ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Someone in a Tree2 said: "Isn't it more surprising that JRB isn't providing his own lyrics to this? Has he ever worked on a score with another lyricist before?"
Not a show that's been produced, but I believe he has. But this is also Billy's passion project and he put it all together...I wonder if he was friendly with Adolph which is how Amanda is attached?
Either way, perhaps JRB will enjoy the freedom of only being composer. He is a better composer than lyricist, and nice that there is at least *one* woman on the creative team. I assume this score is more in the music style ofHoneymoon in Vegas?"
Per an interview JRB did on a podcast, Billy Crystal had initially approached Marc Shaiman (the composer for the original film), who was going to work with Amanda Green, but Shaiman dropped out of the project. Green approached JRB to do it afterward.
BoringBoredBoard40 said: "John Cullum was in his 80s when he did Scottboro Boys whats your point"
Andre De Shields is 2 years older than Crystal, and he's doing 8 shows a week in Hadestown. Of course, there are people in their 30s who wish they had De Shield's energy.
Alex Kulak2 said: "Per an interview JRB did on a podcast, Billy Crystal had initially approached Marc Shaiman (the composer for the original film), who was going to work with Amanda Green, but Shaiman dropped out of the project. Green approached JRB to do it afterward."
That makes sense! It is a little odd that Shaiman isn't involved considering he's worked with Crystal so much.
RippedMan said: "Exciting to have our first new musical of the season!"
Huh? You know new musicals have already opened this season, right?
Assuming the comment is not simply about Crystal's age, but that this is his first Broadway musical, and he's carrying the whole show on his shoulders. It was a concern people had of Midler and plenty of other stars. We'll see how it goes...
ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Alex Kulak2 said: "Per an interview JRB did on a podcast, Billy Crystal had initially approached Marc Shaiman (the composer for the original film), who was going to work with Amanda Green, but Shaiman dropped out of the project. Green approached JRB to do it afterward."
That makes sense! It is a little odd that Shaiman isn't involved considering he's worked with Crystal so much.
In the interview, JRB made it sound like it was because Shaiman's schedule got too busy.
I saw Sunday's matinee. All I can say is it was OK. I never saw the movie, so I don't have anything to compare it to. The songs weren't particularly memorable and there were minimal sets, costumes, and props. Since it was advertised as a staged reading, I was expecting the cast to carry scripts. Happy to report there was none of that. The show is in 2 acts. It started at around 3:00 PM and ended at around 5:30 PM. I think there's a lot to be done before it transfers to Broadway, if that's the end goal. Overall, I'm glad I caught this production if only just to see Billy Crystal in a staged musical.
OuttaTowner said: "I guess my big question is, “Is it worth the 2.5 hour trek up from the city?”"
For me it was worth the 2.5 hour drive from Boston. I got front row center for $135. There is no way I would get that great a seat at that price on Broadway.
ren598 said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "How does the music compare to JRB's other shows? I'm sort of assuming he's inHoneymoon in Vegasmode here?"
Probably closer to Honeymoon in Vegas than any of his other works."
How did he work with Amanda Green? Were the lyrics better than when he writes his own? (and he's a damn good lyricist when he's writing his own)
I really enjoyed this – it’s an absolute joy to watch Billy Crystal be Billy Crystal. He is still in top form. The music is definitely Honeymoon in Vegas-ish (which is totally appropriate), I don’t know Amanda‘s work well enough to judge the lyrics but they seemed like a good match to me. I think the daughter’s character needs work (especially in act one), but they’ll figure it out.
Overall I think this show will be like printing money. Loads of nostalgia, a real star who has the chops for a stage musical, lots of laughs and heart. It’s not going to win a Pulitzer but that’s not what it’s trying to do.
(Also, I thought the small ensemble was extremely effective - I wouldn’t expect them to expand it. This of course makes it even cheaper to run.)
I'd suspect this to be a big hit. I mean, it's tough in a season with a Hugh Jackman musical, but I think Billy Crystal in a nostalgic musical, will be a big hit.
We will see. Honeymoon didn't even last three months after officially opening at the Nederlander, and not even Tony Danza could boost ticket sales despite some strong reviews.
On paper, Jackman - and his material - is a better draw than Crystal. But we will find out soon enough.
Billy Crystal is infinitely more famous than Tony Danza. He is BELOVED — not quite Bette Midler beloved, but close.
We talk about Lehman Trilogy being catnip for the middle aged, upper-middle-class theatergoer from the tristate area. Billy Crystal is the ultimate catnip.
The show will be big for however long Crystal is in it. It might not be *art*, but it will sell tickets (and by these reports sounds like it’s entertaining). Even if sales soften and it shows up at TKTS, “a musical with Billy Crystal in it” is an easy sell to tourists.
A lot of shows this season are trying to appeal to an unsustainable or nonexistent audience demographic. Mr. Saturday Night’s target audience is there at the ready.
