Norbert Leo Butz is the most fantastic man alive!

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 2:57am

I just had to say it. I just got back from seeing the Dirty Rotten Scoundrels tour at the Pantages here in Los Angeles, and this is the first time I've seen him live in person. The man is amazing. Just utterly, utterly amazing.

I saw the show in NYC only a few weeks ago, with Timothy J. Alex as Freddy, and it was nothing compared to the all-star, stellar, phenomenal performance that Norbert gives. His ad-libbing and improv are amazing, and have clearly improved with time. He's just FANTASTIC. I honestly can't say enough. The man's my idol, and he's now just got my support even more.

A couple keys were lowered throughout some of his songs, but he really sold it during "Love is My Legs" tonight. Just astounding.

And yes, say, "We don't need another thread on this," but honestly, I don't care. This is the first time I've seen an idol... I'm going to make the most of it. :) (SirLiir, feel free to chime in on the love.)

Anyway, the rest of the show was good. Tom Hewitt is better than both Pryce and Lithgow, in my opinion, but Laura Marie Duncan is no Sherie. And I miss Greg. Still, amazing cast and show.

I love Norbert Leo Butz. Strictly, straightly, platonically, I love him.

(And by the way... his performance made me go back to my old avatar. Yes.)
Updated On: 8/26/06 at 02:57 AM

[Pinky]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 3:03am

I'm so glad you got to see him as Freddy!!!!! It's an AMAZING experience.

[iwearshoes]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 3:21am

I will be there tomorrow so glad to hear the good news!!

[DezBryner]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 3:47am

Have a great time!! You're gonna love it!!

[Aqualline2]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 4:13am

I think I just migh tbe turning green with envy... *checks* yup, there is definate green-age there

[Hairspraydoll]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 4:25am

I pretty much completely agree with you and felt the exact same way. I saw him in NY and he was good, but he is brilliant on the tour!

Same with the cast. Same exact sentiments!

[Dirty Rotten Scoundrel]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 9:31am

So glad that you got to see such an incredible performance! Glad to hear that he's still fantastic (if not, better)!

[SirLiir]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 11:54am

You didn't like Laura ; ; Nooooooooooooo...

Anyway, Glad you enjoyed the show and Norbert! It is great to see Norbert is still wowing them as Freddy. How he continues to make that role so endearing night after night is certainly a credit to his abilities.
Updated On: 8/26/06 at 11:54 AM

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 12:06pm

So, now I am even more pissed that we got an U/S wed night.

Alas.

The U/S did quite a good impression of Norbert doing Freddie though.

[JamesMacon]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 12:23pm

Glad you had fun. He rocks my world!

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 1:11pm

He is quite a performer- especially in this role. I had one of the best nights of my life when I saw the OBC on Broadway

[broadwayjavajunkie]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 1:36pm

"The U/S did quite a good impression of Norbert doing Freddie though."

That's good to know. With my luck, I'm going to get an understudy....after two years of Norbert love...*sigh*

I'm glad he's still so good!

[Alejandra925]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 1:41pm

God, I wish he was coming to my stop on the tour. I love these reviews though!

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 2:06pm

"You didn't like Laura ; ; Nooooooooooooo..."

I actually loved her voice, but as I said, she's no Sherie -- she just didn't have the same power in those high notes. Her reactions were also somewhat delayed at times, BUT she did fantastic in the scene where she reveals to Lawrence that she is, in fact, poor (bitch, please). I actually felt that she was a somewhat stronger actress than Sherie, but less of a singer. Still, she was great. :)

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 3:10pm

I'm glad Tom was good.

The understudy you saw ws Tim Gulan, right? He replaces Norbert by the time it gets to me, was he good?

[broadwayxminixidina]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 3:28pm

My father HATES gonig ot see movie / plays/ musicals and he absolutely ADORES Norbert, now. He is very excited to see Norbert again. Norbert's improv is amazing, and I love him very very much.

Glad you noticed his great improv! I made a comment at hte Pantages along the lines of "Norbert is amazing at improv. The way he spit the nougat in Tom's hand, and then slapped his butt. Genius." And at least ten people behind / in front of me asked what improv was. I nearly died.

Norbert and Tom got a standing O after "Dirty Rotten Number". Laura looked like she was having fun, and I enjoyed her, though you are correct. She is NO Sherie.

[defygravity2]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 3:31pm

Yep....go ahead and rub it in....I missed Norbert too last Wednesday. The u/s was good, so the rest of the tour will be in good hands. I liked Laura-she played the character more innocent and sweet than Sherie, and I loved her character change in the end...but I loved Sherie in this part. I wish Greg were touring.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 3:34pm

...and a hottie too.

[Janelle188]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 3:38pm

My biggest fear is that I'm going to get an understudy! :) ?I mean, normally, I don't care. I've seen understudies at many different shows and they're always very good, but I specifically bought my tickets because I want to see Norbert. I live in Northern California and am going to drive down to SoCal for the weekend just to see Norbert. I would have waited for the show to come to San Francisco just to see the show itself, but I wanted to see Norbert. So, I bought the tickets, booked the hotel and set aside the gas money. . . now I'm terrified of that little slip of paper falling out of my playbill. :) So, I was wondering, has anybody seen the Saturday evening performances? Does Norbert usually do those performances?

2 weeks! I can't wait!

Janelle

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 4:33pm

Err... I don't know what to say, exactly, Janelle, but tomorrow's matinee is the last show here in Los Angeles at the Pantages, and the last stop for Norbert, I believe. It's a limited run that ends tomorrow here.

EDIT: Unless you're going to Costa Mesa, in which case, I don't think Norbert's going to be there.

DOUBLE EDIT: Totally kidding. He's doing Costa Mesa, and now it sounds like I just wanted to ruin the fun. Haha, enjoy seeing him! Updated On: 8/26/06 at 04:33 PM

[WickedOne2]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 4:43pm

I had the pleasure of seeing DRS 2 weeks after it opened on broadway and have to say NLB had me laughing so hard my side hurt

[Janelle188]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 4:44pm

LOL. . . yeah, I'm going to Costa Mesa. Sept. 9, evening. . .my friend and I are leaving earlier that morning and driving down. We both adore Norbert. . . can't wait. I'm just so nervous about the u/s thing.

[defygravity2]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 11:14pm

I know exactly how you feel! I brought 5 friends up to LA with me, and we missed Norbert. I live 25 min from the OCPAC, and am dying to try to see him again. (I saw DRS in NY too.) My husband doesn't 'get it' and complains about how much I spend on theater tickets to see the same show more than once. I then inquire exactly how much his weekly golf games cost....this usually shuts him up!

I will stay away on Sept. 2-4th...just in case NLB decides to fly back to NY to see the show close. I wish you good luck on seeing Norbert on September 9th!

[sabrelady]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 11:20pm

HUrray for Norb! Glad he his taking his phenominal talent on the road so others can learn and spread the love.
Wonder if he would come back for the closing or if it all "done" for him anyways?

[Queenie Was A Blonde]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 11:23pm

I am glad you got to see him, You are very lucky. He is unbelieveably beyond amazing.