#1
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.
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
