MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

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MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:16am

Critically, financially, every-ally?
I skimmed over Suskin's review of the cd on Playbill.com yesterday, and just from the way he wrote, it seemed he was saying it was a flop on all sides.
In addition, the future national tour has been cancelled, right?

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:19am

It was definitely a financial flop (and I think a critical one as well).

Personally, I hated the show, except for Big Black Lady Stops the Show...but I was never a Martin Short fan to begin with.

Updated On: 6/1/07 at 10:19 AM

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:23am

I don't really know anything other than I enjoyed it when I went. It was a bit much and not always in good taste, but I had a very good time, as did all the people I went with.

Measure your life in love, RENTheads, and keep it always in your heart.

Avatar: Me with Al Larson, Jonathan Larson's father.

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:23am

I was never a Martin Short fan to begin with.

So, you saw it because...?

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:25am

It did give Broadway the gift that is Mary Birdsong!

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:26am

I saw it in its pre-B'way tryout in Chicago this past July and really didn't care for it either. For one thing, I think that the sets were some of the cheapest-looking I've ever seen.
As to how I view Martin Short - he was far more clever and funny briefly accepting his Tony for LITTLE ME than he was in this entire show!

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:28am

I saw it because I see everything that opens on Broadway (every musical at least). The only two shows I missed this year (on purpose) were Jay Johnson and Kiki and Herb.

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:28am

I think that the sets were some of the cheapest-looking I've ever seen.

It was supposed to be a take on vaudeville.

That's what the sets were supposed to look like.

"I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about." - Oscar Wilde

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:31am

It was supposed to be a take on vaudeville.

sez who?!?

#10

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:32am

So, regardless of whether or not you like the subject material, you see it because it's a musical opening on Broadway? Sounds to me like you see things just so you can tell people you saw them. Rather than actually seeing things for artistic stimulation.

#11

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:33am

It was supposed to be a take on vaudeville.

sez who?!?

Anyone with eyes and ears who saw that show. Some people don't need things spelled out for them.

"I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about." - Oscar Wilde

Updated On: 6/1/07 at 10:33 AM

#12

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:33am

Whether or not it was supposed to be a take on vaudeville, it is kind of supposed to be a joke... I don't think the sets are supposed to look amazing; everything's supposed to be kind of cheap and cheesey.

Measure your life in love, RENTheads, and keep it always in your heart.

Avatar: Me with Al Larson, Jonathan Larson's father.

#13

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:40am

FindYourGrail: I see everything because I am a huge fan of live theater (and tons of people on this board can confirm that fact). There are a bunch of shows I have gone to see that I thought I would hate that I ended up loving, and a bunch that I thought I would love and I ended up hating. That is the beauty of live theater...there is something for everyone to enjoy. While I am not a fan of Martin Short, I am still glad I saw the show for the talented ensemble and that one good song. And yes, it is my lifelong goal to see every Broadway musical that opens from now until the day I die. Martin Short was included in that list, so I saw it. Even though I didn't enjoy the show, I'm glad others did.

#14

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:42am

You tell 'em, WAT!

#15

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:43am

i find it ironic that someone with the screen name "Find Your Grail" is talking about artistic stimulation.

#16

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:44am

It was supposed to be a take on vaudeville.

Unless I'm wrong, I don't recall the word "vaudeville" being mentioned in the script ONCE.

#17

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:52am

as far as artistic stimulation goes, here is my list of the top four Broadway musicals I have seen in my life:

1. Ragtime
2. Parade
3. Caroline, or Change
4. The Light in the Piazza (saw it 7 times on broadway)

now try and tell me I don't care about artistic stimulation!

#18

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:55am

Aside from Caroline, which I never saw, I agree with those excellent choices!

#19

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:56am

Stop picking on WITHOUTATRACE.
He is keeping Broadway alive.

#20

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 11:17am

Thanks, Mark and Curtain! Really appreciate your support.

#21

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 11:23am

i enjoyed it, & Mary Birdsong is a gift from the gods!!!!

#22

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 11:24am

Back on topic, FBM was one of the few (mostly unanimous) critical hits of the season. They got surprisingly great reviews and played for a surprisingly long time (they would have gone longer had he not had prior commitments.

#23

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 11:25am

I had a great time at this show. The cast was incredible, the writing was funny.

Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#24

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 11:27am

eh the show was very lackluster for me. but i couldn't say i HATED it. i just felt it was only "fine". i do enjoy listening to the cast recording though. there's so many funny zingers hidden in that show.

#25

re: MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME - was it a hit or flop?

Posted: 6/1/07 at 12:02pm

Unless I'm wrong, I don't recall the word "vaudeville" being mentioned in the script ONCE.

Ummm...did the cast of THREEPENNY OPERA come center stage and scream: "JUST SO YOU ALL KNOW. THIS IS BRECHTIAN THEATRE"?

No.

Because some people don't have to be told.

They just know.

"I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about." - Oscar Wilde

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