My thoughts on BYE BYE BIRDIE

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 6:55pm

I am unafraid and unashamed to say that I loved every single minute of the Roundabout's production of BYE BYE BIRDIE. I sat in Henry Miller's very nice and spacious, newly reconstructed Theatre with a grin on my face from minute one. Are there flaws? Lots of them. Are the leads miscast? Entirely. Is the choreography pedestrian? Of course. But despite the problems, BYE BYE BIRDIE is the most fun I've had at a musical since HAIRSPRAY.

No, Gina Gershon doesn't pull a Stockard Channing and act her way around the fact that she can't sing or dance. No, John Stamos can't dance and he sweats as much as Matthew Risch. They don't have very much chemistry either. The only time Gershon really finds herself is in "Spanish Rose." Stamos is completely overwhelmed; a true deer-in-the-headlights performance, and it looked like he was going to have a heart attack after "Put on a Happy Face."

Yet, out of the three above the title leads, Bill Irwin is the most miscast, with no discernible character, puzzling line readings and destructive delivery of the iconic number "Kids." Nolan Funk plays Conrad to the hilt and, rightfully so, has the audience eating out of the palm of his hand. Ditto the bad performance impossible Jayne Houdyshell, as Mae, who, I would say, is the production's best shot for a Tony win.

But the real find is Allie Trimm as Kim, practically perfect in every way, absolutely adorable. She's got IT, oozing charisma and soaking up the spotlight whenever she's on stage. Score 1 for Jim Carnahan.

Robert Longbottom's direction is far better with the children than it is the adults, but his choreography doesn't pass for anything even remotely passable (pedestrian, simple, repetitive, unoriginal, pick one). I thought the design was very good, set (simple, by Andrew Jackness), costumes (outstanding pastels, Gregg Barnes), lighting (Ken Billington, always reliable) and projections (Howard Werner). With the treadmill straight out of Susan Stroman's MUSIC MAN (designed by Thomas Lynch), the entire show felt like a fast-moving Disney "Carousel of Progress."

But I still loved it. A lot.
Updated On: 9/12/09 at 06:55 PM

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 7:15pm

This is fairly random, but I sort of felt the same way when I saw Movin' Out.

The thin plot was messy, the choreography was forgettable, the staging was horrendous, the set didn't make much sense, the dancers were mediocre...yet I enjoyed every minute of it.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 7:17pm

I agree with almost everything except i LOVE Bill Irwin.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 7:31pm

Thanks for a good take on the show.

2 points: I believe the Miller is a new theatre not a renovated one, only the front facade is left of the old theatre. Correct me if I'm wrong.

and Jim Carnahan, although he is the "casting director", he does not actually pick the actors, he just rounds 'em up. The final call is usually the director's.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 7:31pm

I know (re: both). I meant reconstructed. Thanks for the tip.
Updated On: 9/12/09 at 07:31 PM

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 9:28pm

Yayyyy! I'm not alone!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 1:51am

Well that sold me. Guess I'll try for a Hiptix this week. Any idea how it's selling? I would imagine well.

[amoni2]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 7:33am

How dare you enjoy something! Especially something that has officially been pronounced DOA here fifteen minutes after the first preview! You obviously can not be a theater lover! Shame on you! Webmaster, ban this poster immediately! This poster didn't even bother to re-cast the entire show in their review. How will the professionals ever learn anything? The noive!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 8:24am

I know. I should be shot, hanged and tarred and feathered.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 8:30am

I can't speak to ticket sales during the week, but weekends are pretty full.

I went to the box office about 3 weeks ago to buy 3 tix (could ONLY attend on a Saturday, -- but either show) and went through about 5 dates before finding one with the seats together.

I'm hoping for the best...but I'm not attending until mid-October...so there's lots of time for that.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 8:37am

When I was picking up my tickets, the box office attendant was telling people that the performance was sold out.

There were a pair of empty seats behind me (second row of the mezz), but that's where they had production people stationed for bits and pieces.

That said, first row mezz was an excellent view.

[April Saul]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 8:59am

Yankee, Color and Amoni--Nobody's begrudging anybody's right to enjoy this show! This might be the first or second time I've ever panned something on this board (can't remember if I posted about Impressionism!) but in my mind, it was that much of a disappointment. There's of course, no right or wrong in these things...but I have to say, that I found more to like about High Fidelity and Legally Blonde than this one.

But Yankee: seriously? you're gonna invoke Hairspray here?? are you sure you were sober?

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 10:24am

Hairspray's writing cannot even be compared to Birdie's writing. Birdie is an overall better written show (disagree if you want.) But I can see how this production of Birdie evokes the same bright colorful fun as Hairpsray did.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 10:51am

I'm not gonna say which I think is better written, but in terms of bubblegum, this picks up where HAIRSPRAY left off, and shows like 9 to 5 tried and failed to deliver.