Posted: 7/27/18 at 7:44pm
musicals have crappy books because a lot of good writers go to TV/film because it pays so much more. why waste your time trying to get a show to broadway for 5 years when you can write a pilot and have it get picked up and then you have a 10 episode series where you make 250k.
Posted: 7/27/18 at 8:32pm
Ken Davenport recently posted this on Facebook:
Posted: 7/27/18 at 9:35pm
#1Elphie said: "Ken Davenport recently posted this on Facebook:"
Hey, are you really famous and would be willing to help bring publicity to my struggling show for free?
Posted: 7/27/18 at 9:51pm
I don't understand that post at all. Is he literally asking for orchestra players? Is he looking for cast replacements? Why is doing this on Facebook?
Posted: 7/27/18 at 11:09pm
Elegance101 said: "I don't understand that post at all. Is he literally asking for orchestra players? Is he looking for cast replacements? Why is doing this on Facebook?"
He's looking for a nightly "celebrity guest" to bring the show buzz and free publicity like Oh, Hello and other shows have done. I don't know that for a fact but that's what it appears.
Updated On: 7/27/18 at 11:09 PM
Posted: 7/27/18 at 11:35pm
Couldn't disagree more. HEAD OVER HEELS is silly, subversive fun that is marked by craft and ambition(presenting a first trans leading lady is an and of itself worthy of respect). BAND aims low and, yes, on rare occasions it hits its mark but it's awful.
Posted: 7/28/18 at 2:31pm
Posted: 7/29/18 at 7:27am
Posted: 7/29/18 at 7:35am
Posted: 7/29/18 at 9:05am
mcclernon2 said: "I thought the show was very funny. I, too, am interested in how knowledgeable people view it. And in sifting through pages of posts, there are even a few actual show comments!"
I enjoyed the show yesterday afternoon. Yes it is silly but so is a lot of musical comedy. The audience seemed to love it also. Mariluu looks terrific.
Posted: 7/29/18 at 8:59pm
Posted: 7/29/18 at 9:12pm
Going on? Maybe he wasn't feeling well. Why does everything have to have secret meaning?
Posted: 7/29/18 at 9:19pm
Posted: 7/29/18 at 10:05pm
dramamama611 said: "Going on? Maybe he wasn't feeling well. Why does everything have to have secret meaning?"
Was making a joke, but I need to go back to Himor 101
Posted: 7/29/18 at 10:24pm
Posted: 7/29/18 at 11:39pm
HunterK said: "Mitch Jarvis was out at this afternoon’s performance. Wondering what’s going on! I have any thoughts running through my head, but just putting it out there!"
Their schedule is kind of crazy. 5 show weekends are pretty tough to begin with. 5 show weekends that are NOT followed by a day off are just brutal.
Posted: 7/30/18 at 7:23am
Does Ken Davenport come out before every show?
Posted: 7/30/18 at 12:06pm
Got around to seeing this last night and while I'm happy some of you enjoyed the show, I spent much of my time watching in a state of complete shock.
Wow. Just wow.
If you went and enjoyed it, I'm glad that was your experience. I wish it was my experience.
Parts of the show that were attempting to be funny played as uncomfortable stereotypes. I cringed watching the mitzvah at the top of the second act. During "Jersey," I thought the production owes the entire state of New Jersey an apology. If the song wasn't questionable, those license plates...Ugh.
Mr. Davenport came out at the top of the preview, celebrating how this show is unique because it's an original musical and proudly declaring how it's not The Iceman Cometh. I'd imagine Mr. O'Neill is thankful for that. He's right about original musicals being great. Problem is that just being an original musical does not make it great, or even good. While I don't believe every show has to be high art, I do believe a show should have some craft and be more than a vanity project for the creatives involved.
On the positives, performance wise, the cast really is giving everything they have. Brandon Williams really stood out as Tygen Billows. Thought he was excellent. Off topic but related, did anyone else think the Tygen Billows character was borrowed straight from the movie Dodgeball? Even though they seemingly went to the well too many times with the "My father used to say" gimmick, his performance was earnest and funny. The cowbell bit was cute and worked as a nice little surprise.
The show's rally cry or Mr. Davenport's rally cry seems to be if you don't like the show, you are a theater snob and don't like having fun. That's all well and good but the argument would be stronger if the show was good. While HOH may not always work, it's such a better crafted show. GTTBT's book feels like it has 13 writers. Oh wait...While I admire Mr. Davenport's energy and passion for the production, I simply wish more of that energy and passion was coming from the book and lyrics of the production.
Updated On: 7/30/18 at 12:06 PM
Posted: 7/30/18 at 12:17pm
Posted: 7/30/18 at 12:17pm
10086sunset said: "Off topic but related, did anyone else think the Tygen Billows character was borrowed straight from the movie Dodgeball?"
Yes, I thought the exact same thing. Tygen Billows is virtually a carbon-copy of White Goodman from Dodgeball. They even both have a scene where they attach electrodes their muscles, don't they?
Posted: 7/30/18 at 12:26pm
10086sunset said: "Off topic but related, did anyone else think the Tygen Billows character was borrowed straight from the movie Dodgeball?"
Completely!
Updated On: 7/30/18 at 12:26 PM
Posted: 7/30/18 at 1:06pm
Did anyone see the new "discount" that started today? I really think Davenport is reaching now.
"Give your teen a break laughing at your dad jokes and take them to something that's actually funny - today ONLY, buy one ticket to Getting' The Band Back Together and get one for your teenager for 40% off!"
Ummmm isn't that more expensive than his that promo "$40 over 40"? or just using a promo code from BroadwayBox or just trying "discount" into Google?
I am looking forward to tomorrow's promo!
Posted: 7/30/18 at 1:13pm
Posted: 7/30/18 at 1:33pm
It's almost like they want people to see the show!
