Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review

[luvtheEmcee]

Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#0

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.

Updated On: 2/5/05 at 10:53 PM

[TVBoy]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#1

Posted: 2/5/05 at 10:55pm

Emcee... glad you liked the show. I have a very good friend in the show and I know how hard he and everyone involved has worked to make it the success it's turning out to be.

Go see the show!

"I'm not a catcher! I'm a piano player!" -- Schroeder from "Peanuts" ----- http://www.facebook.com/p/Brandon_Bartlett/500719306

[#1Elphie]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#2

Posted: 2/5/05 at 10:56pm

I'm glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the review! I will definitely try to see it sometime soon. I love Norbert.

[BroadwayDiva]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#3

Posted: 2/5/05 at 10:57pm

Thanks for the review!! I'm glad you enjoyed it a lot!

I have my books and my poetry to protect me...

[insomniak]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#4

Posted: 2/5/05 at 10:57pm

Thanks Emcee! It's on my list. Would you recommend the OBCR? Is the music good enough without the book?

[melissa errico fan]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#5

Posted: 2/5/05 at 10:58pm

Everyone must see this show!

[MyNameInLights]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#6

Posted: 2/5/05 at 10:59pm

Emcee's reviews = MNIL's happiness!

"The stage is where I live and come alive and act out all the things that go on in my life. It's not just what I do for a living, it's my shrink and my love affair. No one in my life has ever or ever will kiss me on the mouth like this lover called my relationship with my performance."

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#7

Posted: 2/5/05 at 10:59pm

Great review, I totally agree, spread the Dirty Rotten love!

[title of show] on Broadway. it's time. believe.

[melissa errico fan]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#8

Posted: 2/5/05 at 11:01pm

For a show that has only been in previews for a week, I've never heard any bad reviews or anybody who could find anything to change.

[luvtheEmcee]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#9

Posted: 2/5/05 at 11:05pm

nia, if a recording comes into existence, absolutely would recommend it. The lyrics are funny enough to make up for so-so scoring.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

[beacon1]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#10

Posted: 2/5/05 at 11:09pm

Emcee...

Thanks. This just cemented it my must-see list for this fall.

Yea!!!!!!!!!!

Where are we going, and why am I in this handbasket?

Patrick Wilson Fans --New "UnOfficial Fan Site". Come check us out!

Patrick Wilson Yahoo Group

Patrick Wilson Facebook Fan Page

[zippyjen]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#11

Posted: 2/5/05 at 11:11pm

great review! as i said many times, i need to get my ass down to see that show.

"At the opening night party, they had clowns on stilts, jugglers, a chocolate fountain, popcorn, hot dogs. [My son] looked at me like I had been holding back. Like, 'This is what you do?' I had to tell him, 'No, no, darling. Opening nights don't usually look like this.' It's usually a dark bar with a bottle of vodka." ?Chitty Chitty Bang Bang's Jan Maxwell plus i proudly share the title of the shortest member over the age of 10 with wickedrentq!

[billygoatgirl300]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#12

Posted: 2/5/05 at 11:23pm

I'm seeing this show on Feb 26 and I'm really looking forward to it.

The towel waving reminded me of a Per?nist rally. I kept chanting "Evita!" whenever they'd pan to the crowds. - SM2

[thirdrowcenter]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#13

Posted: 2/5/05 at 11:27pm

Excellent review. I'm in total agreement.

[Chloe]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#14

Posted: 2/5/05 at 11:39pm

Thanks for the review. I'm looking forward to this.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#15

Posted: 2/5/05 at 11:40pm

Yazbek is a BRILLIANT BRILLIANT lyricist.
I found his lyrics and music for The Full Monty brilliant too.

[title of show] on Broadway. it's time. believe.

[BSoBW2]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#16

Posted: 2/5/05 at 11:45pm

SHUT UP, EM!

Jk

I xcan't wait to see it!

[luvtheEmcee]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#17

Posted: 2/5/05 at 11:48pm

*babbles uselessly at BSo*



Gaaaaaah. <3333 times 3 billion for this show.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

[thespian geek]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#18

Posted: 2/5/05 at 11:49pm

This has made me even MORE grumpy that I'm not going to get to see it until August. But I'm glad you loved the show.

6 months.

[luvtheEmcee]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#19

Posted: 2/5/05 at 11:52pm

wheeeeeeeeeeeeee!

A work of art is an invitation to love.

[TGIF]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#20

Posted: 2/5/05 at 11:52pm

Great Review Emcee!! Now I don't know whether to get DRS or Chicago tickets tomorrow.

I want to write music. I want to sit down right now at my piano and write a song that people will listen to and remember and do the same thing every morning...for the rest of my life. - Jonathan Larson. Tick, Tick...BOOM!

[luvtheEmcee]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#21

Posted: 2/5/05 at 11:53pm

DRS! You know you wanna.....

A work of art is an invitation to love.

[TGIF]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#22

Posted: 2/5/05 at 11:56pm

I knoooooooooooooooooooow! But I can only go if I win lotto. How are other people's luck with it?

I want to write music. I want to sit down right now at my piano and write a song that people will listen to and remember and do the same thing every morning...for the rest of my life. - Jonathan Larson. Tick, Tick...BOOM!

[Allie]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#23

Posted: 2/5/05 at 11:58pm

GAH! If only I was ANYWHERE NEAR NYC... I'd be there in an instant.

Wonderful review, em, as always!

[luvtheEmcee]

re: Emcee's DIRTY ROTTEN review#24

Posted: 2/5/05 at 11:59pm

I didn't win the lottery, but the turn-out wasn't astronomical. It's do-able, I guess.

A work of art is an invitation to love.