Disappointed in CURTAINS the 2nd time around

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/7/08 at 8:47am

Saw CURTAINS again yesterday. I'd seen it when it was in previews and enjoyed it very much. this time the family wanted to see it, and I was eager to see David Hyde Pierce's performance again. He was still marvelous in the role that seemed to be tailor-made for him.

The musical numbers still work nicely, but the book scenes really dragged. It was obvious that the actors have been performing this material for almost a year and they're dragging their feet while delivering the dialogue. Basically, the pizzazz and excitement was gone.

Will someone please tell the director that he should pay this show a visit and get the cast back on track?

[BroadwayBoy2]

Posted: 1/7/08 at 9:08am

I would see why you would say that. it seems like a show that jokes would fail the second time around, and loose its "pizzazz" as you put it. but i agree with you totally, because that was my feeling when I saw DRS the second time around, I actually disliked the second time so much, it made me second guess if I liked the show at all?

[meredithchandler73]

Posted: 1/7/08 at 11:55am

Interesting. I really enjoyed the show the first time I saw it (back in previews) and knew I'd go back. I've seen the show six times total and I thought the cast was giving 100% as usual every time. (My last visit was a week before the strike began - back in November.) Actually, there was only one actor/character that I didn't love at first viewing - Jill Paice/Niki - and from my second visit on I've found her performance charming. In all these visits, I haven't seen many understudies, but a few. Not surprisingly, David Hyde Pierce's understudy just isn't him. John Bolton does a decent job - the show is still enjoyable - but it really isn't the same. I preferred Noah Racey over David Elders. But I thought Michael X. Martin was just as good as John Bolton in the role of the reporter, Daryl Grady.

Anyway, I'm set for my 7th viewing of the show later this month and I'm *very* much looking forward to it!

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 1/7/08 at 1:02pm

Good Lord, Dolly, you were there and I missed you? What a shame.

I didn't notice any dragging of the feet - this cast always gives 100% and rarely does the energy drag. Perhaps some of them are sick. Deb Monk, in particular, just got over quite a bad case of something or other, and of course is still dealing with her knee injury, but she always gives her all. Sorry you didn't enjoy it!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/7/08 at 6:39pm

Please don't think this was the first time I paid a return visit to a show I liked. I saw LuPone's GYPSY four times in three weeks and the original production of EQUUS eight times. Oh yeah, and there's that show called HELLO, DOLLY! which I saw 74 times.

Believe me when I say the book scenes lacked pacing. It was fun, though, knowing what the outcome would be and seeing all the clues I'd overlooked the first time!

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/7/08 at 6:56pm

I plan to see it again. Ziemba was on vacation and Monk was out with an injury when I saw it. SO I want to go back to see them. Plus I really enjoyed the show. It put a much needed smile on my face the afternoon I saw it.

[sally1112]

Posted: 1/7/08 at 7:11pm

I just want to see it for the first time!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 1/7/08 at 7:14pm

I'm waiting for the replacements to come in to see it again, though I'm not sure the show will make it through replacements.
I saw it during previews in LA and loved every second of it, especially David Hyde Pierce, of course (loved him so much that I was probably one of the few people pulling for him at the Tonys).

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/7/08 at 8:41pm

I hated it the first time. Is all I kept thinking: This is 2hours of my life I will never get back. I thought the actors were good and energetic; I just thought the story was insipid.

I put this in my BOTTOM five list of all B'way shows right along with All Shook Up (which I actually walked out on.)

Dont hate me, I know I am in a minority here.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/7/08 at 8:48pm

Updated On: 1/8/08 at 08:48 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 1/7/08 at 8:50pm

Ray, I was pulling for him, as well.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/7/08 at 9:04pm

Updated On: 1/8/08 at 09:04 PM

[Smaxie]

Posted: 1/7/08 at 9:13pm

One post would have sufficed.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 1/7/08 at 11:23pm

I actually liked the show better the second time around, mainly because John Bolton was on for David Hyde Pierce, and I actually found his performance more interesting to watch. Not that I don't love David...

meredithchandler73, I totally agree re Jill Paice, I liked her better the second time around much more.

[MadProps86]

Posted: 1/8/08 at 12:08am

I saw Curtains this past Wednesday and I felt entertained, but not satisfied. It could be because it was a matinee, but I didn't feel a big spark from the show. The performers all did wonderful jobs, loved Debra Monk and Megan Sikora (my favorite part of the show). David Hyde Pierce and Karen Ziemba were delightful and Jason Danieley had a phenomenal voice. To me, it seemed like there was a good frame work for the show, but that it could be fine-tuned to make it great. I left the theatre happy to have seen it, but not wowed by the experience.

[BrianIdol]

Posted: 1/8/08 at 12:18am

yeah, i didn't like it the first time either. BORING!

[la_vie_boheme_et_moi]

Posted: 1/8/08 at 12:36am

Aww, CURTAINS is probably one of my favorite shows. I can see how some people wouldn't like it, though- there are parts of it, ('Coffee Shop Nights', 'I Miss the Music', particularly for me) that were, quite frankly, dull.

The cast is really wonderful in this- particularly Karen Ziemba, Jason Danieley, and Debra Monk.

[sesot]

Posted: 1/8/08 at 3:56am

I thought it was just ok. It's definitely not one of my favorites or one I would see again. It dragged in parts. David Hyde Pierce was good, but I don't think he should have won the Tony.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 1/8/08 at 4:42am

David Hyde Pierce was good, but I don't think he should have won the Tony.

Thankfully, the majority of Tony voters disagreed with you. Pierce gave a brilliant, unmannered, humble performance. Even in out-of-town previews I thought I was watching a Tony-worthy performance, can't imagine how wonderful he must be after opening on Broadway.
I just hope the show survives the awful January/February slump. I would love to see a top-notch replacement cast inject new energy into the show.
How about Neil Patrick Harris or Denis O'Hare as the Lieutenant; Adriane Lennox, Mary Testa, or Debbie Gravitte as Carmen; Cady Huffman or Bebe Neuwirth as Georgia; Howard McGillin or Brent Barrett as Aaron; and Katie Clarke as Niki?

[StageFan2]

Posted: 1/8/08 at 6:13am

I loved Curtains and thought DHP deserved the Tony as well. I jumped around my living room like an idiot when he won. I just adore the whole company. I think they're all just grand. I've seen Curtains 6 times and each time I've walked out of the theatre smiling. I thought; and still think, it was the best new musical of last season. For me, it's just a wonderful show no matter how many times I see it.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 1/8/08 at 11:58am

I want Alan Ruck as Cioffi. But then you need a very famous Carmen. Oh, if only Liza were able to do it. That'd be pretty incredible. Kathy Bates might do it well.

Ray, Bebe's probably a little too cold to play Georgia. She'd of course dance marvelously but you have to really like Georgia.

And yeah, DHP is the best :) Simply the best. Updated On: 1/8/08 at 11:58 AM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 1/8/08 at 2:29pm

"I want Alan Ruck as Cioffi."

I saw him as Leo Bloom on the Producers tour a few years ago - enjoyed his performance very much. I think he'd do well.