CURTAINS: Let me, again, express my love

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 6:16pm

Saw it again this afternoon, sat amongst the tourists and blue-hair-eds. Spring Break week - the Hirschfeld was completely sold out and it was a true SRO crowd. And what a receptive audience it was - entrance applause for Monk, Hibbert, Sabella, and, of course, Pierce. Gasps abound when the killer was revealed, bellylaughs at all of Debra's line deliveries, and huge applause after some of David's various clue-discoveries. It was a great, very well receptive audience that clearly loved the show.

In my case, this was the time for my rose-colored glasses to come off. Okay, it's not the perfect show. Yes, it's talky. Yes, some of the jokes get old. Yes, it could have benefitted from some doctoring here-and-there. As I was going over all of the potential flaws in my head, I realized something.

I realized the something which had had come instantly the first time I saw it: it's just fun. It has flaws, but what doesn't? It's an afternoon of great, clean fun, with a great cast that I will continue to sing the praises of, and a toe-tapping score that, once again, left me walking from the theater humming.

You can't over analyze a show like this....but you also can't go back and see what you saw that first time: that first, glorious time where the magical moments just hit you. To see a group of people sing and dance, loving every moment, is simply infectious. Like most second viewings, knowing what's going to happen left me less enthralled. First impressions are everything. You can never go home again.

I loved it. I will continue loving it. I will continue to plug it to all of my theatergoing friends and family. I am counting down the 62 days until the album drops...but I will not be returning. I want that memory of that early preview. It's just too good to change or give up.

Kudos and my extreme thanks and sincere affection to the cast and crew, working their butts off. You truly are a special kind of people.

Go see CURTAINS. It's the feel good show of the year.

Updated On: 4/4/07 at 06:16 PM

[bundy5000]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 6:29pm

I agree, not the best but definitely not the worst. SEE IT ASAP

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 6:37pm

i completely agree! Amazing.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 6:44pm

Bundy, I'll go out on a limb and say it's the best thing of the season - and I've seen everything else: Grey Gardens, Spring Awakening, Pirate Queen, Mary Poppins, etc. In fact, I'd go out on a limb and still call it the best musical comedy I've seen since The Producers.

I was just informed via PM by a mysterious tipster that Debra Monk and Jill Paice are braving illness....you'd never know.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 7:07pm

How can one put Curtains and Grey Gardens and Spring Awakening in the same category? My problem with labeling theater is that almost everything is labeled "musical comedy" minus the dramatic plays. Am I the only one that is extremly annoyed by this term? I personally would feel much more comfortable comparing Grey Gardens with Spring Awakeing and then comparing Mary Poppins and the Pirate Queen separtly.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 7:15pm

It's very easy to put them in the same category - they all opened this season.

I'll restate what I originally said:

"I'll go out on a limb and say it's the best thing of the season - and I've seen everything else: Grey Gardens, Spring Awakening, Pirate Queen, Mary Poppins, etc."

I wasn't labeling them musical comedies, I was simply listing some of the other musicals of the 2006-2007 season. I wasn't comparing anything.

My next sentence - that I think the show is one of the best musical comedies I've ever seen - is irrelevent to that.

Hope that clarifies!
Updated On: 4/4/07 at 07:15 PM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 7:17pm

I am a great nurse, Debra! Call me.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 7:22pm

Rath - regarding our brief on-a-thread discussion this morning, binoculars really helped! I was able to see so many small physical details I hadn't noticed before. My particular favorite: the message on the set wall which read "Jim Carnahan" with a little heart next to it. The nicest tribute is to Daniel McDonald and I couldn't seem to find the message to Ebb and Stone this time, though I did catch Agnes de Mille and Richard Rodgers.

[D2]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 7:26pm

I love this show and I'm thrilled to hear that it was SRO this afternoon.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 7:29pm

I was very glad to see it - and given the lack of really cheap tickets, this little show will be around for a while.

It was a pretty good audience.

[D2]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 7:37pm

I'm working on a show with a composer who lives across the street from the Hirschfeld, and every time I pass the theater on my way to or from a writing session there is always some activity at the Box Office. Not lines down the street, but always a line 3 or 4 people deep. I think it will keep gaining momentum from good word of mouth, because as you said Yankee, it is just good, old-fashioned, entertaining FUN!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 8:39pm

Good to hear.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 10:27pm

Yankee, I'd tell you where the tributes to Ebb and Stone are, but you're never going back.

When you change your mind, let me know.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 10:31pm

Ha. Way to build suspense!

Before I edited my original post (and I do that often to update my rapidly changing feelings), I had written "I will not be returning....for now."

So, yes, I will certainly let you know.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 10:39pm

Good.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 10:43pm

I can see Curtains becoming my new Producers.

Whenever I needed a pick me up, or something to make me smile, I'd go see The Producers.

That can easily become Curtains now....and with $21.25 SRO, it'll be much cheaper.

[Eos]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 11:21pm

Yankee- I just wanted to add to the CURTAINS love! I got a discounted partial view seat earlier today - partial view because it was in the front row! Love, love, loved it! I saw Inherit the Wind, Grey Gardens, Our Leading Lady, and The Pirate Queen on my little NYC trip, and while there has been some discussion on comparing different kinds of shows, this was my favorite. I couldn't think of a better way to end my trip than CURTAINS. I think I'm in love with Debra Monk, and I'm sure I'm in love with this show. I haven't had that good a time at a show in a long while. I even sprung for the $30 Playbill that the cast signed for EFA, too! Nothing like going back home broke as hell!
Sorry if I exceeded my exclamation point quota.

See it...now!

[courtnyj]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 11:39pm

How much of a discount on those partial view seats?

PS Glad your trip ended well!

[Eos]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 12:22am

Thanks, courtnyj! It was a $56.50 seat. One seat left of center. I know that's not cheap, but I'd been saving up for this trip for awhile. Once I saw it wasn't at tkts, I went down to the box office pronto. Guess I'll start saving up for next year now!

Updated On: 4/6/07 at 12:22 AM

[TIGGOSAURUS]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 1:34am

Yankeefan007, your review pretty much mirrors my opinion of Curtains, esp about the feelgood factor. I've seen it more than once and I definitely think there are certain things about it which could be improved, but overall it is hugely entertaining and it must have the best pound-for-pound cast of any show currently on Broadway.

I love the fact that it's accessible to people on all levels - as a comedy, a murder-mystery, a musical and as a homage to show business. "Show People" is A MUST for the Tony awards show!!

I'm glad to hear SRO is now available - I just have to hope that the same cast are still in situ when I manage to get back to NYC which probably won't be till Sept/Oct.

Updated On: 4/6/07 at 01:34 AM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 1:38am

Tiggosaurus - I completely agree. I would love to see "Show Business" performed during the Tonys.

[MusicalComedyMan]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 1:48am

I saw curtains tonite and I LOVED IT!!!! Not my favorite Kander and Ebb score, but certainly the best score of any show that opened this season!!! I had a blast and can't wait to see it again!!! AND I can't wait til they pick up a bunch of Tonys!!!

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 8/8/07 at 10:00pm

Oh. My. God. I FINALLY bought the cd. I have to say, this is the best score of the season. I can't stop listening. I am so happy I decided to go see it- one more week!


As a side note, does anyone know how mezz row H is?

[Marlene]

Posted: 8/9/07 at 12:21am

the view from the front/mid mezz is great... especially if you're in the center.

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 8/9/07 at 12:28am

Good! Thank you so much. They're 114-115.

This is definitely the show I'm looking forward to seeing most!