It's time for my mini-reviews of Holiday Inn, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill and Oklahoma!
Holiday Inn
"In this Irving Berlin musical, Jim and Lila are members of a performing trio who plan to quit and run a country hotel. When Lila says she has fallen in love with the dancer in the act, Ted, Jim leaves town with a broken heart. After turning the inn into a holidays-only live entertainment venue, Jim winds up booking -- and falling for -- Linda. But when Ted shows up at the place after being dumped by Lila, he too sets his sights on beautiful Linda."
The original 'Holiday Inn' movie, first released in 1942, is among my all-time favourite Christmas films; it's a movie that I find utterly delightful. As a result, I was rather intrigued to see how the film would translate onto the stage, and thankfully it lived up to my expectations. The choreography, by Denis Jones, is the show's most striking element, and was deservedly nominated for a Tony Award upon the show's debut. In particular, the show's big production numbers were truly awe-inspiring. Beyond its choreography, Holiday Inn also boasts an extraordinary cast, featuring the likes of Bryce Pinkham, Corbin Bleu and Lora Lee Gayer. The entirety of the cast were exceptionally talented, and there wasn't a weak link among them.
Holiday Inn can be watched on BroadwayHD here (please note that a subscription is needed in order to view): Holiday Inn.
Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill
"Spend an intimate evening filled with some of the most inspiring and moving songs ever written and hear the personal stories of legendary jazz icon Billie Holiday's loves and losses through a turbulent but extraordinary life."
I had hoped to see Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill during its brief stint in the West End a number of years ago, but unfortunately I never had a chance to do so. I was therefore overjoyed to finally have the opportunity to at last see it. For her performance in Lady Day, Audra McDonald received a Tony Award, and it's easy to see why. Her performance is well and truly mesmerising, and she fully immerses herself in the role from beginning to end. McDonald's transformation into Billie Holiday is very impressive indeed, and proves to be very believable. McDonald also has an excellent signing voice, and one which faultlessly matched Holiday's.
Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill can be watched on Broadway HD here (please note that a subscription is needed in order to view): Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill.
Oklahoma
"Based on Lynn Riggs’ 1931 play, Green Grow the Lilacs, Oklahoma! is set in 1906 out on the farmyards near Claremore, Indian Territory, and it follows a courtship rivalry between a farm girl Laurey Williams and two would-be suitors in cowboy Curly McLain and menacing farmhand Jud Fry."
Although this production is over 20 years old, it is of a truly exceptional quality. I thoroughly enjoyed watching every minute of it, and it may very well be one of the best pieces of online theatre that I have seen throughout the lockdown. The show lasts three hours, and yet it held my attention from the beginning right up until the very end. The cast of this particular production are outstanding, featuring one of the strongest ensembles that I have ever seen. Hugh Jackman, Josefina Gabrielle, Shuler Hensley and Maureen Lipman all gave stellar performances, and none of them could be faulted in any way. Oklahoma's choreography, by Susan Stroman, is equally as magnificent; the dance numbers featured within the production were spectacular. Additionally, the ensemble proved to be a very talented group of dancers, and their level of skill was simply like no other.
Oklahoma can be watched on Broadway HD here (please note that a subscription is needed in order to view): Oklahoma.
Thanks for reading!
-The Basic Theatre Reviewer
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