Flopz was a Flop

[Life is but a bowl]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 6:08pm

I am new to this message board. I have read a lot, and seen a lot of benefits/cabarets and such, but this is my first post.

I think its sad when I pay 25 dollars, and 2 drinks to see people holding scripts, using stands, and trying to read the words off the page.

Was this show rehearsed? Was this show directed? What does directed mean. You stand there, now you stand there. Come on.

I think most of the songs were outdated, and oblivious. the biggest cheers were for Urban Cowboy, Carrie, and thats about it. and the reason for that is because people could relate to those. Taking a flop from 1945 and trying to do it in front of an audience that thinks someone playing elphaba is a huge broadway star, isn't going to keep the 2 HOUR evening lively.

I think the show, even with this good idea, was done poorly. Mr. Lavine seems like an accomplished piano player, and did a great job as 1/3 of the performers didn't know their words. He stuck right with them.

And not to have Cheyanne, Shoshana AND Emily Skinnner not show up...isn't that a bait and switch? I mean, one performer not showing up...thats fine..but 3?

Other than Mr Lavine, and a few kick ass performances (Ms Bolger (sp?), Ms. Johnson, Ms. Kritzer and Mr. Cavanaugh's last song) I think this benefit was a Flop in and of itself.

[zoran912]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 6:20pm

How ironic.

[JamieMcG]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 6:31pm

Wow, I must say I'm sorry you felt that passionately about it. I'm also sorry you paid $25 for it, as the tickets were only $20. Honestly, yours is the first bit of negative feedback I've heard about the concert.

I've done a few benefits over the past few years, and once in a while, it just so happens that people make a commitment and for one reason or another cannot follow through. As a director of these events, there is truly very little one can do about this. But as it always states in press releases, these performers are "scheduled to appear."

In addition to this, it's difficult to ask a performer who is volunteering their time and doing 8 shows a week, auditioning for other work and trying to live their own life outside of all this...to get off book for a song. As I recall only 3 or 4 out of 19 numbers were those that used music (myself included, but for me it was a crutch that I didn't really use, but nerves sometimes get the better of me). Also, the theatre authority (the union representation over benefits, etc) states quite clearly that for these events, you cannot require that performers not have book-in-hand. Again, they're volunteering their time...just like with the larger events like the Pippin, Hair, Chess and Snoopy Concerts.

I apologize that you didn't see the price of $20 (which is going to the Joey DiPaolo AIDS Foundation) as a bargain, when you got to see more than a dozen major Broadway performers in an intimate setting.

As for song choice, I enjoyed them and definitely have to disagree with the statement that no one could relate to any song but those from the past decade or so. Michael and I made sure that the music being celebrated was not just that of the past few years (which most people at this concert have heard). Both of us agreed that it's far more important to challenge an audience's ear as opposed to just doing what's expected of us.

Again, I'm very sorry you had such a poor experience, and if you really did pay $25, bring your ticket stub or receipt back down to Joe's Pub and get at least 5 of it back.

[Natalie 2]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 6:38pm

Dammit Jamie! I would have loved to see this. When is your next endeavor?

[kyle.]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 6:46pm

i feel your pain life is a bowl. i was thinking some of those same thoughts while watching a standing ovations dvd.

[Craig]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 7:09pm

As a means to clarify - the show was called FLOPZ, ergo, to most the songs would obviously be "oblivious". As for outdated. I have no idea what that truly means in this context. How can a concert highlighting songs from Broadway be "outdated". Would you call an evening of songs from the musicals of 1945 "outdated" ? There was no "year" attached to the show.

In addition...where in the press materials or in Jamie's intro was it ever suggested that the show was for geared the elphaba set? It wasn't a "Rosie's Kids presents FLOPZ" or "Flopz 2000"

As for talent - benefits and concerts such as these are ALWAYS "subject to change" precisely because of scheduling and such of talent involved. When putting any concert together of this size in cast, one estimates between 1-3 people will have a last minute schedule conflict or personal situation prohibiting attending. That's just the breaks. People get sick, all of the sudden have an early press call or get stuck elsewhere without a means to make it on time. Since they are DONATING their time and energy, I would never begrudge any performer who wasn't able to be at one of these events.

"Bait and Switch" is a snarky term to imply that the producer/director knew ahead of time and purposely dangled names to sell tickets. That is CLEARLY not the case when it comes to Jamie's gigs. In fact, having worked with him on several, I know he'd rather not announce a performer if they aren't committed and have it be a surprise than disappoint those that might be coming just to see one performer.

I think the show delivered exactly what it promised - an evening of amazing talent performing songs from egregiously overlooked musicals. With only one or two people going up on lyrics - which can even happen in a well rehearsed show that's been on Broadway for years - I'd hardly call it a disappointment.

To each their own.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 7:18pm

AMEN, Craig.

What were you expecting from a show based on Flops?

Great American theatre?

You one crazy mothe....ANYWAY..yours is the first negative comment I heard.

I dunno what you expected, again, but.....

GO CARRIE!

[ruprecht]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 10:47pm

I'm sorry to say that I missed Flopz, but I think that Life's comments could be applied to many a Broadway benefit these days. Typically their cast list is far more interesting than their end result. This one did seem a little light on names--based on the photos I only have heard of 2 or 3 of the performers, but if Leslie Kritzer was on the bill, it couldn't have been all bad. And I did like the fact that Flopz didn't just concentrate on the same old failed shows--but I still say that "Romance/Romance" isn't such a flop! :)

McG, how do you decide which charities to create concerts for? I've seen your name attached to dozens of different causes. What gets you passionate?
Updated On: 8/8/05 at 10:47 PM

[JamieMcG]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 1:19am

A lot gets me passionate to be honest...Of course those organizations which speak to me personally are ones like The Matthew Shepard Foundation and Broadway Cares, but once in a while, something like the Joey DiPaolo AIDS Foundation comes through and the work they are doing just makes such a huge impression on me.

Overall I just think that so many incredible people in this world are doing such great things to improve their communities and the world they live in. If I can have any part in recognizing them and maybe even helping them raise a few bucks for their causes, I'm content. And if for whatever reason, I can make some theatre audiences happy in the meantime, it's all the better.

And as I hinted at before, If I was charging $50 or $100 for this event at Joe's Pub...I would have spent far more time and energy in making this a flawlessy scripted and brilliant evening of theatre. As it stands, Joe's Pub called me and asked me if I'd like to put something up on August 7th just a few weeks ago and I thought this would be a fun idea...it was the day after my Birthday and I figured why the hell not start raising money for the same charity benefiting from the Secret Garden Concert?

Some people dropped out and overall I have a pretty good track record for people showing up when they say they will, but even with all that, the roster was pretty great and worth far more than the (rather inexpensive) $20 that the audience was asked to shell out.

So again, I'm sorry if anyone felt their $20 was not well spent, but I am proud to have brought some of this great material to light, with the able help of Michael Lavine and an incredible line up of stars.

[QtKt]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 1:35am

I disagree, Life is but...
I had a fantastic time, enjoyed the song selection very much, and would have been willing to pay more than 20 dollars for this evening~ it would have been well worth it!
Updated On: 8/9/05 at 01:35 AM

[Feathah]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 8:19am

Only $20? I have to say I've been to quite a few benefits and none were that affordable. It was for charity and you were able to experience an evening of amazing talent performing songs rarely heard. I'm sorry I missed it!

And I echo Craig's comments.

[liotte]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 10:37am

I enjoyed the show very much! It was refreshing to hear reat songs that are new to me sung by such wonderful performers. I'm looking forward to the next production!

[RobbO]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 11:59am

wow, i'm glad i didn't trek into the city to see the show after all. from what life... and jamie are saying, it sounds like it was hastily put together and executed.

[BoxFive]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 12:30pm

Jamie McGonnigal always puts together a fine evening, his track record is a positive one to be sure, I just think the problem is there are too many "benefits", they become cannibilistic of each other and often feature less than thrilling set lists. It becomes a case of those who "can", CAN and those who "can't" do benefits. My personal gripe is the whole book in hand business, I detest it. I will however walk on broken glass any day of the week to see and hear Sara Gettelfinger, so I'm happy she donates her time and talent to these various showcases.