LimelightMike's Quick Thoughts on A CATERED AFFAIR

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 1:21pm

There I was ... Da Bronx! This musical drama centers around an Irish-American family in the New York City borough in the 1950s. Just as I had expected, it was nice and cozy. As the houselights dimmed, I knew that this was going to be an event to remember. Before even entering the Kerr, I was well-aware of the backstory: A Catered Affair began life as THE Catered Affair, a teleplay written by Paddy Chayefsky about a working-class family who must decide whether or not to spend their life savings on a lavish wedding reception for their daughter. The subsequent film version was co-written by Gore Vidal, which starred Bette Davis, Ernest Borgnine and Debbie Reynolds. Having been greatly inspirted by 'a human story', Harvey Fierstein began adapting the piece for the stage several years ago, recruiting composer John Bucchino to provide a score. Tony-winning director John Doyle helmed the piece from it's inception to the recent Broadawy bow.

With that said, let's begin ... So, I caught the show last night (Monday, the 21st) from C-107 of Center Orchestra. Treated my sister to the performance - as many, if not all - know already. We both cried throughout the performance. It succeeded a great deal in 'moving' the audience. I couldn't tell if it was a sell-out, but it certainly sounded and felt like one. When breaks for applause surfaced, the house roared with admiration. Faith Prince, having been absent from the Broadway musical scene since 2001, makes and breaks the heart as Aggie, the long-suffering mom, while Tom Wopat's work as Tom (the father of the bride) was absolutely brilliant. You really get a sense of this man's ways and angles with his gut-wrenching ballad, "I Stayed". The two aforementioned along with Mr. Harvey Fierstein's Winston were absolutely spectacular as the headlining players; digging deep and taking us right along on their individual jounrney. In that same instance, while not as bold or brave an arc, Leslie Krtizer and Matt Cavanaugh were also giving strong and ever-so-poignant performances as 'Jane' and 'Ralph'. The rest of the cast was a true delight - great additions all around.

Let's move on to the score. I first became aware of this show LONG before a formal announcement was made, and became all the more ecstatic when I found out that Mr. John Bucchino was penning the score. The first song I heard from the score was "Coney Island" and last night's performance of the song ... exceeded all expectations. Other stand-out numbers included. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to the original cast album release sometime next month. Truly an experience not to be missed ... if your aim is to 'go to the theatre and be moved' (like so many of us set-out to do).

In full, I feel that the spot-on direction, hauntingly beautiful score with tug-o'-the-heartstrings book, A CATERED AFFAIR amounts to 90 minutes of blissful theatrical splendor that will have you laughing, crying and home by 10. I was ready and willing, as previously stated, to take my seat, open my mind, and take-in the show as a whole. Thanks to Mr. Fierstein and Mr. Bucchino's perfect marriage of music-and-verse, I gladly did so last evening, and I went home profoundly moved, as did my sister. By all accounts, if you know how to appreciate fine art and understanding of the human condition, visit Telecharge.com now and book your family and friends a block of tickets. Don't doubt your heart (even) for a minute. Take the ride. Just take a breath and open up your eyes ... Right now.







Updated On: 4/22/08 at 01:21 PM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 1:27pm

you were going to love this crap no matter what...before you saw it you had already convinced yourself you were going to enjoy it.(and i mean that in the nicest way possible)

[alfgiotir]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 1:29pm

great review mike! it was very detailed! you are making me change my decision to not see it. thanks!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 1:33pm

WT - I don't get why you can't expect other people to like it? I saw the BWW preview and I found the show to be beautiful. Why can't people have other seperate tastes?

[TomMonster]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 1:37pm

Lovely review Mike! I agree completely with your assessment.

I'm seeing it again tomorrow!

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"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS

"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 1:45pm

Rentboy: People are absolutely allowed to like "A Catered Affair." It was just that LimelightMike was expressing his lvoe for the show way before he waw it...and then he writes a rave review. I don't know why it bothered me...I'll get over it soon I'm sure.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 1:53pm

Rentboy, it's totally cool of WAT to speak such things. I thank you kindly for sticking-up for me, though.

WAT and I are tight as is. Nothing but respect.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 2:00pm

PS - Thanks for the good word!
I love penning these things for you gugys.
Truly I do!
Updated On: 4/22/08 at 02:00 PM

[Smaxie]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 2:08pm

>This musical drama centers around a Jewish family in the New York City borough in the 1950s.<

Isn't it an Irish family?

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Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 2:17pm

OoOh! Fixed!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 2:29pm

WT I totally get where you're coming from, but you never know, if they loved the movie so much, then maybe the musical would seem unwhelming? Seems to be the way with Cry-Baby.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 2:30pm

Thanks for your review Mike! Can't wait to see this show!

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"Everytime you step on that stage it is somebody's first Broadway show and somebody's last Broadway show. Make it count."

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 2:31pm

and isnt' it "centers ON"?

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PEACE.

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 2:33pm

WithOutATrace when did you see the show?

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A young actress with Noel coward after a dreadful opening night performance said to him 'Well, i knew my lines backwards this morning!'' Noels fast reply was ''Yes dear, and thats exactly how you said them tonight'!'

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 2:36pm

LimelightMike, yes, we are still tight and regardless of what you think about this show, we are still cool.

WickedBoy2: I saw the first preview on March 25th.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 2:38pm

Thank you, my friend.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 2:45pm

I dislike intensely the fact that you always feel the need to talk about your "primo seats."

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 2:49pm

Yankee, I made no such mention in the original post. With my reviews, I simply list my seat location, to fully grasp my experience. I've never been one to flaunt such a thing (unless asked for reference). With me paying what I pay for these things, you shouldn't be all that distressed by the mere mention of it. Nowhere in that initial post do I ever make claim to such a thing...

I'm not insulted, I'm just sayin'.

Updated On: 4/22/08 at 02:49 PM

[Eris0303]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 2:53pm

Mike:

Is your sister still speaking to you and did all five leads sign afterwards?

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"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 2:55pm

Is that you with Harvey in your av?

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PEACE.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 2:56pm

LoL

Yes, she very much is still speaking to me.

I only stayed for Harvey, actually. That was a 10 minute wait in itself, adn he was the first one out. I was the last fella he greeted before heading off into the night. Very humbling experience for yours truly.

I was super-hungry as it was, and we wanted to catch the 11 o'clock train home,so we ventured to the Pig 'n' Whistle. I don't know if the rest of the bunch made their exits thereafter. There was no hooplah last evening. Everyone pretty much went for Harvey's autograph and went on home.

...Mondays, y'know?
Updated On: 4/22/08 at 02:56 PM

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 2:56pm

Sueleen, it most definitely is!
Updated On: 4/22/08 at 02:56 PM

[Eris0303]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 2:57pm

Ah, okay...I'm hoping to meet Tom and Faith in addition to Harvey when I find time to go.

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"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 3:07pm

Totally, totally!

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 4:25pm

B U M P