I'm home! (with reviews people are waiting for...)

[zepka102]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 12:38am

Ok people,I'm back from the city. I wish I was still there! I had an amazing time and I was able to see a few shows. here's 2 quick reviews and the big one:

The Wedding Singer, 4/29
To be honest, I really didn't like the movie. I was curious about how it would be turned into a musical. We sat student rush, so we had front row seats. It was great being close for this. I ended up really liking this show. I was scared it would be TOO much 80s, but it was a good amount. I couldn't stop laughing at some of the things they did. Amy Spanger impressed me a lot. I would LOVE to see her win the Tony for her role. She realy stole the show for me, especially her Act One finale. I felt that Laura Benanti was excellent. I don't think she was miscast at all. I'm not a fan of the wig because she is such a beautiful woman, but I'll let that go. Her voice is very smooth which makes it pleasant to listen to, especially in her first song. So overall, great show. I recommend it!

Note of interest: Seeing the show after the opening, I wondered if any famous people were there. I was so confused why people were constantly looking over at me and my friend. I didn't realize until intermission that Kevin from American Idol, the guy known as Chicken Little, was sitting next to us. It got annoying when were getting crushed by little girls and mothers asking him for an autograph!


Hairspray, 4/30
I was able to see Hairspray for my 10th time. I still love this show A LOT. The current cast is amazing and worth the ticket alone. Andrew has definitely grown into the role of Link. I always thought he was my favorite and that was when he was only the understudy. He's changed it minorly (I find him to be a little more serious), but he's still up there at the top for me. John Pinette is an Edna that I found ranks up close to Harvey. What I love most about him is his facial expressions and how he delivers his lines. "Timeless to Me" was beyond hysterical because of the ad libs he added. It was a good 3 minutes longer because no one could control their laughter. It was definitely THE moment of the show. Diana Degarmo is an AMAZING Penny. I didn't expect her to be AS amazing as she was! Everything she did was nothing short of scene stealing, like during the Madison when she tried dancing and bumped into the chalkboard, turning around and aplogizing to it. If you get the chance to see her before she leaves, DO IT. You will NOT regret it! Sitting front row for that show is excellent because you feel sucked in and a part of the energy.


And FINALLY, the review that you've been waiting for:


Tarzan, 5/2
I had very high expectations for this show, as I made clear for a while now. I've been anxious for this show since the rumors started, and it got even more exciting when rumors of who was playing the lead was started... as you all know. I sat front row, dead center for this. The first thing to point out is the curtain. It is the best show curtain I have seen so far, and their concept of starting the show is, I think, pure genius. The opening scene is also the most beautiful and well done scene I have witnessed. I sat their with my jaw dropped the entire time, and hearing Josh singing "Two Worlds" over it made it worse for me. I have always praise Merle Dandridge, and I could go on forever about her. In short, that woman is a goddess. Her voice is powerful and beautiful and her acting comes so natural. I wish we could have seen more of her, but that role is not that big even based on the movie. Chester Gregory also stands out as Turk, especially during "Trashing the Camp" which is a high energy number with a great entrance for him.

I think the thing to be careful of is to not go in expecting to see the movie. They are very different. You need to be open minded. A lot of the complaints I have read about the show are very picky. Who cares if you see a rope hanging down? A majority of the time it is used as a vine. The metal clips were not distracting unless you looked for them. The sets in the show can come across as very basic and boring at first, but as Act Two comes, the changes that are made to the set pieces are beautiful, mainly the tree tops and the vines when Jane and her father meet the gorillas. The lighting adds so much to these moments.

Yes, I did have a few problems with the show. I felt Act One is not as solid as Act Two. A lot of the dialogue is kinda "eh" and could be fixed, especially the pendulation scene betwen Turk and Young Tarzan. Jane's first scene really needs to be changed. I think there is too much going on on stage. The flowing green silk needs to either go or be toned down. A few of the flyers are unneeded. Setting up the web needs to be changed also. While her lines about being uplifting and elevating are funny, it doesn't set up how she got stuck up in a web 20 feet off the ground. And I understand she loves flowers, but must they get physical with her like that? At that moment, I felt that it wasn't as much of a family show. I'm sure there's a different way she can be hooked up.

And then there's Josh. I really am not letting any bias come in here. Josh is amazing. He looks the role. Complaints of him being too skinny are pointless. He looks great. He moves around the stage perfectly, showing the conflict between being man and animal. His voice is so good that I feel like I'm going to melt. This little crush I've had on him for over a year now still stands. He deserves a lot of attention for this role.

I guess that's about it. It was an amazing weekend and definitely full of moments that I won't forget. I'll throw some photos in my fan photos and let you know when they are there to check out!

Updated On: 5/4/06 at 12:38 AM

[liotte]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 12:41am

Thanks for the reviews! Glad you had such a great time in the city and enjoyed the shows!!!

[zepka102]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 12:44am

Well, thank YOU Liotte... it was great being able to hang out as much as we did!


And to make it more clear, yes, I loved Tarzan. It has its flaws, but it's definitely something I know I would d see again.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 12:47am

I still wanna see Zepka in a loincloth, but thanks for the review.
The show will probably stand as is cause the critics are coming this weekend.
The show is kinda crtic proof cause Disney has the bucks to sell it, no matter what, but the reviews are gonna be Mixed, from the buzz, we have all heard.
I wish Zep and Josh All the best.
I will dance at your Wedding.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 12:49am

i agree with the wedding singer review....it was great...i posted a little review on https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=896008&dt=10

[zepka102]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 12:59am

alright, i took over fan photos, but they're in there!

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 1:18am

nice pic with merle dendridge(she was outstanding in rent)...it makes me wanna see tarzan. amy spanger is just amazing.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 1:20am

Thanks so much for taking the time to write those reviews, dear.

[zepka102]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 1:43am

I was praying my flight tonight would be on time so that I wouldn't be up late writing them... I couldn't wait!




(Of course it's 1:43 right now... I think that qualifies as late...)

[vbplayer]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 1:51am

Thanks Zep, you are making me want to go to NY right now. I am going very soon.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 6:26am

I am glad you had fun, baby and thanks for the reviews ! And great pics, mainly because you are in them ! That pic with you and Josh...mmmmm... how much beauty can one photo include ?
Updated On: 5/4/06 at 06:26 AM

[zepka102]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 7:40am

oooooooooooooh Josh is a billion times better... i'm surprised i survived taking the picture



and i would just like to add to my review of Hairspray:
Leah Hocking is the BEST Velma I have seen. she definitely plays it like i always invisioned the role: an aging beauty queen. she is the perfect villan with an amazing set of pipes. i was so excited to FINALLY see her perform in person. definitely see her before she leaves too!

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 8:18am

Great reviews! I totally agree on everything you've said about Hairspray. I was also front row at the 4/30 matinee, why didn't I see you?

[YankeeGal#24]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 8:23am

Fantastic job--thanks for taking the time to write the reviews, and writing them so well!

[beacon1]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 8:24am

Wonderful reviews--and glad you had a great trip. I'm uber-jealous of you!

And, are you the official patron saint of "Hairspray" now? :o)

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 8:40am

zepka -- thanks for the reviews . . . and I 2nd the idea of the pic of you in a loincloth!!!

[NYadgal]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 8:46am

Glad you had such a wonderful trip, Zeppy.

Thanks for the reviews!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 9:02am

I'm glad you have a great trip! I was awaiting your TARZAN comments with baited breath.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 9:29am

You're such a cutie.
I"m glad you had a good time, and yes, Hairspray is in GREAT shape. I saw it for the 7th time a few weeks ago.

[fiyero8132]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 10:00am

Oooohh! Someone's face is flushed when they are standing next to Josh Strickland...

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 12:34pm

SNL,
we were at the 4/30 night show.. not the matinee.

okey, several things Zeppy forgot to mention.... I tried to introduce him to Josh on Saturday, but he freaked out and started hitting me so I wouldn't.... when he FINALLY met Josh, here is what happened -- I had told Josh I was bringing my best friend, his biggest fan, etc.. so Josh was well aware... Josh waved at him during curtain call and when I introduced him, I said "Josh, this is the infamous Mike", and he replied, pulling Mikey into a HUGE hug, "Oh, I know ALL about Mike!". Zepka's reaction.. "oh ****". And Merle, who recieved a BIg standing O from Zepky and I, walks out, signs stuff, then sees us, and before he Zep could open his trap to gush, MERLE gushs "I LOVE you guys.. you two are TOO sweet.. then he babbled like an idiot.

But you gotta love him!!!
and zeppy neglected to mention venessa williams and family attending tarzan and trying to stage door with 'the commoners' until a house staff member ushered them beck into the theatre to avoid a crowd....


hey Hanna,
I've seen Zeppy in his loincloth.

Gotta dash!


Updated On: 5/5/06 at 12:34 PM

[little_sally]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 12:39pm

I was at the same performance of TWS and couldn't get over how many people (a friend of mine included) were interested in seeing Kevin from "American Idol". Who is he!? lol

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 3:00pm

That's cool. Glad you had an awesome time. You picked some good shows. Spread the Wedding Singer love!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 3:04pm

Where are the pics of Zep in the loincloth?

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 3:08pm

Well this confirm the rumors that producers are interested in Kevin Covais to replace Stephen Lynch in the Wedding Singer.

Akiva