I cannot believe I made such a dumb mistake, Mama. Must be that Steinert education
This is the first time I've been able sit down all day to recount the last night in the city.
The day started off fairly early since I wanted to be at Citifield early enough for batting practice. The day started out nice enough and I even grabbed my sunglasses on my way out the door. I saw Jackie Hoffman at Penn Station. She looked like she was in a hurry so I didn't say anything.
I was wearing my Astros jersey which scored me some good natured teasing once I got to the ballpark. But I can take it and I can dish it out
I did get to see Jason (yay) but he didn't play (boo). We got in five full innings before the rains came. And boy did they come. I felt like I should have been looking for an ark. They covered the field and I was watching the clock. My friend and I were supposed to meet someone else for dinner at 5 and I still had to get back to my room to get changed before going to see Birdie. So I did the unthinkable - I left a baseball game early. Luckily Jason never got into the game. I'd have been so disappointed had I missed him.
So after dinner at Stout I hurried back to my hotel. Now as for the actual show - spoilers within.
I went into this show with much trepidation due to the GMA videos and what other posters said. While I didn't think it was the greatest thing ever staged it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.
The kids really made the show. Their enthusiasm was so wonderful and they looked like they were having a blast.
While watching Gina Gershon I was reminded of a recent conversation on this board about how people can be weak singers and great actors. Her acting was great but her singing was just not right for this show. She tried her best to use inflection to cover up her vocal shortcomings. Her dancing was so nonexistent it was hard to judge her on it. She did a few twists and turns during Spanish Rose but not enough to say "she's a bad dancer". Though she did step on her shawl during the number and I was so sure she was going down. Thankfully she kept her balance and didn't fall.
I can't decide what I think of Bill Irwin. There were times when I was utterly charmed by him and others where I was totally annoyed. He was precious during One Last Kiss but I didn't care for his rendition of Kids.
Nolan Funk was just plain bad. I've stated before on this board that I don't like to say a person gave a poor performance. But there's just nothing else to say. He was bland and boring. I couldn't understand at all why these girls would be swooning over him. He had no charisma at all. His Honestly Sincere was totally stolen away by Jake Evan Schewencke (Randolph) and the other kids. He did better with One Last Kiss but fell flat on his face with Lot of Livin.
Allie Trimm was the cutest and I can't really find anything to pick on with her performance.
John Stamos wasn't bad. He doesn't give a Tony worthy performance but he didn't stink up the joint.
The Telephone Hour worked better on stage. I didn't care for the GMA video at all but I did enjoy seeing it live. I think one of the girls may have missed her cue because when all of the other kids were lined up and in their "freeze" at the end of the show there was a space and then all of sudden she popped into it.
As I said Nolan Funk totally gets Honestly Sincere stolen right out from under him. I didn't care for the GMA video on this one either but I loved seeing it on stage. Especially Randolph thrusting his hips as he imitates Birdie. He's so little in his blue suit and white fedora that it's hard not to just love him. The kids just made the number. They were so fun and energetic as they went wild for their idol while their parents tried to control them.
I was so excited to see the gold suit in One Last Kiss but it was really Irwin's hijinks that made that number work. Nolan was serviceable but the comedy that's going on around him outshines him.
Lot of Livin to do is usually one of my favorite numbers in the show but in this production it went on a bit too long. They added Gina into the number and the dance interlude from the film.
All in all there are things to like about the show and I found myself laughing many times. It's a fun two hours but it can be hard to overlook Gina's singing and Nolan's everything.
Everyone came out afterward except for Gina who seems to have a problem with a stalker. A guard at the door told some people that she'd been assaulted. I don't know how recent that is but I wouldn't come out after a show either if I were her. John signed and schmoozed but skipped me and when I pointed that out to him he said "Okay" and kept moving. It was a "uh" moment for me.
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
