Constantine stops the show, while Laura is left cold in the Wedding Singer

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 9:14pm

I don't usualy post reviews, but I felt like I should...

October 14, 2 pm of "The Wedding Singer"

Well, I said previously I'd be going back (on my BroadwayWorld blog), and I did. The first time I went was with my parents who hated it. My mom wanted to wait a few months and give it another shot, so this was it. It was my third time, by the way. We got Student Rush seats in the right-center front row and were all set to have fun.

It was the first time I'd be seeing Laura Benanti after two fun shows with stand-by Tina Maddigan. I had liked Laura on the recording, and she just got back from her medical leave, so I figured it'd be all good.

I was thoroughly dissapointed with her. From up close, Laura looks like she is about 90 years old. Her make up is just awful and it screws her over. Her singing was fine. "Someday" was alright, but Laura looked like she was bored and wanted a nap. If I pay money, she shouldn't need a nap. The rest of her performance left nothing to be amazed with. The only line she delievered correctly was "You're an asshole" which required no acting. She seems like she doesn't know how to breath, and sitting in the front row, I could tell she hasn't been trained, her chest is never full of air, and she kept gasping. Tisk Tisk. I'm a Tina fan. I won't go back unless I know she is on.

Stephen Lynch was still amazing. He doesn't break a sweat during the show and everything just comes so natural with him. He is Robbie Hart, and I couldn't imagine the show without him.

Amy Spanger is the star of this show. I related her to Sutton Foster, because she is a triple-threat, even though they are two completely different type of performers. Gotta love 'er.

Constantine Maroulis. What to say? Well, I had very mixed reviews. Stuff ranging from AMAZING to just Meh. Well, he looked than the Broadway.com photo, didn't look like a girl. His acting was excellent. I gotta say, I bet his personality is that way. His singing was his average weird voice, but at one time he stopped the show during "Single" for a solid minute of applause. His dancing was, well, awful. But, since there's not a lot of it, I'd give hima thumbs up.

Kevin Cahoon is still awesome. Acts perfectly, sings perfectly. No complaints. "George's Prayer" has gotten completely sassy and witty. Its so funny now. I caught his towel during "Move that Thang" Yeaaa.

Rita Gartner is so funny. No one expects her to say the stuff she does, but when its delievered its perfect.

Richard H Blake was still great. He didn't mess up like he did last time, and has gotten better in his acting I think.

Felicia Finley is just wonderful. She has all of 15 minutes in the show, and some of the best moments are those. She was pretty damn soaked with sweat at the end of "Let me come Home", but who can blame her, she put on a five minute acrobatic, singing and acting spectacular.

I saw Kevin Kern go on for Peter Kapetan's roles. He was good, but as the preist he looked too young, and he didn't even come out for the 50th anniversary thing.





I think I'm done with seeing Singer (I need to save money for shows that I haven't seen) but if you haven't yet seen it, just go. Its a lot o' fun.

And if you have seen it, go back, its better than ever.


Updated On: 10/15/06 at 09:14 PM

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 9:54pm

Thanks for the review. I think it's time I go back and see TWS. I haven't seen it since previews.

[NY NY]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 10:17pm

I'm trying like crazy to get my sister to come with me to see the show; so your review will help me with that. Thanks DRSisLove!

[Phantom2]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 10:30pm

Tina IS Julia in every sense of the role.

[Switz78]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 10:43pm

to say that Laura has not been trained is grossly inaccurate. in fact her mother is a voice teacher. have you never heard her sing any other show? and let's not forget that she just came back, after being on medical leave and not singing for awhile isn't it possible that she is a little worn down and not back into the full swing of things.
I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion but to state what someone's training is or isn't just shouldn't be done.

NOTE: this is a friendly post and not meant in a rude tone at all. please do not read into it. (felt the need to put this bc so many ppl jump on the attacking wagon)

[Phantom2]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 10:54pm

Laura is great on the CD. I don't think anyone will disput that. I really hope Tina gets on a CD someday. She got screwed with Mamma Mia!. Well, they all did. Haha Couldn't they have given her a song or two on TWS CD, like a special bonus track or somethin'? I'm just sayin'...

Updated On: 10/14/06 at 10:54 PM

[MistressoftheHouse]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 10:55pm

I think they'd put the cut songs (Right on Time, Wonder) on a CD before giving Tina a chance, unfortunately.

I did love her "Someday" though...

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 10:57pm

I'm not being like rude or anything. She was gasping. When I sit close for shows, I can see if a person keeps their lungs or chest fully filled with air. She didn't do that and was missing a note here and there because she was reaching for air. For example, Sarah Uriate Berry, who I recently saw in BatB, happen to look like a marshmallow during "A change in Me", but didn't need any added air.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 11:00pm

Tina broke the mold. There's only one girl with golden hair!

[snl89]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 11:02pm

the funny thing is, I ADORE tina, I really do- but I actually kind of prefer laura's voice a LOT more :) Again, absolutely nothing against tina because she is cute as a button and she got so so good as julia, but just.. I absoltuely love the sound of laura's voice, and I have since the very first time I heard the recording. The first time I was listening to Someday all I could say was "her voice is SO gorgeous!!" So yeah.. thats a big part why I'm doing everything I can to try and get back to see laura- I had to get used to Tinas voice to like it , but I've loved laura and her voice from the very beginning!

[Phantom2]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 11:05pm

There's a great clip of Tina singing Someday on youtube.com.

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 11:05pm

I like Tina's voice the same as Laura's I guess. It's just that, Laura's an awful actress. Or at least, today she was. Maybe she had an off day, I don't know, but if she was, I would have prefered she'd call in Tina.

[MistressoftheHouse]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 11:06pm

*gasp!* Not the "yt" word on my virgin ears!

You're going to get this thread deleted soon...

[kyle.]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 11:07pm

"after being on medical leave and not singing for awhile isn't it possible that she is a little worn down and not back into the full swing of things."

If she is a little worn down and not back into the swing of things then she should still be on leave. I know nothing about The Wedding Singer but from what I gather it is a high energy fun fest. If people are paying $100 a pop to see a show like that, they deserve a leading lady who is going to DELIVER!

[Phantom2]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 11:09pm

Tina gives you more than your money's worth. She is a nut at the stage door and you might even get a backstage tour to boot. I'm just sayin'...

Updated On: 10/14/06 at 11:09 PM

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 11:15pm

I won't step foot in that theatre unless that girl's name in on the understudy board.

[snl89]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 11:16pm

hehe, yes, tina is amazing at the stagedoor she friggin remebered who I was liek THREE months after I'd seen the show for the first time! she was like "hey sweetie! how you?" and I was like *shocked* "I'm good, how are you?" then I turned around after she started walking away and was like "AH! she remembered me! how on earth!?" she must have the greatest memory ever! lol. So yeah... that alone made me love tina like crazy :P But she was also fantastic in the show

I havn't actually SEEN laura live yet, but judging from what I've *seen* (which is a lot.. and.. very good quality too), I actually LOVE her acting too! she very well could have been having an off day, or maybe you just dont prefer her acting, which is totally cool, but I feel like she was much more interesting than tina was the first time I saw her :) the second time, she'd grown into the role much better and I was really impressed, but even so, I still think when I see laura live I'll be blown away. But, of course, in the words of felicia finley, opinions are like assholes. everyone's got one

oh and thanks for the review by the way!! cant say I disagree with the rest, partiularly stephen and amy :P

Updated On: 10/14/06 at 11:16 PM

[MistressoftheHouse]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 11:17pm

Haha, it was "opinions are like assholes" but your version is cool too.

I just think it's hilarious because my roommate used to say that all the time. I thought she made it up, but I guess not if Felicia uses it too.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 11:18pm

Tina Maddigan is the ULTIMATE STANDBY!

[snl89]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 11:20pm

Haha, it was "opinions are like assholes" but your version is cool too.

OMG. youre absolutely right. God, you have NO idea how many times I've quoted that, and I've been wrong the ENTIRE time! oh jeez, that is so embarassing lolol. Thank you for that, god, now I have to go back and find all the things I've quoted that for and edit them :P hahaha

[WiiCKED x3]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 11:52pm

I miss Tina, she IS Julia.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 11:54pm

Tina has so much heart and soul.

Posted: 10/15/06 at 12:15am

well i was at the 2 pm show today too and i thought Laura did WONDERFUL!!!! it was soo nice to see her back!! and i was so mad that constantine got all the attention, hes great, but it takes away from the rest of the cast :/

[Phantom2]

Posted: 10/15/06 at 12:20am

The audience always went wild when Stephen and Tina came out. What a perfect pair!

Updated On: 10/15/06 at 12:20 AM

[harris007]

Posted: 10/15/06 at 12:49am

even the cows love the girl with golden hair