Flopz was a Flop

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I think most of the songs were outdated, and oblivious.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.

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.

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

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!

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