Thank heaven's for little girls and Vanessa Hudgens! This young talent is adorable, lively and fills the stage with her youthful energy and her strong and captivating singing voice soars throughout the Neil Simon Theatre.
She proved to be a darling in this classic French love story based on the novella by the same name written by Colette.
If you are old enough or just a lover of classic musicals, you may remember the 1958 musical by the same name which brought to fame such songs as "Thank Heaven's for Little Girls" and "I Remember it Well" - the coming of age story of a young girl in the enchanted world of La Belle Epoque Paris.
She proved to be a darling in this classic French love story based on the novella by the same name written by Colette.
If you are old enough or just a lover of classic musicals, you may remember the 1958 musical by the same name which brought to fame such songs as "Thank Heaven's for Little Girls" and "I Remember it Well" - the coming of age story of a young girl in the enchanted world of La Belle Epoque Paris.
While the story is set at the turn of the 20th century, the theme of "l"amour" is timeless!
With three kids in tow, to see this delightful new Broadway production, my perspective about this show is for adults and kids alike.
Upon hearing that Gigi was coming to Broadway, my decision to bring my kids was twofold - Vanessa Hudgens' fame and popularity and the fact that this tale is set in Paris, a city my children adored visiting.
The story, set in an innocent and highly romantic era, required several explanations during the show to my daughter about early 20th century dating protocol which was a rather foreign concept to an eight year old.
Lucky enough to have secured first row center mezzanine seats, the view was stupendous and the music and delight on stage captivated all three kids! No boosters, no head tilting - just a straight on view for us all!
With three kids in tow, to see this delightful new Broadway production, my perspective about this show is for adults and kids alike.
Upon hearing that Gigi was coming to Broadway, my decision to bring my kids was twofold - Vanessa Hudgens' fame and popularity and the fact that this tale is set in Paris, a city my children adored visiting.
The story, set in an innocent and highly romantic era, required several explanations during the show to my daughter about early 20th century dating protocol which was a rather foreign concept to an eight year old.
Lucky enough to have secured first row center mezzanine seats, the view was stupendous and the music and delight on stage captivated all three kids! No boosters, no head tilting - just a straight on view for us all!
View of Stage from our 1st Row Mezzanine Seats The sets were simple and elegant yet ornate enough to fully transform the stage at the Neil Simon Theatre into early 1900's Paris streets. Adorned with steel beams and stairways and a cleverly designed floor that alternated from outdoor streets, the Moulin Rouge dance floor and period interiors, there was no mistaken, this was gay Paris (accent please!)
The voices resonated through the theatre with each song and a cast that was superb which includes Corey Cott (Newsies), Tony Award® winner Victoria Clark (Light in the Piazza) and Tony nominees Dee Hoty (Mamma Mia) and Howard McGillin (Phantom of the Opera).
My daughters (8 and 11) and nephew (12) expressed boredom through a number of the ballads sung as I guess there was a lapse in the visual stimulation and upbeat melody. However, they did get the wit and humor in the dialog, bringing laughter and smiles.
Make no mistake, I found it all enthralling! Kudos to Director Eric D. Schaeffer (Follies, Million Dollar Quartet) and writer Heidi Thomas (Call the Midwife, Cranford, Upstairs Downstairs) for a phenomenal stage production, which debuted at Washington D.C's Kennedy Center till mid February 2015 before heading to the Broadway stage on March 19, 2015 for previews and officially opening on April 8th.
My daughters (8 and 11) and nephew (12) expressed boredom through a number of the ballads sung as I guess there was a lapse in the visual stimulation and upbeat melody. However, they did get the wit and humor in the dialog, bringing laughter and smiles.
Make no mistake, I found it all enthralling! Kudos to Director Eric D. Schaeffer (Follies, Million Dollar Quartet) and writer Heidi Thomas (Call the Midwife, Cranford, Upstairs Downstairs) for a phenomenal stage production, which debuted at Washington D.C's Kennedy Center till mid February 2015 before heading to the Broadway stage on March 19, 2015 for previews and officially opening on April 8th.
In spite of sporadic moments of "boredom" for the kids, they left this musical happy and excited to hit the stage door to get up close and personal to the cast.
Playbills, and camera phones in hand, they positioned themselves strategically to garner the perfect view to meet and greet and snag autographs and photos.
Unfortunately, this part of the day was disappointing to say the least. Unlike the countless shows we've seen before, the cast was not as engaging as they exited. Walking right passed fans lined up along the fence surrounding the stage door.
In fact, Ms. Hudgens did not even exit as an announcement was made that she does not leave the theatre between performances on days with two shows. Big let down and bummer for the kids - especially Kelsey, my 8 year old. We were encouraged, however, to send playbills, which she would happily sign and return.
Do not miss this show - and yes, bring the kiddies!!
-Elisa
Playbills, and camera phones in hand, they positioned themselves strategically to garner the perfect view to meet and greet and snag autographs and photos.
Unfortunately, this part of the day was disappointing to say the least. Unlike the countless shows we've seen before, the cast was not as engaging as they exited. Walking right passed fans lined up along the fence surrounding the stage door.
In fact, Ms. Hudgens did not even exit as an announcement was made that she does not leave the theatre between performances on days with two shows. Big let down and bummer for the kids - especially Kelsey, my 8 year old. We were encouraged, however, to send playbills, which she would happily sign and return.
Do not miss this show - and yes, bring the kiddies!!
-Elisa
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