I'm in that rarefied club, I saw the original in previews (the last Thursday that Weissenbach played Frank). My problems with the show at age 30 - couldn't get my heart or head around stage time devoted Beth or Gussie - resurfaced with the revival. I don't find the characters compelling when not singing, other than the role they play in Frank's trajectory. Which means, and how I hate to say this, I'm stuck judging women thru the prism of a male protagonist's arc. I desperately wanted to embrace their agendy and value to the story this time out, but wished the show gave us more of Mary, a character still stuck in her Tony designation: supporting, despite being billed with two male stars. In 2024, Mary fascinates. She's dimensional and a genuine root-for. I know her. I ache for her in the final scene. |