RE: Night Beats (2012 to Present)
We listened to NB 2012 on the long trip home. While 2013 was fresh in our minds. The 2012 cast of "amateur" performers just did a better job all around compared to what we heard from "professionals" this weekend. This is only my assumption via the NY auditions.
Firstly, I am assuming the Fritz actor can sing well by the others tunes in the show. However, hamming up his solo song just wasn't working for us. If it's give and take on the skit or the tune, I prefer sacrificing the skit slapstick for allowing better singing. We felt it in the WHAM! tune, too. Secondly, these Shadows of the Night struggle in several areas where our "locals" did very, very well. Notably in the disco section.
If this is suppose to be the NY hires, I expect more. They we adequate, yes. The show was not a failure. But anytime Gabe sang, the difference was obvious. Maybe they'll come up as the season progresses ("seasoned" talent shouldn't need this as much?). But again, I expect more if NY talent is suppose to be better than our "locals".
Same thing for Fiends: Freakenstein. I don't know the guy. I haven't seen him perform as Shrek. But, I expect more from a "professionally" hired performer.
At first, NB was an "iffy" show for us last year. This year it is our top show. An illustration of if it's not broken, don't fix it. Don't bash us. Just our opinion.
