REVIEW: The Glee Project: “Theatricality”

Rating: ★★★★★

Airdate: June 19, 2011, 9/8c on Oxygen

            The kids on The Glee Project really take this week’s assignment of “Theatricality” to heart as the episode is all about the drama. The contestants are still insisting it doesn’t feel like a competition, but divisions are definitely starting to form.

This week's assignment was all about the drama.

          This week, the anthem for the video is “We’re Not Gonna Take It Anymore” by Twisted Sister. I found myself struggling with who would be chosen since the first half of “Theatricality” doesn’t cover all eleven kids equally. The show has to squeeze an entire week of material into essentially thirty minutes, and I can’t help but feel somewhat manipulated by the editing. But this week, I had a greater appreciation for Ryan Murphy’s (creator and producer/writer of Glee) comments. Last week, I was protective of the kids and resistant to Murphy’s criticisms. This week, I found what he said brutally honest but right on point. He is the voice of the show after all. After the performance, he brought the discussion back to what the show is about – both Glee and The Glee Project – and succinctly explained the difference. He wants these kids to find and celebrate their inner strengths to inspire the writers to create a character they can write to.

Damian shows his moves.

          More so this week than last, I found myself starting to really care about these kids. I learn more about them by seeing how they react to each other and the pressure they’re under; it’s inevitable I’ll develop favorites. On the other hand, there are a couple of contestants who I’ve really had enough of. Ellis, for instance, whines throughout most of the episode and is negative about everything, including herself. It’s ironic when Emily tells the camera “Lindsay gets on my nerves” and “she’s a phoney” because Emily certainly comes across at least as equally phoney, and she’s definitely getting on my nerves! Emily is nasty in criticizing Ellis and Damian’s dancing skills – which are admittedly lacking – but her comments still cast her in a mean-spirited light.

          Most of the kids have healthy egos – something necessary in a performer but grating at times in “real” life. I know who I would want, and not want, to work with on a daily basis. Watching them prepare to shoot the week’s video and hearing the comments from Robert Ulrich, Zach Woodlee, and Nikki Anders, helps me form an opinion as to who is going to end up in the bottom three. Given the disparity in screen time, I was left wondering how the judges reached the decision on the final three.

Robert Ulrich introduces the week's special coach: Idina Menzel

          I thought Cameron, Emily, and Alex really shone in the video. Alex was this week’s winner of the challenge and got to work with guest coach Idina Menzel (Shelby Corcoran on Glee). It was interesting to watch Menzel pull more of the emotion needed for the song out of Alex’s performance in their rehearsal. Unfortunately, despite Alex’s great singing and vamping in the video, I didn’t see that emotional aspect translate into his performance.

          Lindsay’s vocals were enthusiastically praised by Anders, yet she was barely in the video. Marissa seemed to be almost completely absent from both the video and the entire episode. Ulrich and Woodlee thought McKynleigh was missing something and had a flat performance. I’m not sure I would have picked up on it if they hadn’t drawn my attention to it.

          In the end, Ellis, Mateus and McKynleigh are the three chosen to perform for Murphy. Nobody is more surprised than I am that this is turning out to be my favorite part of the show.

Matheus got too caught up in the performance.

          Mateus performs “Gives You Hell” by the All American Rejects. While his performance is not the most polished of the three, his personality comes through loud and clear. Murphy clearly has plans for a character for Mateus. I had no worries Mateus was getting the call back!

          I was biting my nails trying to make a call between Ellis and McKynleigh. Ellis nails her rendition of “Mack the Knife.” What a big voice in such a tiny package! Murphy comments that they don’t have anyone on Glee who can really do what she does and he’s “always wanted that talent, which is jazz.” But he also comments on Ellis’ attitude issues. She says she wants to change, but when she leaves the stage, Murphy and Woodlee wonder if she is sincere. Ulrich wants to believe her and comes across, as he has throughout, as a soft spoken and genuinely nice guy. You can see him as a real advocate for his clients – another nice insight into the “industry” – which is one of my favorite aspects of the show.

          McKyleigh sings a beautiful rendition of “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin. Murphy even tells her she’s had the best performance of the three, yet it doesn’t tell him anything about her. She isn’t inspiring him to write for her. I keep wondering, given her preference for country, if she would come alive if they gave her a country song.

In the end, Ellis' voice isn't enough to overcome her attitude.

          In the end, Ellis is sent home, which doesn’t surprise me given her attitude problems. I’m glad I’m not the one making the decisions, but it was fun to know I had the same pick as the judges. Ellis out-sang Mateus, but I was relieved I wouldn’t have to see her next week.

           Do you think the right person didn’t get called back? Sound off in the comments below.

Tune in next week at 9/8c on Oxygen.

 All photos ©2011 Oxygen. All Rights Reserved.

[imagebrowser id=68]