I found "Happiness" at Lincoln Center.

[dramadude]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 12:20am

If there is one show to see this season before it ends a limited engagement, that show would be "Happiness", currently playing at the Newhouse Theatre at Lincoln Center. I was fortunate enough to get tickets off of TDF, but would gladly pay $95 to see this production after what I saw tonight.

The score is pretty truthful, touching, and poignant, but you won't leave the theatre humming any of it. Normally I would have a problem with not being able to recall songs from a musical, but the show itself was so beautiful and well-crafted, that I was mesmerized to a point that I didn't care.

Each story within this show has been written in such a detailed light that I can't quite grasp how anyone could walk out of the theatre not in pure awe. If each story from these characters' lives wasn't enough to make this show work, the performers are the reason to make the trip to Lincoln Center. The opening number of this show alone engages the audience with a plethora of New Yorkers and their daily lives, some of which are portrayed by a chorus of actors delving into three or more roles/costumes in the course of five minutes. There are not enough positive things that I can say about Joanna Gleason, Jenny Powers, Hunter Foster, Sebastian Arcelus, Robb Sapp and this A-M-A-Z-I-N-G cast! The vocals, let alone the superb acting are nothing short of remarkable. I initially went to this show to see each of these performers under one roof, considering how poorly the critics' reviews had depicted the show, but within the first five minutes, I was emotionally invested in these people's lives. GO SEE HAPPINESS!

On a side note, Marian Seldes was in the audience, and she appeared to love the show.

Updated On: 4/5/09 at 12:20 AM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 12:24am

Thank you, dramadude. I completely agree and am looking forward to seeing it a second time tomorrow afternoon!! Go see HAPPINESS at Lincoln Center. You will not leave disappointed.

[dramadude]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 12:25am

It didn't hurt that our TDF seats were front row, just right of center. We were literally almost a part of the show, we were so close.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 12:26am

front row??? maybe i'll luck out with my tdf seats for tomorrow!

how full was the theater?
Updated On: 4/5/09 at 12:26 AM

[dramadude]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 12:31am

The theatre was full, with the exception of no more than a handful of seats empty.

[musicman_bwayfan]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 12:43am

I was at the show tonight for the 2nd time. It has really tightened up and the cast really has it under their belts now. It was worth paying to see it a 2nd time. I sat in the 2nd row just right of the center. I too saw Marian Seldes and saw her after the show, and yes, she enjoyed it. I watched her lean forward to the edge of her seat dozens of times throughout the show. Go see it while you can...by the way, it was on the TKTS boards in Times Square yesterday.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 12:52am

In addition to tomorrow, I plan on seeing this at least twice more before it closes on June 7th. I'm glad that people are enjoying the show (even though the critics did not).

[jv92]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 9:53am

The more I think about it, the more I realize how well the show worked. Unfortunately for me, I was expecting another Grey Gardens- an absolute masterpiece. This is no absolute masterpiece, but it is an enjoyable 110 minutes at the theatre with a handful of good songs and a bizarre, but compotent book. The cast is excellent and the staging is creative and witty. I can't wait for a cast album (if that ever happens) or for some other ways of hearing the score other than going to the theatre (if THAT even ever happens). Anyhow, I'd say go see Happiness as well.

[jv92]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 5:32pm

I'm being a complete badass here but I have to...

If anyone knows how I can listen to the score again without going to the theatre, please, please PM me!

[BroadwayBoy2]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 6:23pm

It was the best production I saw this season in New York. I also sat front row, and felt I was on the train also.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 7:57pm

I enjoyed the show, as well. I encourage people to go see it and form their own opinions. I was really surprised by the critics' reviews.

[jv92]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 9:16pm

I was surprised at the snarkiness of the reviews. The show is flawed, but it's interesting and the premise, despite being bizarre, really works. It certainly has its heart in the right place and most of the score is marvelous, especially those lyrics.