DAMN YANKEES reviews- Page 2

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 1:39am

I'm glad that people are noticing qualities about Jackson's performing that I've known, from his rather lazy, crooning work in Seattle, for quite some time.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 1:39am

And there was no way Patti LuPone would *fill the St. James or make any money...


*meaning no one expected GYPSY to make 800/900k a week and fill 80/90% of that barn of the St. James

Updated On: 7/11/08 at 01:39 AM

[Kelly2]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 1:46am

Surprised by the lukewarm reception to Krakowski, did people really expect her to be Verdon?, since I thought she was the best part of the production.

And to whoever said Krakowski has no star power, I wouldn't have paid 110$ for the production if she had not been in it, so clearly there are people out there who will go just for her.

If it had been anyone else, I'd have been in the 25$ seats.

[Brick]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 1:46am

I doubt this will transfer....

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 1:49am

From her exhausted look when she mentioned Damn Yankees on The View, I doubt Krakowski is going to want to do 8 shows a week in one of the toughest roles to dance and 30 Rock at the same time.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 1:58am

Well she said during rehearsals she is willing to do it. Not sure how she feels now.

But regarding her lukewarm reception. I think Bebe Neuwirth received a lukewarm reception too. It's the problem with a Gwen Verdon role, because the roles were so tailored specifically to her amazing talent. So any actress in the role is constantly compared to her. It happens most with Lola and Charity.
Updated On: 7/11/08 at 01:58 AM

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 2:09am

I saw Bebe Neuwirth and she was incredible!

Of course she had tons more rehearsal time than Krakowski was given.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 2:15am

Plus, the revival had choreography by Rob Marshall. So Bebe didn't have to worry as much about being compared to Gwen.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 2:22am

I agree with most of these reviews...and I doubt this will transfer.

And if it does, I doubt Krakowski would transfer with it...unless she can work out the hectic schedule of filming for 30 ROCK and performing in this killer of a role.

But don't bet on a transfer...

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 2:25am

Woah...3 1/2 stars from the POST.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/07112008/entertainment/theater/cast_is_game_in_damn_revival_119342.htm

"BELEAGUERED Bronx Bombers fans won't find much comfort at City Center, where the team isn't having any better luck in "Damn Yankees," the wonderful revival from the company that brought us the latest Tony-winning "Gypsy."
...
And while no one will ever match the inimitable performances of original leads Ray Walston and Gwen Verdon, the limited-run revival that opened last night is perfectly cast.

"Will & Grace" star Sean Hayes is hilariously droll as the literally devilish Applegate, displaying a fine singing voice, excellent piano chops and a real facility for sleight-of-hand alongside his superb comic timing.

Jane Krakowski, whose scantily clad turn in "Nine" years ago made many hearts beat faster, is terrific as Lola, Applegate's minion and chief seductress, who struts her stuff in the classic "Whatever Lola Wants." She's even better in later scenes, when she reveals the sweet girl inside the vamp.

And hard-bodied Cheyenne Jackson, late of "Xanadu," just might be the first Joe Hardy, the phenom baseball player, to receive more audience catcalls than Lola.
...
By the time the entire cast reprises the wonderful song "Heart," you'd have to be the devil himself to feel unmoved."

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 4:17am

From reading the reviews it sounds to me like staying so so true to the original production just did not favor Hayes or Krakowski (when Krakowski was cast I mentioned that it was exciting but that I was not sure she would be able to pull off the Fosse choreography... apparently that's how critics feel).
Gwen Verdon is arguably the most legendary dancer in the history of Broadway, period. She was Bob Fosse's muse, so when he designed those steps for Lola, he was designing them for Lola as danced/acted by Gwen Verdon.
Krakowski to me is a brilliant star, but a brilliant dancer? No. If they wanted to re-create the Fosse choreography, they should have gone a different way in terms of casting for Lola. Oh well. I'm seeing the show on Sunday.
I HIGHLY doubt it will transfer. There doesn't seem to be a need for it.

[Heybeenfood]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 4:40am

Despite Patti, Boyd, and Laura's brilliant performances, did we really NEED another Gypsy revival? Of course there isn't a need for a Damn Yankees revival, but the prospect is still possible.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 7:25am

that's WHY we are going to see the show:

1. Its close to the original~which obviously i did not see (though saw the movie version with Gwen Verdon~and love it)

2. It might not transfer?

3. I love the score.

4. I am a fan Fosse's choreography.

5. I am getting bored in Boston and have not seen a Broadway show for almost a MONTH now!!!!

Enough reasons to travel to NYC again!

J*

[justafan2]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 7:41am

The Bergen Record:

http://www.northjersey.com/betterliving/Review_Damn_Yankees.html

[folkyboy]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 9:21am

I wish they would record this production but we know they're not going to...

[GottaHaveAGimmick]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 10:41am

Glad to see the overall positive (although not glowing) reviews. It is still pretty incredible considering the short rehearsal time involved in the production. And the top billed stars (Hayes and Krowkowski) aren't doing it for the paycheck.

As a fan of Cheyenne, I'm glad people will get to hear him and see him in a role unlike those he has done lately. Can't wait to get there for the July 26 performance.

[Timmer]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 10:50am

I love this musial. I saw the 1994 revival, and it was excellent.

However, that was just 14 years ago. There are some terrific shows that have been waiting longer to be revived -- not to mention new shows that are trying to get to Broadway.

Are we that bereft of ideas?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 10:54am

I wish this board didn't push things to transfer so much. While, yes, everything great deserves a big life, some things, like this, seem best served by a short run.

[MarkK]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 11:21am

Isherwood pretty much gave Cheyenne a Love letter

I actually think a majority of the reviews have been over-all Positive for the show, with Mixed-positive for Jane.

If it does transfer to Broadway, they would have to tighten up the show. I think they should cut Who's Got the Pain? What's the point of having that song? It doesn't propel the plot forward.

After Who's Got the Pain?.... my friend turned to me and said, " That came out of left field, what the hell was that about? " No baseball pun intended.

Also trim a few of the reprises and I think it would be in good shape.



Updated On: 7/11/08 at 11:21 AM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 11:22am

Cut "Who's Got the Pain?"? Seriously? I think musical theatre fans, as well as the estates of the creators, would blow a fuse.

[MarkK]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 11:25am

Bobby, normally I would agree with you. But, have you seen it in this production?

If any number should be cut it would be this one.

[bwayguy22089]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 11:25am

I saw the show last night as well. I really enjoyed it. However, I feel like it could have been much better had it had a longer rehearsal process. Much of the cast looked as if they weren't sure as to what they wanted to do. Also, the show itself is extremely dated. They made the revisions in 1994 for a reason. Great songs though, and a very moving story. Randy Graff was incredible. "Near to You" gave me chills. I also liked that Jane made Lola a real person. Congrats to the cast

[jewishboy]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 3:24pm

NEVER CUT "WHO'S GOT THE PAIN?"!!!! The best dance number in the show!

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 4:37pm

WHO'S GOT THE PAIN will never ever be cut. It's random. But it's also the act 1 finale. And it's some of Fosse's best choreography.
Updated On: 7/11/08 at 04:37 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/11/08 at 5:14pm

I forgot which one of the reviews compares "Who's Got the Pain?" to "Hernando's Hideaway" from PAJAMA GAME. Both numbers are basically completely irrelevant to the whole plot but they are there for a reason. DAMN YANKEES is just about pure old-fashioned fun, so why cut a good old-fashioned fun number?
You wouldn't cut "Blow Gabriel Blow" from ANYTHING GOES or "Turkey Lurkey Time" from PROMISES, PROMISES.
On the playbill.com Opening Night report, a lot of people seem to be talking about wanting to do the show on Broadway. Of course this happens with just about every single Encores! show, so it probably doesn't mean much.