Curtains - LA - 8/25/06

[DezBryner]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 3:45am

Just had to share...it was amazing tonight. I'd seen it before in previews and tonight was a much better experience. The pacing was up and the show, on a whole, just came across much better.
There was a little glitch. In the second act David Hyde Pierce is supposed to decend behind a picture of the earth. There was either a problem with his harness or whoever was in charge just didn't lower him at the same rate as the earth. His head was kind of forced down to his chest as the top of the prop decended faster than he did. They dropped the curtain and took about 5 minutes to resolve the matter. It kind of looked like it was an uncomfortable situation for him, but he finished the show fine.
Even with the interruption the show was great. Debra Monk has a couple of great numbers and Karen Ziemba stops the show towards the very beginning with the quality of her voice.
Also, the curtain call was WAY more fun than at previews. They all just walked out together and took a bow before, but now all the leads change outfits and come out escorted by chorus members and take an individual bow. It was really fun and got the audience revved up.
The show kind of makes fun of the theatre, as is the rage these days, but I think audiences will really like it when it gets to Broadway.

[GodIHopeIGetIt]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 6:05am

I don't know what show you saw, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't Curtians. I saw it the same night as you, and that was up there in the worst of the worst. Bad pacing, stupid, boring, no memorable songs, boring cast (though I will say Debra Monk was very good), and way. Too. Long.

I can't wait for the reviews!

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 9:45am

DezBryner --- I'm not sure when you went to a preview performance, but I saw it the first Saturday preview, and they already had the choreographed curtain call (as you described). It's been in for a while now.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 10:25am

Thanks, Dez. Glad to hear everything is shaping up so well.

[DezBryner]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 1:12pm

12bars - The first time I saw this was on July 26 and the whole cast just came out at the end and took a bow.

God - I'll agree that the show is long. It does seem like the story gets side-tracked every time there's a song, instead of the songs pushing the story along. Worst of the worst is a bit strong though. Did you see 10 Commandments....ugh. Even though the pace is slower than recent shows, it's a quality production.

[DG]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 1:18pm

I'll agree that 'worst of the worst' seems a bit hyperbolic (considering what's been put on the boards in the past,) but honestly, this piece did absolutely nothing for me.

[lite2shine]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 1:32pm

I saw the show on Aug 24th. I guess my opinion is between Dez and God, I was mildly entertained but if I weren't reminded in the program that the score was written by Ebb and Kander, I really wouldn't have noticed it as the score was not memorable at all.

I thought the cast was pretty good but I really didn't see the spark between DHP and the actress who played his love of interest. Most of the dance scenes were wonderful and the actress who played Bambi was great in the Indian dance. I had a fun time but I doubt this would be a hit in Broadway (especially if they bring it to next spring, the competition would be tough).