CRYBABY the Invited Dress.- Page 2

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/15/08 at 8:23am

I am obviously not a professional critic, just someone who works in the theatre and sees a lor of theatre.
By all means you should all form your own opinion, I was just stating mine.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 3/15/08 at 10:13am

people can say what they want about a show on here, if its is rehearsals, workshop, previews etc....its a gossip board, of course things in the show will change so you should make up your own opinion

I have the 22 track demo and was surprised how bland and forgettable the score was, i know some people insult LB score (though i think its fine) but it sounds like a tony wining score compared to Cry Baby

[barcelona20]

Posted: 3/15/08 at 12:31pm

Maybe it would be easier to understand frame of reference if everyone who posts a review, also reveals what some of your favorite shows are.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 3/15/08 at 12:38pm

I don't think CurtainPullDowner has had a nice thing to say about a show in the history of his time on the board.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/15/08 at 1:06pm

That is absolutely not true.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 3/15/08 at 1:15pm

not true, colleen.

As far as reviewing a show in previews, I think it's fair for everyday people to express their opinions on what they saw - preview performances do change based on what people are saying, so people need to express their opinions so things can be changed.

As far as saying a show has no hope while it's previews, that can be a stretch, but hey, if you hated it that much, you did spend 50 some bucks on it, and can say whatever you want.

Anyway, good luck to Cry-Baby, I hope they fix some things and it comes out on top. I do recall the advance word for the recent revival of "The Pajama Game" and for "Xanadu" being rather dreary until the reviews came out, so we'll see how this one turns out.
Updated On: 3/15/08 at 01:15 PM

[barcelona20]

Posted: 3/15/08 at 1:17pm

Ok Curtain, then what are some of your favorite shows?

[Hank]

Posted: 3/15/08 at 1:48pm

I like to read reviews of shows in progress, from regular theater fans like myself, and that's the main reason why I log on to this site in the 1st place.
As for Cry Baby, I'm looking forward to this one no matter what. John Waters, Rob Ashford, liked the movie...
Keep the comments coming.

[BrianS]

Posted: 3/15/08 at 2:50pm

curtaindownpuller, the problem isn't when you write something that scathing for those of us who know how negative you are. The problem is that a lot of people who casually read these boards don't know the individual personalities.

These people read your "I can't remember seeing anything this bad on Broadway in a long time" post and they don't know that you JUST SAID THAT ABOUT MERMAID. And did you see "Dance of the Vampires" or "Good Vibrations" or "The Pirate Queen" or "Lestat?" Because if you did and you stand by your statement I don't think very many of those people who casually read this board would give your judgment much value.

I think this show needs to work on some things, but I also think it's a lot of fun. Well, guess what? It's IN PREVIEWS. If they don't make changes then I'll criticize them for that, but I know what I saw and to say it's the worst show you've seen in a long time is ridiculous. Explain to me how you can write what you did about Mermaid and then tell me how you thought this was worse...

Someone needs a hug.

I hope your date went well and that you fall in love and decide to start spreading a little more positive energy into this world. And no, that doesn't mean that you can't hate a Broadway show, but to say that this show was so bad that it made you sick to your stomach sounds more like attention grabbing hyperbole when you and I both know some of the truly awful shows that have been on Broadway in the last 5 years.

Updated On: 3/15/08 at 02:50 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/15/08 at 5:22pm

I never even saw MERMAID so I don't know what you are taliking about.
My tastes are very wide ranged and telling people what I like will not eactly help. (I didn't like JERSEY BOYS but I enjoyed THE PIRATE QUEENm see that doesn't help.
What I like are shows where I care about the characters, where something looks fresh or original and nothing about CRYBABY did that for me. I understand ot os on previews but unfortunately there are no real "show doctors" anymore and among 20 or so producers getting anything "fixed" is very difficult.
But, hey, all the best to them

Some shows on Broadway right now I liked:
AUGUST OCEAN COUNTY
XANADU
LEGALLY BLONDE
A CHORUS LINE
HAIRSPRAY
WICKED
THE SEAFARER
A CATERES AFFAIR (in San Diego)

[bk]

Posted: 3/15/08 at 5:26pm

The issue here is simple - the original poster did NOT "review" (post his thoughts) on a paid preview. He was invited (or somehow got in) to the dress rehearsal and that is what he "reviewed" (posted his thoughts) - some people consider that bad form, since he was an invited guest and the show has not begun its paid previews.

[barcelona20]

Posted: 3/15/08 at 5:26pm

Hey Curtain, don't you love it when they go on that sailboat in August?

Sorry, I couldn't resist :)

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 3/16/08 at 1:46am

I Saw Cry-Baby in San Diego and loved it. Is is the best thing I've ever seen in my life? No, but it's a very fun show that put a big smile on my face at the end. While it's probably not the kind of show that Brantley would rave about, it has the potential of being a major crowd pleaser.

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 3/16/08 at 2:18am

Curtain Pull Downer---I cannot see how you loved Legally Blonde and hated Cry Baby. Legally Blonde is by far a better show- it has a better book, better score, better lyrics and great sets. Legally Blonde is way way too bland.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/16/08 at 2:18am

ATC
ATC
ATC

The new rule.

is...

coming..

I feel it.

[BWayJunkie]

Posted: 3/16/08 at 2:45am

I was at the Invited Dress rehearsal for Cry-Baby friday night (I used to work for one of its creators). I haven't seen the movie and didn't know the premise that well. That said, I had a wonderful time. I thought it was very clever, inventive, funny, witty, and overall a good time. It started strong with the opening number. I thought the 2nd song (Nobody Gets Me) wasn't as good as the opener but that was one of very few pet peeves. I thought the sets were very good as well as the staging. The songs were catchy and the cast had tons of energy. Rob Ashford choreographed the heck out of that show... The dancing was great and I loved "You Can't Beat The System" and "A Little Upset."

It doesn't claim to change your life and like Legally Blonde you cannot enter the theater expecting to be spiritually/emotionally changed or challenged. It is tons of fun and depicts 50s life very VERY well (I was with someone whose life teenage years were during the 50s). The costumes were pretty much exactly what one would fine 50 some-odd years ago and the attitude of the songs was very much the attitude of the time, so I was told. It helps to have a reference point for the show if you tend to go into theater with a pre-existing notion of what you hope to get out of the show. I recommend, not only for this show but for others like it and Legally Blonde, which I thoroughly enjoyed, is to go into it with the soul purpose of being entertained. If you fall asleep after the first song then perhaps there is something wrong but I really liked Cry-Baby and will definately see it again once it opens to see what changes were made.

Of course this is just my opinion so take from it what you may. Some things about it probably should be changed and tweaked but it is in previews so those will probably come. But even if they don't, it still is a very fun show (to me) and will be a crowd pleaser.

As for shows that I've liked in the past (so others can guage where I'm coming from) have been more of the mainstream kind. Wicked, Legally Blonde, Hairspray, 110 In The Shade, Mary Poppins, Lion King, and I even liked Tarzan. It wasn't a good show, but I went with a younger family member and it definately had the younger audience members entertained

And on a different yet kinda connected topic, I actually liked Little Mermaid. Didn't love it, but liked it, and I work for Disney! It was cute and delivers a show as Disney always does. If you have the money to spend, sure, see it. If money is somewhat of an issue, try standing room or the cheapest tickets.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/20/08 at 10:50pm

Just for you Jay!!