as Sister Helen Prejean.
Elizabeth Campbell is heartbreaking as Mrs De Rocher and i can see why she won a Helpmann for the role when she did it in SA. The scene when Joseph asks her for forgiveness of a crime she still does not believe he committed especially moving.
Hayden Tee was the perfect villain as Father Grenville. When i heard a musical theater actor was going to be in it, i wasn't convinced by the casting but His voice more than held it's own amongst the cast of opera singers and the character was a breath of fresh air.
Tiffany Speight was wonderful and her voice is glorious.
Jud Arthur was very strong as the warden and his sheer physicality brought so much to the role.
Over and above everything else was the amazing set designed by Dan Potra, the orchestra dressed as inmates superbly conducted by Paul Kildea are behind prison bars stacked on top of one another over 4 levels and the effective use of projected film and images are stunning.
I am very curious to know if anyone has seen this production and the South Australian production and how they compare.