BWW Seattle Review: The Wedding Singer

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 7:39am

Seattle Review: The Wedding Singer

[best12bars]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 10:00am

Thanks, BobbyBubby. Sounds like this show needs a LOT of work.

*cringe*

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 10:02am

I was excited about it. Now I'm a little nervous for it. eep.

[ruprecht]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 10:14am

Can't say any of this surprises me . I think I said almost the exact same thing about Benanti a few weeks ago without ever having seen the show. I was a bit surprised by the praise heaped on Spanger. There must be alot wrong with Benanti and Lynchs' chemistry if Spanger is "stealing every scene". I like her but she's never been called a scene stealer.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 10:19am

I am not surprised at all either. I will still see it when it comes to NYC, but I am not expecting much. I hope the creative team does some serious reworking (and maybe recasting) before this comes to Broadway.

Will there be anything good this Spring??? (hopefully Drowsy!)

[BreeDaniel]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 10:41am

I like Amy Spanger but if she's stealing scenes, this show is in more trouble that I even thought.

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 10:57am

Love Amy Spanger! She stole a lot of scene in "Reefer Madness," I'd say.

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 11:44am

I think that review is spot on. They've got a lot of work to do before they hit New York.

[ToBeingAnUsForOnce]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 12:06pm

Oh no...I'm going to see this in May with my school. I loved the movie, so I was very excited to see the production. Now I'm not so sure...

At least we're also seeing Phantom!

[AuditioningWaitress]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 12:09pm

Great review Robbie! Thanks!

[ruprecht]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 12:09pm

Quibbler, that was a movie and instances where Spanger "should" have stolen the scene. That shouldn't be the case in WS.

[thespian geek]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 1:28pm

I'll be seeing it while it's in previews in NYC, so hopefully some of the kinks will be worked out by then. *Crosses fingers* It's bad that I keep flip-flopping wanting to see this for certain people over wanting to see it for the show because the movie was great. Right now I'm back to the "I'm only seeing this because of a few people who are in it.." train of thought.

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 1:41pm

Speaking of Spanger, I think the review is totally right about the first act finale. Isn't the end of the first act a little late for a "let's all meet out on the village green" number in a musical?

It seemed like it was just an excuse to lead up to the big "special effect" (which was very impressive and fun to see), but the story was gone by that point and there was no dramatic tension whatsoever between the two leads. A secondary character singing about her desire to "go out on Saturday night" just isn't all that interesting, in the scheme of things. (And poor Spanger must have one hell of an intermission trying to repair herself after the effect. That can't be fun to do eight times a week, and looks possibly pneumonia inducing.)

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 7:18pm

bump

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 7:21pm

Could Spanger play Benanti's part, or is she too old now?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 7:39pm

It'd be a shame to move her. She was born the play Holly. I'm not a huge Spanger fan, but this role is a perfect fit. And what a dancer!

[little_sally]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 8:51pm

I wish Amy Spanger was originally cast as Julia. I think she perfectly captures the character. I'm glad, however, she is getting good notices in the part she is in.

[elvenprincess971]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 9:00pm

How long is The Wedding Singer?

[BreakingTheCircle07]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 9:17pm

*gulp* It's too bad to see Benanti, Spanger, & Lynch in another new struggling musical.

[rKrispyt]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 9:35pm

I have to say...

...as much as I enjoy Laura B., no matter how hard I try I can't see her doing this. Her presence and skills are so mature, I just can't picture her dumbing it down to be goofy or campy, y'know? Not to say she's better than this, but I think this kinda material probably goes against her strengths rather than playing to them.

I wish she were doing an original piece like this where they were still writing songs for her etc. and it was broadway bound (wedding singer IS broadway bound at this point, isn't it?) but something that's going to cater to her gifts as an actress and singer...does that make sense?

For some reason, I keep seeing Laura Bell Bundy in this role. I dunno why. Maybe it's cause I see 'Laura B' typed on these boards and always think it's her.

Also, to be fair to Amy Spanger (and cause I actually do enjoy her performances, lol) he did say that the role was perfect for her so that's a little different than it being any old show and him saying "she's so talented!" - it just sounded more to me like this role and her talent are a perfect match to showcase what she does well (which is what I meant going back to the Laura B rant above).

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 9:49pm

Another review - from Talkinbroadway.com:

Mostly positive. Says the show needs some tweaking and that Benanti is indeed miscast.

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/regional/seattle/se281.html

[QMAN03]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 1:27am

Are the producers going to get the idea and give the boot (lovingly of course) to Benanti?

[blaxx]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 4:08am

Even if it's sad, it could even be benefitial for her career to leave the show, than to be blamed as one of the main causes for its possible failure.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 12:52pm

Most every review sited Benanti as a key problem. Her flaws in the role aren't things that can just be fixed with change of direction, she is simply miscast. What is interesting is Benanti is the only performer with a standby.

[jv92]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 12:58pm

The creative team has got to get to work.
Updated On: 2/11/06 at 12:58 PM