|
To call Kate Baldwin a newcomer is perhaps an overstatement. Ms. Baldwin has appeared on Broadway before, but never has she made the bewitching impression she does here. The show’s first moment of magic arrives shortly after Ms. Baldwin’s Sharon McLonergan descends the green hills of Missitucky with her enterprising father, she pauses to sing one of the score’s most famous numbers, “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” Ms. Baldwin’s cool, pure soprano gently rides the crests of the undulant melody, tugging at each question in the lyric with a sensitivity that perfectly expresses the song’s tender, yearning essence. The tune is folk-simple, the words drenched in stock ideas of Irishness, but as performed with both sophistication and sincerity by Ms. Baldwin, it has the distilled beauty of an art song. Such magic occurs whenever Ms. Baldwin has a chance to sing; happily, this is often.
|
Charles Isherwood
|
|
In her first Broadway lead, Baldwin repeatedly makes you sit up and take notice. With her girl-next-door beauty and crystal voice, her songs (like “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” and “Look to the Rainbow”) emerge like caresses.
|
Joe Dziemianowicz,
|
 |
It also offers an opportunity to share the pleasure of Kate Baldwin’s company. The gorgeous actress-singer has done several Broadway shows, but this is the first production that gives her an opportunity to shine. Playing an Irish lass, the red-haired Baldwin is spirited, amusing, very likable and, most important, a superb singer. When she does “How Are Things in Glocca Morra” in a crystal-clear, silvery soprano voice that has you hanging on every phrase, you understand why they invented musicals.
Robert Feldberg,
Best of all is Kate Baldwin. Ms Baldwin is the real deal, a rich-voiced soprano who can also act. The way that she and Cheyenne Jackson sing “Old Devil Moon” is the stuff best-selling cast albums are made of.
Terry Teachout,
Never has the brogue sounded prettier -- unless from the lips of Kate Baldwin, a tall, robust Sharon and as entrancing as she is temperamental: actress, singer, dancer and nonpareil of a sweetheart.
John Simon,
|
|
As Sharon, Kate Baldwin proves herself to be a genuine leading lady. In addition to her shining soprano voice, she brings real conviction and a tough sense of character.
|
|
|
|
And it’s superbly sung, starting with a radiant Kate Baldwin as that spirited lass, Sharon McLonergan, who travels from Ireland. Baldwin’s duets are among the show’s vocal highlights.
|
Michael Kuchwara,
|
|
The three leads deserve special credit for this Rainbow’s charming authenticity. Kate Baldwin’s sweet but sharp Sharon and Cheyenne Jackson’s robust Woody are at once adorable and a credibly grown-up couple, and both deliver Yip Harburg and Burton Lane's songs – among them the classics “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” and “Old Devil Moon”– with a relaxed virtuosity.
|
|
|
|
Baldwin is a gem and spectacularly shows off her velvety soprano.
|
Tanner Stransky,
|
|
Baldwin is gorgeous in looks and voice as Sharon.
|
Frank Scheck,
|
|
Cheyenne Jackson and Kate Baldwin as the lovers were high points of the concert version, and they’ve only gotten better here. His easy grace has been fortified with grit and a sly wit, while she has discovered strength in stillness. Both still sing gloriously.
|
Erik Haagensen,
|
|
Baldwin’s clear soprano is as gorgeous as her looks.
|
|
|
|
