#1
Posted: 9/25/05 at 8:21pm
Anyone else see the last performance of Cheerleader today??
"But Im a Cheerleader"....Closing show
#2
Posted: 9/25/05 at 8:56pm
Indeed I did. Loved it even more a second time around, I have to say. The audience reaction was off the chart. Fabulous.
Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.
#3
Posted: 9/25/05 at 10:31pm
Ooh, explain!
"The tick BOOM tick BOOM is so loud I can't hear the rain on the grass. I can't hear the wind. I'm about to scream. But I realize I'm not alone."
#4
Posted: 9/25/05 at 10:40pm
Was there as well. The audience was packed (with quite a few people standing around) and the response was uproarious. The audience was actually already standing before the final note of the finale, "Cheer." Nuts all around. Got a chance to speak to a lot of the folks involved and, well, everyone's pretty excited about the possibilities ahead.
#5
Posted: 9/25/05 at 11:46pm
I LOVED it the second time around and I was sooooooooo happy that I got to go to the closing show!!! =)
#6
Posted: 9/26/05 at 11:04am
I was there. I loved it.
Marry me, Kelly Karbacz.
Marry me, Kelly Karbacz.
#7
Posted: 9/26/05 at 11:11am
I know, right? Although my heart belongs to Chandra Lee Schwartz.
Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.
#8
Posted: 9/26/05 at 11:17am
I really think that "If That's What it Takes" is one of the best songs I've heard in a long while.
#9
Posted: 9/26/05 at 11:18am
Am i the ONLY one who was underwhelmed by this show?
'The Devil be hitting me!'--Whitney Houston
Updated On: 9/26/05 at 11:18 AM
#10
Posted: 9/26/05 at 11:21am
If the show did so well, why was it a limited run (and a very short one at that)?
Hey Dottie!
Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
#11
Posted: 9/26/05 at 11:25am
That's all you're allowed to run at NYMF. But you haven't seen the last of Cheerleader.
And middie, you're allowed to be underwhelmed. You can't please all the people all the time. But did you not enjoy the performances?
And middie, you're allowed to be underwhelmed. You can't please all the people all the time. But did you not enjoy the performances?
Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.
#12
Posted: 9/26/05 at 11:32am
I loved Chandra Lee Schwartz as Penny in the Hairspray tour. She was one of the best Penny's I have ever seen. I'm sorry I wasn't able to see her in this.
Hey Dottie!
Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
#13
Posted: 9/26/05 at 11:40am
IM SO glad someone else said it first. It was underwhelming. Not that it was bad, just not as AMAZING as all these people keep raving about on here.
I mean, it IS a festival show. To answer your question above, it's a limited run becasue of the NYMF. It may get picked up by some investors. Im sure we will see more of Cheerleader.
I think that it really had its great moments. But there needs to be some MAJOR cast changes. Starting with the lead. As cute as she is, she just doesnt fit the role. You need a girl who is just a little more "oddly sweet" for meghan. Most of the supporting players at the "true-directions" camp could use some re-writes and better suited actors. With noted exceptions of natalie joy Johnson, Jack ferver and sarah katherine Mason, they really were stand outs here. John hill was by far the funniest thing that show had going for it. The music never really caught on and no one was leaving the show humming anything. But it has lots of heart and a world of potential.
Im sure with the right money and creative input this show can have a life off-broadway very soon. IM glad I was able to see it in this early form.
I mean, it IS a festival show. To answer your question above, it's a limited run becasue of the NYMF. It may get picked up by some investors. Im sure we will see more of Cheerleader.
I think that it really had its great moments. But there needs to be some MAJOR cast changes. Starting with the lead. As cute as she is, she just doesnt fit the role. You need a girl who is just a little more "oddly sweet" for meghan. Most of the supporting players at the "true-directions" camp could use some re-writes and better suited actors. With noted exceptions of natalie joy Johnson, Jack ferver and sarah katherine Mason, they really were stand outs here. John hill was by far the funniest thing that show had going for it. The music never really caught on and no one was leaving the show humming anything. But it has lots of heart and a world of potential.
Im sure with the right money and creative input this show can have a life off-broadway very soon. IM glad I was able to see it in this early form.
#14
Posted: 9/26/05 at 11:42am
Chandra isn't going anywhere, sorry to disappoint you.
Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.
#15
Posted: 9/26/05 at 11:43am
LA2NYC, what an interesting thing you brought up, considering I heard at least 15 people humming various parts of songs when I saw it.
But people always want to see what they want to see, cast changes or not. I thought Chandra was 100% perfect.
But people always want to see what they want to see, cast changes or not. I thought Chandra was 100% perfect.
#16
Posted: 9/26/05 at 11:53am
"Am i the ONLY one who was underwhelmed by this show?"
No you're not. I found myself wincing more than laughing. It was like watching a gay minstrel show. The performers cannot be blamed though-they were performing the roles as written/directed.
Overwrought stereotypes aside, I would have liked it better if the songs were more distinctive, the last scene was reworked so it wasn't so offensively pat out-of-a-sitcom-ish and the final number didn't feel so desperate (like it was saying "Please, please love us!").
I look back and realize that I really had a fine time through most of the show, but it left a bad lingering aftertaste so to speak.
No you're not. I found myself wincing more than laughing. It was like watching a gay minstrel show. The performers cannot be blamed though-they were performing the roles as written/directed.
Overwrought stereotypes aside, I would have liked it better if the songs were more distinctive, the last scene was reworked so it wasn't so offensively pat out-of-a-sitcom-ish and the final number didn't feel so desperate (like it was saying "Please, please love us!").
I look back and realize that I really had a fine time through most of the show, but it left a bad lingering aftertaste so to speak.
#17
Posted: 9/26/05 at 12:07pm
That seems an odd after-thought, Joniray. Are you saying you felt guilty for smiling?
#18
Posted: 9/26/05 at 12:08pm
Exactly--it felt 'desperate' to make me laugh. We'll do or say anything for your pleasure (i've tried that at last call...) I also winced. Pardon the pun, but if they'd been directed to play it 'straighter', it would've worked better.
And Chandra was terrific, as were most of the cast.
And Chandra was terrific, as were most of the cast.
'The Devil be hitting me!'--Whitney Houston
Updated On: 9/26/05 at 12:08 PM
#19
Posted: 9/26/05 at 12:15pm
"but if they'd been directed to play it 'straighter', it would've worked better."
I couldn't agree more.
Also wanted to add to the love for Natalie Joy Johnson. If more of the performances and the writing/directing had been in the more *grounded* style that she used , I think I would have enjoyed the show a lot more.
I couldn't agree more.
Also wanted to add to the love for Natalie Joy Johnson. If more of the performances and the writing/directing had been in the more *grounded* style that she used , I think I would have enjoyed the show a lot more.
#20
Posted: 9/26/05 at 12:21pm
"That seems an odd after-thought, Joniray. Are you saying you felt guilty for smiling?"
No, it means that I remember there being times when I smiled or laughed, but those moments were overcome by the distaste I ultimately had from too many other times when the stereotypes were pushed too far and not enough of the humor was being grounded in the real world, honest emotions, or characters with any more than one-dimension.
No, it means that I remember there being times when I smiled or laughed, but those moments were overcome by the distaste I ultimately had from too many other times when the stereotypes were pushed too far and not enough of the humor was being grounded in the real world, honest emotions, or characters with any more than one-dimension.
Updated On: 9/26/05 at 12:21 PM
#21
Posted: 9/26/05 at 12:41pm
Interesting. I thought Augustin did a pretty great job of turning the one-dimensional thing sideways and started fleshing out more realistic characters in Act II.
But I will third the NJJ love. Girl's pretty amazing but I do feel the real joy of this production was Chandra.
But I will third the NJJ love. Girl's pretty amazing but I do feel the real joy of this production was Chandra.
#22
Posted: 9/26/05 at 1:10pm
Yep--these 3 are proof that NOTHING is going to be liked by all.
I think it's very important to realize that this was a workshop production--the creative team is fully aware of the changes that will come as the show continues to evolve. This also wasn't going to have the slick tech and million dollar budget that some of you are possibly dependant upon.
And, then there are those theatre elitists that just want to hate anything popular. fnar fnar!
I think it's very important to realize that this was a workshop production--the creative team is fully aware of the changes that will come as the show continues to evolve. This also wasn't going to have the slick tech and million dollar budget that some of you are possibly dependant upon.
And, then there are those theatre elitists that just want to hate anything popular. fnar fnar!
Updated On: 9/26/05 at 01:10 PM
#23
Posted: 9/26/05 at 1:18pm
2 songs, from what I overheard being discussed yesterday post show, are going to be overhauled. So it's not like they were all sat there going "we're fabulous, let's open the show on Broadway tomorrow." While I am loath to make such comparisons, this show has the potential to be the next Hairspray.
Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.
#24
Posted: 9/26/05 at 2:24pm
The only song that I found grating was "Fun with Dick and Jane". I thought everything else was wonderful.
#25
Posted: 9/26/05 at 2:53pm
jrb, I appreciate your half-hearted attempt to try to figure out how in the world someone could not love the show that you adore so. I've been there, so I know how hard it is to grasp sometimes. However, I don't remember any of the criticism here having to do with the caliber of the production, which was indeed impressive for a "workshop" (as have been the other shows I have seen at NYMF - overall definitely several steps up from the Fringe).
So I guess we must be theatre elitists then, what else could possibly explain it? Except, I'll be the first to admit that the shows I love have no rhymed or reason to them - that there is no distinct pattern. I loved Passion, I didn't care for Piazza. I loved Miss Saigon, I didn't care for Phantom. I loved Rent, I didn't care for Aida. I loved Hairspray, I didn't care for Cheerleader. So it's not like what is popular or not has anything to do with what I like or don't like.
Maybe its just that our tastes as far as this show is concerned differ.
So I guess we must be theatre elitists then, what else could possibly explain it? Except, I'll be the first to admit that the shows I love have no rhymed or reason to them - that there is no distinct pattern. I loved Passion, I didn't care for Piazza. I loved Miss Saigon, I didn't care for Phantom. I loved Rent, I didn't care for Aida. I loved Hairspray, I didn't care for Cheerleader. So it's not like what is popular or not has anything to do with what I like or don't like.
Maybe its just that our tastes as far as this show is concerned differ.
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