#1
Posted: 2/5/05 at 10:53pm
Yeah, to hell with it. I'm posting my own thread, well, because I can. 
I LOVED this show. It's been a long time since I've seen an audience love something so much, and be so enthusiastic. It's also been a while since the last time I went into a musical that I hadn't seen before and truly loved almost everything about it. This show has a lot going for it, even though it's still in previews. The ushers were saying they're still making cuts, and the show could probably use to shave off some time, but it's in great shape for only being a week into previews in New York. I'm honestly not sure what I could see being cut, but it'll be interesting to find out what stays, goes, or changes.
The shows's biggest strength, by far, is its book. Simply hysterical. I laughed out loud a lot. The jokes are brilliantly funny, if only slightly over done. The plot is hysterical, too. You do have to pay a good bit of attention to who's conning who when in order to catch everything, but it's very, very fun.
The music is really fun, but kind of mediocre, whereas the lyrics are wonderful. I like Yazbek's work here better than I did in The Full Monty, but the TFM score really didn't do much for me at all. The music's definitely very enjoyable, and I particularly loved "Great Big Stuff," "Love Is My Legs," and... ugh, I can't rememeber the other one. The music written for the dance breaks was very good, too, I thought. I *think* I remember hearing a recording was happening, and if so, I can't wait.
The sets were beautiful - lots of very deep, rich, colors and just enough glitz to keep the eyes entertained but not distracted.
And now, the cast. This cast is monstrous. Seriously, phenomenal. Joanna Gleason and John Lithgow got tons of entrance applause. I wish Norbert and Sherie Rene had, but I didn't expect it. Norbert continuously got much deserved applause throughout the show, especially in his numbers with John.
Norbert - Oh. My. Norbert. I've loved his voice for a while, but today I finally saw just what the big deal is. This guy is really something. His character was obnoxious and a tenacious little thing, but Norbert is absolutely adorable, charming and lovable. He sounds great, and his physical comedy is perfection. He definitely knows how to get laughs. It was so nice to *finally* see him in person, and quite well worth the wait. I think I may see a Tony in his future....
John Lithgow - singing isn't his strong suit, but he's quite an actor, and very, very funny. His chemistry with Norbert is wonderful.
Joanna Gleason - saw her in The Normal Heart this summer, and couldn't wait to see her here. I think I like her better in a serious dramatic setting, but it was good to see her again. She's very funny as well.
Sherie Rene - it's been almost five years since I saw her in AIDA, and I've loved her ever since then. I liked her better in AIDA, though... better music for her to work with, and a bigger part, but she gave a great performance in DRS, for sure. She sounds as beautiful as ever, and I couldn't help but grin like a fool when she started belting out high notes. She and Norbert are adorable together, and her comedic timing has not changed a bit. It's still there, and right on.
The rest of the cast was amazing as well, but those were the ones important enough for me to really write much about.
So, in conclusion, GO SEE THIS SHOW! It's absolutely worth it, and I hope people love it as much as I did.
A work of art is an invitation to love.
I LOVED this show. It's been a long time since I've seen an audience love something so much, and be so enthusiastic. It's also been a while since the last time I went into a musical that I hadn't seen before and truly loved almost everything about it. This show has a lot going for it, even though it's still in previews. The ushers were saying they're still making cuts, and the show could probably use to shave off some time, but it's in great shape for only being a week into previews in New York. I'm honestly not sure what I could see being cut, but it'll be interesting to find out what stays, goes, or changes.
The shows's biggest strength, by far, is its book. Simply hysterical. I laughed out loud a lot. The jokes are brilliantly funny, if only slightly over done. The plot is hysterical, too. You do have to pay a good bit of attention to who's conning who when in order to catch everything, but it's very, very fun.
The music is really fun, but kind of mediocre, whereas the lyrics are wonderful. I like Yazbek's work here better than I did in The Full Monty, but the TFM score really didn't do much for me at all. The music's definitely very enjoyable, and I particularly loved "Great Big Stuff," "Love Is My Legs," and... ugh, I can't rememeber the other one. The music written for the dance breaks was very good, too, I thought. I *think* I remember hearing a recording was happening, and if so, I can't wait.
The sets were beautiful - lots of very deep, rich, colors and just enough glitz to keep the eyes entertained but not distracted.
And now, the cast. This cast is monstrous. Seriously, phenomenal. Joanna Gleason and John Lithgow got tons of entrance applause. I wish Norbert and Sherie Rene had, but I didn't expect it. Norbert continuously got much deserved applause throughout the show, especially in his numbers with John.
Norbert - Oh. My. Norbert. I've loved his voice for a while, but today I finally saw just what the big deal is. This guy is really something. His character was obnoxious and a tenacious little thing, but Norbert is absolutely adorable, charming and lovable. He sounds great, and his physical comedy is perfection. He definitely knows how to get laughs. It was so nice to *finally* see him in person, and quite well worth the wait. I think I may see a Tony in his future....
John Lithgow - singing isn't his strong suit, but he's quite an actor, and very, very funny. His chemistry with Norbert is wonderful.
Joanna Gleason - saw her in The Normal Heart this summer, and couldn't wait to see her here. I think I like her better in a serious dramatic setting, but it was good to see her again. She's very funny as well.
Sherie Rene - it's been almost five years since I saw her in AIDA, and I've loved her ever since then. I liked her better in AIDA, though... better music for her to work with, and a bigger part, but she gave a great performance in DRS, for sure. She sounds as beautiful as ever, and I couldn't help but grin like a fool when she started belting out high notes. She and Norbert are adorable together, and her comedic timing has not changed a bit. It's still there, and right on.
The rest of the cast was amazing as well, but those were the ones important enough for me to really write much about.
So, in conclusion, GO SEE THIS SHOW! It's absolutely worth it, and I hope people love it as much as I did.
Updated On: 2/5/05 at 10:53 PM
But I'm glad you loved the show. 
