Broadway on Broadway

[flaemmchen]

Posted: 9/7/03 at 5:09pm

If I'm posting a duplicate thread, I apologize

So, Daisy and I got up bright and early to go to Broadway on Broadway, and I'm sorry to say, but it didn't help our situation any. We were in Times Square by 8:30, and instead of getting a spot up close, we ended up getting shunted to the back somewhere while people who arrived later than us got better spots. *sigh* Oh, well. I guess I've just learned my lesson: it doesn't really matter what time you get there (unless it's at the crack of dawn), you're really going to end up standing in the same place.

In spite of that, it was a lovely show, as I'm sure the photos documented. The patter between Nathan Lane, Jane Krakowski, and the disembodied voice was fabulous. Nathan and Jane were great together--can we get a vehicle for them in the future?
I was in a particularly loud section, and we really had a blast. We cheered loudly for most everything. The overture if the event, which was none other than the famous Gypsy overture, shot the whole place with electricity, and everyone gave a long round of applause when the last note was played.
Chicago then came out and performed We Both Reached For the Gun. Melanie was...boring. All of us who saw the understudy, Michelle Potterf, rehearse, wished she was playing Roxie--she was just hysterical. Brent Barrett got a huge hand as Billy Flynn, and all the girls were screaming "WE LOVE YOU, BRENT!!!!!" as he held his big note.
Mamma Mia was up next with Money Money Money. Louise Pitre is really a force, and it's astounding how such a big, rich voice comes out of such a teeny lady. Everyone was bopping around and singing along.
Then came all the Gypsy kids to perform Baby June and her Newsboys. I must say, the costumes Heather Tepe wears in the show don't do much justice to her dancing in this number. They're great for the turns, but you don't see half of her extension, which is insane. Older people were yelling, "YOU'RE AMAZING!"
I believe this is where the program went out of order, and Rebecca Luker came on to perform Unusual Way, following a tumultuously applauded short introduction from Mr. Hottie Guido Antonio Banderas. Now...I've been so excited to hear and see Rebecca as Claudia, and she didn't disappoint with this performance. Y'all know what a huge Laura Benanti fan I am (I co-run her website, for feck's sake!), but Rebecca was just incredible and had me in tears. She wasn't looking so much for the stylistic elements of the song, as Laura did. Instead, her rendition was so simple, yet so filled with emotion. And how about the lower range, eh? I can't WAIT to see her now.

I don't remember the order of the rest of the program, so I'll just type what I remember from each performance:
--Millie performed Forget About the Boy. What the hell happened to Sutton? She seemed like she was on autopilot and totally didn't want to be there. The song wasn't nearly as effective as it usually is, and Anne L. Nathan got more applause than anyone else. (We [heart] Anne!)
--Phantom...Hugh Panaro. Holy feck! Did anyone know he could sing like that? I mean, where did that come from? Such a rich voice, and he went from the low to the high notes so fluidly. What kind of a vehicle was Side Show for him, huh?
--Avenue Q. I must see this show now. They performed If You Were Gay, and the entire place was in stitches.
--The Producers performed I Wanna Be a Producer. Same old, same old, except it was great to see Don Stephenson as Leo Bloom. Love him.
--Cabaret. Okay, what the hell was that rendition of I Don't Care Much. It was horrible.
--Hairspray. Kathy Brier is incredible. What a voice on her--she didn't scratch, she wasn't hoarse. She was just singing her heart out and having a good time.
--Big River. Michael McElroy and Dan Jenkins are great, and Ty Giordano is adorable with such an expressive face. The integration of the sign language is really innovative.
--Rent. Seasons of Love. Blah blah blah.

And the new stuff:
--Taboo didn't thrill me. It seemed like a bad immitation of Hedwig, though Euan Morton was pretty good.
--Never Gonna Dance was adorable. Noah Racey is fabulous as the Fred Astaire character. Nancy Lemenager is a better dancer than singer. They do have the Fred/Ginger partnering down pat, though.
--Little Shop did Suddenly Seymour. Hunter was so cute and dorky. Kerry was belting her butt off, as usual. I enjoyed her, but I didn't get a feel of her portrayal of the character, so I guess I've gotta see the show.
--Wicked did The Wizard and I. Idina was incredible. You can tell this is the perfect vehicle for her. She just ripped the song up, and the audience was screaming by the end.

And the Give My Regards to Broadway finale is always amazing. Nothing like having pounds of confetti dumped on you in Times Square

Flea Market's in two weeks!

Updated On: 9/7/03 at 05:09 PM

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 9/7/03 at 5:17pm

I really wish I could have been there!

[DofB5]

Posted: 9/7/03 at 5:41pm

Me, too.

[The8re phan]

Posted: 9/7/03 at 5:44pm

me three. If anyone out there is able to tape the broadcast for me and wants to make a few bucks, PLEASE pm me.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 9/7/03 at 6:01pm

Me too! Please PM me.

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 9/7/03 at 6:38pm

It was a great show but where I was the audio was awful and the sun had a glare on the big screen. Not the most enjoyable one I have been to.

[BroadwayGypsy]

Posted: 9/7/03 at 6:40pm

Me three! Please PM me, and I will also reimburse the costs.

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 9/7/03 at 7:26pm

Thank you for your post. I really enjoyed reading it and as a result, I have tickets for Avenue Q this coming Wednesday. I can't wait to see Broadway on Broadway, Tuesday night.
Once again...I loved your post.

Posted: 9/7/03 at 7:39pm

Oh Flae!

"What I wouldn't give to be in your shoes..."

[dotmarie]

Posted: 9/7/03 at 7:43pm

L5Years...you took the words right out of my mouth.

Thanks so much for the post, Flaemmchen. We unfortunate souls who don't live in New York and aren't even able to view the broadcast appreciate it. I'm going to be upset with NBC for awhile...well, at least until the Will & Grace season premiere.

[NativeNewYorker]

Posted: 9/7/03 at 8:04pm

I think I'm in love with the kid from Big River...how CUTE is he?

Question for those who were there early: Joe Machota and Tina Maddigan came and did "Lay All Your Love on Me"...Audrey Puentes from NBC interviewed them...then they left and they didn't come back. It had nothing to do with Broadway on Broadway...don't get it. What was going on with them?

Hugh Panaro is absolutely incredible...He's kinda a slight guy, and this voice comes out of him.

Avenue Q-HYSTERICAL!!!! John Tartiglia has a lot of potential, I can definitely see him gaining some huge following.

Idina is gorgeous in person and I can't wait to see that show!

I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed every act...(except maybe Taboo...Boy George always freaked me out...so I focused on the cute chorus boy during that one.)

And it was just so touching that just as they were all singing "Give My Regards to Broadway" the sun suddenly came out BRILLIANTLY and all the confetti came down...it's moments like that that I really want to just start bawling...but I controlled myself, because if I did cry, I know it would have ended up being televised.

[broadway geek]

Posted: 9/7/03 at 8:34pm

I know I'm just jumping on the bandwagon but please pm me if you are able to copy this for me. Will reimburse plus more.

[PennyLou]

Posted: 9/7/03 at 9:49pm

Yea I had so much fun I loved it :) I was about 7 people from the stage it was so cool Next year I'm gonna get up an hour earlyer so I can get right in the front!! But I really enjoyed it the song from Cabaret was kind of bad band I didn't really like Melanye int eh Roxie role she didn't seem to really be with it but everyone eals was really good but I still wish they did the whole song for LSOH :)

[ShineOn]

Posted: 9/7/03 at 10:32pm

OMG... I don't know where to begin.

I nearly FAINTED at Hugh. He had me hyperventilating.

Anyone who knows me knows I had an ENORMOUS crush on Hugh right after Side Show closed. I, however, wasn't the biggest fan of Buddy... and boy, did that role do complete UNJUSTICE to his voice.

I was seriously stunned. I wanted to cry... he sent shivers down my spine -- literally! WHAT A FREAKING VOICE!!!

If anyone was there, I was the maniac screaming, "I LOVE YOU, HUGH!" as he left the stage. LOL.



Um, Sutton? Don't get me STARTED. HOW disappointed am I in her? She looked pissed at the world and there was no spark. Apparently she's forgotten that this Tony Award winning musical is what MADE her a star and somewhere along the line she lost that "star quality" along with the notion. And WHAT was she doing to her voice? That whiny, "I'm-going-to-push-every-breath-of-air-I-have-through-my-nasal-cavity" stint wore at my nerves. What happened to that power house voice that used to make me wanna get up and sing and dance along with her??? I really was a huge supporter of Miss Foster, but was totally let down this afternoon. Thank you Anne for providing SOME form of entertainment within this number.


Avenue Q -- PURE genius. I can't wait to see this show.

Never Gonna Dance -- I swear I was the only one who screamed a little "WOO" when Jane announced it... and then finally Jane was like, "Yeah... WOO!" We share some unspoken or uncommunicated bond. You know, it's not enough we look alike and all... hell, we're like one. HEY! Maybe she can be my Violet... my geriatric Violet. It can be like Side Show gone wrong...! Anyway, SO excited for this show. Actually, to be honest... I would have loved to see Jane tackle the role of Penny Carrol (Ginger's role in "Swing Time"... Nancy's part). It looks fun, regardless. The dancing is superb. *mwah*


Little Shop.


I will be the one to say it. NO! I nearly cried. I *really* wanted to give Kerry a chance. I REALLY did... but what I saw today was NOTHING. I guess I should see the show in its entiety before I completely judge her characterization, but from what I viewed today, she brought nothing to the role. I wasn't getting Audrey's vulnerability or her need to be loved by Seymour. I didn't get that -- the entire time, all I could think of was, "I wonder how Alice would have interpreted that..."

*sigh* I really loved Kerry in Bat Boy and Hairspray, I really did. However, I feel like she was still Penny. It seems to me that she's playing AT Audrey's stupidity, ultimately losing the vulnerable and lovable quality that makes Audrey an empathetic character. She's a very complex character to nail down... and she has to be approached with caution because its easy to do wrongly. That was what was so amazing about Ellen Greene -- Audrey was real for her. There was nothing "funny" about what she wanted. She didn't have to go for the laughs... they came with the honesty she brought to the character. Maybe Kerry will eventually find that, but from what I witnessed today -- it's not quite there. I'll still see the show and give her the benefit of a doubt, because I WAS hoping for only the best from her. She has great comedic timing, but Audrey should not be approached in the same manner as Penny Pingleton.


And to end on a brighter note and quite possibly the exact opposite of my previous paragraph -- Rebecca Luker.

Now we're talking HONESTY. Flae hit it right on the nail when she said Becca didn't have to hide behind any stylization. There was Rebecca, in all her vulnerable glory, singing with this rich, luscious voice that brought tears to my eyes -- who KNEW she was so rangy with such a warm lower register??? I certainly didn't. Her pain and longing was so evident in her simple rendition. She possesses just the right maturity as an actress and human being to embody everything that role is meant to be. That was what was missing in Benanti's Claudia. Not that she doesn't have a gorgeous voice or that I question her acting capabilities, but she didn't seem to have "arrived" yet to convey just the right emotion expressed from the role.

I can't wait to return to Nine. She truly is wonderful. I was literally brought to tears by her performance. I'll be waiting for them to heard in the fleet of replacements before returning, though. Too much theatre to see to have to return to Nine multiple times. I'll cover it in one clean sweep -- Luker, Stamos, and Elfman!


Oh, and Nathan and the disembodied voice -- really, what can I say? How can you NOT be assured a good time when you're in the hands of Nathan Lane. Seriously, he and Jane have great chemistry. Good pairing -- I'd like to see them host something else together. Highly entertaining!

Updated On: 9/8/03 at 10:32 PM

Posted: 9/7/03 at 10:56pm

If somoene records the show on NBC this tuesday. Please PM me. I am in Baltimore and they are not going to show it. I would like to see it.

WAAAA!

[Songsstresss]

Posted: 9/7/03 at 10:57pm

I just checked all my tv listings and we're not getting Broadway on Broadway either. Which is kinda surprising because we got it last year. Anywho... I'll pay somebody for the video too! PM me please!!!

[PennyLou]

Posted: 9/7/03 at 11:39pm

1) I"m getting since i get nyc ch as my regular ch. so if you would like a copy i'm not paying to send a houndry copys or to buy tapes so pm me if you want to work somthing out.

Updated On: 9/8/03 at 11:39 PM

[ShineOn]

Posted: 9/7/03 at 11:55pm

I'm sorry, PennyLou, I didn't understand half of what you said. But if you're telling me my opinion isn't valid, well that's poor taste on your behalf. I witnessed what I witnessed today and have every right to feel whatever it may be based on her performance. I didn't say anything wrong and I validated why I felt the way I did. Who are you to tell me that is wrong? That's very childish.

I think I was being very fair. I *did* say I would give her a chance and see the entire show before completely denouncing her capabilities. I also said that I believe she has time to grow in the role. I believe that's giving her a fair shot in my eyes.

I don't think any of the reasons you listed were valid for her 'lack of characterization'. If that's true of what you say, it shows little professionalism on her part. I witnessed many a performance today that were stellar and worthy of praise. I'm not going to commend Kerry's performance and sing the praises where I don't feel they're due. If I see the show and my opinion changes, I'll be more than happy to freely admit it. I'm actually HOPING she changes my mind because I am a fan of hers in general -- just not her Audrey thus far. I truly do hope she can change my opinion where that's concerned.

[skingdom]

Posted: 9/8/03 at 12:14am

I got there a little bit late, during Baby June and her newsboys. I heard behind me, oh thats my friend Kate, apparently reffering to Kate Reinders. And I thought, Kate Reinders was in Into the Woods. (It wasn't Kate, but we were so far away we werent sure.)So I turned around and there was Kristin Carbone with her friend. ( She was in ITW, understudied many parts.) I asked her if she had been in the show so I wouldn't seem like a freak. She talked to me for awhile, so so nice. Anyway, I didn't want her to know that I knew her entire bio, so I wasn't sure what to say and acted like an idiot. But it was awesome none the less.

I was lukewarm on Forget about the boy, its all they ever do, Sutton was tired, but It didn't really piss me off the way it did others.

Kathy Brier rocked,

as did Idina Menzel. Love that song. Can't wait to see the show.

Posted: 9/8/03 at 1:33am

PennyLou...
I think that most people would not expect you to make 100s of copies or buy the videos for them.

[babsdude]

Posted: 9/8/03 at 7:36am

Am I crazy, or didn't I see BROADWAY ON BROADWAY on TV last year? It was the first time I saw the big HAIR dance number. I caught it on TV in the middle of the afternoon, one weekend I think.

So, did they tape this year? Will it be broadcast? I know it's not the same as BEING THERE, but it would be cool to see.

- Matt :)
http://barbra-archives.com

[PennyLou]

Posted: 9/8/03 at 11:28am

ok sorry daisy hilton
I wasn't saying it isn't valid and I wasn't trying to start any problems I was just saying that you shouldn't judge her performance of Adury from half of a song. You should see the show or see her perform anther songs or at least the whole version of Suddenly Seymour before making up your mind as to if you like her in the part.
also I wasn't saying not to judge her perfomance at Broadway on Broadway I just ment and as Adury in all you can Judge what you saw anyway you want. Thats not what I ment.

[Amneris]

Posted: 9/8/03 at 12:34pm

when the news showed a long clip of "forget about the boy" i didnt even recognize sutton!!! She looked so tired and thin.. she looks washed out with the blonde streaks. she has the same exact skin tone as I do..very light and when i had blonde hair for 3 days lol! and have blonde and orange streaks currently dont ask me why...i looked/look washed out.. is it me or does sutton keep getting younger looking? When i went to the bway.com photo op...had she not been wearing a white shirt i probably would of thought jessica grove was sutton for a second. She will always be a super star though but i wish shed move on to another show where she can start fresh..if her hot brother wasnt seymour, she would of made one fantastic audrey. i mean it could work now but then theyd be singing "suddenly incest" wouldnt work well for the kiddies.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 9/8/03 at 2:01pm

Pennylou, I DID see the entire show and have said that Kerry is a complete wash as Audrey. It's just not her role. Casting mistakes happen all the time but they're generally not this obvious. She has the misfortune of having to follow in genius footsteps(Ellen Greene) and a far better portrayal by Alice Ripley. The more I hear negative feedback about Kerry, the more I wonder why they fired Alice. Updated On: 9/8/03 at 02:01 PM

[ShineOn]

Posted: 9/8/03 at 2:36pm

They didn't fire Alice... from what I understand. I believe she chose not to do the show because she didn't like the underhandedness of what went on (canceling, firing, rehiring, etc.).

I do believe it was Alice's choice not to play the role on Broadway... which really sucks because I only heard WONDERFUL things about her. I was under the impression she was the BEST part of the Florida production.


If my understanding is wrong, I would be even MORE angry and the unjustice.


Like I said, I've always been a fan of Kerry's, but I agree -- she was COMPLETELY miscast. Ellen Greene's a tough act to follow as is (considering she is the one and only person anyone thinks of when they think of Audrey... originated it AND was in the movie... she IS Audrey)... when you're completely wrong for the role to begin with, you're pretty much screwed in the public's eye.