NYC Trip with 6 Reviews - Marriage of Bette & Boo, Boeing-Boeing, A Catered

[jennamajig]

Posted: 7/27/08 at 11:09am

Hi all. I just got back from my semi-annual trip to NYC (from Boston) and wanted to share some thoughts from the 6 shows I saw while there.

Wed mat. July 23
The Marriage of Bette and Boo

Both my friend (that went with me) and I are big Durang fans, so this was on our list to see. In fact, it was the only show we got advanced tickets too (thanks Hiptix!). And it didn't disappoint. Durang is an out-there comic playright, with his earlier stuff a bit more wacky and the show was reflective of it. I don't want to give away too many details of the plot. Some of the audience seemed to love it, some seemed confused as they took the show literally. If you do that, you will never enjoy a Durang show. Also loved the usher at this show - she took four of us from the HipTix row and led us up the empty second row just before the show started. She warned us we may need to move, but probably not - we didn't need to and it was very nice.

Wed Eve, July 23
Boeing-Boeing

I loved this play! I knew next to nothing about it, but after losing ITH lotto, we ended up buying center balcony seats (great view, as the theater is small) and I enjoyed every second of the show. Performances were wonderful - Mark Rylance was my favorite as he made me laugh every time he was on stage. And not knowing anything but the basic tagline of the plot I think contributed a lot to my enjoyment as it made the plot twists more unexpected. Recommend it, definitely.

Thurs Mat, June 24
A Catered Affair

I wanted to see before it closed, so my friend and I went to the box office and got advanced student rush, which put us in the front row, stage left. Very nice seating to see expression, which helped me truly get the overall charm of this show. I found it surprisingly moving - so much that at one point I almost teared up a little. A wonderful little delight of a show. However, I must admit, I didn't find any of the music memorable outside the show, which gave it a slightly play with music instead of full-out musical feel. But that fact didn't lessen the charm of the show. Faith Prince and Leslie Kritzer were both excellent, with Harvey providing the moments of light comedy to back up the tension. Tom Wopat was out; Mark Zimmerman went on for him and was great in my view. I'm glad I saw this before it closes today.

Thurs Eve, July 24
Gypsy

Okay, I loved every single thing about this production. Patti goes without saying (though the Isotoner line at the beginning of the performance stopped the audience's hearts for a moment), but she was only a part of what I loved. The show is perfectly cast. I did rush and ended up in the front row, stage right (1st two seats on the aisle) so not only did I get Patti passing right by me when she entered, but I also got the privilege to see Laura Benanti perform "Little Lamb" feet from me. And, damn, was it moving! Her take on it was so sad (could see her tearing up) and it made me feel so much for Louise. I also really liked all the acting choices by Leigh Ann Larkin. Her Dainty June was so deliciously bitter! Her delivery when asked how old she was was so perfect that I laughed out loud. A darker take on June, but I really liked it and it made me truly understand why June ran away.

Wonderful performances aside, one thing almost ruined the show for me and it had nothing to do what was on stage. There was two girls sitting to the right of my friend and me. One of them had their cell phone out (hiding it under her playbill) and was texting during the performance. The other had a water bottle that she started crunching when she finished it. Then during Rose's finale, the cell rang. Loudly. And three times before she silenced it, which was too long considering it was on her lap. Based on the threads here, I'm surprised Patti didn't leap off the stage and beat the gal because I certainly wanted to.

Fri Eve, July 25
The Little Mermaid

Having heard mixed things about rushing this show, I first tried on Thurs, getting there before the box office opened. It opened and I was told they were selling no student tickets and that I could buy an $86 ticket. Well, that wasn't happening, so thinking I would be turned away on Friday, I stopped by the box office around 12:30 on Friday on the way to lunch. The guy said sure to student tickets, but they wouldn't be together. We said fine, paid for the tickets and looked at them only find they were together in the last row of the orch. Go figure.

Anyhow, I am so glad I never even considered spending $86 on this show. In fact, I'm not sure it was even worth my $30. There were 4 understudies on (not that that affected my opinion of the show): Betsy Morgan for Ariel, Alan Mingo, Jr for Sebastian, Prince Waldman or Grimsby, and JC Montgomery for Pilot. The show was not the worst thing I saw - that is reserved for Whistle Down the Wind's tour in Boston - but far from the best. A few scenes showed me what the show could have been, but wasn't. The plot changes were horrible! There was next to no conflict in the second act and singing contest - gah! So frustrating because this could have been better - so much better. The Little Mermaid show at Disney is worlds above this! I kept thinking they kicked out the wonderfully done Beauty and the Beast for this. I need to watch the movie again to restore my faith in the source material. Sherie was very good, it should be said, but this show is a waste of her talent (and Norm Lewis' as well).

Sat Mat, July 26
[title of show]

I really loved this show! We did lotto (everyone won!) and not only was the show truly funny, it was wonderful to see just how much each one of those four actors loved being up there. Every smile was genuine and when the audience gave them a standing ovation at the end, they looked so very touched! And a note on standing ovations - I actually tend to think they are overdone an have started to mean nothing (when people stand up and clap at the Little Mermaid, I know they are truly overdone). However, I stood up because they deserved it. A really well-spent 90 minutes that I would see again and would recommend to all.

Wow, that was longer that I thought! Sorry for the rambling :).

Updated On: 7/28/08 at 11:09 AM

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 7/27/08 at 3:29pm

Thanks for your reviews! Glad you had a nice trip.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 7/27/08 at 3:33pm

Updated On: 5/2/09 at 03:33 PM

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/27/08 at 4:31pm

I got excited by your headline... I thought Little Me was playing somewhere. What a letdown.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 7/27/08 at 4:37pm

Wow. I'm surprised Patti didn't react to the cell phone in some way as well.
The first time I saw it, I was front row stage left, and a man sitting center seat first row had his cell phone go off. Patti gave him such a stink-eye I too thought she would reach down and grab it or something. I wish she would have.

I really want to see Boein-Boeing. So many people I know have raved about it.

[jennamajig]

Posted: 7/27/08 at 5:28pm

Whoops, Smaxie! Though I wish I had seen Little Me instead of the Little Mermaid.

And TheaterBaby, Patti was towards the back of the stage when it went off, but I do believe she looked up and in the direction of it. If she were closer, there may have been more of a dirty look of death.
Updated On: 7/27/08 at 05:28 PM

[it'sjustshowbiz]

Posted: 7/27/08 at 9:45pm

Those Little Mermaid box office people are ridiculous and rude. I don't know if it is poor communication or just bitter employees or what, but their rush/standing room is so disorganized. I'm surprised Disney doesn't do something about it. It harm their image.