My 8/3/04 Dracula review. Thumbs up, but really...

[midtowngym]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 9:22am

how could you go wrong with Melissa Errico and Tom Hewitt? The book is faithful to Bram Stoker's novel, but still meanders, not sure whether it wants to be an allegory on love, sex, AIDS or christianity, and therefore fails at them all. Afraid that we'll yawn, Des McAnuff has overdirected this baby-doors appear then disappear, virtually everyone flys or falls through a hole in the floor and the set is constantly in motion(where's my dramamine!)--yet it still doesn't mask the sometimes static staging.
BUT, it has the sublime Melissa Errico and Tom Hewitt and a wonderful supporting cast. The set design (when not moving) does give you the creeps-well done. Act 1 is high camp, and my group laughed all the way through it (that's a good thing!) The second act is tighter and gives Melissa and Tom time alone-overwhelming talent on stage. It's fluff, but fluff with nice music (i like Frank Wildhorn, can't help it.) There's no surprise that it's opening in tourist-friendly august. We had fun.

[hawkeyemania]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 9:26am

I really want to see this, does anybody know if they have a actual closing date set??

[EddieVarley]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 9:29am

As much as we kid on the Off-Topic board, I'm excited to check this out, thanks for the "preview preview", MidtownG! Updated On: 8/4/04 at 09:29 AM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 10:03am

hawkeyemania - Why would they be thinking of closing?

[ckeaton]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 10:11am

It's an "open-ended" run.

[magruder]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 3:56pm

Interesting, midtowngym, that your generally favorable post about Dracula received no response over at All That Chat. Also true of a guy who posted yesterday about the show with some good things to say. But for the negative posts, they all come running like moths to the flame...

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 4:00pm

hey midtowngym thanks for the upbeat post, and to find out that someone else likes frank wildhorn music. I was getting tired of reading all of the negative aspects of the show. Obviously there is a reason dodgers productions is bringing it to broadway. Dodgers is not one to throw money at shows that they think will flop immediately.

I have tickets this friday to see it and I am so excited!!!!

(like your icon too!)

[midtowngym]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 4:07pm

I noticed that also Magruder. I know the subject of whether BWW and ATC prefer to see shows fail has been addressed, but I prefer to reamin very Zen and hope these two boards are actually full of good karma and energy.

[joeyjoe]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 4:21pm

umgeoboy, most of the preview reviews here have been very well-thought out and objective... but, with that, you're going to hear about the negative aspects as well, and hopefully, those will be turned into positives by opening night...

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 4:26pm

joeyjoe
i agree with you that many of the negative comments have been thoughtful BUT im just happy to hear someone giving upbeat and positive commments.

There is a thread out there where someone says the show is doomed and should close (one extreme example of a post) and that is not thought out thats just someones opinion.

I hope the dracula works out its kinks like I know it should and does very well!

[joeyjoe]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 4:32pm

yes, there are people on this board who strike at anything they don't like, or just say s*** to get a rise out of the other members... i've gotten very good at ignoring ignorance and stupidity and cries for attention here... i, too, hope this show does well... Updated On: 8/4/04 at 04:32 PM

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 4:36pm

joeyjoe
i wish i had your patience for ignoring the stupidity and ignorance on this website. I'm trying to but its hard when people post idiotic posts and information that is wrong!

But thanks for your optimism too... I'll post this weekend about how it was since I am seeing dracula on friday.

[joeyjoe]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 4:39pm

oooohhhhh, it took me awhile, and i can't tell you how much i've wanted to tell certain members to shut the hell up and go away, but then i think, well, bad parenting...

i hope you enjoy the show and look forward to your review...