Broadway Breakdown: Matt Reviews Betty Gilpin in OH MARY & URINETOWN at Encores

Episode Release Date: February 10, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Broadway Breakdown, host Matt Koplik delivers an in-depth review of two significant Broadway productions: "OH MARY" featuring Betty Gilpin and the revival of "URINETOWN" at Encores. Skipping past the initial advertisements and housekeeping remarks, Matt dives straight into his critiques, offering nuanced insights into the performances, casting choices, and overall productions.

Review of "OH MARY" Featuring Betty Gilpin

Casting and Initial Impressions

Matt begins by addressing the casting of Betty Gilpin as Mary Todd Lincoln in "OH MARY," replacing the original performer, Cole Escola. He expresses initial skepticism about Gilpin's ability to embody the complex character previously portrayed by Escola.

[05:45] Matt Koplik: "I have already said that 'OH MARY' was number two so far in my ranking of this Broadway season, right in between 'Hills of California' and maybe 'Happy Ending.'"

Performance Analysis

Matt praises Betty Gilpin's performance, highlighting her ability to bring a "heightened, melodramatic version" of Mary Todd Lincoln to life. He contrasts her approach with Escola's, noting that Gilpin offers a more earnest and less campy portrayal.

[12:30] Matt Koplik: "Betty Gilpin as Mary Todd Lincoln is phenomenally good. Is she as good as Cole? She's very different from Cole."

He discusses how Gilpin's interpretation adds depth and vulnerability to the character, making Mary’s journey more relatable and emotionally impactful for the audience.

Supporting Cast and Direction

Matt also acknowledges the strength of the supporting cast, particularly Bianca Lee as Louise and Tony Mokt as Abraham Lincoln. He commends their chemistry and the director's ability to maintain the play's specific humor.

[18:20] Matt Koplik: "Bianca Lee has really come into her own over these last few months. She's really commanding the stage in a way that I always felt like she was sharing the stage with the rest of the company."

Conclusion on "OH MARY"

Overall, Matt regards "OH MARY" with Betty Gilpin as a successful evolution of the original production, praising its well-structured play and Gilpin's standout performance.

[25:10] Matt Koplik: "It is legitimately a well-structured play. Everything connects. It all makes sense. It is still very funny. It is directed very well."

Review of "URINETOWN" at Encores

Historical Context and Production Background

Transitioning to "URINETOWN," Matt provides a brief history of the musical, emphasizing its critical acclaim and the challenges it faced during its initial Broadway run post-9/11.

[35:00] Matt Koplik: "Urinetown is a musical that calls out all of the tropes and structural stereotypes of musicals while adhering to absolutely all of them."

Casting Choices and Performance

Matt critiques the casting decisions in the Encores revival, noting both strengths and weaknesses. He lauds Tiffany Mann's portrayal of Pennywise for her strong vocal performance and comedic timing.

[42:15] Matt Koplik: "Tiffany Mann was incredibly strong. Her voice is wonderful... she fully belted our night and was also very funny."

Conversely, he expresses reservations about Jordan Fisher's performance as Bobby Strong, citing his "thin" vocal quality and lack of comedic finesse.

[48:40] Matt Koplik: "Jordan Fisher's voice is a pop sound, and he doesn't have a heft in it. That really lends Bobby's music to sail, in my opinion."

Technical and Production Elements

Matt delves into the technical aspects of the production, particularly the vocal arrangements and casting choices that may not align perfectly with the score's requirements.

[52:30] Matt Koplik: "A lot of the men in the ensemble are tenors with light, poppier sounds, which doesn't quite match the baritone-heavy score Urinetown demands."

Overall Impression of "URINETOWN"

While acknowledging some bright spots in the production, Matt concludes that the revival of "URINETOWN" at Encores is adequately performed but lacks the polish and vocal heft necessary to elevate it to a Broadway transfer.

[60:20] Matt Koplik: "Urinetown this year is perfectly fine. It's too produced to get away with the simplicity of a lot of the staging and the dead air in the scene work and pacing."

Conclusion and Future Episodes

Matt wraps up the episode by inviting listeners to join the podcast's Discord channel for further discussion and teasing upcoming episodes, including a live recording from BroadwayCon, a review of "Redwood," and deep dives into "Angels in America" and the Tony Awards.

[70:00] Matt Koplik: "If you have any other specific questions about her performance in the show, I highly recommend you join the Discord Channel, the link to which will be in the episode description box."

He closes with a recommendation to watch Betty Gilpin's performance in "OH MARY," emphasizing its must-see quality before her departure.

[72:15] Matt Koplik: "If you have a chance to see Betty Gilpin in 'OH MARY' before she leaves, I do highly recommend it."

Notable Quotes

• On Betty Gilpin’s Performance:

  [12:30] Matt Koplik: "Betty Gilpin as Mary Todd Lincoln is phenomenally good."

• On Supporting Cast:

  [18:20] Matt Koplik: "Bianca Lee has really come into her own over these last few months."

• On "URINETOWN" Production:

  [35:00] Matt Koplik: "Urinetown is a musical that calls out all of the tropes and structural stereotypes of musicals while adhering to absolutely all of them."

• On Casting Choices:

  [48:40] Matt Koplik: "Jordan Fisher's voice is a pop sound, and he doesn't have a heft in it."

• Final Recommendation:

  [72:15] Matt Koplik: "If you have a chance to see Betty Gilpin in 'OH MARY' before she leaves, I do highly recommend it."

Closing Thoughts

Matt Koplik provides a balanced and insightful review of both "OH MARY" and "URINETOWN," offering valuable perspectives for Broadway enthusiasts. His analysis underscores the importance of casting and vocal suitability in musical productions, while also celebrating standout performances that elevate the material. Listeners are left with a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each production, guiding them on what to expect and what to seek out in their Broadway experiences.

For more detailed discussions and updates on future episodes, listeners are encouraged to join the Broadway Breakdown Discord channel linked in the episode description.