Profile for Menken Fan

I would describe this show as "wacky." A nutso plot and crazy characters, thrown together with a somewhat confusing book and middling songs. It was a little off-putting seeing a show like this at the Goodman, since it definitely seemed like an off-Loop/off-Broadway show. Yes, there were many laughs - mostly from Vera (Megan) and Eugene O'Neill (understudy Shawn Pfautsch). Megan was in full Elizabeth mode from Young Frankenstein (which was driven home by the fact that there is a "Frankenstein"...

If you’re interested in the backstory of the production of Iceboy, as well as A LOT of Chicago storefront theatre history, this is a fascinating article from the Chicago ReaderThe completely true story of Iceboy!‘s Chicago fringe theater connections

In all the press, I haven’t seen any mention of “pre-Broadway” or “tryout.” They’re only calling it a “world-premiere.” But with this creative team and cast, they must be hoping for a further life.

I'll be seeing the first preview this Saturday. Such an interesting cast! Disappointed to hear that Nick will be out. I'll be returning later in the run, so hopefully I won't miss him again.

Art Isn’t Easy said: "Saw this a few days back. The worst thing a production can be is boring. The only thing worse than that is frustrating, and I was immensely frustrated by this production.I like some other people were confused/intrigued of whether or not this would be a proper book musical based on the Aimee Man album (of which I had no familiarity with, I had scene the movie recently for this first time however) or a play featuring some of the songs, and it seems that the play doesn’t kn...

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "Could you try past-dating them on your next visit? It’s been years since I’ve done it so I could be forgetting stipulations - but it’s possible that something in your schedule could open up again."Thanks. They did give me info on past-dating, but the language seems very noncommittal on availability, and I’m not sure if I’ll be back before it closes. Which seems like it might be before its scheduled closing in September. I’ll just suck it up with the understudies, who I’...

I have tickets for tomorrow (Sunday evening) and just noticed that both Marla and Constantine are going to be out, which isn’t great in the week leading up to the Tonys. Since I am returning to the show mainly to see them, I tried for a refund, which they wouldn’t offer because the performers are not above the title. Seems like there should be an exception for Tony-nominated leads, but no. And yes, they did offer an exchange for another date, but I don’t have any availability on my planned tr...

ElephantLoveMedley said: "Nominees linked here."Some great nominations here. I'm glad Schmigadoon is getting recognized, since the excellent dancing almost never stops.Confused by some of the nominations though, especially Outstanding Direction of a Dance Documentary for "Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror"??

Charley Kringas Inc said: "Really, really not great, occasionally bordering on embarassing. The broadest strokes are there in terms of plotting,and some of the melodies are charming, but the libretto is astonishingly witless and bland, burping up vague, halfhearted approximations of 18th-century dramatic text with absolutely no insight or surprise. Now and then my ears perked up at the music, but a lot of it comes across as stale leftovers from the megamusical era, and often the lyrics aren't...

Jordan Catalano said: "WldKingdomHM said: "Are people throwing cards or toilet paper, or we keepin it calm ?"No, there’s none of that."However, in a confounding moment, the cast (other than Frank) throws playing cards at "cards for sorrow" during I'm Going Home. Why? Why do the characters have playing cards tucked into their costumes that they throw at that point? One of the many baffling elements of this production.

joevitus said: "Menken Fan said: "Saw the first preview and also tonight’s performance. From what I could tell, there have been no noticeable changes at all in three weeks of previews."Was anyone expecting any? It sounded like the show was in pretty good form minus maybe some pacing issues (and I may be misremembering that last bit)."There were a number of criticisms and suggestions noted earlier in this thread, including from me, so I thought something might change. And the director has said...

Saw the first preview and also tonight’s performance. From what I could tell, there have been no noticeable changes at all in three weeks of previews. The biggest difference is that there were almost no callouts tonight, compared to the nonstop chaos at the first preview. Other than a few “slut” and “asshole” shouts, which were prompted by Rachel Dratch, and “say it” which was encouraged by Luke Evans, I heard nothing else all night. I don’t think that is due to any signs or website announcem...

Saw this yesterday and thought it was one of the worst Broadway musicals I’ve seen. This was in my same ranking as Tammy Faye. The set was great, Shoshana is a star, and that’s it. All those ballads, the tepid story development, the Party City Draculas, the gay superhero number, and that lead kid with the annoying Urkel voice. Wow.

I was very active in the Rocky Horror Picture Show world in the 80s. Call-outs were and are a hilarious and integral part of the movie experience, especially at a movie that the audience has likely seen multiple times. Like many others, I think the theatrical experience is very different, considering the price of tickets, the dissimilar audiences, and the fact that many of those call-outs do not make any sense at the live show. (Rachel Dratch does not have balls, nor is she missing a neck.) A...

Jordan Catalano said: "It is sad when productions like this come along and we don’t get that rare cast recording. And I’ll echo again what was said, that this didn’t feel like just another Encores show. I went to the final show yesterday afternoon (i didn’t even know it was the final show, I figured there was an evening performance) and was just amazed again at what they were able to pull off in that short time. Productions like this almost aren’t fair to anything else that comes after it - “...

Callbacks - I would expect them to subside to something less than we heard tonight from an audience filled with RH fanatics. Costumes - no resemblance to the Vogue fashion shoot. I had no issues with costumes, except for Rocky’s. Luke’s lower costume looks unnaturally endowed. Or maybe not…

Some quick thoughts from the first preview. Overall, I think it’s a really good production. Not any kind of reimagining and no bold creative choices. I’ve seen about 30 productions and would put this in the top ten. I really loved the last Broadway revival, and this doesn’t compare. Many of the songs are performed pretty much as we’ve seen them in other productions. Science Fiction has Juliette Lewis planted front and center swaying and moving her arms. She gave me Patricia Quinn vibes. There...

quizking101 said: "I will be there tonight. They upgraded my seat to front row dead center because apparently my seat was needed for production. Go me!" Ditto. Tonight. Moved. Front row center.

I just saw Maya Rowe as Audrey in Little Shop this past weekend. She will be fantastic!

I saw Mason in London tonight and thought he was fantastic. Matching Cole in his performance. I was wondering if a British crowd would get it, but it seemed to get the same raucous reaction as in NY. I didn’t notice any clarifying changes to dialogue, but there was a brief voiceover at the start noting that Lincoln was a US president who was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Terrific production and performances all around.