It's time for Matthew Broderick...

...to be put out to pasture. I just rewatched some of last night's show and he isn't even miscast or mis-anything. He just looks bored. Unless his next role is as Grandmother Willow in Disney's stage version of POCAHONTAS, this dull-as-wood performer should either retire or actually look like he cares.

Granted, the show is not a masterpiece, and the songs don't require the depth that some others do, but at least look like you're having fun!

And yes, this needed a new thread. It's been a long time coming for Mr. Broderick, and last night sealed the deal.

Updated On: 6/12/12 at 03:43 PM

Indeed.

He acts as if he's already out to pasture. Such a vacant and hollow presence.

THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! I thought it was only me. At the performance of NICE WORK and Tonys, the man looks as if he can barely stand being there. Andhlis lazy "dancing".

He can't be put to pasture, though. Sarah Equessica Parker would eat all the hay.

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Updated On: 6/11/12 at 03:53 PM

I actually thought he was livelier than usual last night, but only because he had slightly more energy than his lethargic performance on Letterman a few weeks ago.

he may have been lethargic because he's so bloated. The only thing I enjoyed him in was the film of The Producers.

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He was probably the worst thing about THE PRODUCERS: THE MOVIE MUSICAL (which was pretty awful to begin with) until Susan Stroman's audio commentary on the DVD.

Sadly, onstage magic doesn't equal onscreen magic. And Stroman's audio commentary could have been called "The Producers: Interpreted for the Blind and Retarded", since she basically just described what was going on in every scene and who was in it. Love her work, but not her DVD bonus feature.

I guess once again I will put my two cents in for Matthew. I don't know what anyone is talking about when they say he looks "bored". What does that mean specifically? I think he was very into it last night and until that point in the show was the best thing about it, including Kelli O'Hara's boring performance. If you follow him at all you know that he's very understated in most of his work. I thought he was as energetic in that dance as he was allowed to be based on choreography. The song was abbreviated so I'm not sure what else he could have done. He's a 50 year old man who had back surgery to take on this role. If he looks large its probably because he's wearing a brace. If you see him at stage door you will see as I have that he is not that big in person.
No matter what role he takes on, people will continue to point to some role and say he's doing the same thing. As someone has already pointed out, if you watch some of his indie films you will see that. I think he would do very well on TV if he chose to commit to that. I also thought he was very good in The Starry Messenger a couple of years back in a small theater with a good story. Musicals may not be his strong suit since he's not the greatest singer or dancer, but his comedy in this show is terrific and allows all the craziness around him to happen. The audiences at Nice Work have been enthusastically supportive of Matthew at curtain call. They appreciate the full performance, not just a two minute clip on TV or internet.

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You may be right. He may be physically hindered, or even in pain. Then he shouldn't be on stage. Before I saw NICE WORK, I wondered why Matthew wasn't nominated. After seeing it, I realized why. I hope when he's replaced, it's by someone who can give a freshness to the role. (I'm no hater, btw)

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Joey, are you using a euphemism?

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There's no question that Matthew was the weakest element in the show. If it hadn't been for the need of some box office appeal, I humbly suggest that Jeremy Jordan would have been a more appropriate choice for the role. IMO.

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He looked unwell to me. But who knows? The brace thing does make some sense but I wonder if there is something more?