First of all I think Idina Menzel is one of the most talented broadway performers out there. She could be in the most boring show and I would still be impressed. Then there's Anthony Rapp... one of my absolute favorite broadway performers of all time! I have a thing for nerdy guys and when you combine his nerdy appearance with his amazing voice and his terrible but cute dance moves you've basically made my perfect man (yes yes I know he's gay, but I can still admire him). To add to the Rent alumni list Michael Greif, former director of Rent, is also directing If/Then.
I have to admit that after Adele Nazeem... I mean Idina's performance at the Oscar's a couple weeks ago I was a little worried that her voice might be fading. That is 100% not true, she was as funny, inspiring and sassy as she was almost 2 decades ago when she began in Rent and her voice was so strong! I actually remember her belting out this giant note at the end of a song that felt like it blew me back in my seat. The note went on for so long I could feel the whole audience gaping in silent admiration. Of course the audience exploded for her after. I'm a sucker for those moments in shows. Idina has still got it!
LaChanze playing Kate and Anthony Rapp playing Lucas |
The theme of the show is a brilliant idea. Everyday we make decisions and each one leads our life in a different direction, sometimes in small ways sometimes in big ways. You don't think about how something as small as choosing to go out to bar with a new friend or something as big as choosing to switch jobs can change the entire course of your life. You don't think about it because it would drive you insane, but it was still interesting as a story theme.
Oh and by the way one of Elizabeth's "life paths" has a lot to do with a very sexy man, the character Josh played by James Snyder. I love Anthony Rapp but I found myself drooling over James throughout the show!
Idina Menzel as Elizabeth and James Snyder as Josh |
Overall I really liked If/Then, although if not for the presence of Idina Menzel and Anthony Rapp I don't think it would have the same appeal. I liked the story of If/Then but the deep emotion of Next to Normal just wasn't there. Nor was the cool personality and catchy songs of Rent. In fact other than "What the fuck" I actually have a hard time remembering any of the other songs... I didn't dislike any of them but none of the other songs had that "stick in your head, I have to download this song!" presence. I plan to see it again once the popularity dies down a bit in a few months to see how I feel about it the second time. For right now I don't think it would be in my top 5 shows (which Rent and Next Normal are in!).
True to its Rent origins If/Then has a lottery for tickets. It comes as no surprise that the lottery has been insanely crowded since it began. I was happy to shell out the $75 it cost me for rear mezzanine tickets so that I didn't have to go through the crazy lottery just to probably not win tickets at the end. But if you have more patience and optimism than me and would like to try the lottery, names are pulled 90 minutes before every showtime and tickets are $25 cash only.
After the show I waited stage door to get autographs (which I don't do for very many shows I see), the crowd was insane! But I did get my playbill signed by Idina and Anthony and got a couple pictures, although they weren't very good thanks to me being so short.
Idina signing autographs after If/Then |
If/Then is playing at the Richard Rogers Theatre on 46th (between 7th & 8th). It is currently in previews and officially opens on Thursday, March 27th.
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