American In Paris or Something Rotten- Page 2

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/21/15 at 6:21pm

After your dismissal of Rotten above, not surprised with your latest post. Borle must have did superior work in Rotten as he got a Tony for his efforts. No one actor alone is worth the price of admission to any show in my opinion. You obviously disagree but neither one will change their feelings on either show so it is what it is.

[Pippin]

Posted: 6/21/15 at 8:59pm

yankeefan7, In truth I thought the choreo the best part of the show, with the famous ballet alone being worth the price of admission. (I still think Josh Bergasse should have gotten the tony for On The Town, but I digress)

 

What I could not get over was the horrible book of American in Paris, and a show is only as strong as it's weakest element, so while I enjoyed the choreo, and a few of the performances, every time the music ended and the scenes started, it was just embarrassing. 

 

I also understand how other people love it, because it is a gorgeous looking production, and the dancing is sublime, but for me it was a snoozefest, and I felt I got way more bang for my buck with Something Rotten and was much more satisfied with my evening.

 

and I'm sure some snarky poster will say that something in "Something rotten" is the weakest element, but Something Rotten's weakest element is still stronger than the book in "Paris".

[BOM]

Posted: 6/21/15 at 9:02pm

Something Rotten for sure!

[bjh2114]

Posted: 6/21/15 at 9:08pm

"After your dismissal of Rotten above, not surprised with your latest post. Borle must have did superior work in Rotten as he got a Tony for his efforts. No one actor alone is worth the price of admission to any show in my opinion. You obviously disagree but neither one will change their feelings on either show so it is what it is."

I didn't say his work was BAD Roxy.  I said he's done better work before and with better material.  A little show called Peter and the Starcatcher, for which he ALSO won a Tony. So yes, we do disagree on that.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/21/15 at 9:12pm

AAIP'S book is indeed weak and brings the whole show down. Choreography, no matter how strong, can not mask a weak book. The show would have been so much better with a stronger book. Some of the media critics also touched on this.

[macnyc]

Posted: 6/21/15 at 9:36pm

As long as you're seeing Hamilton, it really doesn't matter what else you choose. 

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/21/15 at 10:02pm

I see there is no sense having the Tonys next year for Best Musical. Just give them the Tony now and save everyone a lot of trouble

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 6/21/15 at 10:12pm

It really is an apples or oranges type of decision. It really depends on what type of show you think your family would most appreciate. Neither show would be a mistake and you are not going to get an consensus here.

I enjoyed a lot of elements of American in Paris and the dancing is spectacular - but I "enjoyed" Something Rotten more. But I would see either of them again given the opportunity.

 

[Sauja]

Posted: 6/21/15 at 10:21pm

JBroadway, you name people who are bored by Gershwin or dance as naysayers of An American in Paris, but I'd add those who love the movie as a third group. I think the book of the show is its major failing. Lucas forces a more self-serious plot onto the show that I found detracted from the music and dance and sapped the story of its charms. Fairchild and Essen are doing great work (especially the latter), but it lacked the joy and color of the film. Also, I made the terrible decision to watch the original dream ballet almost immediately after seeing the show, and to do so made the production's orchestrations sound like pale imitations of great art). The score is one of the greatest ever written for film, but I couldn't find it in my heart to love the show. Something Rotten is a trifle, but a delicious one. Oddly, I thought Borle was least well served by the material (and I usually adore him), so it was a real shock that he was the award winner in that company. I say see it for James and Cariani. But it's true--if you don't like juvenile humor, it won't win you over. I admit to having a persistent openness to rude humor, so I adored it.

[undercoveractor]

Posted: 6/21/15 at 10:32pm

My recommendation would be for SOMETHING ROTTEN. It was the most fun I had in a theatre last season. Certainly not for everybody, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Also, John Cariani is giving my favorite male performance in a musical right now. He deserved more praise than he received.

I was bored with AN AMERICAN IN PARIS although there is a lot to admire there. 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 6/21/15 at 10:52pm

I agree about Cariani! Very under-appreciated performance. I would have liked to see Cariani nominated over BDJ.  

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 6/21/15 at 11:17pm

I love the cast recording for An American in Paris, the trailers/promos look amazing & beautiful, and I love dancing.. so AAIP.

[maxkko]

Posted: 6/22/15 at 12:06am

I saw Something Rotten a week ago, and it was a very enjoyable night at the theater. It is such a great piece of theater. I highly suggest you see Something Rotten with the OBC while you can. An American in Paris can wait.

[iabwayfan]

Posted: 6/22/15 at 1:48am

I would pick Something Rotten.  

I saw both last week and while AAIP is beautifully danced, I felt I could cut out about 30 minutes from the show and be satisfied.  Since I couldn't, it was a bit difficult keeping my attention.  Maybe I was just tired that day...

 

Something Rotten had me every minute of the show.  I thought it was so much fun.

 

 That being said, those performers in AAIP have more talent and skill in one finger than I do in my entire body.  Past, present, and future!  They really are amazingly skilled.

[A Director]

Posted: 6/22/15 at 2:46am

The stage version of An American in Paris is not attempting to recreated the movie.  If you want the movie onstage, go see Rocky. Oops, Rocky was a bomb.

As for Something Rotten, it is!

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 6/22/15 at 2:52am

I hated Spamalot and really enjoyed Rotten. I think they were apples and oranges.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 3:35pm

"Another thing you might want to consider is how often you get to NYC. Do you come relatively often (one or twice a year)? Or is this a rare opportunity for you?

Even though I think AAIP is much better than Something Rotten, you might consider seeing Something Rotten instead if you come to NYC relatively often. Rotten probably won't stay open for as long, and even if it does, you'll want to see it with Borle and BDJ, etc. AAIP will be good with or without the original cast, and will probably run for a while. "

I usually make it to NYC from NC once a year and on a rare year twice. We usually pick a must see show, last year it was "Matilda". This year the must see show is "Hamilton" but we try to get in 1-2 additional shows in during visit.  I am leaning at this time to "Something Rotten" because I want a fun filled evening and love Borle and D'Arcy James. Hopefully they would be there on holiday weekend. My wife told me I have to make a decision next week when we try and buy tickets. 

 

[skies]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 3:42pm

IF deciding between shows, I do listen to others opinions, but after reading synopsis it boils down to me  to what I feel I would enjoy more.   Good or bad, I feel better if I go with my gut, doesn't mean it's always infallible, of course.

 

[Alessio2]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 4:40pm

I saw 8 shows in 7 days in my nyc trip two weeks ago. AAIP was my least favorite, I found it dull to be honest. Did not see Rotten and wish I had now.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 5:23pm

Not everyone seems to adore AAIP as is evidenced from the varied opinions in this thread.

[Jayar2]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 5:39pm

I did not really enjoy AAIP. I just saw it last week, and I had high hopes. I actually thought the dancing could have been better-- Robert Fairchild was a lot less polished than I had expected him to be, and Leann Cope was much more precise with her steps. I'm not sure why I felt like the characters weren't easily accessible, but I really didn't 'care' about anybody other than Henri. (I question Brandon Uranowitz's Tony nom-- I think that Paul Nakauchi should have taken his spot...) But the really bizarre thing for me was ballet-- It was like someone took a recreational drug and thought that it was a great idea to choreograph Hot Dog on a Stick:  The Ballet.  ??? In other words, go see Something Rotten.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 5:59pm

"Hot dog on a stick" . God is that harsh

It was good & deserved a nomination but OTT energetic choreography is a big reason why OTT is the better revival. AAIP seems comatose & it  is like they are sleepwalking at times.

Updated On: 6/23/15 at 05:59 PM

[victorg]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 6:15pm

as you can see-each show has its supporters and its detractors. i saw both and enjoyed both!

[laurenmwendt]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 9:33pm

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 10:43pm

ROTTEN.