New York City Broadway Theater Guide

Marie Christine

Broadway Musical

Previews October 28 1999
Opened December 2 1999
Limited Run to January 9 2000

Run 39 previews | 42 performances

Tickets $40 to $75

Prices do not include any taxes, service charges or other charges

Performances

Credits Michael John LaChiusa book, music & lyrics | Graciela Daniele director & choreographer

With Audra McDonald (substituted by Sherry Boone Wed & Sat matinees) | Anthony Crivello | Vivian Reed | Keith Lee Grant | Darius de Haas | Andre Garner | Jim Weaver | Mary Testa | Janet Metz | Kim Huber | Shawn Elliott | Jennifer Leigh Warren | Andrea Frierson-Toney | Mary Bond Davis | David Pleasant

Review  Audra McDonald triumphs. Her voice sweeps up the notes of modern American stage music and sprinkles them, glistening, throughout the Vivian Beaumont Theater. This newest version of Medea, conceived and scored by John LaChiusa with direction and choreography by Graciela Daniele, is plodding at times, loosely written at others and somewhat clichéd throughout. The flaws in the surrounding setting only highlight McDonald's jewel of a voice and sparkling stage presence

Mr LaChiusa conceived and wrote Marie Christine especially to match the talents of Ms McDonald. Here he succeeded. He misses in the molding of the secondary characters and movement of the plot. Telling an audience instead of showing an audience doesn't allow for participation, discovery and interpretation, essential elements of a satisfying theater experience. Mr LaChiusa, as a leader in the "New" American Musical movement, has not yet found the right balance between operatic and Broadway musical traditions. Similarly, Ms Graciele's direction and choreography must find the proper line between Bob Fosse and Twyla Tharp, dance that either moves the plot along, or simply interprets it

But Marie Christine was conceived, written for, and staged around Ms McDonald. What Mr LaChiusa and Ms Daniele have wrought is reflected in the budding diva's performance: The three-time Tony winner (three for three in supporting roles) is the new favorite for Broadway's Best Musical Actress this year. Ms McDonald is Marie Christine

Written Prior to the Opening This is Audra McDonald's moment. The almost Broadway superstar won Tony awards as best featured actress in a musical for 1994's Carousel, best featured actress in a play for 1996's Master Class and actress in a featured role, musical for 1998's Ragtime. The title role, in fact the entire show, of Marie Christine was created by John LaChiusa especially for Ms McDonald's talents. Writing for the New York Times Magazine, Jesse Green refers to Ms McDonald as ". . . Julie Andrews but black, Barbra Streisand but trained, Ethel Merman but svelte." Broadway producers and theater-going regulars have recognized her talents from the beginning, now the time comes to see if Ms McDonald can carry a show through an at least respectable run

Three questions face the production of Marie Christine. Staged as an almost operatic American version of Medea, will audiences accept the dark struggle of a New Orleans Creole escaping to Chicago with a white husband? We've long held that Leonard Bernstein's and Stephen Sondheim's breaking the mold of the 40's and 50's American musical made West Side Story the great American opera; will LaChiusa's mold-breaking modern music alienate audiences in search of a toe-tapping, best-selling CD? The basic, final question: Which African-American Broadway stars received the same audience support and rewards as an Ethel Merman, a Julie Andrews, a Carol Channing, a Mary Martin?
There is only one thing certain about Marie Christine, Audra McDonald will give the performance of her life