MAME (Kennedy Center) reviews- Page 3

[JMVR]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 3:39pm

If anyone read my review posted on an earlier thread, )and even if you didn't, hehe) you should note that I wrote that Ms. Baranski is fine, but needs to grow into the part and let loose a little (which is what the Washingotn Post later said as well). I still believe that. It was VERY unfair that she got reviewed by not just local press but, of all people, Ben Brantley after only a few previews and no out of town tryouts. My point being, she is being asked to be the Mame everyone expects her to be, when of all Mames, she has had the least amount of time to perform before being reviewed.

I am positive that, had they waited two more weeks, she would have fared considerably better. By rushing opening night, the Kennedy Center has seriously jeopardized any possiblity of a Broadway transfer of their production. I really think this is very unfair to the cast. They are being expeceted to perform up to Broadway-par but are denied the luxury of a long-standing Broadway tradition (previews). Especially considering you can't really get out of town tryouts when you are a DC show, a longer preview period would have been in order. Sad to see such a potentially wonderful perfomance being prematurely put under the microscope.

I guess if it continues to do good business and pleasing the audience and if they take it to say, Boston and Chicago and get good reviews there, a Broadway transfer may still be possible.
Parting thoughts: get on the Chinatown bus and come see it!

[apdarcey]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 4:09pm

just fyi jmvr, the kennedy center has never had the goal of transferring one of their shows, this included. naturally that becomes the thought process when there's a show like this, ready for a rebirth with a broadway cast of this caliber. however, they can't have "seriously jeopardized any possiblity of a Broadway transfer of their production" because that is not their goal.

[alterego]

Posted: 6/3/06 at 12:51am

No actress that has played Mame has received the glowing notices that Angela Lansbury received and probably never will.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 6/3/06 at 1:12am

and even the Incredible Angela couldn't have pulled of what she did without a great Book, Score and supporting Company.
"No One is Alone"

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 2:36pm

In response to what someone said about Megan Mullally not being a big enough name to draw a crowd. If Christina Applegate was considered one, I don't see why Megan wouldn't be either.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 2:51pm

Actually Sweet Charity was a flop at the box office, running only 8 months and losing much of its investment. It turned out Applegate wasn't much of a draw and attendance figures were often in the 60s (or low 70s) most weeks. I doubt Mullally would be much more of a draw than that.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 3:21pm

I'm sick of The New York Times having so much pretention in their reviews.