How The Wedding Singer Can Be Fixed

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 2:08am

So I'm not starting this thread to launch a debate on whether the show is good or not. In my opinion, and many others, there are big problems with The Wedding Singer, and very obvious things that need to be fixed. Just some thoughts...I really want to like this show and see it do well, but it has some issues. Some fresher thoughts after thinking about the show for a couple of weeks...

1. The Book: Needs to find the same heart as the film. The film is so sweet, and the musical is just so unsubtle it isn't even funny. The jokes are obvious, cheap, and sometimes offensive. Sure they are funny on a UPN level, but is that enough for a legit musical. The book also needs to let its characters LIVE in the 80's rather than talk about them all the time through idiotic references to the period that stop the action completely.

2. The Lyrics: Ugh! Some of the worst lyrics possible. Juvenile and pedestrian only begin to describe the lyrics here. The problem is, the music is so good, almost amazing and thrilling at points, but those damn lyrics never do the music justice. Lyrics of the 80s were poetic, lyrical, and fanciful. Not here. Here the lyrics rely on obvious forced rhymes and 80s "humor".

3.Laura Benanti. It has been said over and over. She is all wrong. She is one of my favorite vocalists, but next to the rest of the perfect cast, she is an odd duck. She has a gloomy disposition to her that brings the show down.

Just some random thoughts. I know that many enjoyed The Wedding Singer, and believe me, I wanted to. But I think some people are settling on 3rd rate work. It just lacks the stuff that makes truly memorable musical comedy. I hope they can fix it, it has such potential.

Updated On: 2/25/06 at 02:08 AM

[sadiem100]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 2:20am

I completely agree on points 1 and 2. The book has too many over-used jokes, and jokes that rely on the difference of technology in the 80's compared to now. Stephen Lynch also has the potential to be much more funny (although I did think he was hilarious) if the book allowed him the chance. The music is great, I really enjoyed it, but the lyrics less so. However I think that Laura Benanti isn't completely miscast. I posted this on the Seattle board, but when I saw it closing night I felt like she was stepping into the character a little more. I can see where you are coming from though- with the rest of the cast being superb and energetic and her lack of "Julia-ness". It was challenging to like her character as much as you should because Benanti is more cold than warm and happy. Her voice is absolutely gorgeous though, and hopefully she'll fix the acting problems by the time Wedding Singer opens.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 2:24am

I think Benanti's look is also a problem. I think she also lacks a natural naivety that can't really be fixed too much. She is too smart, and you can see the acting wheels turning, which doesn't really work her. She can probably end up being fine in the role, but to be great, they need to get another actress. Benanti will always get work. She'll find someting more suited to her talent.

[sadiem100]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 2:31am

"I think she also lacks a natural naivety that can't really be fixed too much."

You just put into words exactly what I couldn't articulate. And if she leaves the cast I really hope she will find work because her voice is incredible. What did you think of Stephen Lynch?

Updated On: 2/25/06 at 02:31 AM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 2:33am

Like you said. Lynch is good but is kept from being great by the cheap book. He never gets to shine, he just sort of glimmers. It never comes off as the star turn it can be. Great talent though.

[sadiem100]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 2:38am

I was pleasantly surprised by his singing talent. And for a totally random sentiment, I hated the song "My Eight Men". The grandmother part needs to be made smaller I think.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 2:40am

Awful song. Poor Rita Gardner. She still sounds great after all these years, but ugh, what awful material. Why'd they change the plot, and get rid of the music lessons. That would have made a better chance for a song for her and Robbie.

[sadiem100]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 2:44am

She and Robbie do need to have a better song together. "My Eight Men" and "Single" were the only songs I thought the show could do without. Although "Single" had something to do with the plot and somewhat pushed it forward, it just wasn't an enjoyable song. I loved the song "If I Told You", though. Probably just because Laura sounded fantastic in it.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 5:01am

I totally agree with you on points 1, 2 and 3.

I'll also add:

4. More development of the Sammy and Holly romance. It seemed really slapped together - either make it more believable and show the stages of her eventually crumbling falling for him, or get rid of it altogether.

5. Make Glen more of an as$hole. In the beginning, he seems like a decent guy. Then he seems decent but flawed. It's not until late Act 1/early Act 2 when his true colours are really revealed. If he's a one-dimensional jerk the whole way through, a) he'd be more interesting to watch, and; b) it would be easier to establish WHY we're supposed to be rooting for Julia + Robbie instead of Julia + Glen. Which leads to...

5. VeuveC said this more eloquently than me, but it had to do with the fact that some songs are meant to make us want something, when really, we should be wanting the exact opposite. (The example was that Julia has a song about her excitement over a future engagement - why should we be excited with her if she's going for the wrong man? So the song does nothing to provide effective character development or plot advancement. I wish I could find Veuve's quote...)

ETA: Here it is:
There's a number in the first act called "Pop", where the girls are in a bathroom with Julia and they're convincing her that her boyfriend is going to pop the question. It perfectly illustrates what's wrong with this show. It's a fun, infectious melody, with an amusing staging, and it should stop the show. It doesn't, because the authors are musicalizing the wrong moment. We absolutely don't care if her creepy boyfriend pops the question or not. In fact, we don't want him to. But there's a whole musical number where the leading lady mysteriously wants him to, and it's wrong.

6. Even though Linda is a pretty small role in the movie, Felicia Finley is one of the highlights of the show. Give her more to do!

Updated On: 2/25/06 at 05:01 AM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 8:12am

Hopefully they will fix the problems before it gets to Broadway

[jv92]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 10:10am

You know, I bet they're fixing it, but not drastically and the problem is only partly the writers' faults. The director and producers should be pushing them the write better.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 10:34am

Aw- I am really rooting for this show! Thank you for the details on it. I hope it all turns out well.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 11:37am

Yeah I doubt everything that needs to be fixed will be. I got a sense that artistry really wasn't agenda number 1. Even if it is going to be just jolly fun, shouldn't it be smart jolly fun. THe fact that most of the show relies on cheap, forgive me, white trash tourist humor, represents a very disturbing trend on Broadway. Remember when musical comedy was still smart? It really concerns me that so much of this show is out to get an easy laugh rather than a smart one. This show many fly for tourists, but it isn't going to sit well with those who attend the theatre often and have a passion for it.

[FranklinShepard-Inc.]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 11:46am

I think, a totally new score by a pro and a reworked book would do miracles. It is a bit like they didn't put a lot time in it whilst creating the show...

[Katurian2]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 12:00pm

I remember Avenue Q. That's the last great comdeic show I can think of at this moment.

[jv92]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 12:00pm

Maybe just new lyrics by a pro.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 1:02pm

I agree. The lyricist needs to be canned. I can't remember a single lyric that worked.

Posted: 2/25/06 at 1:22pm

Im listening to the video of the rehersal, the songs sound like 80's verison of Hairspray only very forgetable.

It sounds like a cute show though, if they could get some good songs. Julie doesnt sound so bad from this video.
Wedding Singer Rehersal

[sadiem100]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 2:53pm

"I think, a totally new score by a pro and a reworked book would do miracles"

No! Don't get rid of the score! Maybe switch around orders of songs, but really the only problem is the lyrics. Like what has been said before, the lyrics are confusing and push the plot in the opposite direction in some cases.

P.S. The link doesn't work

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 2:57pm

The music should stay for the most part. They lyrics should all go.

[sadiem100]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 3:01pm

The show opens in April... do they have enough time to change all of the lyrics?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 3:04pm

I think it is wishful thinking. From what I saw on opening night, the creative teams main focus isn't artistry. I think they are hoping that naive tourists will forgive them for the crap.

[thesparklingdiamond]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 3:37pm

I agree with most of this, there are definitley areas where it needs work. I think the score is good for the most part b/c they are trying to do an 80s show and it does sounds very very 80s. "my 8 men" was weak and I agree they should've left the plot w/ the singing lessons in. But I was watching the movie version last night (and before everyone starts in saying that this is a different interpretation and they are seperate etc. You've got to realize that most of the dialogue was lifted directly from the movie word for word. You can't say that they were going for a different angle entirely (with the exception of minor and sometimes un-needed plot changes). I think benanti just doesn't work. The way the character of Julia is written you absolutley need more of that sweet, semi-naive charm and her potrayl just doesn't bring that. She plays her smart and reserved and you really don't see her ending up with robby. I think they could tone down some of the 80s references. I'm honestly an 80s addict and enjoyed them quite a bit but some of them could've been done in a more natural way.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 3:42pm

The cell phone joke gets old quick.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 3:45pm

Real quick. And does a show really need another Starbucks joke?