American Psycho — Page 3

I agree, icecreambenjamin. I think there were probably some who thought they were EXPECTED to see it as cool and edgy going in, so they were going to show the creators that they were TOO hip to see it that way. Almost like they were above what they thought the creators were trying to do. If that makes sense. In other words, I think some people go against the grain... of the grain... just to stand out. If THAT makes any sense.

And BuddyStarr, I will admit that Hamilton did overshadow everything on Broadway at that moment. And for some it still does. So perhaps I will be a little more concise and say that while I will agree that it may have been an overshadowing force, I just don't see how that would necessarily impact ticket sales to other shows. At some point the Richard Rodgers Theater has to fill up, and people have to go elsewhere. Unless people are just there to see Hamilton, I'm sure they'll be looking for something else.

And IMHO the average tourist or theatergoer (esp. the tourist factor) will pass on American Psycho for the Wickeds or the Kinky Boots or whatever. I was a child of the 80s though (well, I was into my 20s anyway) so I was interested in seeing what they would do with such a book (even though, interestingly, I never saw the movie). I was a fan of the writer though. I always liked Less Than Zero, which was more representative of my life, growing up in LA. So I wanted to see what they did with the music and staging of this other NYC/80s-style musical.

I thought it was pretty captivating. And the closing with "This Is Not An Exit" was great. Left you wondering if what we just saw really happened, or if it was part of his imagination. That's how I chose to take it anyway.

I'm with you, there were some real standout performances and numbers from the show that really resonated with me. I did actually like the second act too though as "Killing Spree" was great. I also liked "At the End of an Island" and "This Is Not An Exit." Overall, a really interesting show.

The whole score is interesting. I still listen to "Selling Out," "Cards" and "You Are What You Wear" regularly.

I'm so glad to have found some clips of the show online, here and there, but the way that theater just pulsated....being there....live....was something else. Of course, video never does justice, but still glad to have some remaining access to the experience.



ethan231h said: "The fact that the show is "'not dead" yet makes me SO happy!!!! I miss it so much



"

More talk of a return to London:

http://www.broadway.com/buzz/188254/duncan-sheik-aims-to-return-recent-broadway-musical-american-psycho-to-london-stage/

Saw a thrilling regional production of American Psycho on a small stage. That's where a weird show like this can thrive. Once the roller coaster was over, I started trying to parse the message. Can a show be critical of capitalism while being aggressively horny for it?

There are structural similarities to Sweeney Todd. But I find the nihlistic tone is closer to Chicago: The Musical. We forget the crimes of Roxie, Velma and their cellmates and focus on their razzle dazzle glamor. Patrick Bateman can do what he wants as long as he looks terrific in his Ralph Lauren briefs.

Roxie and Velma have clear goals. They want to be stars. Patrick's arc is fuzzier. He wants to "fit in" with his rich colleagues. He does the same workout, wears the same clothes and buys the same products they do. But nothing brings him satisfaction. He briefly clings to the idea that Paul Owen is more "successful" than he. But his colleagues see them as interchangeable.

Roxie sings "Nowadays" when her showbiz dreams are taken away from her. She gets them back and the audience cheers despite knowing she's a killer. Patrick gets the idea that he can redeem himself by turning himself in. And the brief hope that perhaps the killings were all in his head. Followed by the sad realization that no one cares either way and that his mind is utterly broken. His lament, "This is Not an Exit," is a chilling acceptance of this.

Updated On: 9/24/23 at 12:20 PM

If it had opened after T***p's presidential win, it would've ran on Broadway for years.

I agree. This wasn’t given a shot, and it was great. Different, but great. I remember looking at my friend at the beginning of the first act and us both being enthralled by the energy. Maybe an encores or something will give this its due one day.

Count me in as someone who adored this show. I only saw it once (at the first preview and I heard quite a bit changed throughout previews). I would love to see it again, I had no idea the rights were ever released.

BuddyStarr: ''As for 'American Psycho,' I really enjoyed the first act but then the second act couldn't compete with the energy of the first act. It went downhill from there. I wish it would have lasted longer. I would still pay to see Benjamin Walker strutting around the stage in his tighty whities. More songs stand out from this show than many of the "critically acclaimed" shows of that season.''

I agree 1000%. And I'll go further about Walker, who gave one of the most incredible and charismatic performances I've ever seen on Broadway. He was nominated for Outstanding Actor in a Musical by the Outer Critics and the Drama Desk, and it's crazy that he wasn't nominated for a Tony. And frankly, he deserved to win the Tony, too!

Here's Walker & Co. doing ''Selling Out'' from the show:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhJKsZ_5LG8

Updated On: 9/25/23 at 03:12 AM

Benjamin Walker being denied a Tony nom is still upsetting to me. One of the finest performances I've been privileged to witness; his command of character was astounding. The shifts between the public face of Patrick Bateman (with all his insecurities) and his interior thoughts (where he was vastly superior to everyone else) were a master class in subtlety.

The show wasn't perfect, but it had a distinct, unique point of view and an overall vision that all departments were in agreement on. Something you rarely get to see.

What's this buzz of an immersive return in Brooklyn?

That might actually serve the show better than a proscenium house...