Charlie Stemp CRAZY FOR YOU West End - Reviews, News & Discussion Thread- Page 4

[Kitsune]

Posted: 7/10/23 at 10:04am

My husband and I saw this when we first got into London and were running on about three hours of sleep. The fact that we both came out with positive feelings speaks well of the production.

As others have said, the plot is slight, but the music is wonderful, the production values are high, and the cast is very talented. I can't imagine Crazy For You working without a talent like Charlie Stemp, but when performed at this level, it's a lot of fun.

[BenjaminNicholas2]

Posted: 7/10/23 at 2:22pm

Seeing this production (again) early next month and very much looking forward to it.

 

[BenjaminNicholas2]

Posted: 7/10/23 at 2:25pm

Jarethan said: "Interestingly, despite a Gershwin score and great choreography, I was bored during An American in Paris as well. I did give it a second chance and still found it boring."

Two totally different kinds of dance shows.  That's like comparing 42nd Street and CATS.

Crazy For You, when done right, is edge-of-your-seat, wild applause production numbers.

I wouldn't say the same for AIP.  It was good, but it wasn't great.

 

[ardiem]

Posted: 8/7/23 at 10:19am

I just got back from London (and a few days of EdFringe), and saw this in addition to Cabaret, Guys & Dolls, Groundhog Day, and Patriots. I found things to enjoy in all, but was hugely disappointed by CfY. I loved the choreography, but the book was inexcusably bad. I was shocked to find the work was created in the 90s. I'm almost ashamed to say it, but although it lacks CfY's music and dancing, Shucked shares the same story contours and pulls it off with jokes that manage to be less corny than CfY and characters who felt like they actually had agency and were cognizant of their own actions (and I *disliked* Shucked).

[Jarethan]

Posted: 8/7/23 at 8:16pm

BenjaminNicholas2 said: "Jarethan said: "Interestingly, despite a Gershwin score and great choreography, I was bored during An American in Paris as well. I did give it a second chance and still found it boring."

Two totally different kinds of dance shows. That's like comparing 42nd Street and CATS.

Crazy For You, when done right, is edge-of-your-seat, wild applause production numbers.

I wouldn't say the same for AIP. It was good, but it wasn't great.

I know they are different.  I was musing that, even with great Gershwin scores, to me they were both not as good as the sum of their best parts.  I saw both within weeks of their openings the first time, so there was no long run fatigue, and I remember being bored during both — not that they didn’t have great moments, both did — but they both disappointed.  I actually think there were too many production numbers in CFY.  Sue me.

 

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 8/7/23 at 11:39pm

Glad to see someone ask about the choreography because from the clips I've seen from the show it does look largely identical.

And that's not a bad thing.  Seeing the original, I was absolutely floored by the energy behind the choreography and the cast, and I became an instant Susan Stroman fan!  For life!

It was absolutely inspired.  And brought the house down.

Personally I found the story to be quite fun.  With some great comedic sketches.  

Is it possible it will be dated for some though? Yes.  But if this transfers, I'm there.  I love this show.

[blaxx]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 4:15am

theatreguy12 said: "Glad to see someone ask about the choreography because from the clips I've seen from the show it does look largely identical.

And that's not a bad thing. Seeing the original, I was absolutely floored by the energy behind the choreography and the cast, and I became an instant Susan Stroman fan! For life!

It was absolutely inspired. And brought the house down.

Personally I found the story to be quite fun. With some great comedic sketches.

Is it possible it will be dated for some though? Yes. But if this transfers, I'm there. I love this show."

It's not identical, but quite similar.

The physical production is very much scaled down from the original, but I liked how it adds to the story of the modest performers putting on a show. I never got that with the production in the 90s.

I would say it's nowhere technically as good, but it has more heart this time around.

Having a younger-looking Bobby works well too. The character is rich and spoiled, but with big dreams. An older performer playing this was always a bit off putting. I wish Polly played a bit younger in this one. She's great but looks like Stemp's older sister.

NYC critics, if ill-intentioned, could rip it apart comparing it to the more lavish original. I saw it a dozen times back in the day and I much prefer this fresh version.

Updated On: 8/8/23 at 04:15 AM

[Dom P]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 9:03am

blaxx said: "theatreguy12 said: "Glad to see someone ask about the choreography because from the clips I've seen from the show it does look largely identical.

And that's not a bad thing. Seeing the original, I was absolutely floored by the energy behind the choreography and the cast, and I became an instant Susan Stroman fan! For life!

It was absolutely inspired. And brought the house down.

Personally I found the story to be quite fun. With some great comedic sketches.

Is it possible it will be dated for some though? Yes. But if this transfers, I'm there. I love this show."

It's not identical, but quite similar.

The physical production is very much scaled down from the original, but I liked how it adds to the story of the modest performers putting on a show. I never got that with the production in the 90s.

I would say it's nowhere technically as good, but it has more heart this time around.

Having a younger-looking Bobby works well too. The character is rich and spoiled, but with big dreams. An older performer playing this was always a bit off putting. I wish Polly played a bit younger in this one. She's great but looks like Stemp's older sister.

NYC critics, if ill-intentioned, could rip it apart comparing it to the more lavish original. I saw it a dozen times back in the day and I much prefer this fresh version."

If this does transfer, they must transfer it with Charlie Stemp.

[BETTY22]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 9:15am

Why is this not selling out?

Those reviews, Charlie and amazing dancing - yet, it's not doing great? 

Are people sick of revivals in London?

[binau]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 10:52am

Mmm sales are terrible. I think it’s a combination of no real stars, niche audience it’s marketed to who would already be fatigued with other recent productions AND maybe, it’s hard to tell - that word of mouth isn’t as strong as the reviews and forums would suggest. Eg we can see comments above starting to trickle in about the creaky material or it being plain old boring at points. A sentiment I’d sadly agree with. I still need to revisit and give the material other chance because the first preview was so hot it was putting me to sleep potentially. 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 12:46pm

Very few shows are selling out on either side of the pond, let alone doing it for most performances.

[yyys]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 1:33pm

Operation Mincemeat is doing great. 

[binau]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 2:06pm

JasonC3 said: "Very few shows are selling out on either side of the pond, let alone doing it for most performances."

I know but this is far worse than ‘not selling out’. It’s not selling. Many tickets are being comped. If it was in NYC a closing notice would already have been posted. Thankfully the economic conditions are more forgiving. But I don’t know if they are forgiving enough. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 2:12pm

I really can't see any NYC commercial producers rushing to finance this revival, considering the sales in London + Stro's track record + so many other musical revivals.

Unless the LCT rumors are true?

[SisterGeorge]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 7:17pm

This is the first show I bought for my upcoming late-November trip, but I can't imagine it lasting another 4 months. So sad.

[BenjaminNicholas2]

Posted: 8/11/23 at 7:13pm

Jarethan said: "BenjaminNicholas2 said: "Jarethan said: "Interestingly, despite a Gershwin score and great choreography, I was bored during An American in Paris as well. I did give it a second chance and still found it boring."

Two totally different kinds of dance shows. That's like comparing 42nd Street and CATS.

Crazy For You, when done right, is edge-of-your-seat, wild applause production numbers.

I wouldn't say the same for AIP. It was good, but it wasn't great.

I know they are different. I was musing that, even with great Gershwin scores, to me they were both not as good as the sum of their best parts. I saw both within weeks of their openings the first time, so there was no long run fatigue, and I remember being bored during both — not that they didn’t have great moments, both did — but they both disappointed. I actually think there were too many production numbers in CFY. Sue me."

 

Uh huh.

 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 8/11/23 at 7:26pm

binau said: "Mmm sales are terrible. I think it’s a combination of no real stars, niche audience it’s marketed to who would already be fatigued with other recent productions AND maybe, it’s hard to tell - that word of mouth isn’t as strong as the reviews and forums would suggest. Eg we can see comments above starting to trickle in about the creaky material or it being plain old boring at points. A sentiment I’d sadly agree with. I still need to revisit and give the material other chance because the first preview was so hot it was putting me to sleep potentially."

I had the impression that Charlie Stemp was big on the London stage.  Is that not the case?

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 8/12/23 at 2:17am

Jarethan said: "binau said: "Mmm sales are terrible. I think it’s a combination of no real stars, niche audience it’s marketed to who would already be fatigued with other recent productions AND maybe, it’s hard to tell - that word of mouth isn’t as strong as the reviews and forums would suggest. Eg we can see comments above starting to trickle in about the creaky material or it being plain old boring at points. A sentiment I’d sadly agree with. I still need to revisit and give the material other chance because the first preview was so hot it was putting me to sleep potentially."

I had the impression that Charlie Stemp was big on the London stage. Is that not the case?"

He is a familiar name among musical fans but definitely not a name that packs audience in, as the sales demonstrate

[broadfan327]

Posted: 8/14/23 at 6:17pm

I saw this tonight, my first show ever in the West End.  Ot is a great show, but I can't imagine this would have great success on Broadway.  They would need a star in the title role to have a chance.  It is probably too dated of a show.  I got a fourth row center stalls seat for very cheap at the TKTS booth.

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 8/14/23 at 6:41pm

Charlie Stemp is the STAR! If they bring this over, he’s the string attached. They just need to market him better over here! I’m telling you, he’s not to be missed!

[blaxx]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 5:16am

Dylan Smith4 said: "Charlie Stemp is the STAR! If they bring this over, he’s the string attached. They just need to market him better over here! I’m telling you, he’s not to be missed!"

While I agree he's very good, he doesn't make or break the Stroman staging that was already a massive hit in the 90s., with many others playing the role successfully.

Put Tom Holland in this, for example, and no one would miss Stemp much in term of box office + star quality.

[ggersten]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 10:55am

blaxx said: "Dylan Smith4 said: "Charlie Stemp is the STAR! If they bring this over, he’s the string attached. They just need to market him better over here! I’m telling you, he’s not to be missed!"

While I agree he's very good, he doesn't make or break the Stroman staging that was already a massive hit in the 90s., with many others playing the role successfully.

Put Tom Holland in this, for example, and no one would miss Stemp much in term of box office + star quality."

Tom Holland might even sell more tickets

 

[BenjaminNicholas2]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 6:08pm

ggersten said: "blaxx said: "Dylan Smith4 said: "Charlie Stemp is the STAR! If they bring this over, he’s the string attached. They just need to market him better over here! I’m telling you, he’s not to be missed!"

While I agree he's very good, he doesn't make or break the Stroman staging that was already a massive hit in the 90s., with many others playing the role successfully.

Put Tom Holland in this, for example, and no one would miss Stemp much in term of box office + star quality."

Tom Holland might even sell more tickets

"

Holland can't do anywhere near what Stemp is doing in the role now.

And if they simplify the tap for Holland, it would ruin the whole show.  

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 6:56pm

BenjaminNicholas2 said: "
"Holland can't do anywhere near what Stemp is doing in the role now.

And if they simplify the tap for Holland, it would ruin the whole show."

I can guarantee the massive amounts of people that would buy tickets for Holland wouldn't miss the extended tap. They also wouldn't even know what they're missing since hardly any would have seen Stemp in the role. 

[blaxx]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 7:51pm

BenjaminNicholas2 said: "ggersten said: "blaxx said: "Dylan Smith4 said: "Charlie Stemp is the STAR! If they bring this over, he’s the string attached. They just need to market him better over here! I’m telling you, he’s not to be missed!"

While I agree he's very good, he doesn't make or break the Stroman staging that was already a massive hit in the 90s., with many others playing the role successfully.

Put Tom Holland in this, for example, and no one would miss Stemp much in term of box office + star quality."

Tom Holland might even sell more tickets

"

Holland can't do anywhere near what Stemp is doing in the role now.

And if they simplify the tap for Holland, it would ruin the whole show."

Oh please, if he's playing Fred Astaire and played Billy Elliott he can do this with eyes closed.

My point is that, as good as Stemp is, a big star with a solid dance background can easily take over and make the show a mega hit.