Beaches

"Beaches" at the Majestic Theatre is not exactly like the book, nor the blockbuster movie. It has changes to it but no matter, it is still great to watch on Broadway!. In the movie Bertie White (Kelli Barrett) has had her daughter Nina for many years; in the musical, the child comes after Bertie leaves her husband. Changes like these never affect the plot. What is brilliant is like the musical "Notebook", we get the three phases of Cee Cee Bloom (Jessica Vosk) and Bertie White; from children; teenagers and adults, and all six characters are terrific.

Dual directors Lonny Price and Matt Coward do a stellar job as to the movement and pace of the musical. The show is pithy and fast paced throughout the two and a half hours. The choreography by Jennifer Rias blends into the plot nicely; never overbearing for the performance, the dance numbers move so well with the story. Ken Billington's lighting is in the "glam" genre. The lights hit the stage and the actors in support of the theme, the lights too never are overbearing against the musical.

James Noone's set design is open as well as pleasant to look at. From the beach to the theater company, Noone creates the image well in where the characters are at that particular time in the story. So too does the costumes (Tracy Christensen). From the Hippie area, Bertie's meticulous fashion, the costumes are always right here.

In the movie we get less about the stars background. Midler's character is a brash Jew, Hersey's character it is understood that she is a proper woman. This musical explains the characters better. Writers Dart and Thomas do a better job bringing Vosk and Barrett front and center as people. Even though I am not sure that Stroller's music and Dart's lyrics will go down in the annals of great writing, the get the job done as far as pace and movement.

"Beaches" for the most part is a comedy, it pokes fun at how Cee Cee is: foul mouthed and lower class, she befriends a young girl who comes from the other side of the tracks. Bertie is bright, destined for a great future. All six actors play their roles to believability, particularly the youngest actors in this magnificent musical. The show shifts quickly however. In the end of the performance Bertie's life comes to an abrupt end, and even though they come from different worlds, Bertie's decision to entrust Cee Cee with here daughter speaks volumes. "Beaches" for the most part is a comedy, it pokes fun at how Cee Cee is foul mouthed and lower class, she befriends a young girl who comes from the other side of the tracks. Bertie is bright, destined for a great future. All six actors play their roles to believability, particularly the youngest actors in this magnificent musical. The show shifts quickly however. In the end of the performance Bertie's life comes to an abrupt end, and even though they come from different worlds, Bertie's decision to entrust Cee Cee with here daughter speaks volumes. The story as put into a Broadway format shines brightly and audiences will embrace this well executed musical

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"Proof" is the bomb of the spring theater season so far. With a colored cast and actors who cannot carry the lead ( Cheadle and Ayo Edebiri), this shows is most likely the worst to come to "The White Way" this spring.

In 2000 Mary-Louise Parker brought it big time and won a Tony (several actually). Here, second rate Cheadle and Edebiri can't get out of there own way.

Robert Massimi, Broadway, Iran, Don Cheadle, Vosk, Beaches, Bette Midler, Barbra Hershey, Oscars, Tony Awards, Majestic Theatre, Phantom of The Opera, No Bull With Raging Robert.