CRY-BABY Redux

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 6:03pm

How this shlock gets nominated for the 4 biggest Tony Awards still boggles me. I saw this afternoon's matinee thanks to some very generous comps. It's improved since previews - well, the 2nd act has improved since previews. The first act still goes nowhere and just lays there.

Rob Ashford's choreography is the stand-out, but I still would vote for Andy Blankenbuehler. Alli Mauzey and Harriet Harris are the standout cast members, and their scenery chewing is delightful. And it was good to hear her big number with orchestra parts.

James Snyder has improved - he's still no leading man, but he's improved. Elizabeth Stanley, God bless her, tries very hard.

Found lots that made me laugh this time around - perhaps it was "holy crap, this is just so baaaaad" laughing - but I did enjoy very much the Gas Mask Waltz and the Wedding Shoppe number. And Judge Igneus Stone still gets me every time.

It's easy to pinpoint the failures of the show - the leads, the derivative score (which, I'll admit, does have some hummable numbers), the stale book, Mark Brokaw's direction...and it's unfortunate. They could have had something.

But the place around me loved it and it got 4 Tony nominations. So, in the immortal words of Ethel Merman, "what the f*ck do I know?"

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 6:15pm

Ha! Love it.

How was the audience reactions/capacity etc? Still papering?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 6:22pm

Mezzanine looked largely empty towards the front - school groups occupied the last few rows. The orchestra was almost full - largely papered, I'd believe...since my seat in the 3rd row was.

[dented146]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 7:36pm

It probably got nominated because, " It's improved since previews", "their scenery chewing is delightful", James Snyder has improved", you found lots that made you laugh, you enjoyed the Gas Mask Waltz and the Wedding Shoppe number, and the place around you loved it.

Granted, it's not a great year for new musicals but that was enough. I admit that I am part of the minority that enjoyed this show quite a lot. Someone earlier made the comment that they thought Cry Baby was better as a whole than it is when you look at each part separately. That is my feeling.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 7:43pm

No, looking at it as a whole makes you realize how horribly mediocre it is. It's probably the most mediocre musical ever written - right up there with FOOTLOOSE.

And, it IS a great year for musicals, whether or not they got good reviews.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 8:04pm

Yankee- You got it nailed down! Perfect description...Actually when I was seeing CRY-BABT..it does reminded of LEGALLY BLONDE last year, only LB has 2-3 good songs. Its really like THE WEDDING SINGER. Its enjoyable in a crappy way! People CAN enjoy the show, if they choose to overlooked some of the flaws. I am glad you saw it again. Is it just me or the Gas Mask Waltz was trimmed down now?

J*
Updated On: 5/21/08 at 08:04 PM

[dented146]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 8:04pm

Like I said. I'm in the minority. But I think that the tremendous revivals the last few years put things in perspective concerning the new musicals. Will people in 40 years fill up the St. James to see Spring Awakening, In the Heights or Passing Strange?

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 8:14pm

depends.

will Lupone play Wendla?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 8:17pm

Only if Kevin Kline plays Melchior.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 8:18pm

I was thinking Stew could do a better job at that...

[SpellingBeeFan4Ever]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 9:03pm

Its really like THE WEDDING SINGER.

I saw TWS second preview and I loved it.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 9:45pm

CRY-BABY is probably right on par with TWS. Although I think TWS offered one or two more genuine laughs and at least a few memorable performances...the material though is probably equal in terms of quality. Very, very mediocre. At best.

[BrianS]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 9:45pm

"How this shlock gets nominated for the 4 biggest Tony Awards still boggles me."

"But the place around me loved it and it got 4 Tony nominations. So, in the immortal words of Ethel Merman, "what the f*ck do I know?""

I think you just answered your own question.