Dirty Rotten Scoundrels 3/14/06

[Parks]

Posted: 3/14/06 at 11:38pm

3rd time seeing the show. We saw it twice this summer (in the same week, thank you lottery) with only small parts having understudies (guy at the desk?). Tonight, we had 2 understudies in for 2 of the 3 remaining original cast members. Jason Gillman was in as Freddy and Dennis Parlato was in as Andre.

The overture was very nice, as usual. I love it. There is this one ensemble member (she was in the original cast as well) who has GREAT facial expressions--does anyone know her name? she has long brown hair. Well, the show started and Jonathan Pryce got his entrance applause. Give Them What They Want was just...not right. He has been miscast in this show. I know he's a legend--but he really is...too old to play the part of Lawrence. I felt very awkward watching him (looking about 65) kissing Rachel York, who looks about 30 years younger. The only songs he did well with were Love Sneaks In and Ruffhousin' mit Shuffhausen. In fact, Ruffhousin' was maybe even better than John Lithgow's--but that was the only one. Other than that, he didn't have HALF as much energy as John.

Jason Gillman...man...miscast also. He did well with some of it--but he doesn't look mischevious. His look is very clean cut--and he looks so innocent. His voice sounds innocent. He has a great voice, but it's just not right for this part.

I saw the video from Broadway.com Buzz--and let me say, I was VERY nervous about the new Jolene, Mrs. Mylinda Hull. I noticed they had to lower Oklahoma? for her, which I couldn't even stand thinking about. She was very funny in her scene before Oklahoma?. She was great--I'd still prefer Sara to her, but I wouldn't dread seeing her again. It's hard to be as good as Sara though.

Rachel York--Wow, I was nervous...I like Sherie Rene Scott a lot, so Rachel had some big shoes to fill. She came on stage, and she sounded very...raspy at first, which scared me to death. I came close to plugging my ears--fearing what they might hear, but as Here I Am continued, she had an incredible voice! She held the note at the end, which Sherie usually went down on (whoa, not like that...) which was amazing. I couldn't wait to see how she would do on the high note in Love Is My Legs. When she hit it, she had this very...rock kinda voice--I LOVED it. She had a great stage presence and I would say she's doing just as well as Sherie did, if not better.

Dennis Parlato...was...alright. Nothing special. He wasn't terrible, but he wasn't half as enjoyable to watch as Greggory. He had a much stronger French accent than Greg, which made it a little difficult to understand him at times :-/.

Joanna Gleason was in, which I was happy about, but she seemed very tired--not quite on tonight. She had something in her throat, I could tell. When she turned around after one of the verses in What Was A Woman To Do, I noticed she had to clear her throat and she looked a little bit uncomfortable. She dind't get entrance applause, which made me upset. I started clapping, but nobody joined in, so...I was that awkward person who tries to start an entrance applause that quickly dies. Ha, love those people.

Overall, the show is COMPLETELY different from how it was with the OBC. It was almost painful to sit through. It just was not as good. I don't know if I will be seeing this show again until after there is a different Lawrence (might try to see Norbert's last day this summer).

[SirLiir]

Posted: 3/14/06 at 11:48pm

Sorry to hear that Parks. While I cant comment on Parlato as Andre, I really like Jason Gillman in the role. Thankfully, he doesn't emulate Norbert completely and has his own take on the role. The Sat night audience loved him too. I do hope when you go next, it will be better.

[Parks]

Posted: 3/14/06 at 11:49pm

The audience was not very good tonight--so that may have been it. Jason is very talented--don't get me wrong. He was incredibly nice at the stagedoor as well, but I just don't think he's right for the part of Freddy.

[Billboard Girl]

Posted: 3/14/06 at 11:56pm

Gillman was in as Freddy when I saw DRS a couple of months ago and I thought he was phenomenal. Then again, that was the only time I've seen it so I didn't have Norbert's performance to compare him to.

[Parks]

Posted: 3/15/06 at 12:03am

Right--Norbert definitely set the standards VERY high for Freddy. Jason tried VERY hard--and he had a ton of energy--he's an excellent performer. I'd love to see him in a different show. I honestly don't know who I'd like to see play Freddy other than Norbert. Maybe I didn't like him just because I am picky..

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 3/15/06 at 12:10am

Parks, I could figure out the ensemble member with a bit more information. Was her hair lighter or darker brown, and did she have a "part" in Give Them What They Want?

In terms of Pryce...I agree he looks a tad older, but he was so great it didn't matter. Too bad you didn't enjoy him the way many have.

And ditto with Jason. I enjoyed all 3 performers I've seen as Freddy--Norbert the most obviously, and Joe a bit more than Jason (he had a better and large range voice of any of them). Jason's voice is a little lower range at times, but I give him credit for working to reach the higher notes.

I think I've just personally learned to look past whether someone "looks" a part or not. I totally understand where you're coming from and agree that it can be important...maybe it's just something I've been able to do for the sake of enjoying more different kinds of performances?

[Parks]

Posted: 3/15/06 at 12:28am

Oh! She was the girl in the duo who dances at the end of The More We Dance for the last few seconds. If you could tell me her name, i think I'd love you forever .

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 3/15/06 at 12:31am

Rachelle Rak

That's who I thought it was (once I realized Laura doesn't have long hair...)

Among other things she's done on stage, she's on the DVD of "Fosse" if you want to try to buy/rent that and watch for her there.

Updated On: 3/15/06 at 12:31 AM

[SirLiir]

Posted: 3/15/06 at 12:50am

I see Jason (and Joe but I alas am kicking myself that I missed the chance to see him) as a real litmus test as to the future of the role (and show for that matter). If another actor other than Norbert can pull it off well, then the tour and future of the show is secure. To me, the future looks bright indeed.

Oh and about John. He remind me alot of Micheal Caine in the movie and its all about the charm. Let me ask your ladies then. Could you be swooned by his Lawrence? Our resident Annie sure was swooned by John Lithgow.

[I<3bway]

Posted: 3/15/06 at 10:14am

I hope to see Norb on his last day as Freddy.

[wendy72]

Posted: 3/15/06 at 10:18am

Sir Liir-Any trends regarding Norbert and what shows he most consistently does? It seems he does not do the Wed and Sat Matinees, but one post says he was out last Saturday evening? Think he'll be in on Sunday?

[Parks]

Posted: 3/15/06 at 10:33am

He's out of the show right now--he has back problems. Hopefully he'll be back in soon! The show really isn't quite right without him.

[MimiJudith]

Posted: 3/15/06 at 10:45am

Is it true that Norbert is out of every performance until further notice because of back problems?

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/15/06 at 10:47am

Jonathan Pryce is actually 2 years YOUNGER than Lithgow (who's 60, by the way).

[Pippin]

Posted: 3/15/06 at 10:49am

and Michael Caine was 55 when he did the film.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 3/15/06 at 3:15pm

Edit: Ah, some of us know that anyway Margo, but thanks for mentioning it anyway. To me it's just that he looks much older than John as Lawrence, despite being younger.

Updated On: 3/15/06 at 03:15 PM

[SirLiir]

Posted: 3/15/06 at 4:39pm

He was out Sat night when I went, wendy. I am not 100% but I think he took a week off (after the re-reviews on Weds) for a voice rest (and back rest it looks like). I am not sure when he will be back though. Maybe Thursday?

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/15/06 at 4:48pm

I actually thought he was older than Lithgow. Thank you for the info Margo. Not all of us knew that!

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 3/15/06 at 5:35pm

oh, I'm seeing this show Sunday, March 26th, and can't wait!!! He better be back by then or I dont think the show will be the same!!! *hopes*
But I am sooo very excited for this!!! I've always wanted to see this, and nice to hear a review before hand.

And, since I am going with my family, I was just wondering how much cursing is in it. More, or less than RENT? Anyone? Thanks!

[SirLiir]

Posted: 3/15/06 at 6:18pm

There's about three s***ts and two f***ks. Not too bad but if you have easily offended people, IM me and I will tell you where so you can be prepared.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/15/06 at 6:22pm

According to the box office (as of 4PM today), Norbert is "scheduled" to perform tomorrow nite (Thurs)- Dont know how accurate that is, but that is what I was told.

Anyone heard otherwise?

[sachs1]

Posted: 3/15/06 at 6:32pm

The movie Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is on right now!!! I haven't heard any musical numbers in it though......

[BluCat500]

Posted: 3/15/06 at 6:36pm

I think he'd look much much younger without the dead raccoon on his head...

ETA Welcome to the board Sachs1, and the movie is sadly not a musical...

Updated On: 3/15/06 at 06:36 PM

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/15/06 at 6:39pm

I think this was the 1st time that I have ever called the Box Office to check if a certain performer was going to be performing on a given night. Can anyone shed some light on how accurate they usually are?

TIA !

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 3/15/06 at 6:48pm

There's really no way to know. Because they said as of now...and time passes before the performance and situations can change and such.