HAPPINESS Reviews- Page 2

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 10:03am

I feel like an idiot for paying $90 to see it. As if I wasn't disappointed enough after I left, these reviews make me even more upset because there'll probably be discount tickets galore after this week.

The Post is mixed with two and a half stars --out of four--:

"...But at least Weidman and director/choreographer Susan Stroman -- in their first joint outing since 2000's "Contact" -- strive to engage with our city's very fabric.

And the first half-hour largely pays off. Swiftly redeeming herself from "Young Frankenstein," Stroman stages a kinetic number, "Just Not Right Now," in which she simultaneously introduces all the characters and immerses them in the hectic flow of a typical city morning. She nails it again with the swinging 1944 flashback "Flibberty Jibbers and Wobbly Knees."

After that, the dancing inexplicably subsides and the show settles into a predictable rhythm as each character strolls down memory lane. And I mean strolls: "Happiness" feels too long at an intermissionless 110 minutes...."




Full Review Updated On: 3/31/09 at 10:03 AM

[mikem]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 10:43am

I am also disappointed that the show's reviews are so negative. I saw the very first preview, and it was exciting to see a show that had a lot of promise. Unfortunately, from the reports on this board, it doesn't sound like the show changed as much in previews as it could have (or should have). One number was dropped, and I'm sure things were tightened and clarified, but it doesn't sound like the other necessary changes were made for the musical to truly soar.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 11:00am

I am very upset with these reviews as well. I was at the first preview too, and we pointed out a bunch of aspects that needed to be changed (that we would have bet money on would be changed), and I guess they were not. So sad...I really wanted this show to be a hit for LCT.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 11:09am

A shame that the creators couldn't have come up with something that wasn't a total piece of crap. A loss of time and money for everyone, especially the audiences.

Better luck next time, everyone.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 11:15am

Such lovely couples!!

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 11:34am

You are so tacky.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 11:35am

Why?

[leefowler]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 11:40am

I didn't think Happiness was perfect, but I thought it was brilliantly directed and performed, with some excellent songs competing with some that were only okay...I think the critics have gotten this one wrong, actually, and I would encourage everyone to give it a look.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 11:45am

I will definitely be giving this one a second look...can't wait to see it again.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 11:55am

I'm curious about what you might get out of HAPPINESS on a second viewing. It seemed a pretty thin little show to me.

[Insider2]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 11:56am

A show that you weren't so hot on to begin with gets trashed and you can't wait to see it again? Any reason why? Just curious.
Updated On: 3/31/09 at 11:56 AM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 12:06pm

A few reasons actually. I saw the first preview, and even though it has been reported that there were only minor changes, I would still like to see the show again to note what changes they made.

I also love the cast. Jenny Powers' performance alone is worth seeing this show again, plus I also loved Sebastian Arcelus and I'm very interested to see Hunter Foster's number again (the one with the ladder). I also loved Fred Applegate and Phyllis Somerville's numbers...definitely worth a second viewing.

The thing about HAPPINESS for me was this. Right after I saw the show, I didn't think I cared for it too much. However, after thinking about it more and more that evening and the days that followed, I really enjoyed the show for what it was. While I am not happy that they didn't change Joanna Gleason's number (she is capable of so much more), and a few other minor things about the show that I didn't care for, overall, it was an enjoyable experience. The show makes you think. I didn't find it "thin" at all. I am looking forward to seeing it a second (and maybe third) time to support this wonderful cast.

[leefowler]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 12:17pm

I don't think anyone should let their decision on whether or not to attend a show rest on the critic's reviews...

And by the way, some people's failures are more interesting that other people's successes.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 12:32pm

Thanks, WAT. I found the exact opposite. The more I thought about it, the less I liked it, in particular the show's stereotypical cliche treatment of the gay character and the conservative Ann Coulter stand in.

Yes, leefowler, some peoples' failures can be more interesting than some peoples' successes.

Trust me. HAPPINESS isn't one of those failures. The show blows.

Updated On: 3/31/09 at 12:32 PM

[notabb]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 2:34pm

FROM ROSCOE -Trust me. HAPPINESS isn't one of those failures. The show blows. .......see Roscoe , your opinion presented as gospel. and once again just because you say it doesn't make it so. And no , I don't think I'll trust you on it.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 4:04pm

Sorry, notabb, I don't see that my opinion is being presented as "gospel." It is only and always merely my opinion. Life's too short to be forever typing those little IMHOs all over the place. Would you be making the same complaint if I said that HAPPINESS was the highest accomplishment in the history of theater?

Don't like what I post? You're free to disregard, as you are free to enjoy HAPPINESS.

Updated On: 3/31/09 at 04:04 PM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 4:18pm

Roscoe, I would like to say that I totally respect your opinion and realize that HAPPINESS is not going to be a show for everyone.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 4:39pm

I'm with Roscoe on this one. I gave it two out of four stars in my review that I wrote the night I saw it. The more I think about it, the more I disliked it.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 4:55pm

WAT, were there no gay couples at the opening?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 4:57pm

I don't know...I was at MARY STUART last night...

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 5:16pm

Oh ..... MARY!

How she doin'?