ALL ABOUT ME--2nd preview

How is the show split up? Does the Dame do a bit of the show, than Feinstein comes out and croons for a bit and then back to the comedy? I'm seeing it tomorrow night and was just curious.

I was there tonight too, Rytoast, and I honestly don't know what to make of this one. Yes it's a total mess, but I also laughed A LOT (mostly at it, but still!).

This show doesn't touch the brilliance of dear Suzanne in my av, but if you look it in that light this production can be a real delight.

The lesbian stage manager "BJ" is so laughably bad that it's...laughable. The chorus boys are used to awful effect, and really all their schtick received no love from the audience.

I must say, having not been familiar with Dame Edna, I found her to be very funny on her own.

Rytoast is absolutely right in that Michael is bland, bland, bland. He tried to be very Vegas, but he won't be making anyone forget Steve Lawrence anytime soon.

I wish this would have just been a Dame Edna show and I think it would have been much more of a success. The two just didn't meld very well together.

Still I had a ball, and haven't laughed this much in the theater since, dare I say, The Norman Conquests.

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Updated On: 2/23/10 at 11:31 PM

You hit the nail on the head, Jordan. Everytime Dame Edna got the crowd warmed up with some jokes and I was starting to actually enjoy myself, Michael would come out to sing or throw a hissy fit and the air would be let out of the tire.

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Spoiler for the Birdie Joke:

Edna said something about how they were so honored be the first show in the new Henry Miller theater...oh Birdie was just a test run (or something like that) and she made a funny face. Everyone in the audience who saw the revival clearly got the joke.

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I just got home from seeing this preview. Overall, I was entertained. I am a fan of both and it was an honor to hear Michael Feinstein sing live after hearing his recordings for years. I think "dreadful" is pretty harsh. It wasn't spectacular, but isn't that what previews are for? I can see them tweaking this in the upcoming weeks.

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I will agree with Whizzer....it would've been leaps and bounds better as just a Dame Edna show.

Mr. Feinstein's voice was beautiful, but I didn't go to see a concert...I went to laugh and be entertained. The times when it was JUST Dame Edna, I had an enjoyable time, but when they tried to force some sort of "feud" it just didn't work for me.


And, okay, dreadful may have been a bit harsh

The feud is a ridiculous premise, and I think the audience can see right through it why it was created. Both Feinstein and Dame Edna wanted Broadway shows, but perhaps investors were doubtful as to whether either could sell out a run. Then someone had the brilliant idea to put them together, combine the fanbases, and bang you have a hit!

Too bad it doesn't work like that.

The two kept telling us half of you are here for Michael and half are here for Edna, so bear with the other half of the show. (haha) I would be willing to guess that most people were there to see the Dame though, and you could almost feel the audience sigh when she left the stage.

Scott Briefer- I'm a fan of Durang in general, but that doesn't mean this book is hysterical. Slight spoiler- There is a recorded "phone call" from Judge Judy where she sorts out who was actually supposed to be booked in the theater. It turns out Feinstein got the contract, but since they're both there they might as well work it out and put on a show. Needless to say this bit landed like a giant thud and I think both of them knew it. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the "feud" is completely overhauled by opening.

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I saw a preview last night. It was no doubt the worst thing I ever saw on Broadway, including the time I saw a M120 bus strike down a mother pushing a baby stroller.

Feinstein unapologetically read lyrics from a sheet during the opening number. He also received several hisses for his lame humor. (Someone should warn him that catty doesn't work when you're wearing 3-inch patent leather heels.) Edna made the same four jokes from which she has made her career.

I'm calling for my money back.

consider yourself lucky to have had a distraction.

Nope. When they took breaths from kissing each other, they cackled and clapped obnoxiously and in unison. Love. It must be love. Or alcohol?

Uh-oh, I'm seeing this tonight. I suppose it's best to go in with low expectations, though.

Joe, shut up. I have a friend who had a friend who was friends with that bus!