Can't believe I discovered this musical so late.
It breaks my heart that I didn't manage to see it live in NYC in its run in late 2021 - it would have easily been worth the what 3 weeks of quarantine upon returning to Hong Kong. But I am so grateful they had shot the final closed(?) performance on film.
The casting of Hagelberger is perfect. The young actor clearly isn't a polished Broadway kid. He fumbles lyrics on rare occasions: a very affable "chew the lights" in the song "One, Two"; he strains to reach a couple of high notes: he has trouble getting to the D5 in the climax of "On with the Show", and I think he reworks some lyrics (on the fly?) to skip over an Eb5 in the final "so let's go on" a few seconds later, replacing the phrase with a delightful, knowing smile. In my view at least, these endear his character to the audience, adding pluck and authenticity to Trevor, and lending tremendous credibility to the joyousness of his transformation in the eight days over which the story takes place.
Hagelberger also always has perfect timing. He impeccably lands every single one of his punch lines, with vocal tones / infections that are genuine and sincere.
Plus the emotions the viewer can see in his closeups afforded to by the film version -- just wow. Some examples in the song "One of these Days": a side glance at Pinky's hand over his shoulder the first time Pinky touches him in a social setting ("a decade and I could be having it all"); his eyes staying longingly on Pinky who looks outwards to sing ("totally see we are meant to be"); a blink and you will miss it flit of the tongue as Pinky gives him a hug ("you're the best, Trevor"). There is no way a theatre audience could ever discern or appreciate so many of these emotive subtleties that Hagelberger brings to his Trevor.
From start to finish, Hagelberger's Trevor is "a kind of person that makes me, and everyone, feel, you know, really. Happy."
Versus the 2017 lead (based only on a few online clips) whose facial expressions come across to me as wise cracking and smirky. Though he did hit that Eb5.
As for the story itself, it is poignant and sensitive and yes it resonates with my personal experiences. I loved that Tervor and Jack both mouthed Diana's words and mimicked her movements; and a presidential attempted assassination was the most brilliant Chekov's Gun -- with an incredibly moving and succinct payoff.
I'm not a musicals buff or anything. It was only by the third watch when I figured out why the gym teacher wasn't in the curtain call. But this one is the only one I have ever felt compelled to seek out commentary online and in reddit (and disappointingly finding just one thread) and to write my thoughts.
Thank you again to the creatives, the actors, and everyone else who was part of this production, filming and recording. I do wish "Endless Love" was part of the soundtrack, though I understand likely why it wasn't.
The libretto in case anyone was wondering can also be found in a reddit thread and available on issuu.
