Adam Epstein on WEDDING SINGER'S failure on BROADWAY BULLET podcast

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 3:32pm

Last night, I was listening to BROADWAY BULLET'S season finale Podcast, which featured an interview with Adam Epstein [producer of "Hairspray" and "The Wedding Singer"]. He spoke on his feelings on why Wedding Singer failed. He said many things ranging from "the heart not being in it" to "it being rushed: they did three readings and then opened out of town." to one sting at both Stephen Lynch and Laura Benanti not being the best choices for the leads.

He also went on to diss several other musicals "some jukebox, some not" who did not "have their hearts in the right place".

To hear his interview: Download it off Itunes or go to http://broadwaybullet.com/

[me2]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 8:40pm

I thought Stephen Lynch was amazing. I didn't see Benanti in the role, but Lynch was a stage star 100%.

My theory would be that 1) it remained too close to the movie; 2) it should have been cleaner/less sexual; and 3) the second act movie-based complications were a little childish on stage.

However, it was the best new show I saw from that season (which didn't include seeing JERSEY BOYS).
Broadway Blog: Confessions of a (Former) Stage Door Johnny

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 8:49pm

Cleanliness had nothing to do with it. The show ran for a good 8 months, got 7 Tony nominations (which were filler), but it was just not good.

Entertaining? Yes. Good? No.

Stephen Lynch was very good in the show. Perhaps the best part.

The reason they failed was the same reason why Legally Blonde got mediocre reviews. The characters were indelibly inked by their film counter-parts. Laura Bell Bundy is no Reese Witherspoon, and Laura Benanti was certainly no Drew Barrymore. Both lacked the charm needed to successfully convey the roles.

Tina Maddigan, on the other hand, the understudy who only got her name above the title 2 weeks before the lead came back from medical leave after playing it for 5 months, was significantly more charming.

The score was mostly mediocre (great opening and closing, but that's it), the book was nothing to scream over. Rob Ashford's choreography was easily the best part; John Rando's pacing was fine, as well.

[wickedfan2]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 9:03pm

clumsydude- your avatar takes my breath away!

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 9:04pm

Did you listen to the interview?

He really bashed it, it was really horrible.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 9:06pm

"clumsydude- your avatar takes my breath away!"

You and me both Wickedfan, you and me both.
He's so damn hot!
God, I'd give my life to have "one night with him"

Updated On: 6/21/07 at 09:06 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 9:22pm

Just downloaded it, listened to it.

Epstein isn't rude, he is 100% correct on why the show failed.

Sub-par material, unrealized material, and 2 leads who weren't Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.

[me2]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 9:25pm

yankeefan, I think 8 months is a respectable run. I do think if it had been more family friendly, it could have pulled in a larger audience.
Broadway Blog: Confessions of a (Former) Stage Door Johnny

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 9:26pm

"Epstein isn't rude, he is 100% correct on why the show failed. "

Your right, he's is correct.
But, he really tore it a new one.
It was just shocking

Updated On: 6/21/07 at 09:26 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 9:29pm

He really didn't. The question posed was "why do you think The Wedding Singer failed?" He answered it with what he thought. He didn't like the show, he didn't think the show's potential was fully realized, and he only produced it to help out a friend.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 10:40pm

Not to dig up an old arguement.

But I still fail to see how Maddigan had more charm. If anything she was much more one-dimensional with it. Her performance fell very flat to me.

I thought Benanti was superb. Who says they HAD to find Sandler and Barrymore clones?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 10:43pm

I think his honesty is kind of refreshing, actually -- the perspective in retrospect is nice, and I think it's respectable that he's so forthcoming.

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 10:46pm

And you'll notice at the end he said that he personally loved the show, he just understood why it failed.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 10:47pm

Ugh, again with the Benanti/ Maddigan debate. I agree with Yankee on this one, but whatever.

I did enjoy the show, but it honestly didn't surprise me that it wasn't that successful. I wish it was, but stuff happens.Aside from the comments about the leads, I really don't find anything wrong in what he said.

[sgweirdo]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 11:11pm

I can't get it to work! Oh well.. but I'm pretty suprised, actually, that he'd admit what was wrong with it. He 100% had his heart in the project.
I took a class with him at NYU (did anyone else? if you go to NYU- it's a gallatin class called "broadway and the independent producer" go take it)

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 11:20pm

I can't get it to work!

There should be a transcript posted on BroadwayBullet.com in the next day or two.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 8:38pm

Though I do agree what he said about Wedding Singer was fine, honest, and matter-of-fact, my favorite part of the interview was actually when he said "there's no place for avante guard bankruptcies"

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 9:13pm

I thought Wedding Singer was fun but not great but Lynch not been the right choice????? is he drunk.

When i watched that show i was amazed at how good lynch were, he came across a lot more likable than Sandler and his energy and obvious love of the role was great

[Phantom2]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 10:06pm

I couldn't agree more. Tina Maddigan WAS Julia. At least she didn't phone it in.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 10:14pm

LMAO.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 10:24pm

She's so charming...

Posted: 6/22/07 at 10:26pm

Oh Lord. I needed a Red Bull to stay awake when I saw her as Julia.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 10:29pm

Now that's chemistry!

Posted: 6/22/07 at 10:34pm

Yea. As much chemistry as an Easy Bake Oven.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 10:38pm

Well, at least her souffle didn't fall.