Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Jabere
Stand-by Joined: 10/3/15
#1Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/16/15 at 5:36pm
What do you think about Harvey Firestein the actor? the writer ? the person?
Updated On: 10/16/15 at 05:36 PM
#2Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/16/15 at 6:10pm
What's cool about him is that he was able to carve out his own niche in theatre. He has a very specific personality and style (and voice of course) and I think he's done great work with writing and he's a terrific actor. He isn't a singer, but somehow he still seems to make it work.
Bell0708
Stand-by Joined: 7/23/13
#3Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/16/15 at 6:30pm
His voice annoys the living *bleep* out of me, but he's a success, that's for sure!
#4Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/16/15 at 6:32pm
I think he's a great oerson. If only there were more oeople like him!
Beyoncé is not an ally. Actions speak louder than words, Mrs. Carter. #Dubai #$$$
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#5Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/16/15 at 6:42pm
He is a survivor . He wrote the book for Legs Diamond. If he still works on Broadway after that give the guy credit where credit is due. Ditto for Terrance McNally after writing the book for that 1 performance 60's flop "Here's Where I Belong"
Poster Emeritus
#6Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/16/15 at 6:54pm
His speaking voice is very distinctive and easily recognizable for those who know theatre. I've grown to admire his speaking voice. However, whenever I hear anything from "Hairspray" on Sirius XM on Broadway, I consider this a warning that Harvey might begin "singing." Hearing him "sing" is sheer torture.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
DAME
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/15/04
#7Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/16/15 at 6:56pm
I like him. Torch Song was a decent play. His books for musicals are horrid. They are trite and coy. As a actor he is more of a personality than anything else. If anything he comes from the Bette Midler school of overcooked. And I love them both.
HUSSY POWER!
------ HUSSY POWER!
Jabere
Stand-by Joined: 10/3/15
#8Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/16/15 at 7:06pm
Dame just wondering why do you say they are horrid
#9Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/16/15 at 7:09pm
Oeople. Oeople who need oeople are the luckiest oeople in the world.
They/them.
"Get up the nerve to be all you deserve to be."
Theatre dweeb
Chorus Member Joined: 10/3/15
#10Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/16/15 at 7:20pm
I love him. Sure, his voice may be kind of annoying, but I love the book for newsies and kinky boots
#11Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/16/15 at 8:16pm
A wonderful personality, actor, and unique presence like we rarely see on Broadway anymore.
A weak book writer and playwright.
#12Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/16/15 at 8:33pm
I love Harvey the performer, and that includes his singing. He was a delight when he stepped into the last La Cage revival and his Edna will forever crack me up.
I agree with others about his book writing skills, except I really enjoyed his book for A Catered Affair, which I think is one of the more underrated musicals of the past decade or so. His singing of "Immediate Family" was a highlight.
Casa Valentina was so-so and Kinky Boots and Newsies both had major book issues.
Would love to see him back on stage again soon.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
Jabere
Stand-by Joined: 10/3/15
#13Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/16/15 at 9:35pm
Why did Kinky and Le Cage win best book then
#14Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/16/15 at 9:41pm
Jabere said: "Why did Kinky and Le Cage win best book then
Kinky Boots did not win Best Book, Matilda did. Although I think the book for Kinky Boots is great, especially some of the act 2 scenes.
Jabere
Stand-by Joined: 10/3/15
#15Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/16/15 at 9:46pm
RaiseYouUp said: "Jabere said: "Why did Kinky and Le Cage win best book then
Kinky Boots did not win Best Book, Matilda did. Although I think the book for Kinky Boots is great, especially some of the act 2 scenes.
oh woops sorry you are right
"
#16Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/16/15 at 9:51pm
I don't think he is the best writer, though TORCH SONG TRILOGY is the kind of play I think about often, even as I don't consider it an exemplary piece of writing. His acting is not rangy but it doesn't need to be, he comes from the school of musical theatre acting based on a personality, much like some of the greats like Elaine Stritch and Ethel Merman. It's a shame because I think that's a kind of acting that's become highly underappreciated in the age when people with generic, safe voices are much more privileged over those with unique skills. He certainly can sell the truth of a song and dialogue like the best of them.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
Tom5
Broadway Star Joined: 9/23/11
#17Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/16/15 at 9:59pm
Always in the ballpark as a writer and actor so attention must be paid. I especially liked his small role in the long ago film"Garbo Talks" with Ron Silver. Does he still live in Brooklyn?
mc1227
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/07
#18Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/16/15 at 11:26pm
I agree with others about his book writing skills, except I really enjoyed his book for A Catered Affair, which I think is one of the more underrated musicals of the past decade or so. His singing of "Immediate Family" was a highlight.
I'm so happy to read that someone else like A Catered Affair. I actually loved that play and was disappointed that it didn't receive a better response from audiences. I love Harvey as a performer and a writer. I also enjoyed Casa Valentina very much.
Would love to see him back on stage again soon.
"
The only review of a show that matters is your own.
#19Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/17/15 at 3:18pm
Great guy, good actor (though he is more of a personality as Dame pointed out) and an acceptable playwright.
#20Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/18/15 at 12:54pm
when i moved to NYC in 1982, one of the first Broadway shows i saw was TORCH SONG TRILOGY...with all the original cast, and Harvey became a hero to me...such a talented Gay, Jewish man and here i was watching his hit Broadway play...it made me feel i was in the right city at the right time...even though the plague would get worse during my years in NYC, i was still this proud Gay Jewish man because of Harvey!...
(side-bar...when i saw HAIRSPRAY i waited at the stage door to get Harvey's autograph and when he signed my Paybill i mentioned to him that i loved him in INDEPENDENCE DAY!...he looked at me rather queerly and said thanks!...loved that moment!)
#21Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/18/15 at 8:50pm
I adore Harvey! He has supported Newsies from the begining and still continues to do so with the tour. Even flies to Italy to support the Italian production! When I see Harvey I have hope that Newsies will make it to the Westend, and hopefully one day soon back on broadway.
Jarethan
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
#22Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/19/15 at 11:52am
He seems to me like the type of person you'd want to have as a friend...warm, big hearted, funny.
His voice is a huge part of what makes him Harvey. Much to my surprise, I have always enjoyed his singing...it has character, has been reasonable for the characters he has played, and he has always stayed on key.
Harvey is not going to write the libretto for the sequel to Sweeney Todd. To me, his script for Kinky Boots is perfect for the show and it's intentions: to entertain and to broaden perspectives through an easy entertainment. Re Torch Song, I haven't seen it in 30 years, but it was daring then and STILL managed to be warm and fuzzy, just like the bunny slippers. A Catered Affair was also very well written and much under appreciated.
Living in Florida these days and usually only getting to the city twice a year, I didn't see Casa Valentino yet, but have no doubt that I will one of these days.
I personally hated everything about Newsies, but I don't blame him...I mainly blame the director and choreographer for staging every number the same...big and bombastic.
To me, he is one of the joys or Broadway and deserves every career achievement award he will eventually receive.
Updated On: 10/19/15 at 11:52 AM
#24Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/19/15 at 1:23pm
He's the sort of talent that is very rare on stage nowadays: an entirely incomparable personality, presence, and voice. Wholly unique, his own creation. Broadway needs more performers like him, rather than the slick and technically proficient but interchangeable performers.
Also: his delivery of "Tracy, be a dear and hold mommy's waffles," was probably one of the best comedic line deliveries ever on stage.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
henrikegerman
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/29/05
#25Harvey Fierstein Opinions
Posted: 10/19/15 at 1:44pm
"His books for musicals are horrid. They are trite and coy."
I love the book for La Cage. Hilarious, witty, heartfelt, extremely well paced, smartly confecting the source material with optimal modifications. Herman's best show by far because of the skill Harvey poured into the libretto.
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