A Catered Affair (3/31/08)...why????

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 11:28pm

Just back from this evening's performance of "A Catered Affair." Where to begin???

For a group of people planning a wedding, they all seem rather unhappy. Does no one smile at all?? I understand planning a wedding is stressful, but no one, save for Fierstein's character, seemed to be the least bit happy about the impending nuptials. This problem rests solely on the shoulders of Fierstein's disjointed book, which does very little to provide us with any sort of context for what is taking place.

However, the show's biggest problem and liability is its score. I cannot describe it any better than my pal Withoutatrace, who correctly describes it as "a tuneless nothing." The score is one ballad after another, but not one of them is the least bit memorable. Honestly, it would have worked better without the music at all.

Doyle's direction is sloppy, with a number of scenes, particularly the show's final moments, very oddly staged.

The cast does their best with what their given. Matt Cavanaugh, however, is unfortunately completely wasted. He is onstage for maybe, MAYBE, 15 minutes. Why not give such a talented performer a song to sing, or at least a decent scene? Unfortunately, the same is true for Tom Wopat, who is also given very little to do, save for his one song near the end of the show.

Fierstein at least is able to breathe some life into the dreary proceedings. However, as the book writer, he obviously gave himself the best lines in the show.

Faith Prince does her absolute best, but she can't rise above the weak material. Patti has nothing to worry about.

Honestly, the cast member who made the biggest impression was the woman who played the Caterer (Heather MacRae). She had about six lines, and got a laugh for all of them.

The audience response tonight was very muted. No standing ovation, and no enthusiastic applause during the curtain calls. A certain recent Tony nominee, who was seated next to me, also did not seem very enthusiastic about the show.

The show is not a complete disaster, but it is completely forgettable.

Updated On: 3/31/08 at 11:28 PM

[ChiChi]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 11:31pm

How was Heather MacRae?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 11:32pm

I love Heather MacRae...she was in Here's Where I Belong, a one-performance flop musical from 1968!

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 11:33pm

"For a group of people planning a wedding, they all seem rather unhappy. Does no one smile at all?? I understand planning a wedding is stressful, but no one, save for Fierstein's character, seemed to be the least bit happy about the impending nuptials. This problem rests solely on the shoulders of Fierstein's disjointed book, which does very little to provide us with any sort of context for what is taking place. "

You completely missed the point. And you can't blame Harvey. The fact that this wedding has become such a huge, stressful ordeal is part of the original story.

But, you truly, absolutely didn't get it if you feel this way.

[ChiChi]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 11:34pm

I like her too. She's a friend of mine so I'm a bit biased, but I love her talent.

Was Harvey actually good? I find that he can't be understood at all anymore. As time goes on his speech gets harder and harder to decypher.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 11:42pm

MacRae also played Sheila in Broadway's "Hair."

[East Village]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 11:45pm

It's a snore-fest

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 11:47pm

for some people

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 11:48pm

WAT did you see, "Here's Where I Belong"?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 11:49pm

I was born in 1982, Dottie, as you well know...

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 11:50pm

I just had to ask because you threw the year 1968 in there!

[FIERCEY516]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 11:52pm

it's not as bad as "Cry-Baby" so stop whining!

the score is solid. nothing special but it's fine.

[Nick Plasia]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 11:59pm

The score is boring and achingly undramatic; he can't
write a theatre song to save his life.

[Sleeper2]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 1:54pm

I thought the score was really boring. I love sweet small musicals without major production numbers (Falsettos, for example) but this was just too much tedium to bear.

Matt Cavenaugh is completely wasted in this. I'm glad to see him back on stage, but he must be sleepwalking through this thing. I am looking forward to his break-out role.

How unrealistic is Harvey's take on the flamboyant uncle? I mean, over the top maybe??

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 2:05pm

So, is it still going to be nominated for Best Musical?

[nitsua]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 2:52pm

So it sounds like it hasn't changed much since San Diego. Oh well.

We thought the same thing y'all are thinking. Boring, and it'd be better as a straight play.

I've seen the original movie and Harvey completely bloated the part. He needs to take a step back and tell himself, "I am not the center of attention". The original uncle wasn't really flamboyant at all. If he was gay, it went over my head. I just think that's Harvey being Harvey. "The gays need to represent!"

At least we got some eye candy with Matt.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 3:00pm

I'm still looking forward to seeing this.

[JRybka]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 3:13pm

it is a shame seeing as he has written some amazing songs before... Unexpressed and Playbill just to name a few.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 3:21pm

oh I do hope all of you who hate this show will bless us with posting in every a catered affair thread over and over how much you hate it. It will be just like grey gardens to have that.

I dont comprehend why people obsess over the negative or take joy in hating something.

And Harvey's portrayal is not unrealistic. People like that character did exist in those days. Read up on your lgbt history.

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 3:26pm

It sounds as if Heather MacRae is the only reason to see this show. (Hey, I loved her as Aunt Mafalda on "Clarissa Explains It All"!) I still plan to see it.

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 3:27pm

Hey, I'm the biggest Grey Gardens fan ever.

A Catered Affair is boring.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 3:36pm

Just because their opinion is a negative one: they are certainly allowed to express it. I would never want to ONLY read good reveiws...everything ISN"T good...and it deserves to be pointed out.

Sometimes it might keep me from seeing a show, and sometimes it won't. JUST because something is on b'way, doesn't mean it's wonderful.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 3:41pm

Oh no no no.

I'm not dismissing someone sharing thier negative review. I'm dismissing those who have and will continue to post it every chance they get.

And, no, ms macrae is one of many reasons to see this show.

[Kalimba]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 3:46pm

Sometimes you have to take the good with the bad. I like hearing both accounts about this show, but I have absolutely no desire to see it.

[Glory]

Posted: 4/1/08 at 3:59pm

This is the third bad thing I've heard about this show. I'm going out for Gypsy on the 23 and was gonna catch either this or Cry Baby to see the new shows. Now I don't know which one to see.