DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

#1

DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/10/05 at 6:55pm

Why do I light up so much at this show? From the first notes of the overture, I'm like a little kid seeing her first Broadway show. Front row, dead center. It was my third time seeing it, and it was fun seeing the changes they've made since they opened. (Joanna has a new line of dialogue, and Norbert's given Ruprecht a whole different voice). The performances of Lithgow, Butz, Gettlefinger, Gleason, Jbara and Scott are still outstanding, and they are clearly having the most fun on stage of any cast I've ever seen.

This is the show to beat in June.

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JOHN LITHGOW I just realized, your last name is Butz! Both "Norbert" AND "Butz" are in your name! You must have gotten picked on a lot as a child!

Updated On: 4/10/05 at 06:55 PM

#2

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/10/05 at 7:36pm

I hate to be the one to tell you, but "charminger" isn't a word. The correct thing to say is "more charming".

It's a very good musical. I saw it in San Diego before it hit Broadway. This is a perfect musical to introduce someone to musical theater. You don't have to think much, you can just enjoy.

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It is ridiculous to set a detective story in New York City. New York City is itself a detective story... AGATHA CHRISTIE, Life magazine, May 14, 1956

#3

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/10/05 at 7:38pm

Yes that is definately an element in this show- the cast TRULY appear to like & enjoy their work & each other & it shows in the quality of their performance.

#4

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/10/05 at 7:40pm

Elphaba - "charminger" is used in one of the show's jokes. I think TheGaIsSilent was playing off of that.

#5

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/10/05 at 7:48pm

Front row center--did you win the lottery? Is that too close or ideal?

#6

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/10/05 at 7:51pm

Yep, won lotto. There were just enough tickets for everyone, and I was the fourth name called. The other times I saw the show were from seventh row center. I thought the front row was great, not too close at all, because there's a pretty large orchestra pit in front of you before the stage. The balcony scenes are a bit harder to see, though.

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JOHN LITHGOW I just realized, your last name is Butz! Both "Norbert" AND "Butz" are in your name! You must have gotten picked on a lot as a child!

#7

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/10/05 at 7:56pm

New dialogue? New Ruprecht?! LOL. New since when? I saw the show at the end of March, so I'm assuming the changes were from before then?

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the summer rain just brings us pain, Louison...

#8

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/10/05 at 8:04pm

I'll PM you so I don't ruin it for anyone.

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JOHN LITHGOW I just realized, your last name is Butz! Both "Norbert" AND "Butz" are in your name! You must have gotten picked on a lot as a child!

#9

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/10/05 at 8:14pm

dignity, I knew that.....I just freak out over words that don't exist.......it's the bane of my existence...sigh

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It is ridiculous to set a detective story in New York City. New York City is itself a detective story... AGATHA CHRISTIE, Life magazine, May 14, 1956

#10

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/10/05 at 8:17pm

I've seen the show twice so far and I feel exactly the same way.

#11

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/10/05 at 8:21pm

I love this show. It really is just so much fun to watch.

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"What a mystery this world. One day you love them and the next day you want to kill them a thousand times over." The Masked Bandit in THE FALL

#12

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/10/05 at 8:23pm

That's understandable, Elphaba.

I still have a few new musicals to see before the Tonys, but DRS is my favorite so far!

#13

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/10/05 at 8:24pm

I saw the show for the first time yesterday and thought it was one of the funniest shows I've seen in a VERY long time. I enjoyed it more than Spamalot and I think even more than The Producers (which I saw with the original cast.) This show is absolutely fantastic!

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"Let's admit one thing right upfront: With the possible exception of Bernadette Peters, not everyone stays young and cute forever." (NYPost 2/2/05)

#14

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/10/05 at 8:33pm

I was at the show today too, and loved it even more the second time. Which I didn't think was possible...

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"Two drifters off to see the world. There's such a lot of world to see. . ."

#15

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/10/05 at 8:36pm

John's little bit about standing back up after the BC/EFA speech was hilarious, too.

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JOHN LITHGOW I just realized, your last name is Butz! Both "Norbert" AND "Butz" are in your name! You must have gotten picked on a lot as a child!

#16

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/10/05 at 8:40pm

It was!

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"Two drifters off to see the world. There's such a lot of world to see. . ."

#17

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/11/05 at 9:04am

Will one of you PM me with the new Ruprecht lines and what John said after the BC/EFA portion? Thanks.

#18

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/11/05 at 10:29am

Can someone pm me too please? :)

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"Rap stars will love me..... I get me a posse and shit, aiite."

#19

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/11/05 at 11:38am

As much as I like DRS I doubt it has a chance in June.

QM

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'He really wasn't good as Fieyro. Is it just me or does he sort of come across as a pimp? Just...the hand motions I've seen him do and the attitude..not that Taye is a pimp.' - SallyBrown on Taye Diggs as Fiyero

#20

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/11/05 at 11:42am

gettelfinger's performance outstanding? no no no my friend. she was gasping for breath and could reach her notes nor hold them out at all. i was kind of appalled. there was too much choreography for her to do and sing that score. she needed to do one or the other, not both.

#21

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/11/05 at 11:52am

I agree there's too much choreography there, but she did a fine job all three times that I've seen her. Never stopped to gasp or anything.

SPOILERS, so I don't have to PM everyone.

After the "usherette" gag, Joanna now stops the song and says "Anybody else have something to contribute".

Also, it seems Norbert has finally found a "voice" for Ruprecht, whereas during the Old Globe Tryout and previews, he was just using his own voice.

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JOHN LITHGOW I just realized, your last name is Butz! Both "Norbert" AND "Butz" are in your name! You must have gotten picked on a lot as a child!

#22

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/11/05 at 12:15pm

i hate to be the voice of dissent, but i really didnt see anything special in this show and overall, i was really unimpressed. IMO, the script was a bit too much like a sit-com and struggled to hold the show together. And i felt that Sherie Renee Scott was the real stand-out in this show - very enjoyable in her role.

If anyone has read the broadway abridged version of Drity Rotten Scoundrels, I felt that it was dead on in its interpretation of the show. Here's the link if anyone wants to read it.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Broadway Abridged

#23

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/11/05 at 12:20pm

I think when I saw the show--early March--Ruprecht had found that voice--sort of of a little boy's voice (think Robin Williams when he does a child's voice). Totally winning.

#24

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/11/05 at 12:23pm

I agree with QM. I really really enjoyed the show, but the best shot the show has at winning any awards of any kind is Norbert Leo Butz for best actor.

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Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.

#25

re: DRS Sunday - Charminger and Charminger

Posted: 4/11/05 at 12:34pm

I disagree (obviously). I think that Spamalot, which was thought to be DRS's only competition, has disappointed too many people to compete. I wouldn't be shocked if SPAM failed to snag a nomination, either.

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JOHN LITHGOW I just realized, your last name is Butz! Both "Norbert" AND "Butz" are in your name! You must have gotten picked on a lot as a child!