It Shoulda Been You Previews- Page 8

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/28/15 at 4:15pm

Any show is that kind of show.No matter how good a show is and or how highly it is praised, there will be some who do not like it. It is all a matter of taste. I do not go by the " buzz" or how many people like it. If the subject matter, composer, writer interest us we will go. If not, we won't.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/28/15 at 6:26pm

I saw the matinee today and really, truly enjoyed it. Like so many other people here, I had no idea what to expect going into the show and a friend of mine describe the score as being nothing but a showcase of audition songs for high school girls. And while it wasn't the best score I've ever heard, it certainly wasn't the worst and the hilarious book helps make up for what the score was lacking. There was a very enthusiastic standing ovation at the end of the show which made the cast appear to be genuinely moved. I hope this show finds success, there's really some good stuff on that stage right now.

[mamaleh]

Posted: 3/28/15 at 8:49pm

I was not very fond of this show when I saw it at George Street a few years ago. But I took advantage of the Valentine's Day $14 ticket purchase day just to see if it had gotten any better. Wonder of wonders, it did. It was sharper, the laughs landed more solidly, and the pacing seemed better--with one exception. I could have sworn there was an intermission at George Street just as the twist was revealed. That was a very effective break, as it had people wondering what on earth had just happened. Tyne Daly and Harriet Harris continue to display great comic timing, and if the basic story seems Abie's Irish Rose-dated, the performances compensate nicely. The presence of Edward Hibbert as the wedding planner added greatly to my enjoyment. Lisa Howard is still luminous in the role she originated at George Street, and her big-lady style number stops the show. If the score were better, I'd say this would be a very viable candidate come awards time. Maybe some individual performance categories...?

[macnyc]

Posted: 3/28/15 at 9:10pm

Thanks for posting your thoughts! It's great to hear from someone who saw it at George Street. Hibbert's role wasn't huge, but he is central to the proceedings, and I can imagine that the actor upped the comedy considerably. That's interesting about the intermission.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 3/28/15 at 10:14pm

They must have made some major changes in the last few days because I just got back from tonight's performance, and I LOVED it. I was grinning the entire time. Is it a perfect musical? No. Far from it. But this show exists to entertain. It really felt like a modern take on the classic musical comedy structure. I thought the cast was really great all around (excluding maybe David Burtka), but Lisa Howard is REALLY giving a standout performance here. It's nice to see her get the limelight for once. I will definitely be going back later in the run.

P.S. I've also heard that the show had an intermission at George Street, but I actually liked it without. I feel like a break would have made the whole evening feel a little too long. Just keep the comedy rolling, I say.

[bdn223]

Posted: 3/29/15 at 11:09am

Saw the show last night and I just have to say that it has probably one of the greatest books in recent memory. Brian Hargrove's book may rely on some cliches and stock characters, but what he does with them is outstanding. Yes the musical is a trite, and not zany enough to be considered fluff and does not have enough substance to be taken seriously, but it is good for what it is. I do have to give Hargrove credit for turning to situational base humor instead of pop culture references, which would have ruined the show in my opinion. I have to agree with earlier commenters that the decision to condense the show into one act was a wise one. I feel that although there is clearly a spot where the show can put its intermission, if it were taken would the should would feel drawn out as there isn't enough substance to warrant it. This is a show where the audience needs to be in the moment and not given time to think about what is going on. Part of that reason is that in my opinion the score is serviceable, but unmemorable. The only song I remember is the title song, but that is because its the title. If anything I would say that it is a farce with monologues set to music, which is why is the show were divided into two acts more attention would be placed on the lackluster score instead of the fabulous book. The best thing Hargrove has going for his book though, is the cast he has performing it. In lesser hands the show would flop but Daly, Harris, Nathan, and Howard are perfectly cast giving dimension to their stock characters.

I liken the show to being a more mature version of First Date. In the end the show was good, not great. I do think most of the issues currently are with timing and physical humor that can easily be fixed before the show opens in 2 weeks. I have to give the creative team credit though because unlike most shows that have forgotten what previews are for, Pierse, Hargrove, and Anselni are clearly working on the every aspect of the piece in previews. I can honestly see this show replacing Mamma Mia, as the go to for Girls Nights, and the characters are simple enough that if the show does last a year, that any of the roles can easily be stunt casted.

On another note though, I have to say that I kept thinking about Sondheim during the show, not simply because the is a joke about him, but because some of the songs sounded very Sondheim-like in my opinion. Tyne Daly's song kept reminding my of Into the Woods.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/29/15 at 1:17pm

Interesting that you mention the farce, since I wish they had almost upped that a bit. It felt at times like it didn't know it it wanted to be like NOISES OFF or not, so it felt a tad restrained so not to become that, but I think it could only benefit from more "zaniness". And the more I think about it, te more I agree that the book here is truly TRULY outstanding. I can't wait to go back and see this one again.

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 10:07am

Saw this a couple of days ago, and as a play, my friends and I had great fun, but as a musical, it was underwhelming.  The music was tuneless, and it felt just unnecessary.  Caroline in the City was one of my favorite shows back in the day, so I had high hopes when I heard that the writers worked on that show.  So yes, it does play a bit like a corny sitcom, but that's something we thoroughly enjoyed. 

There were so many Jewish jokes (Yiddish pronunciations and whatnot) that I'm unsure how this would appeal to a more diverse audience.  I laughed at every single one, but people have talked about how Something rotten has a lot of theater jokes that not may not be accessible to everyone (haven't seen it yet), and I think this is definitely in that same vein. 

The performers definitely milked their jokes with the two mothers getting the most laughs.  Sierra Boggess has a gorgeous soprano voice, but the songs didn't give her a chance to show that off.  Lisa Howard and John Grisetti were fabulous, and his entrance was so good.  Everyone is singing her praises, and she deserves it, but he stole the show, to me.  Considering that David Burtka is the groom, he wasn't given a heck of a lot to do.  He's a great dancer, but he had but a forgettable brief moment to do that.  Chip Zien, Montego Glover, etc. made the most out of what they were given. 

Overall, my friends and I really enjoyed the show and have already recommended it to our Jewish mothers with the preface that the music "isn't great."

[Hairspray0901]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 10:11am

So, I saw this show via TDF last night (got 2nd to last row of the rear mezz). I didn't really care for it. I think it's cute and a few parts were funny; it has one hell of an unexpected plot twist, but up until that point I was bored out of my mind! I didn't enjoy the music & lyrics - none of them were memorable to me. The cast is extremely talented and they're clearly doing everything they can with this material. It just didn't work for me. The audience however, was eating it up and seemed to love it; it was a full house. I think there was a school group there because nearly every number got a thunderous applause from that corner of the theater. It was a cute show but not one of the best I've seen this season.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 10:36am

I was telling someone about the show and while I was explaining it, I actually forgot it was a musical. I think it would have worked equally well (or not well) without music - which was completely unmemorable.

It just felt like a long sitcom to me..and is just too small for Broadway..IMO.

[Up In One]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 10:51am

"Interesting that you mention the farce, since I wish they had almost upped that a bit."

 

Exactly, especially with that set - all those doors - it set an expectation for high farce and since the subject matter was warmed over I expected them to take it in that direction.

[theateraddiction]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 10:59am

I saw IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU last night and absolutely LOVED it! The show is so funny and the cast is absolutely fantastic. I'd been really looking forward to this show for a long time. With such a fantastic cast, I was sure it'd be amazing...I was not disappointed! The score is fun and bouncy, but could still use some work. However, the book more than makes up for it! ISBY's book is one of the best I've seen - so good that this could even work as a straight play. There were some very strong performances in the show as well. Lisa Howard was incredible: she created a very layered character that was both hilarious and heartbreaking. Her songs, "Beautiful" and "Jenny's Blues" stop the show. Tyne Daly & Harriet Harris were wonderful, as always, and their timing was impeccable. Michael X Martin has a fairly uninteresting role, but he did a fine job with what he was given. Chip Zien was very charming and funny as Murray. I'm a huge fan of Sierra Boggess', but felt she was a little underused. However, she did a great job what she was given. I particularly enjoyed her song "A Little Less Than". David Burtka was charming and appealing (and did some fabulous dance work), but I wish he had been given more to do. Montego Glover & Nick Spangler's 80's inspired duet is hilarious, but other than that, they also have little to do. Edward Hibbert is spot on as Albert! He's very subtle, but very funny! Anne Nathan & Adam Heller are also great in their multiple supporting roles. Josh Grisetti is adorable and sweet as Marty and has the best entrance I've ever seen in a show! David Hyde Pierce's direction is outstanding. I really hope to see more of him as a director in the future. Anna Louizos' set was absolutely gorgeous, and William Ivey Long's costumes were wonderful (but aren't they always?) I got my tickets through TDF and was lucky enough to be given fifth row seats, which definitely contributed to the experience. It might not have been the same, had I not gotten such great seats, but I think I still would have adored the show! I'm hoping Lisa, Tyne and Harriet get Tony noms, as well as Anna Louizos for her set and Brian Hargrove for his delightful book.

Updated On: 4/9/15 at 10:59 AM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 1:51pm

No matter how good a show is and or how highly it is praised, there will be some who do not like it. It is all a matter of taste.

Except when it comes to Wildhorn, which is clearly a conspiracy.

[rob136]

Posted: 4/10/15 at 12:45am

Would anyone who's been in the last week be able to give an update to what the running time is like? I've been looking at maybe doing this show at 8pm and Hedwig at 10pm on a Saturday in late April, and if it's still 1 hour, 40-45 minutes, that's doable. I just want to make sure before I buy tickets.

[futuresuperstar9]

Posted: 4/10/15 at 6:07pm

So I'm guessing David Burtka would be considered a supporting role and not a lead (even though he is the groom......)?

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/10/15 at 6:22pm

Yes.  The only lead in the show is Lisa Howard (though for Tony purposes, they might try to sneak Tyne Daly and/or Josh Grisetti into the leading categories).  Burtka is DEFINITELY featured.

[ggersten]

Posted: 4/10/15 at 6:26pm

The video preview on BWW did get my interest up a bit - which is what the video is supposed to do.  But, I'm not in town.  

 

Updated On: 4/10/15 at 06:26 PM

[MaddieBB12]

Posted: 4/10/15 at 7:04pm

Scores often grow on me, and I always prefer to go in knowing the songs. I REALLY hope this show records (and I think it will, if not just for ametuar rights later), and that the score will grow on me. I also ADORED the set. So for the Tonys:

Lisa Howard (toss up)

Set Design

Book

Josh Grisetti (featured) 

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 4/10/15 at 7:29pm

I found Burtka's role to be the most forgettable in the show. I truly can't remember much about his character and I saw the show less then a week ago.

 The show is not high art. Not by any means. But for the $14 I paid for the ticket, it wasn't like I threw too much out. Not much more then the cost of a ticket for an evening movie. I don't think I'd pay much more then that to see the show. Lisa Howard is the stand out in the show, more so then any of big names. Josh Grisetti was funny in a very general way...he's really a great young comedic actor. 

The biggest issue I had was that everything felt like it was straight out a sitcom from 1995. The jokes have been told before, the story has been told, and it just felt cheesy. Yes, the show has some good laughs, but some of those you realize are just bad jokes. For a show with so many writers on it, it's falling really flat. You'd think they'd be able to do something beyond stereotypical Jewish jokes, but that seemed to be the bulk of the jokes.

it will have a good life after Broadway. Probably much better then Broadway. It'll do great at community theaters that want something short with a smaller cast.

 

[Kad]

Posted: 4/10/15 at 10:24pm

If you love ABC Family original movies, but wish they were onstage with singing, then this show almost will satisfy you. 

How they managed to get such a stellar cast is truly behind me. Some of them aren't even playing characters with defining traits. 

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 4/12/15 at 11:19am

It was 1 hours and 40 minutes last night. Hairspray-I was also bored until the "twist". What are the best shows this season for you?

[jayinchelsea]

Posted: 4/12/15 at 11:49am

I guess the real point of getting bad shows like this on Broadway is to secure a place and be able to say it was on Broadway, for amateur rights purposes. There is no other explanation for this being here. Great actors like Tyne Daly and Harriet Harris slogging their way through a sea of jokes and punchlines that were tired 20 years ago. The "twist" is hardl worth the time and money spent on sitting through this.

 

[Tom5]

Posted: 4/12/15 at 12:49pm

Sounds exactly right. Unless the official critics contradict the trusted posters here.

[Kad]

Posted: 4/12/15 at 8:55pm

"I guess the real point of getting bad shows like this on Broadway is to secure a place and be able to say it was on Broadway, for amateur rights purposes. There is no other explanation for this being here. Great actors like Tyne Daly and Harriet Harris slogging their way through a sea of jokes and punchlines that were tired 20 years ago. The "twist" is hardl worth the time and money spent on sitting through this.
 "

 That is the distinct feeling with this show. It seems almost tailor-made for regional and community theatre life.

The fact the number of additional lyricists is approximately a third of the cast is absurd.

[theatreguy]

Posted: 4/12/15 at 9:21pm

RE: the additional lyricists.

Barbara Anselmi's original idea was to write a musical revue with the theme being "weddings" and each song would have a different lyricist (but all the music by her, because it was her idea). After a reading someone suggested adding a story and creating a book musical about a wedding. Brian Hargrove stepped up to write the book and additional songs but several numbers left over from the revue format were also kept. Thus, 6 lyricists for 1 musical.