I rushed this yesterday morning, as they had a Monday evening performance, and ended getting front row center orchestra. So I was pleased as I love sitting close, especially for 40 bux, and the stage wasn't very high, so no annoying neck tilting.
However, this show was not good. Now I am not a Buffet fan, in the least (hell, upon exiting the theatre I only realized I walked past the composer/lyricist because someone said his name and I looked in that direction and assumed it was him, then googled him), I recognized maybe 2 songs, one of them being the title tune, and while the cast sounds good, vocally, I just didn't get why this show was happening. Who decided to turn his songs into a book musical?! The set was meh, the songs, for someone who isn't familiar with them, could've easily all been interchangeable, and just the plot of the show is lackluster and poorly conceived. And rushed, SO RUSHED! I had heard very mixed things from this board going in, but I don't let other people's opinions affect me, as there have been many instances where I thoroughly enjoy something that many ppl/critics hate, but the general consensus here seems to follow what I saw. I also feel bad for Lisa Howard, and not because she flies for cheeseburgers, but for having to do a show in that wig.
Don't even get me started on the audience this show attracts and in a way, creates, pushing margaritas down the audience throats. People behind me would not shut up, and the two patrons next to me, in the front row, immediately started to record the show on their phones, WHICH I SHUT DOWN REAL QUICK, and then scolded them at intermission. If you're not already a fan of Buffet I just can't see how this will have any appeal to you, which is unfortunate, as I (a 20something who attends the theatre at least once a week) should've been the ppl you are trying to attract, the Buffet fan will go to this, but they won't keep it open. I don't think anything can.
The only thing I will really take away with me from that show is the free beach ball that I got when the cast threw them out into the audience.