Nutty Professor at Ogunquit Playhouse

[mikey2573]

Posted: 7/14/22 at 10:41pm

I saw it on Sunday.  It still needs a lot of work.  The main character is overshadowed by the female lead which makes the show seem off-balance.  It's called "The Nutty Professor", not "The Nutty Professor's Girlfriend".  Her initial song is stronger than his and she sings it better.  His song needs a stronger ending.  She also appears to have more stage time than he does since much of his time is devoted to his transformed and obnoxious self. One of the big problems is that the main character seems cartoonish and not realistic, and his alter ego is boorish and unlikable. It's been a long time since I've seen either of the films, but I seem to recall the Eddie Murphy version being a bit more realistic in the way it portrayed the character which made him more sympathetic.  I kept thinking it would work better if we saw the character more as a loner with no self-confidence, who became over confident from the "potion".  I would have liked to see him at his home, all alone with his pet cat.  We never leave the university except to go to the nightclub. We need to feel bad for him in a more realistic way.  The dean of the university making fun of him in front of students, and having him being bullied by a football player as if he (the prof.) was just another student, really stretched credibility.  There was also a character who makes jokes throughout the show about his father dying soon so he could inherit his money; that was a bit awkward and not very funny.  The sub-plot about the secretary having a crush on the dean she works for was cute, but needed to be developed more to make it more than just running jokes about her constant puns and double entendres. The cast was very good and the choreography was nice, but the score was not very memorable and I found myself losing interest, especially in Act 2 .  Of course, this is just one person's opinion.

Updated On: 7/14/22 at 10:41 PM

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 8/1/22 at 8:09pm

Bwayplaybillnerd said: "I finally saw this production yesterday! I for one thought it was fantastic. Dan DeLuca and Elena Ricardo are spectacular and portray their characters very well. I got lost in the story and didn’t see them as Dan and Elena but instead as buddy/Julius and Stella (which rarely happens for me). The music was great and catchy and had a very classic musical theater vibe to it which we do not see much of these days. The dancing is out of this world. JoaAn hunter does an amazing job and the dancing serves as a cgaracter of its own (especially in the second song of Act 2, trouble). Klea Blackhurst was incredible as Miss Lemon and had me laughing the whole time and her song “step out of my shell” was the highlight of the show. Although I do agree with mikey2573 that I would like to see more if the professors lonley side to begin with so when he comes out as buddy love it is more impactful. The ensemble is also amazing and each one puts in all the effort and you can tell. I really hope this show goes to broadway and people see it because it is one not to be missed. Such classic broadway theater which broadway has not see in a long time."

Hmmmm, once again, a new member appears on the site and posts a rave review. We’ve never seen this type of thing before. 

Updated On: 8/1/22 at 08:09 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/1/22 at 8:54pm

Matt Rogers said: "Hmmmm, once again, a new member appears on the site and posts a rave review. We’ve never seen this type of thing before."

This show has been aiming for Broadway for years with zero buzz. Give them a break.

[Tom5]

Posted: 8/1/22 at 9:53pm

The actor playing Kemp looks too good looking in pre-transformation.  He needs to have buck teeth, bad hair, bad posture, wardrobe, basically a disheveled mess. There's no room for a transformation.

[InTheKnowEvenIfYouDontBelieve]

Posted: 8/1/22 at 9:53pm

There is no way.. EVER... in a ZILLION BILLION GAZILLION YEARS... that this show will ever come to Broadway.  If they are aiming for Broadway, they're coming to land at a high school in New Jersey.  Not happening ever.  The show is absolutely abysmal so extent that modern Broadway producers won't touch it and that's saying something because Pretty Women and Gettin' The Band Back Together were deemed "Broadway worthy."