#1
Posted: 7/12/08 at 7:18pm
Forgive me, Jay, I'm partially stealing your reviewing system for this one.
Things I liked about [title of show]:
1. Heidi Blickenstaff.
2. Heidi Blickenstaff's voice.
3. Heidi Blickenstaff's boobs.
4. Patti LuPone's voice mail.
5. Christine Ebersole's voice mail.
Okay, now that we have that taken care of...I did not enjoy [title of show], unfortunately, and it really upsets me to say so. You have 5 people who happen to be very endearing saddled with very sub-par material. I don't know what I expected going in - a cursory listen of the album a year or so ago was my only exposure - but everyone I had spoken to gave it sterling recommendations.
When they said the show is about two guys writing a musical about two guys writing a musical, I thought "hey, that sounds like it could be funny - potential for a great plot, solid character arcs, lots of conflict..." Unfortunately, the biggest conflict is when Heidi hears a message (or something to that effect) from Sutton Foster talking about how she'd love to replace Heidi, who is too busy understudying Ursula in "The Little Mermaid."
I know other audiences have been rapturous - I assume highly papered or filled with fans of the show (given the unfortunate title "Tossers," though that word fits in with all the masturbation jokes) - but I've never seen an audience more bored than this afternoon's. Lot of heads bobbing up and down, polite applause (except for the Tossers who screamed and stood instantly when it was over). Even Daniel Sullivan (looked like him, anyway) seemed bored stiff.
The whole show, to me, at least, is just slight. The score isn't anything special or particularly memorable (except for the funny Schoolhouse Rock ripoff) and the book is littered with too many masturbation jokes, drag queen jokes, and f-bombs and not enough plot, conflict, storylines...The result is a series of interconnected vignettes that do nothing except to say "hey, we're making fun of ourselves and talking about people the audience has never heard of and quoting long-forgotten shows." (In fact, the "Cut It/Don't Cut It" number is one of the strongest, since it lists that which SHOULD have been cut.) Michael Berressee's staging doesn't help much for the "skity" feel.
Cast wise, Heidi Blickenstaff is by far the strongest. Where has she been? She has it all - looks and talent. Any number she sang was a highlight. Susan Blackwell left no piece of scenery unchewed - she's a rising Jackie Hoffman. Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen are fine, but they're a dime a dozen. Larry Pressgrove plays a mean keyboard.
Interesting that Heidi started to cry during the applause after "Nine People's Favorite Thing" - staged or genuine? Seems way too off the spectrum of emotion for me.
As much as I'd like to see the show succeed - only 'cause they'd look like they'd never get out of bed again if it closes on opening night - I can't see how something as "inside" as this can find an audience during the tourist season. Yet, if they took it to New World Stages, it could have a lengthy run.
But hey, some people were howling with laughter, so what the F*CK do I know? Thanks for reading.
Things I liked about [title of show]:
1. Heidi Blickenstaff.
2. Heidi Blickenstaff's voice.
3. Heidi Blickenstaff's boobs.
4. Patti LuPone's voice mail.
5. Christine Ebersole's voice mail.
Okay, now that we have that taken care of...I did not enjoy [title of show], unfortunately, and it really upsets me to say so. You have 5 people who happen to be very endearing saddled with very sub-par material. I don't know what I expected going in - a cursory listen of the album a year or so ago was my only exposure - but everyone I had spoken to gave it sterling recommendations.
When they said the show is about two guys writing a musical about two guys writing a musical, I thought "hey, that sounds like it could be funny - potential for a great plot, solid character arcs, lots of conflict..." Unfortunately, the biggest conflict is when Heidi hears a message (or something to that effect) from Sutton Foster talking about how she'd love to replace Heidi, who is too busy understudying Ursula in "The Little Mermaid."
I know other audiences have been rapturous - I assume highly papered or filled with fans of the show (given the unfortunate title "Tossers," though that word fits in with all the masturbation jokes) - but I've never seen an audience more bored than this afternoon's. Lot of heads bobbing up and down, polite applause (except for the Tossers who screamed and stood instantly when it was over). Even Daniel Sullivan (looked like him, anyway) seemed bored stiff.
The whole show, to me, at least, is just slight. The score isn't anything special or particularly memorable (except for the funny Schoolhouse Rock ripoff) and the book is littered with too many masturbation jokes, drag queen jokes, and f-bombs and not enough plot, conflict, storylines...The result is a series of interconnected vignettes that do nothing except to say "hey, we're making fun of ourselves and talking about people the audience has never heard of and quoting long-forgotten shows." (In fact, the "Cut It/Don't Cut It" number is one of the strongest, since it lists that which SHOULD have been cut.) Michael Berressee's staging doesn't help much for the "skity" feel.
Cast wise, Heidi Blickenstaff is by far the strongest. Where has she been? She has it all - looks and talent. Any number she sang was a highlight. Susan Blackwell left no piece of scenery unchewed - she's a rising Jackie Hoffman. Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen are fine, but they're a dime a dozen. Larry Pressgrove plays a mean keyboard.
Interesting that Heidi started to cry during the applause after "Nine People's Favorite Thing" - staged or genuine? Seems way too off the spectrum of emotion for me.
As much as I'd like to see the show succeed - only 'cause they'd look like they'd never get out of bed again if it closes on opening night - I can't see how something as "inside" as this can find an audience during the tourist season. Yet, if they took it to New World Stages, it could have a lengthy run.
But hey, some people were howling with laughter, so what the F*CK do I know? Thanks for reading.
