Seeing the Stage Through Our Eyes - Walnut Street Theatre

Masynn Gensler
Aspects of Love
The production of Aspects of Love currently showing at Philadelphia’s own Walnut
Street Theatre has exceeded some expectation of previous opinions. The lights are
spectacular, the blocking is extremely creative (courtesy of “the donut”), and the
production is well above what one could imagine. However, the performance of the actors
is by far the most impressive. Andrew Lloyd Webber has composed many hits in the last
twenty years, likewise arranging many misses. I feel Aspects of Love is a miss. The plot is
overwhelmingly scattered, the music is very reminiscent of Webber’s past work, and you
did not walk away from this musical wishing you could relieve the experience. Altogether,
the show is not fantastic, making the portrayal of the characters that much more important,
the voices that much more memorable. I did not leave the theatre wishing to watch the
show again, but wishing to hear Jennifer Hope Wills (playing the role of Rose Vibert) sing
another or song, or Charles Hagerty personally serenade you. The voices in this show
definitely bring the audience out of the possible uncomfortable atmosphere surrounding
the show, and into the magical world of music. Without the remarkable talent in this show,
it probably would not sell half as what it does. The work and ability present in the
production is of greater importance than the show itself. Talent is the Aspect that matters.