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Profile for EmceeHammer

Member Name: EmceeHammer
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Report: The Phantom of the Opera May Be Readying an Off-Broadway Return
 Jan 7 2025, 12:58:41 PM

The Distinctive Baritone said: "...the production is starting to sound more like an exclusive nightclub to have a quick drink at than the show I knew and loved."

Welcome to Broadway 2025!


MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Reviews
 Dec 30 2024, 11:46:50 PM

I loved this show. Traditional score, modern staging, futuristic story.

Grateful the strong WOM on this board inspired me to get a ticket.

I have a lot of thoughts, which I thought was appropriate to discuss with an AI chat bot. 

I’ll let the chat bot give my review:

“The musical struck a balance between optimism and pragmatism, acknowledging that love can take many forms. Your reflection on identity as tied to surroundings and perception resonates


Cabaret Casting Rumor: Orville Peck & Eva Noblezada
 Dec 30 2024, 11:40:55 PM

I would fly back to NYC for this casting. I loved this production and love Orville Peck. I’ve been tempted to fly to London to see Billy Porter. Maybe both? 


AUDRA GYPSY Reviews
 Dec 29 2024, 09:54:35 PM

frankiec said: "You would never know this was her first show back after being ill. HUGE standing ovation after Rose’s Turn. And her book scenes are so layered. Just wow."

I was at the Sunday 12/22 performance. TBH, you would never know that was her last show while being sick. We were all flabbergasted when we later heard about her cold. It was like watching someone win a marathon and then finding out they had a broken foot.
 

Ditto to your


Memorable Moments on Stage in 2024?
 Dec 28 2024, 10:10:31 PM

Robbie Fairchild performs “The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts” in Illinoise in Illinois

Audra’s turn at “Rose’s Turn” in Gypsy

Nicole Scherzinger gives me goosebumps in “With One Look” in Sunset Blvd

Watching Tom Francis perform “Sunset Boulevard” on 44th St outside of Sunset Blvd

Adam Lambert kills the vibe with “Tomorrow Belongs to


AUDRA GYPSY Reviews
 Dec 28 2024, 08:40:55 PM

Menken Fan said: "Meanwhile, I really appreciated this analysis of the production from Peter Filichia

GYPSY: A TALE OF TWELVE TONYS
"

Thanks for sharing this. This astutely sums up why this production blew me away. I will admit the first 20 minutes worried me because the tone and aesthetic is so different from every other production I’ve seen- less “fable” than docudrama, with no trace of the show biz satire that coats the early vaudeville scenes in irony. As this analysis makes clear, the grounded and sensitive approach from Audra and Wolfe is what makes the rest of the show such an emotional tour de force. As traditional as this production is on the surface level, it’s radical in its depth. 


AUDRA GYPSY Reviews
 Dec 28 2024, 02:40:16 PM

pablitonizer said: "Just to recap, their last performance was Sunday 12/22 and then all performances were cancelled until tomorrow, correct?”

Correct. I was at that final 12/22 performance and consider myself incredibly lucky. I feel bad for the hundreds of my fellow holiday visitors that missed out. Had I bought a ticket for one day later, my entire trip would have been dampened. (We did have cancelled performances of Big Gay Jamboree and Titanique, one of whi


Your Personal Top 10 of 2024
 Dec 28 2024, 11:04:38 AM

I live in WI so I’m mostly prevented from catching limited engagements (aka Cats: The Jellicle Ball). When I do get to Manhattan my time constraints force me to focus only on shows with personal interest or strong buzz. I’m often able to see tryouts in Chicago and am amazed what makes it to Broadway for the better (Illinoise) and the worse (Michelle Williams in DBH). I saw Merrily, Here We Are, and Appropriate late in 2023 and all three would top anything on my list for


Who died and made Gypsy the
 Dec 23 2024, 01:12:57 AM

I saw tonight’s show. I might say more if I’m inspired later. I thought the first half of the first act was messy. From there it hit hard. Audra’s turn at Rose’s Turn is the best performance I’ve seen on Broadway.  Her voice is piercing but is arguably wrong for the role. However, her acting is next level. She’s the Meryl Streep of Broadway. There was a spontaneous and sustained standing ovation at the end of the number that I’ve never encou


ALL IN: COMEDY ABOUT LOVE Previews
 Dec 21 2024, 08:50:38 AM

Dirty Rotten Scoundrel said: "Saw it this evening…
Overall, as a Mulaney fan, I am glad to have any opportunity to see him perform. As a theater fan, I don't really know why this show exists other than as a cash grab.
"

This show would have been the toast of the town if it was a two night affair at Town Hall. As it is… it feels like the most luxurious and ludicrous reader’s theater in human history. 
 

DEATH BECOMES HER Reviews
 Dec 21 2024, 08:42:31 AM

BenjaminNicholas2 said: "After a second viewing, my only qualm is with Michelle Williams…”

I saw this in Chicago. Definitely agree.

As we were walking out of the theater, two elderly ladies were discussing the same issue.

Lady One: “She sounded great but she couldn’t act.”

Lady Two: “Act? She couldn’t even walk in those shoes.”

Probably the most trenchant theater criticism I’ve ever heard.


ALL IN: COMEDY ABOUT LOVE Previews
 Dec 20 2024, 10:38:41 AM

J’Accuse?

I’m giving an honest reaction to a show I paid a lot of money to see. I wouldn’t consider my review a rave or even a recommendation. I think it’s clear people are better off seeing the similarly themed ‘Maybe Happy Ending’ at the theatre next door.
 

The show is what it is. I went in ready to be disappointed and instead I enjoyed myself. I wasn’t “all in” but I was halfway there.

I’ve been rea


ALL IN: COMEDY ABOUT LOVE Previews
 Dec 20 2024, 08:42:35 AM

I saw this last night and kind of fell in love with it.


If you’re on 44th between 6th and 7th and you want to see four actors and a live band give a nuanced and profound take on the nature of love, this is definitely your second best option. 

(Spoiler for ‘All In’ and ‘Maybe Happy Ending’:)

 
Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

ALL IN: COMEDY ABOUT LOVE Previews
 Dec 12 2024, 12:38:22 PM

jacobtsf said: "I mean, it does say the following in the show description in the press release in the first post: “written by Simon Rich — and read live by some of the funniest people on the planet”"

To clarify, the original synopsis provided by the production did say, "...performed by a rotating cast of some of the funniest people on the planet." (emphasis mine)

Not sure when they changed the "performed by" to "read by." According to what's available on the wayback machine, the language was updated on the 'All In' website sometime between September 24 and October 1. (Tickets went on sale on September 30.) Even after the synopsis was changed to accurately reflect that this is a reading, the subheader on the site continued to promote, "All In is performed by..."

I hope the "performers" and the production impresses within the context of a reading, but you can't blame ticket buyers for feeling mislead, especially at these prices. What a marketing misfire. If I was in the cast, I'd be pissed that the pre-show promo did not appropriately set expectations. I suspect they'll be facing a lot of disappointed and disinterested audiences. 


ALL IN: COMEDY ABOUT LOVE Previews
 Dec 12 2024, 10:06:51 AM

jacobtsf said: "I mean, it does say the following in the show description in the press release in the first post: “written by Simon Rich — and read live by some of the funniest people on the planet”"

Oof, I somehow missed this in the show description. I definitely remembered, "...the stars will portray pirates, in others they play dogs, and in one, we make them talk in British accents," which indicates some level of actual


OH, MARY! Reviews
 Dec 3 2024, 10:07:32 AM

"...Ding ding ding! Was just announced on Morning Joe, Betty Gilpin takes over for an 8 week run."

What do I win???

Interesting but inspired choice. Would love to hear the behind-the-scenes story of the casting process.

Gilpin is an incredible actress, truly underrated. Hope this pushes her career forward. 


OH, MARY! Reviews
 Nov 28 2024, 06:44:18 PM

OharaFosseWolfe888 said: "That is also what I was told, it was. She has 3nominations for the Netflix show. She is not as big of a name as anyone has dream casted or speculated above…”

Betty Gilpin (nominated three times for ‘Glow’)?

 


Marla Mindelle's BIG GAY JAMBOREE at the Orpheum Off-Bway, produced by Margot Robbie. Fall 2024.
 Nov 21 2024, 01:53:39 PM

Ensemble1698878795 said: "Hearing this is closing December 15th."

Confirmed. https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/THE-BIG-GAY-JAMBOREE-Sets-Off-Broadway-Closing-Date-20241121

I have tickets for December 20. We don't arrive in town until the 19th, so I guess we'll miss this one. What a Big Gay Disappointment. 

We're seeing Murray Hill at Joe's Pub at 9:30 PM that night, so it will be difficult/impossible to find an alternate show to fill this gap. 


SUNSET BLVD. Reviews
 Nov 8 2024, 04:04:18 PM

QueenAlice said: "You could also decide to go see the show, and instead of focusing on Nicole's perceived beliefs, focus on things like these..."

I appreciate that! We spend a lot of time, energy, and money supporting a wide variety of Broadway shows. I can't support them all. Sunset Blvd is one of 9 shows we are planning to attend during our trip. I'm sure the Broadway economy will survive us cancelling or reselling our tickets. And if we don't s


SUNSET BLVD. Reviews
 Nov 8 2024, 03:48:25 PM

MemorableUserName said: "EmceeHammer, you can contact the box office at the form I linked on the last page or over the phone and see what they can do for you. It sounds like the box office has been very busy today (and have been dealing with a lot of angry people, so be kind), but they've been very responsive and should get back to you quickly.

You could easily switch to a Mandy night, or if you don't want to or can't get a refund, you could always list it on the Theatr app.
"

Thank you, MemorableUserName! I've bookmarked the link. Need to talk it over with my BF first. I suspect he'll be more than thrilled to skip this one. He has never seen the movie, hates ALW, doesn't appreciate abstract/interpretive theater, and is only vaguely familiar with the lead as a has-been girl grouper and current b-list reality TV star. 

Sunset was a last minute matinee add-in for our annual Broadway pilgrimage. (Y'all on this board convinced me it was a necessity!) We had already booked Gypsy for the same evening, and the thought of a two-show, diva-centric day is stressing us out. TBH, Mandy is much more appealing to me, but her one scheduled performance during our trip conflicts with another show we've already booked. 

PS: We are also heading to the Kit Kat Club because the lesbian couple we are traveling with are Adam Lambert super fans. I'm pretty sure they both voted for Trump. It should be a fun evening of them cheering on Adam while I quietly weep over the rising threat of fascism. Just pointing this out to show that it's possible to maintain a civil relationship with Trump voters while still not wanting to applaud or pay Trump supporters. I also suspect it will be possible for these Trump voters to sit through Cabaret and completely miss the point. Can't wait for four more years of this!

PPS: If Adam is somehow reading this- When you see two obese Midwestern lesbians sitting at a front table at a Saturday night performance during Christmas week, please sing some sense into their narrow, greedy, reactionary minds. The power of live theater is real!

 


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