The Little Prince
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Cititour.com Review
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s timeless philosophical fairy tale “The Little Prince,” about a young man who travels from planet to planet in search of spiritual guidance, has been translated into 250 languages since its publication in 1942. However, numerous attempts to translate this whimsical work into other media have been anything but successful, a situation which has not changed with the underwhelming theatrical piece of the same name now onstage at the Broadway Theatre.
While this Cirque du Soleil-lite adaptation might work better as a 90-minute Las Vegas attraction, at more than two hours (with an unnecessary 20-minute intermission), this production tires the audience out – especially young children -- long before the final curtain. And although the production has reportedly worked internationally – the show has been seen around the world for many years – it needed to be rethought for New York, especially if it wants to attract Broadway audiences.
For example, traditional-minded theatergoers expecting a musical will be surprised that there aren’t more actual songs. (In fact, the only major one comes right before that final curtain – sung in French, no less.) Plus, there’s no actual orchestra in the theater’s vast pit – the music is pre-recorded – which is something audiences don’t expect when attending a Broadway show.
As for “the book,” the creators’ decision to leave the spoken words of Saint-Exupery’s tale to just one person (co-director Chris Mouron, who could do a much better job differentiating between the voice of the Little Prince and the assorted other characters) is simply misguided. And why are there subtitles on smallish screens on either side of the stage since the “dialogue” is actually in English?
Fortunately, there are some compensations to be had, including a few truly impressive dance sequences and a handful of awe-inducing aerial tricks created by choreographer Anne Tournie (who co-directs with Mouron) to keep one occasionally interested. Meanwhile, Marie Jumelin’s inventive video design and Peggy Housset’s clever-enough costumes provide badly needed visual appeal. Nonetheless, I suspect all of this would have a far stronger impact in a more intimate setting than the Broadway Theater.
Above all, one can’t fault the commitment or skill of the show’s dozen-or-so performers, many of whom show up in multiple roles. Particularly impressive are the gamine-like and graceful Lionel Zalachas as the Little Prince, the ultra-masculine Auerelien Bednarek as the Aviator, the lithe Laurisse Sulty as the Rose and the ultra-flexible Antony Cesar as the Vain Man.
Despite their best efforts, though, “The Little Prince” -- unlike its titular hero -- remains frustratingly earthbound.
By Brian Scott Lipton
Visit the Site
https://thelittleprincebroadway.com/
Open/Close Dates
Opening 4/11/2022
Closing 8/14/2022
Theatre Info
Broadway Theatre
1681 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
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