How refreshing to have a new musical on Broadway that is not a rehashing of an old show. Moreover, it indicates a new trend -- the pared-down, pocket musical. Instead of overblown production numbers, "Brooklyn" features a cast of five that more than fills the stage.
And what a cast! Kevin Anderson, Cleavant Derricks, Eden Espinosa, Ramona Keller, and Karen Olivo sing their hearts out. With these voices, one doesn't need the overamplification that is unfortunately at hand. Both Keller and Espinosa in particular are dynamite singers, and when they are caught up in a contest to determine the world's best diva, it is indeed hard to make the choice.
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