CURTAINS.... ANY VIEWS

Has anyone caught this in try-out? Love to hear a bit about it!


http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=539815

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I've heard nothing but good things about it.

I'm SO excited. For some reason, I think this may be this year's best musical.

Hardly. Though the music is indeed fantastic, I think what makes this show work is the book and choreography, both of which are amazingly delivered. Edward Hibbert is absolutely hysterical. Still, the music IS indeed strong, but I don't think that's the only reason for such positivity.

Search for "Curtains review" on the board. You'll find some reviews, no doubt -- probably mine, too.

What show are you talking about? I'm sure it's not the thing I saw at the Ahmanson a bit ago... which was probably the worst thing I have seen in a long time. Horrible, stupid book, along with the worst songs that Kander and Ebb could possibly write. The most interesting thing about the show was trying to figure out how much money they spent... that got hilarious.

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The only reason I'm happy that it's going to Broadway is to see what Brantley does to it... oooh! I can't wait! *sadistic*

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I saw the show and it is by far in my opinion a GREAT Kander and Ebb, def one of their best.

The cast couldn't have been more perfect, and you'll never believe the plot. It's so clever, it will keep you laughing the entire time.

David, Deb, Karen, and Edward are the obvious standouts in the show (pretty much a shoe in for a tony nom)but the rest of the cast is just as great. Plus the music is fantastic. And I truly don't believe I've seen such amazing choreography in a long time. It will knock you're socks off!

BROADWAY HAS A REAL TREAT COMING! And just as sure as Drowsy swept the tony's....so will Curtains

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I didn't love it, but I liked it, and there really are some absolutely inspired scenes. I think the show is weak with its show within a show and, well, lack of people to care about. But it's enjoyable enough and Edward Hibbert is ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS.

There's more of my initial thoughts back in August at my LJ (http://dramaqueenducky.livejournal.com/1162456.html), but it's nowhere near as detailed as some earlier reviews.

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Updated On: 11/9/06 at 11:39 AM

I saw it in LA and loved every minute of it.

I'm sorry but aside from an excellent (and largely wasted) cast, a few good jokes and sight gags, this show is not good. It's a mediocre effort at best, except for the song "Coffee Shop Nights" (or something like that) the score is pretty forgettable, the choreography was okay but nothing special. The great cast gives it their all but except for David Hyde Pierce and Debra Monk they're all pretty much wasted. Unless they've done some amazing work since they left LA they are in for some heartbrake.

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Sadly it's NOT great Kander and Ebb. In LA the show was carried by David Hyde Pierce who gave a remarkable performance in the only role that had any dimension at all. Every time he left the stage the show dropped dead. Talented people like Debra Monk, Karen Ziemba and Jason Danieley were left stranded by their material. I think the New York critics will have a field day.

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I saw the final performance. I didnt' think much of it, the audience went crazy for it.

I thought the jokes were forced, the score mediocre, and the book wasn't as smart as it needed to be.

The cast really worked hard to put the material over. All in all pretty forgettable.

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I have mixed feelings about the show. On one hand, I believe it is an incredibly entertaining piece with one of the best companies that I've seen on Broadway since Ragtime--everybody in the cast does an incredibly great job and fits their roles perfectly well. David Hyde Pierce provides one of the best comedic roles I have ever seen on the Broadway stage, I even dare say I have not seen a funniest performance since Nathan Lane in The Producers. Hyde Pierce carries the show and makes the most out of his numbers and lines, the night I saw him he really seemed to be loving every second he was on stage and the audience loved him in response. Debra Monk was fantastic in the kind of roles she does best, the broad, brassy, comic character. Karen Ziemba's voice and dancing are at their best and I am surprised her name is not above the title, she truly steals the spotlight with every new number. Jason Danieley is great but his role is so underwritten it is sad, he does wonders with what little material he is given.
The acting is there, the book scenes are actually effective but some of the numbers from the show-within-the-show fail to soar. ***MINOR SPOILER***When Hyde Pierce's character finally fixes the show, the result we get is not the spectacular extravaganza that it should be***END OF SPOILER*** The ending is too abrupt and there are just too many characters to allow for much character development. The choreography is at times exhilarating and at other times boring.
The audience seemed to really love the show when I saw it during previews and the theatre was full. If that night were to predict the future of the show on Broadway, I'd say it is meant to be a hit.

BroadwayBaby-
Do not include The Happy Time in that category. It's a brilliant show that Gower Champion fixed too much.