IF/THEN ROUND 2 | 10/24/14
CAST:
Elizabeth: Idina Menzel, Lucas: Anthony Rapp, Kate: LaChanze, u/s Josh: Tyler McGee, Anne: Jenn Colella, Stephen: Jerry Dixon, David: Jason Tam, Elena: Tamika Lawrence. Tyler’s Tracks: Charles Hagerty
Last night was If/Then round 2! It was amazing. Our seats were same as last time in the front mezz, except a few rows ahead, which the same view. I’m not reviewing every part, just highlights.
ACT ONE:
First scene: What If? Loved the song but Idina seemed off and it felt like she was straining her voice with the notes. I don’t know, it was a weird start to the show.
In the scene where Liz first meets Josh, Josh said hi and Idina just froze. I was fucking scared she would forget her lines. She did the same thing during “So good to see you!” in Map of New York. It was Tyler’s first night on so I don’t think she was used to him playing Josh because in the scenes with everyone else she was fine.
I enjoyed Map of New York, Stephen, and Beth’s story a lot better than last time. It irked me way less.
AIN’T NO MAN MANHATTAN. ANTHONY FUCKING RAPP IS A SHOWSTOPPER. He was kind of screaming the song, but not in a bad way. The passion he puts into his work is incredible. I wanted to jump out of my seat. The dancing part.. omfg. I died.
Idina and Anthony’s chemistry is fucking amazing. Maybe I’m biased but you could honestly tell they’re friends and it shows in their characters too. I couldn’t believe I was witnessing this. There were a few scenes where Idina got excited and cut him off a little early, but it was cute!
LaChanze and Jenn Colella are the shit, I died every time they came on but you all knew that. During the “Put a sticker on the map” part I was laughing so hard at Jenn.
No More Wasted Time had a great new melody from Idina during her part at the end where she goes “No more wasted tiiiime”
Idina had a few unexpected spastic moments that I didn’t notice last time which were hilarious like when Josh talks about going overseas and she goes “OH… I DIDN’T MEAN OOOH LIKE THAT HAHAHA!” It was supposed to sound sad but she made it seem goofy. She was loopy tonight, haha.
ACT TWO:
This Day/Walking By a Wedding: Anthony looks so fucking cute in a suit. The Jadina feels were missing but I think she bit Tyler’s cheek too because I saw him flinch. AND THE WHITE DRESS X2 OMFG.
Hey Kid: Tyler did a nice job with this! He’s like a mini James, it’s so cute. You Never Know was good too even though I was staring at Idina’s bicep the whole time. XD Of course I was missing James but Tyler did a fantastic job for his first night as Josh!
Some Other Me/Best Worst Mistake: AMAZING, much more enjoyable with Anthony!!!! I almost cried during Some Other Me but refrained.
I Hate You: THE EMOTION. When Liz pushed the bag all I could think of was how it was probably mirroring Idina’s personal life. I’m not gonna get into it but omfg. so raw.
You Learn to Live Without: So I kind of got lost in my own emotions and I was struggling to connect with Idina both in and out of character, and it was frustrating me because I wasn’t starstruck by her like I was the first time. Then, I started bawling, out of nowhere, and the connection was there. I never even listen to this song, but it will now hold a special place in my heart.
Love While You Can: FUUUUCKIN LUCAS. END OF STORY. I love this song!! Again, Lachanze and Jenn, the dynamic duo.
Always Starting Over: I didn’t feel the Defying Gravity connection like last time, but I honestly love this song so much and when it was over you fucking bet I clapped my hands so hard they were burning! I was also so done from crying before so that wasn’t gonna happen again.
THE LAST SCENE: IDINA BROKE CHARACTER, THIS IS NOT A DISCLAIMER!!!! Josh asks her to go to lunch or dinner (or w.e it is?) and Beth goes “OH, NOW? Well my friends are… very understanding..” *stares at LaChanze & Anthony* *CRACKS UP* *SNORTS* “VERY UNDERSTANDING OF MY SNORTING!!!” HAHAHAHA I CAN’T. I WAS DYING. I WANTED HER TO BREAK CHARACTER SO BAD AND I SAW IT COMING!!!!
Overall, I liked the 2nd act better again. Idina was much more pulled together and emotional, and there were no mistakes at all (which isn’t a problem, I just felt badly for her).
STAGE DOOR:
It was very calm, not a whole lot of people (but a decent amount) and everyone around me was so nice! I got the same spot I was at when I saw James and it was right near the barricade.
First Jenn came out. She was so sweet! She asked me how I was and signed my playbill, I got a pic and then she ran off on her scooter. She’s so friendly and easy to talk to!
LaChanze was next. I got her signature but regret not getting a pic, she was moving so fast. I told her how great she did. She’s so sweet in person! (clearly i like the word sweet today? idk)
Ryann came out, she doesn’t seem like she likes to SD (NOT judging, just assuming). Got her autograph, no pic. Didn’t feel the need.
Tyler came out and I told him how great he was just because I know how hard it must be for understudies. Not many people cheered when he came out but a lot of people took pics w/ him, including myself.
ANTHONY (FUUUCKIN LUCAS) RAPP CAME OUT. I DIED. I said “OH MY GOD” kind of loud when he opened the door and some people around me laughed at me but I don’t give a fuck. He came to me and I gave him my book & playbill. He said “thank you for buying it” (about the book) and I said “it was great” then I died because he’s so fucking awesome. And we took our pic (he requests the flash to be off, lol).
Idina came out shortly after, earlier than I expected. OMFG. SHE IS SO BEAUTIFUL IN PERSON. I’ve seen her before but never been that close! OMG. AMAZING, When she was in front of me I was weirdly reminded of Wicked? I don’t know. I guess it was my full-circle moment. She signed my playbill and I said thank you and that was pretty much it. I didn’t know what else to say and she moved so fast, but I was so fucking glad to see her.
All in all, I’m in fucking awe. I loved the spontaneity of the first time, but I loved the certainty of the second time because it ran so much more smoothly and I didn’t have to think too much about it. Two times is enough and I’ve never felt more satisfied.