Happiness-another take.

OK here it is. This is my opinion and hopefully some others will take a chance and see this show. Good to Very Good score, excellent performances, imaginative direction and an intriguing book.

This show has taken a lot of inexplicable hits. If this is the type of reception a sincere attempt at a serious and entertaining new musical is given perhaps all the theater public deserves is an unending diet of revivals. (Don't get me wrong-I love the new serge of revivals-they show what the great American musical truly are). I however really feel we should start to examine the new talent or the musical form is going to fade out-and not write them off in the glib manner which this show has been given.

Just my opinion, I may be wrong.

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See, I think the hits the show has taken are entirely explicable. The show sucks. Puerile story, forgettable score and cliche-ridden book. HAPPINESS didn't take hits because it was A NEW MUSICAL. It took hits because it is a BAD NEW MUSICAL. Shall we ignore the show's considerable and numerous failings just because it is bright shiny and new?

Just my opinion, of course. And opinions can't be wrong, can they?

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Updated On: 4/3/09 at 10:10 AM

Whatever

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Disliking Happiness doesn't mean that you automatically oppose all new musicals. I thought the cast was stellar and enjoyed some of the songs, but it was definitely no life changing theatre experience for me.

I really disliked HAPPINESS. My thoughts were mixed about it after I saw it, but the more I thought about it, the more I disliked it. Sure, the cast is strong and the direction is reliable but the book has some major problems and the music is very uneven.

I think it's great to support new musicals but I'm not going to say a show was great if it wasn't just because it's a new musical. It has major problems in its execution and that shouldn't be forgotten just because it's a new musical.

Well, twogaab, maybe you can clarify your point. It did seem that you were expecting us all to be more generous to HAPPINESS just because it is a new show, rather than because it was any good at all. It isn't glib to dismiss HAPPINESS as being, well, a glib piece of trivial cliched nonsense.

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I saw Happiness in it's Preview infancy stage and really enjoyed it, while seeing certain areas in need of improvement. I jumped at the chance to see it again when a friend had an extra ticket last night. I couldn't wait to see what was eliminated or enhanced. Again, I was truly touched by the message and performances. This group of actors, kids on up, were top-notch. These characters are not cliche... they are New York City!

Just a few observations: Nirvana (got better) and Boy Inside Your eyes (too long) seemed to have more clarity which I believe was by adding more to dialogue. I love Ball Park, but also tad long, while Tooth Fairy seemed shorter. Wish they had added Bronx PR Miguel-flavor with dance or musical beat. They didn't. Still thought it was charming and hilarious that his happy ending was happily ever after.

Maybe because it was my second take or the actors have settled in to their roles, but I understood the clever lyrics even more. Now I really want the CD!

I am always happy to see an original play or musical. Revivals are great and goodness knows that money always goes into a sure-bet. There has been vast differences of opinion of Happiness. I think if you buy into it from the beginning, you can enjoy the ride to the curtain call. I feel sorry for those who can't because I've been there with other shows and it really does feel like your stuck on a subway.

I saw it last night and was just shocked that this was the new work coming from the BRILLIANT composers of Grey Gardens.

Totally amateurish and puerile. I am so glad I didn't pay for my tickets. I would've left if there was an intermission. I was really disappointed in what I looked forward to being a good, new musical. Unfortunately, Happiness did not leave me happy.

Mundane and hackneyed music and lyrics with a weak, weak book. Too bad these great performers have such terrible material to work with.

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