A Class Act

[MyNameInLights]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:39pm

What can you guys tell me about this musical? I really enjoy the music and the story, but what is the history of the show, like where did it play and for how long? Thank you in advance!

[MyNameInLights]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:48pm

No one? Okay, thanks anyway guys!

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:53pm

It ran off-Broadway at MTC before moving to Broadway shortly before the Tony deadline. It didn't win any and closed shortly thereater after about a three month run.

Great score consisting of previously unreleased Ed Kleban songs, the show was undermined by Lonny Price's poor staging and annoying lead performance.

Updated On: 8/25/04 at 11:53 PM

[MyNameInLights]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 12:06am

Margo, I don't know where in the world I would be without you.

But I have to say, I love Lonny in it!

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 1:32am

Not sure how he comes across on CD, but in person, the four friends I went with and I wanted to strangle him. One of the most gratingly self-possessed, egomaniacal performances I've ever seen (a sentiment echoed frequently on the boards at the time). From what I heard, his understudy Danny Burstein was infinitely better. Apparently, he was equally insufferable off-stage as well (to the point that several actors in the show refused to go to Broadway with it -- he was THAT impossible to work with).

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 8:03am

Price was originally scheduled to just direct. At the last minute, the man they chose to play Kleban decided to do another project. To keep the show on schedule, Price agreed to play the lead, even though he really didn't want to do it.

[twogaab2]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 10:51am

This show had a PROFOUND influence on me. The book is superb. Lonny Price's performance was excellent, although his singing varied from just serviceable to dreadful (Danny Burnstein's performance threw the show way off kilter-however Adam Heller-(the last understudy) was easily the best of the three). MANY of the people in the audience were equally moved. The chemistry of the cast was also terrific. It's all about why we do what we do-and most people can relate to that. It was a spiritual journey played in retrospect.

Sidenote: I saw this show 11 times and found the staging superb. Most of the reviews were excellent.

That being said the show had diffuclty finding an audience because on the surface of it, the show just didn't appeal to the general audience.

Just my opinion, I may be wrong-but for me I'm not.

Updated On: 8/26/04 at 10:51 AM

[Corine2]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 10:58am

It was one of my favorite productions at MTC.
The only thing I liked better was FUDDY MEERS.
I REALLY LOVE PRICE. I met him once on the street and he was the sweetest.
He hugged me! Updated On: 8/26/04 at 10:58 AM

[POLisPOL]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 11:09am

I've never seen the show, but I'm addicted to the cd...
the last song, self portrait is one of my favourites, as is under separate cover.
As I said in a previous post, I love Carolee Carmello!

[NoticeMeStuart]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 11:53am

wow two thats a great post. why did danny bustein throw it off so much?? and adam heller i heard he sucked balls? i didn't like lonnie but i liked the show.

[twogaab2]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 12:01pm

Lonny Price had a very definite rhythm with the dialogue that the other members of the cast responded to beautifully. Danny Bernstein in an effort to do it "his way" changed word emphasis and the rest of the cast spent the rest of the evening trying to compensate for his reading changes-ergo the rhythm of each scene-which delivered the emotional "punch" of the show was way off. His singing however was very good and consistent. Adam Heller kept in the framework of the piece and still delivered an individual performance. He also was the only one of the three who came across as he might be heterosexual.

Again, these are just my opinions, I may be wrong.

[NoticeMeStuart]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 1:07pm

No that's a great reply, thank you!! and adam heller is definately very heterosexual so thats probably why you got that from him onstage. ha!!! i think danny burstein is too but he's always seemed sorta girlie to me. (sorry..sorry...burstein lovers.) that sucks when the understudy throws everyone off though...now i kind of wish i'd seen burstein and heller just to compare!!

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 1/23/05 at 12:04am

The score is incredible... Paris Through the Window is on the playlist of "Showtunes" if you take a Delta Song flight. Recently, I was flying Song and a lady stopped a flight attendant to ask her if she knew about the song! I thought this was hilarious and random so I talked to the lady a bit about the show. I really think it's incredible...

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 1/23/05 at 8:13am

Price's voice is wonderful on CD, but Randy Graff is the real revelation. The cast also includes Nancy Anderson (Bianca in the PBS version of "Kiss Me, Kate"), Julia Murney (the excellent Queenie in the Lippa version, making B'Way debut), and our goddess:

CAROLEE!

Run out and buy it.

[musicalsFan]

Posted: 1/23/05 at 10:30am

So sue me, but I really loved this musical; yes, even Lonny Price. The MTC and Broadway casts were both superb.

[zoran912]

Posted: 1/23/05 at 10:39am

Why, if Julia has been to Broadway with "A Class Act," are people touting "Lennon" as her Broadway debut?

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 1/23/05 at 10:55am

I don't know. This was her Broadway debut.

[musicalsFan]

Posted: 1/23/05 at 11:25am

Because Julia Murney was in the MTC cast but not in the Broadway cast.

Sara Ramirez, soon to be in SPAMALOT, took over the role of Felicia on Broadway.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 1/23/05 at 11:41am

Yes, you're right. I absolutely forgot. I only saw it at MTC. I bet Sara was great. Julia also did the OCR.

[musicalsFan]

Posted: 1/23/05 at 11:49am

It was funny moment on Broadway when Lonny's character Ed stood next to Sara's character Felicia, and the height difference.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 1/23/05 at 11:50am

Who was better-Julia or Sara?