Theater Review

[Room_101]

First off, I enjoyed my time at the theater! It was great to see these top eight corps this early, and I hope DCI uses this as a bit of a "market research" tool for future years. I would love, in the future, a season opener and an end of July/early August viewing in the theaters. Yeah, we could do the Fan Network, but this is more fun!

Though my review is "honest," I do NOT simply attack certain corps. Every corps has strengths, every corps has weaknesses, I'm just giving my thoughts as I see them. Nothing would make me happier for some good intelligent discussion to result from this! I know some fans might be perturbed by some of my review--let's discuss it!

Blue Devils - 15!!! ...minutes that I should have just slept through. There’s a dividing philosophy right now about the Blue Devils. Some believe their shows are just plain too easy, others believe that they are just so talented that they make it look easy. I have typically been a proponent for the former, and after seeing their 2011 rendition, I fail to see how any reasonably intelligent individual can still believe the latter. They have run into the same problem the Cavaliers did in 2007. Using “popular” music not written for drum corps, how can we make sense of the tempos? The Cavaliers decided to just march everything doubletime, and ultimately had a show that they just could not perform. The Blue Devils, however, chose to march 90% of their show andante (read: walking tempo). Sure, there are demanding aspects during the other 10%, and sure, slower tempos have their own difficulties. But this, to me, was a show that sophomores in high school could perfect in the time given. The show is not bad, it is just a slap in the face to their members. With that said, there is still plenty of room to grow, as there were a number of standstill moments that will surely be filled in.

Regarding the houses, are there going to be coverings on the architecture to make the house more obvious? Were they simply missing because of the windy weather? I hope not. The Blue Devils, ever the modernists, would do best to stick with the “cubist” (though not really) minimalism of the white PVC.

Cavaliers - In 2006, the Cavaliers were the corps of the decade, with five titles in seven years. Then the Blue Devils won in 2007. And 2008 (yes, they did, even if the scores didn’t say so...but that’s another discussion). And 2009. Undefeated. And 2010. Again, undefeated. So now who is the corps of the decade? Well, the decade is over, and I won’t answer the question, but one thing is for sure: the Cavaliers are ######. They came out of the gate roaring, and they certainly don’t want their championship drought to reach its fifth year. I didn’t really follow the theme (though the XY bits were obvious enough), and the most memorable moments--the stilts and the tenors--seemed a bit random, even after Scott Koter’s exposition pre-show. However, this group is notorious for fleshing out every possibility throughout the summer, and I have a feeling the show will make much more sense in just a few weeks’ time. I’m looking forward to it, as this corps seems to have no weaknesses. My only beef is that, for many years now, I’ve felt as if the second half of their shows are often let downs. MACHINE, Great Divide, and Mad World all didn’t have the “oomph” in the second half that the first half did, and as of now, XtraordinarY is the same way. Granted, it was the second show of the season, and they always have a “surprise” ending late July, but I hope it lives up to the first half of the show!

Bluecoats - Bluecoats, you are good. So, so good. However, I get the impression that you are the freshman trying to fit in at the senior party. “I learned a curse word, and I’m going to use it now! And again, and again, and again!” This corps is incredibly talented (and has been for years!), but this show just seems to be missing the intangibles. All of the pieces are there, but something about it is lacking to me. They are so, so talented, the arrangements are great, but it’s just not clicking. I wish I didn’t have to say this, because I am so impressed by their organization, but it just isn’t doing it for me, and I’m not smart enough to express my thoughts in words. I will say this: 2010 was a banner year for them, and they need to be careful not to stick too close to that 2010 formula, lest they become just a one-trick pony.

Carolina Crown - Another great corps, another great hornline, and another kicking guard, especially in that wind! I enjoy the show (as did everyone else), but I admit to being turned off by the excessive cheese factor. I understand the reasoning for the cheese, and kudos to the kids for performing the crap out of it, it just doesn’t do it for me. In any event, they will be a corps to watch out for, as the Saturday results show. Like most others, I agree that the second half needs some work.

I wonder if this is an anniversary year for them? The Bohemian Rhapsody usage seemed a bit premature after using it just a few years ago. I’m not slamming it, I was just curious if there was a reason other than show design to include it.

I recall many complaining a few years ago that Crown didn’t have a “style,” but I don’t think anyone thinks that anymore. Their visual style is unlike any other, but I’m not always the biggest fan. I appreciate the motion into the ground, but it’s a bit odd when it is done in the exact same way that it was done last year (at least to my mercy-of-the-cameraman-eyes). Similarly, their body movements sometimes just seem random. “Okay, let’s do a plie here. Now, knees to the left. Uh, now to the right. And left again. And back up. Yes, artistry!” I’m not sure I’m convinced... In any event, they are good, the fans love them, and they know how to clean. They’ll be in the hunt!

Cadets - This is the Cadets that so many fans have been waiting for! They have a great show, a great design, and some incredibly hard-working members, judging by their product last night. They really move, and of course the “they never go under 176 BPM” advertising Hopkins did pre-show didn’t hurt. (Note: they aren’t the only corps like this! Just the only one that said so.) The show seems great, and my only complaint is that some of the “acting,” especially by the demon side, just plain got old. Granted, it was pre-show, I’ve just never been the biggest fan of that stuff (see Crown, above). These kids are trained to be musicians and marchers--not actors--and I think it, all too often, clearly shows. But, I’m just being picky. Like no other corps out there, the Cadets make some pretty awe-inspiring later season surges, and they just might be on their way to bringing the title back home. Speaking of “home,” I can’t wait to see the Allentown crowd react to this corps! What a great moment that will be for the members (and the audience)!

Phantom Regiment - I don’t talk much on here, but when I do I certainly don’t pretend to be Phantom’s biggest fan. I appreciate all of the hard work, I just don’t like the shows, and without overstepping the boundaries of this discussion, I don’t think either of their championships were deserved, but rather belonged solely to the Blue Devils (and I’m not even their biggest fan!). I apologize to the Phans that that statement bothers, and if that’s you, I don’t recommend reading further.

If I owned the Phantom Regiment, I would just clean house. The percussion has already been washed out and given some fresh faces--good--they doing pretty well, too! Now clean house with brass, color guard, and design, and build something back up. JD Shaw’s arrangements last night proved to me why he never should have left Boston Brass, and why his time as Regiment arranger should have been finished a few years ago. It was easily the worst Mozart Requiem arrangement I’ve ever heard. Some of that is performance--I know it’s early season--but there are so many issues with the brassline it is just unbelievable, especially with a group with such a storied and decorated hornline. Speaking of horns, how about those trumpets in the Verdi? Yikes. After all of the advertising that they have a Boston Symphony trumpeter/Phantom alum on staff, I would have at least expected the trumpets to be decent. Alas, I was very, very wrong. But, like the Cadets, they know how to surge and re-write, and maybe the show will work out in the end.

Santa Clara Vanguard - After reading some reviews, I went in thinking that this corps would be awful. They weren’t! Of course percussion will be phenomenal, and they have some early season issues corps-wide, but this is not the disaster I was told it would be. Their show is hard, and one that will take more than one viewing (all of them will, honestly). As such, I apologize for not writing more here. I need to see it again. Will they win? No. Will they still be a great corps that’s one rung higher than last year as they try to rebuild? I think so!

Blue Stars - I remember seeing their show in July last year thinking that they had one of the most physically demanding shows of the season, and the same is true this year. They really work these kids, and the kids really seem to respond. Along with Crown, I always get the impression I’ve seen their shows before. Crown seems like a re-hash of the BOA Champion Avon last year (punny title, classical mixed with rock), and Blue Stars seems like a re-hash of another show I’ve seen, but can’t put my finger on. Anyway, they are good, but some design choices seem to be getting in their way, especially their props that limit the field usage. I hope they get out of their placement rut, and I wonder if the difficulty is doing that to them. They start off slow because of the tremendous difficulty, and I wonder if they just stay in that spot “because they’ve been there all year.” Though I know some don’t like their show design choices, I hope they keep really working their members, because I see a big pay-off for them very soon. Maybe not this year, but soon.

My Placements (unscientific):

1. The Cavaliers - 72.25

2. The Cadets - 72.15

3. Carolina Crown - 71.4

4. Blue Devils - 71.2

5. Bluecoats - 71.1

6. Santa Clara Vanguard - 68.5

7. Phantom Regiment - 68.35

8. Blue Stars - 68.1

Fan reactions at my Theater (even more unscientific):

1. The Cavaliers

2. Carolina Crown

3. The Cadets

4. Bluecoats

5. Blue Stars

6. Santa Clara Vanguard

7. Blue Devils

8. Phantom Regiment - Zero applause (yes, you read that right! Maybe it was because the show ends somewhat abruptly, but still...not a single clap. I even asked the guy next to me if that was the case, and he agreed.)

[MelloHorn13]

There need to be more reviews like this. No sugar coating.

Kudos.

Edited June 24, 2011 by MelloHorn13