LYSISTRATA JONES -- 1st Preview TOMORROW!- Page 3

[kdogg36]

Posted: 11/23/11 at 7:12pm

Also dear Douglas Carter Beane when your last two shows were movie musicals you do not have the right to take shots at them no matter how bad movie musicals actually are. (line) "All the best theater is a movie first, that way the audience isn't surprised" .... two words Xanadu & Sister Act, Mr Beane.

I'm not sure this computes. It's fair game to make fun of yourself and your own career. At least judging by your quotation here, this isn't what you'd call a vicious attack on everyone who's been involved with musicals based on movies.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 11/23/11 at 7:29pm

kdogg- Beane wasn't making fun of himself or his career in my opinion. This was just like the joke in [tos] where he lists all the movie musicals of late and Jeff said, "So movies make good musicals?" and Hunter responded, "Well they make musicals," to wild applause. This is Beane's way of saying we are a small show on Broadway, but we belong here too, and in fact we're probably better than that "proven" commercial crap that is produced purely to make money. PlayitAgain is right; the pot is calling the kettle black.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/23/11 at 9:32pm

I think the argument is moot considering the majority of musicals are adapted stories from various media. A musical based on a movie can be as good or bad as a musical based on something else. Not being based on a movie doesn't automatically make a musical better than one based on a movie. I know it's not a high-brow notion, but it's also not biased and narrow-minded. Otherwise, we'd see a LOT more praise for shows like The Capeman, Brooklyn, In My Life, Glory Days, Little Women, Never Gonna Dance, etc.

Same argument for jukebox musicals. These are trends that either sink or swim just like any other forms of musicals that became popular on the heels of a successful blockbuster.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 11/23/11 at 10:39pm

I completely forgot that I never responded to the show being "family friendly" bit. This is from Telecharge:

"There is no strong language or nudity. Subject matter includes sexual innuendo but nothing overt. “PG” rated"

"PG rated" reads as more-or-less family friendly to me.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/23/11 at 10:51pm

I can't believe they wrote that. It's not family friendly at all. I'd say fine for mature high schoolers and up though.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/23/11 at 10:54pm

That is a blatant lie about a PG rating.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 11/23/11 at 11:15pm

I wondered about that, actually. Having read Lysistrata and based on what I've heard/read of Lysistrata Jones, it doesn't seem very family friendly to me. So that age assessment seems strange (they also recommend it for 6 and up...?). I'll see for myself in a few weeks, though!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 11/23/11 at 11:29pm

I'm glad I'm not the only one who detested this show. I found the entire affair pointless, amateurish, cliched, and torture to sit through. I contemplated an intermission departure, but thought that maybe it would get better. It didn't, and act 2 was actually far worse!

The show's biggest problem is that it's not even awful in a "so bad it's good" way, like say, Xanadu. This show is just plain awful. The music is awful and the lyrics are worse ("What's the word, tweety bird?" Really?! Really!?!). The plot is so trite and cliched that it's not worth even discussing. Given that the stakes are so minimal, there's no reason to invest in these characters.

Of course, the show does not even follow the Marc Shaiman rule where, if there's a large black woman in the show, you know she's getting a big, rousing gospel song in act 2. The male lead, who seems to have no credits to speak of, is absolutely awful- terrible singer, no acting ability, and not really a dancer. But he's hot. So we know why he was cast. Patti Murin can't elevate the material, and actually strained to hit some of the higher notes in her songs...or it could have just been the over-amplification. Who knows? Who cares?

Audience response was tepid- the cast tried desperately to get everyone to stand up and dance, but no one did, excet for two random old people, who had to be investors. A number of (smart) people fled at intermission, and many more paid no attention to the curtain call and instead gathered up their belongings to make a fast exit.

It's sad to think that a year ago, legends like Elaine Stritch, Angela Lansbury, and Bernadette Peters were on this stage, and now we have...this.

Updated On: 11/23/11 at 11:29 PM

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 11/23/11 at 11:36pm

adamgreer, while our opinion of the show differs quite dramatically, there isn't a "big, rousing gospel song" to be had in LYSISTRATA JONES, let alone in the second act.

[quizking101]

Posted: 11/23/11 at 11:44pm

"the Marc Shaiman rule"

That's is so funny, and so entirely true.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 11/23/11 at 11:48pm

SW, I omitted the word "not" from my post. I went back and edited it. Thanks.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 11/24/11 at 12:03am

I'm still holding out hope that I'll enjoy this. It's so strange, though, that opinion of the show seems to have changed so drastically from the off-Broadway run...

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 11/24/11 at 12:57am

I went to see this today, my boyfriend really liked it...I thought it was ok, but far from amazing. At least it moves pretty fast and it has a good score.

Posted: 11/24/11 at 1:53pm

I don't know if I'd agree with Telecharge that it's appropriate for ages 6+ but it definitely fits into a PG rating if one takes the MPAA definition to mean ages 10+.

There's no nudity but lots of innuendo. And unlike the source material, nothing that "rises" to deserve a PG-13. Stronger stuff can be found on Glee.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/24/11 at 1:56pm

It actually doesn't fit with the MPAA. Any movie that would deal with kids going to a whorehouse after being denied sex by their girlfriends would never receive a PG rating.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 11/24/11 at 2:12pm

Not being based on a movie doesn't automatically make a musical better than one based on a movie. I know it's not a high-brow notion, but it's also not biased and narrow-minded. Otherwise, we'd see a LOT more praise for shows like The Capeman, Brooklyn, In My Life, Glory Days, Little Women, Never Gonna Dance, etc.

One of these things is NOT like the others...

[dwwst12]

Posted: 11/24/11 at 2:41pm

Can anyone who's seen both the off-broadway prod. and the Broadway previews help shed light on what's happened (if anything) to the show? As bwayfan7000 said, general sentiment on the board has shifted so drastically....

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 11/24/11 at 2:58pm

Having seen both productions, nothing has "shifted drastically" in the least. What was charming and winning and just plain fun in the Gym at Judson absolutely remains at the Kerr.

While I completely respect those who don't care for the show, I think a lot people who didn't see it at the Transport Group came ready with their knives out on Broadway feeling like this is a show that "doesn't belong" when they knew nothing about what they were going to see. The threads speculating on the transfer prove that sentiment.

Regardless, I hope the show is able to find an audience. It's a well-crafted piece with one hell of a talented cast, and it deserves to run. In a day and age where stars are everything, it's a huge deal for an original musical with a completely unknown composer and cast to arrive on Broadway, and people should support that if we have any hope of it continuing to happen.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/24/11 at 6:18pm

One of these things is NOT like the others...

Oops! I forgot Never Gonna Dance is based on Swing Time. Well, I think probably everyone forgot everything about Never Gonna Dance.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/24/11 at 6:33pm

It actually doesn't fit with the MPAA. Any movie that would deal with kids going to a whorehouse after being denied sex by their girlfriends would never receive a PG rating.

Exactly.

[NYCBound91]

Posted: 11/25/11 at 10:23pm

Saw the matinee today, and I actually really enjoyed it. I was a little concerned after reading some of the responses here, but went in with an open mind and was pleasantly surprised. It was very high-energy and fun, with a catchy score ("Give it Up" and "You Go Your Way" are still stuck in my head). The biggest weakness, I think, is in the lyrics, but that doesn't make it a bad show.

The cast is all very talented, and Patti Murin does a fantastic job leading the cast. I was so excited to see that she's gotten this opportunity, as I think she deserves it. The dancing was all really well done, and everyone looked like they were having a great time onstage. That positivity and enthusiasm translated, and I in turn had a really fun time. Is it deep theatre? No. But is it a fun experience with a talented cast? Yes.

[kdogg36]

Posted: 12/4/11 at 7:41pm

I saw Saturday's matinee and (despite a bad cold that probably should have kept me home, but didn't) I also enjoyed it quite a bit. It's a very fun show and it does have a point to make. I thought the first act could be better paced (some things fell a bit flat), but things heated up in the second act and by the end I was definitely a fan.

The orchestra and the mezzanine looked to be mostly full, though I have no idea how many people were there for free. Looking at last week's grosses, I felt like a bit of a sucker having paid $79 for my ticket. :)

[wexy]

Posted: 12/4/11 at 8:12pm

I saw this on Wednesday matinee (ran into my friend's Mom) and I enjoyed it. Though I think it is more of an off than on show.
For my TDF $40 it was fine.
There were a lot of high school kids there and their reaction was interesting to listen to.

[Broadwayfan15]

Posted: 12/4/11 at 9:17pm

I saw it last night. Lots of fun with wit, high energy and a talented cast. Stand outs were Jason Tam, Patty Murin and LaQuet Sharnell. Audience was engaged and positive.

[Broadwayfan15]

Posted: 12/4/11 at 9:20pm

I saw it last night and had alot of fun. Wit, energy and positivity. Cast was strong- standouts were Jason Tam, Patti Murin and LaQuet Sharnell with her powerful solo. Thumbs up overall.