What a show!! And, with two actors sick!! The King and I, first show of The Green Room's season performed at their brand new space, The Old Post Office Playhouse, was a huge success!New and familiar faces alike graced the stage on this final weekend of The King and I. Actors from the Newton-Conover area, Lincolnton and even Boone came out to perform for audiences in this great show.
Having such a large cast, it was amazing how well the costumes went together and did not clash or make anyone stand out from another when it was not intended. They meshed together really well creating a great ensemble atmosphere amongst the children and the wives as well as the rest of the cast.
As a person who does a lot of theatre myself, I noticed quite a few things that many audience members would not have regarded as out of the ordinary. Though, none of these findings of mine were too distracting that I could not focus on the show itself.
The character of Anna, played by Gina McWhirter, was sick and had lost her singing voice. Though that might have stopped some people, this cast decided to make a quick decision and let Sara Scronce, who coreographed the show, sing Anna's parts from offstage. Though at first it was a little distracting to see someone onstage mouthing the words and doing the motions with a voice that wasn't a perfect fit to her coming through the speakers, eventually it was not so distracting and I could appreciate it. Along with Gina being ill, Victoria Whetzel was also sick, but she was home in bed. Agai
n, Sara to the rescue!! Victoria usually played the part of Eliza, a non-speaking more dance-like role, and Sara stepped up to help again by filling in for Victoria as well! Had Sara not been able to do those two essential parts of this show tonight, I do not know how well it would have gone. I do not think I would have enjoyed it as well as I did if they had not had Sara's help.
My only complaint would have been the super-long transitions. Now, I understand that moving scenery and getting that many people on stage for the next scene can take some time, but making the audience sit in the dark, in silence for the lengthy transitions was almost too much. One of the shorter ones, I clocked at taking 25 seconds. Now, I know that does not sound like a long time, but sitting in the quiet theatre with nothing to look at, it feels much longer.
I would have to say that the girl who played Tuptim, Addi Berry, stole the show for me. For a sixteen year old, she has phenomenal voice. I found myself looking forward to each time she opened her mouth, hoping she would start singing again! That girl needs to be on Broadway, in my opinion. Favorite part of the whole show, her songs.
Overall, it was a fantastic show!! I would definitely recommend anyone going to see it on it's final performance! Tomorrow (Sunday) at 3pm!
View The Green Room's website for ticket prices and availability.
Also, check out the new performance space, The Old Post Office Playhouse.
