Cry Baby Reviews - YIKES!- Page 8

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 12:03pm

A production on Broadway is on Broadway because producers have enough money to put it there. Period. It has nothing to do with the final product, which could be good or bad or even go from one end of the spectrum to the other during the preview period. The actors are on Broadway because they were cast in the roles based on someone's opinion...or other reasons anywhere from nepotism to a major financial interest in the production to simply having the right friends. You cannot assume that if an actor is in a Broadway show that he or she must be a great actor and perfect for the role. That is incredibly naive.
Exactly.

In other news, DEAR GOD Spencer Liff.

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 12:05pm

I just hope it lasts until May 7th. That's the first day I can go see it and I'd like to see the choreography, if nothing else. I'm always up for a little mindless fun.

I have to think they'd wait until at least the Tony nominations come out to close it. That way they can say it's a Tony nominated show if they take it out on tour.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 1:00pm

""Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, who wrote the book, also gave us "Hairspray," which I didn't like at all, partly because the score is dull and partly because the show too often lapses into inexplicably preachy period kitsch. Not so with "Cry-Baby." "

Inexplicably preachy period kitsch? Is this Hairspray he's talking about or The Wedding Singer?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 1:32pm

http://www.ny1.com/ny1/Living/theater_reviews.jsp

NY1 is mixed, calling it flat out what it is...mediocre.

[A Director]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 1:44pm

not every show deserves to have a shot. especially if there are (potentially) better musicals out there that could take its spot.

with the 08/09 season getting crowded, it'd be smart for CRY-BABY to just get out of the damn way!! Let a more worthy show use the Marquis.

I'm not defending Cry-Baby, but please grace us with your inside knowledge about the better musicals that could take its spot. Please name all the worthy shows waiting to use the Marquis. You have no say as to when a show opens or closes!

[MenzelManiac]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 1:52pm

I would disagree. A paying customer, in fact, has all of the control over when a show closes. If paying customers don't pay, there are no customers. Show closes. Which means that we have every right to discuss the merits of a show, as well as its shortcomings.

[A Director]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 1:57pm

True. On the other hand, a few posters on this Board have limited control.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 2:01pm

If I'm not mistaken, the common link is the choreographer, not the director.

"Does Winer really say that Harriet Harris won a Tony Award for BROKAW's produciton of Thoroughly Modern Millie? Wow, Michael Mayer must be really surprised...he thinks that he directed that show!"

[MenzelManiac]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 3:06pm

I hope the show does well! Updated On: 4/25/08 at 03:06 PM

[mike51079]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 3:52pm

I also saw this show in previews and was not impressed at all. I had a verbal response that was noticed by those around me to the mundane lyrics and thought the whole thing was ridiculous. I won't drop any spoilers for those who have aspirations of wasting their money to check this one out, but let's just say if you pop in a copy of Grease, Oklahoma, and drop a little acid, then you're not far off from what you'll see at the show. Apparently, according to www.didhelikeit.com, Ben Brantley agrees with me. It'll be nice when the day arrives that investors spend the kind of money they spent on this "Christopher Guest-esque" farce, for something that has substance. Hey that gives me an idea! Maybe, the gang behind Cry Baby will go in on Backdraft the Musical? C'mon Fountains of Wayne? Can you get Stacy's Mom interested in this?

[allofmylife]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 4:09pm

Deathknell from The Times is the French kiss of death on Broadway.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 4:41pm

On Courtney Balan's absence from Cry- Baby: http://titleofshow.com/blog/index.php?itemid=1129

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 4:44pm

Whoops, Infinite beat me to it.

Updated On: 4/25/08 at 04:44 PM

[theatre2]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 4:48pm

yes cry baby is a hit.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 5:00pm

yes cry baby is a hit.

I think you forgot an "S" in that sentence.

(Ok sorry, sorry, I couldn't resist.)

[Marianne2]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 5:04pm

If I can find a link to one from my newspaper, I'll share it. I think they gave it a positive review. However, I rarely trust the critics from it because they tend to enjoy total crap, and hate what everyone likes.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 5:05pm

yes cry baby is a hit.

A "hit" with an average ticket price of UNDER $35... Wow. Yeah, they're raking in the bucks on this one. If they had to paper it that much with the $54 preview tickets, I can't imagine what they'll have to do now that the preview special is over. (At least I assume it is...I haven't checked lately.)

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 5:10pm

However, I rarely trust the critics from it because they tend to enjoy total crap, and hate what everyone likes.

Great comment.








Not.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 5:12pm

The Newark Star-Ledger is positive:

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/arts/index.ssf/2008/04/exuberant_crybaby_will_make_yo.html

[Marianne2]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 5:18pm

Here it is: From the Star Ledger. I'm actually sort of confused by it. It doesn't sound like he really liked it, but it also doesn't sound like he hated it either. Unless I just totally missed something in it.

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/arts/index.ssf/2008/04/exuberant_crybaby_will_make_yo.html

[ElphabaRose]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 9:18pm

Sorry to thread-jack, but where did you get that picture of Spencer Liff?

[jeffrey1dog]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 10:27pm

Marianne2 - The critic from The Star Ledger actually 'got it.'
Reading that review reminded me how funny/campy the show is

[brettystar]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 11:49pm

'honestly, they should just plaster the city with Spencer Liff posters.
that would do more to promote the show than anything else'.

I had not quite made up my mind on whether to see this show or not but that pic (and Foster's avatar)has done the job!!

I will see this the day before Hairspray for the first time. I am glad I will see this show first because I think too many people are going in expecting to see another Hairspray.

[wyou17]

Posted: 4/26/08 at 11:50am

Spencer Liff really should have been cast as the lead in this show. People stare at him for the entire show. That's charisma. Which James Snyder does NOT have.

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 4/26/08 at 11:59am

Spencer doesn't have the strongest voice, though. But yeah, I watch him for 90% of the show.