BYE BYE BIRDIE Reviews- Page 4

[Kevn520]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 11:21pm

I feel like Roundabout has had quite a few misses lately when it comes to their productions. Kinda makes me hesitate to see anything by them.

[TheColorOfFlame]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 11:33pm

PalJoey, did the Follies dancers dance badly on purpose in the recent Roundabout revival of Follies? I saw it and I don't remember that, but I'm very intrigued by the silliness of the idea!

It bugs me that Brantley doesn't care for Allie Trimm, in 13 or here. I mean, I think her acting totally sucks, but her voice is like honey and she really sparkled in comparison to the rest of Bye Bye Birdie.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 11:45pm

I'm not surprised Funk is walking away with the reviews. He's terrible once he starts acting, but when he is singing and dancing, he is the only one who looks like he is having a good time on that stage, and he sure rocks during "Honestly Sincere." When the number started, it was the first time in the evening when I was actually having fun.
I thought Brantley was right on the money, though I liked Houdyshell most of the time even though her character borders on offensive--to the point that a lot of the jokes are just awkward and not funny (yes, I know that's the point but it's cringe-worthy at times). This is a waste of a revival.

[blaxx]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 12:59am

If I may say something: You are all making it sound like Funk is getting raves. The reviews really say "he's the one that sucks less". Very different.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 1:01am

I think Dick Gautier was the first actor that both my mother and I had a crush on.

Neither my daughter and nor I feel that way about Funk.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 1:08am

Funk stunk. (Ha.)

I'm surprised Allie Trimm isn't getting singled out more.

And yeah, to back up blaxx's point, re-read the last few sentences of the Times' review:

"Strangely enough, Mr. Funk, who missed several previews because of tonsillitis, seems more at ease onstage than anybody else. Closer to a Back Street Boys alumnus than Elvis, heâ??s not really right for the part. But he sings on key and appears to be enjoying himself. Itâ??s nice to think that somebody is."- Ben Brantley

He wasn't even singing when I saw it. He was screeching and screaming for no reason. And really didn't seem to be enjoying himself at all... Or is it just me who felt this way? Updated On: 10/16/09 at 01:08 AM

[blaxx]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 1:46am

I can't believe my beloved Matthew and his pan hasn't made it here so far:

The Roundabout Theatre Company’s new revival of Bye Bye Birdie has one, and only one, good reason for seeing it: the place it’s playing. The new Henry Miller’s Theatre on 43rd Street is a smart-looking, highly attractive, subterranean complex that looks like it could elegantly house any musical or large-scale play. It’s even reportedly one of the “greenest” theaters in New York, which points to a rigorous and respectful attention to detail on the part of Roundabout and the people who designed and built it. Would that that same care went into the show that’s christening the new space.

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/world/index.html

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 1:47am

I think it's safe to say this will be the revival left out of the Best Musical Revival category. lol

[blaxx]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 1:48am

Wall Street Journal - Negative
NorthJersey.com - Mixed
Variety - Negative
Associated Press - Negative
Hollywood Reporter - Negative
Backstage.com - Negative
amNY - Negative
New York Times - Negative
Bloomberg - 3 stars out of 5
Talkin' Broadway - Negative

Ouch?

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 1:54am

USA Today 3 out of 4 stars

http://www.usatoday.com/life/theater/reviews/2009-10-15-bye-bye-birdie_N.htm?csp=34
Updated On: 10/16/09 at 01:54 AM

[snarkywannabedreamer]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 2:39am

USA Today is officially the most out of touch critic on the planet.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 3:20am

So, I guess a cast recording is out of the question? Sucks. I was looking forward to one with better sound quality.

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 3:23am

Maybe they'll find Stamos enough of a draw to do a cast recording?

[blaxx]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 3:29am

Although their weekly grosses aren't awful, they certainly don't reflect having a big name in their cast, let alone more than one.

This was awful casting. I think you either get someone who's that big of a name that now matter how bad will pack the house and bring in the money or cast the show with integrity.

This "in the middle" casting certainly was an awful idea.

[bk]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 3:30am

"So, I guess a cast recording is out of the question? Sucks. I was looking forward to one with better sound quality."

Better sound quality than WHAT? The Broadway cast album produced by Goddard Lieberson? Is that what you are talking about? One of the best-sounding cast albums EVER? Is that what you're talking about? Most cast albums today WISH they sounded as good as the classic Columbia albums.

[tazber]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 3:54am

The TV cast with Jason Alexander and Vanessa Williams has excellent sound quality, CATS.

Updated On: 10/16/09 at 03:54 AM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 4:26am

"An expense of spirit in a waste of shame."

--W. Shakespeare

[tazber]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 7:18am

Whoa, harsh!

What paper does that guy work for, PJ?

[After Eight]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 7:36am

I'm not surprised by these reviews.

A big disappointment all the way around, and, unfortunately, a lost opportunity.

When will anyone try this again to do it right?

And I thought the new orcherstrations were terrible.

[Trish2]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 8:20am

add the NY DAILY news to the list as a major NEGATIVE.

"With the newly restored Henry Miller's Theatre, the Roundabout has another Broadway house under its wing. But with the launch of the venue's inaugural production, a bumbling, badly cast version of "Bye Bye Birdie," it also has egg on its face."



Bye Bye Birdie is guilty of fowl play

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 8:21am

NY Daily News give it one star:
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2009/10/16/2009-10-16_bye_bye_birdie_is_guilty_of_fowl_play.html

Terrible review from the Post, too (1.5 stars):
http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/birdbrained_revival_flops_9QfxOXvUOYbbMW8JzLLNeJ

And in his column today, Riedel declares the only thing that can save it is Don Rickles:
http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/dirty_birdie_secrets_fn2PoLngXfjTz6XctC8MMM

I only hope the critics still have some venom left for Memphis on Monday, which I thought was a far, far worse show and production than this one.

[massofmen]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 8:28am

i agree with Snarky, USATODAY has no business writing reviews anymore. It seems to me that every time she and john simon are in the vast minority when the reviews come out.
It's really becoming pathetic

[ZiggyCringe]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 9:20am

Well... the reviews were as expected. This "Birdie" is a terrible mess. I'm surprised a bit at the love for Funk (I guess getting sick during critic performances pays off) and the lack of love for Irwin, who I thought was the best thing about the whole damned mess of a show. (Full disclosure: I didn't hang around for the second act.) I also thought it was strange that everyone picked on Gershon for her singing and dancing abilities, when I found her acting to be far, far worse. She was simply clueless.

As many posters before said, "Hey, Roundabout! Stop casting C-list celebrities in your shows! There are far more talented people (who may not be stars) who can perform the heck out of stuff like Birdie!"

To anyone who's on the fence and wants to see a GOOD revival on Broadway, go see "Finian's Rainbow," which is sensationally wonderful, terrifically well cast, and an entirely dreamy production.


Updated On: 10/16/09 at 09:20 AM

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 9:42am

"Bye Bye Birdie” may be the most painful example of misapplied talent on Broadway since the Roundabout’s production of “Hedda Gabler,” starring Mary-Louise Parker, last season."

Thanks Ben Brantley, I needed that this morning.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 9:46am

Production staff of "Promises Promises" are you listening? Mad Manning these old musicals don't work

Well... not that I think "Mad Manning" is a solution to presenting a musical from the 60s, at least "Promises" is about office and sexual politics. But I hope there aren't a bunch of shiny suits (or Gina Gershon) in the Promises revival.