My NY Theater Marathon

[sadephram]

Posted: 6/1/10 at 11:46am

I just got back from my theater marathon, and here are some quick thoughts on the show I saw :

THE ADDAMS FAMILY (C)
I’m happy I started out with the worst. I had to wait in line to get a student rush ticket, but I’m so happy I did since this is probably the worst show I’ve ever seen on Broadway (and I’ve seen MAMMA MIA !) It is such a waste because the source material is fun, the cast is great and the sets look fantastic, but the book is cringe-worthy, most of the jokes are vulgar and fall flat, and the score is atrocious, you know you’re watching is bad musical when everybody is the room is anxiously waiting for the songs to end. Overall, people seemed to enjoy it though, they surely laughed a lot more than I did, even I heard a lot of people saying they didn’t like the songs that much.
I can’t imagine how unwatchable it will be without Lane & Neuwirth who were really selling it hard, as well as the rest of cast.

LEND ME A TENOR (B+)
I was really looking forward to this since I love screwball comedy, and have a huge crush on Justin Bartha. I thought the cast was perfect, they all had great comedic timing, especially Anthony LaPaglia and Tony Shalhoub, but Bartha really held his own. My problem is with the first act that seems to lose steam as it goes on, I don’t know whether that’s the play’s fault or the directing, but it’s too bad. However, the second act was a pure riot, everyone was laughing and there was a standing ovation. I’m sad it is closing so soon.

SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM (A)
I had a great full price ticket (ouch) to PROMISES, PROMISES but Chenoweth was out sick so I got a refund and ran to see SOS which I was planning on seeing later by buying a ticket at TKTS. Anyway, what a wonderful surprise. Being a Sondheim fan, I knew most of the songs and I was scared they wouldn’t be as interesting out of context, but the staging and the interviews set the mood for a lovely revue. I love that they switched up the arrangements, and didn’t bother with age-appropriateness. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the whole cast, I even loved Tom Wopat and don’t understand the hate he’s getting here. But Barbara Cook stole the show every time she appeared on stage, the fact that her voice isn’t as strong as it used to be makes her interpretation even more touching, she was incredibly moving. Kudos to Vanessa Williams for choosing to do the show, she could have flown right back to Hollywood but stuck around and does a great job here, plus she looks hot as hell.

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (A)
I had already seen the show in London, but without its original cast. I liked it very much then, especially the production because I don’t like the score very much (I know, Jerry Herman is a god yadda yadda yadda) But it was even better this time, Hodge and Grammer have amazing chemistry, the Cagelles were on fire, and the audience was lapping it up! Robin de Jesus is a very different Jacob, and I liked that, even though I don’t understand why he has this accent. Nobody seems to use the same accent on that show, it’s odd at first, but you get used to it.
Overall, I think this production truly gets what the show is all about, characters and their coming to terms where who they are at a particular stage in their life, and I hope it has a long healthy run (and plenty of Tonys to back it up.)

THE KID (A+)
As a huge Dan Savage fan, this is the show I was most looking forward to. I think the original book is brilliant, so my review is probably biased but it was my favorite show of the week. I don’t even know where to start, Sieber and Steele make for a believable, funny, touching and cute couple, they’re both as accomplished as singers and actors, and they own the stage. They’re surrounded by pros who alternate roles effortlessly. But what makes this show so special, is that it feels so honest, they’re really telling a story here, and it manages to be both laugh-out loud funny and extremely moving. Obviously, the book is condensed (and the end slightly altered) but the writer managed to keep the heart of it, and the Savage “tone” that is both down-to-earth and hopeful. As for the songs, it has been a long time since I saw a musical where they were so well integrated, and I know I keep repeating myself, but touching and funny at the same time. I hope with all my heart the show comes back to NY soon, or at least gets a recording, because this was a magical night of theater.
Quick anecdote, Joel Grey attended the same performance as me, he congratulated the cast afterwards and I couldn’t get my eyes off of him, which he noticed. When I walked out, he was right in front of me, I didn’t plan on it, it just happened. So I felt bad for looking like creepy stalker, but c’mon, JOEL GREY!!!

GOD OF CARNAGE (A)
My second time seeing the show, I’d seen it back in February (2nd cast) and loved it, and when they announced the 3rd cast, I had to see it again because I love all the actors. I did not understand why the second cast got bad press, I still don’t, but I have to admit it was even better this time. It’s hard to say who was more convincing in their respective part (okay, Janet McTeer was superb), it was funnier, and the audience more responsive than the first time. I’m very happy I went back.

BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON (B)
I’d heard nothing but praises about that show, so I was a little bit disappointed. I was prepared not to like the music (what I know of EMO, not really my thing) but it ended up being my favorite part of the show, that and the cast who really oozes energy and charisma, especially Benjamin Walker in the title role (he’s also really hot from the first row.) But I found the book was a complete mess. I don’t really mind that they kept the chronological order of events, but it feels very expected, and trying to break it up with a narrator, even more. But the biggest problem with the show is that it raises a lot of questions about politics, populism, genocide (you name it, it’s in there) and never seems to deal with any of them, so you end up not caring and waiting for the great songs to come. Overall, I still had a good time but that show is not ready for Broadway IMHO.

PROMISES, PROMISES (B)
In the end, I saw the Sunday matinee instead of the Wednesday evening show, so I got to see Chenoweth. I wanted to love that show, because I like the Bacharach songs I know, but it was another disappointment. Once again, the first act is very weak compared to the second one. Sean Hayes is charming and quite charismatic in a part that is just not that interesting, he knows how to sell even the silliest joke and the audience adored him. Chenoweth got huge applause when she made her entrance, and she is quite charming as well, but I have to agree she is not the best choice to play a young naïve bimbo. However, her singing is still gorgeous, and I love her phrasing. But it’s the directing that lacks punch or any real sense of fun, and the whole first act really drags.
However, when Katie Finneran makes her entrance, PP comes alive, she is a tornado of fun, even better than I expected, every little choice she makes as an actress is hilarious and she alone is worth seeing the show. After her scenes, the second act stalls a bit but it is still a lot better of the first one because the actors get to play their parts without being interrupted by the boring dance numbers.
So overall, not a bad show, just very uneven, and it seriously lacks fun and energy (especially given the source material… not exactly Pinter)

[sadephram]

Posted: 6/1/10 at 5:57pm

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/139966-ONSTAGE-BACKSTAGE-Venturing-Off-Broadway/pg1

[sadephram]

Posted: 6/2/10 at 9:19am

BUMP
c'mon guys, not a single bitchy comment?

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 6/2/10 at 9:32am

Is "The Kid" still open? You had a pretty interesting choice of shows.

I, of course disagree, and found Sondheim on Sondheim to be more of a D- than an A. Promises, Promises, I could agree with your B. Tenor is more of a D- to me. La Cage a C. Carnage is a B, but I understand why you loved it, and it is a brilliant play I enjoyed a lot. No comments on the rest of the cast? Janet was the one I enjoyed the least out of the 4 by the way.
I have yet to see Andrew Jackson, Addams Family and The Kid.

[sadephram]

Posted: 6/2/10 at 1:08pm

Unfortunately, THE KID closed last Saturday.

As for SOS, I was expecting not to like it because I tend to favor musicals with a strong book. But if you go into it as a documentary/review, I think it is very satisfying, and the performers kept me captivated throughout. I have to admit that a lot of people, including the ones sitting next to me, looked quite bored. To each their own, I guess...

I understand why you wouldn't like LMAT, it's hardly groundbreaking stuff, but the I found the actors' energy and the play's old-school type of humor quite appealing, even though the first act dragged, as I said earlier.

I don't know why I find LA CAGE (the play) so funny, a part of me thinks I should find it offensive but I really don't. Anyway, I'm not crazy about the score of the musical version, I don't find it bad, just very old-school, run-of-the-mill, and completely forgettable (aside from I AM WHAT I AM.) But this production is so clear in what it's saying, and the performers so aware of what their characters are going through that they elevate the material. For once, they're not just clowns but real people, completely relatable, and I think that's why a lot of people love it. I understand your not liking the material, but I think that production is probably as good as it gets.


Finally, I was dreading Mc Teer in GOC because I thought Christine Lahti was brilliant in it (I know I'm in the minority here), but Mc Teer really had her own spin on the character and I think she was more subtle in her evolution, and when she had to really go there, she did it with such ease and acting pleasure that I was riveted. As I said, everyone was great though, but if I had to single out an actor, it would be her.


Updated On: 6/2/10 at 01:08 PM

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 6/2/10 at 3:05pm

I'm actually a big fan of LaCage and although the score is not the best, I think it's good enough. But I truly enjoyed Gary Beach and Broadway Legend Robert Goulet much more in the recent revival.
Kelsey Grammer was great in this current production, but Douglas was a big let down, I still feel it wasn't necessary to revive this so shortly after a dazzling Tony winning revival in 2004-05.

[sadephram]

Posted: 6/2/10 at 4:36pm

Obviously I can't compare since I didn't see the last broadway revival, but having seen this new production twice (I'd already seen it in London), I still think it's a great night at the theater. How fun would it be if everyone agreed?

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 6/4/10 at 1:39am

It'd be boring if we all agreed =)

[musicnerd234]

Posted: 6/4/10 at 1:54am

Well, I'm not gonna agree with the Addams Family, I haven't seen it, but I do enjoy the music and the opening number is a catchy song.

[sadephram]

Posted: 6/4/10 at 4:21am

You have no idea how much I wanted to like that show and be able to say the critics were wrong, but seriously... it sucked.
I haven't listened to the cast recording, and I probably won't, cause I really think that score is the worst (the lyrics are also quite appalling.)

[rjm516]

Posted: 6/4/10 at 8:05pm

I loved Bloody Bloody AJ bc I went in expecting something ridiculous and fun, not a traditional story told well. It's supposed to be all haphazard and crazy, but it's so entertaining. Totally get what you felt, though. You were pretty generous with your grades. I really enjoyed LMAT bc it's fun, even though it's not strong throughout. I would give it a b+ prob. I wish I got to see The Kid; you are so lucky you saw it before it closed and saw Joel Grey.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 6/4/10 at 9:14pm

I finally got to see it and I think Bloody was a C. It was clever and I enjoyed it, but far from brilliant.

[pushdabutton]

Posted: 6/4/10 at 10:33pm

It sounds like you had a great trip. Thanks for sharing!

[sadephram]

Posted: 6/5/10 at 3:21am

Yes BBAJ is not the great show people make it out to be, maybe without all the hype I would have enjoyed it a bit more.
This website has a very interesting take on it :

http://showshowdown.blogspot.com/

I did have a great trip : 6 days/5 nights/9 shows, what's not to like?
I only get to come to NY about twice a year, so I spend months reading about and picking the shows I want to see, so I generally know what to avoid, and what I might enjoy. Overall, even though you guys keep complaining, the quality of theater is NY remains impressive (I agree, not the best year for new musicals, though.)

Next up: London, at the end of the month, and another record for me: 4 days/3 nights/7 shows. The West End is not nearly as exciting as Broadway, but they're smart enough not to all have their weekday matinee on Wednesday. That way, you can see two shows every day of the week if you please! :) Updated On: 6/5/10 at 03:21 AM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/5/10 at 5:07am

I'm sticking by my guns: BBAJ is the best new musical of the sesason. Loved it and am going back before it closes.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 6/5/10 at 8:16am

I really enjoyed Promises, Promises and Memphis alot more than Andrew Jackson. sade, you should've seen Memphis!

[sadephram]

Posted: 6/6/10 at 4:57am

Actually, I saw MEMPHIS back in February. I was pleasantly surprised by the show, I thought it looked fantastic, and the actors were very energetic and convincing. Chad Kimball and Montego Glover have great chemistry, and they are a lot of fun to watch. However, I wish the book had been less derivative, and the score a bit more memorable. Still, a very enjoyable show.