Quick comments on the No, No, Nanette Dress Rehearsal

[jewishboy]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 11:14pm

I probably shouldn't have been surprised coming out of the theater what a wonderful evening I had considering the talent, the venue and the history of the show. But, I was not expecting the urge I had to tap dance down the steps, out the exit and the twenty blocks to my apartment! Those of you who will be seeing this show at Encores!, you won't be disappointed. And to those of you who are not, it truly deserves a full production on Broadway, so start praying. To basically sum up the production, there are roughly sixteen musical numbers (including three finales) and I would say that seven of those numbers are downright show-stoppers. I was surprised people didn't start yelling "Encore!"

There is no weak link in this cast and each dancer is highly skilled and a joy to watch. Mara Davi adds so much light-heartiness to the show and her energy about triples when she dances. Beth Leavel and Michael Berresse make a great pair and of course Sandy Duncan dances like she's a young girl (she actually looked like one from my seats in the rear mez.). Ms. Duncan actually slipped during one point in her last dance, “Take a Little One-Step,” and she just got back up, laughing, and continued to plow through! Rosie O'Donnell is simply perfect as the wisecracking maid and does wonders with a vacuum. It's always a joy to see Rob Fisher back where he belongs and we get the added treat of “dueling pianos,” which make for an Overture and Entr'acte for the ages!

Thank You Encores!! BRAVO!!

[CapnHook]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 11:16pm

I HATE THAT I DON'T LIVE IN NEW YORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 11:19pm

I can't wait to see it Saturday!

[osage08]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 11:22pm

I can't wait to see it Saturday! Glad you liked it jewishboy

[RyToast1]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 11:26pm

Also just home from the dress.

Hands down the greatest Encores show I've seen this season. So happy, so fun. It made for a very delightful evening.

I agree with everything jewishboy said, but I'd like to add that Beth Leavel singing "The Where-Has-My-Hubby-Gone Blues" was absolutely fabulous. The chances of this getting recorded are pretty much non-existance, and while a Broadway transfer isn't entirely out of question, don't count on it.

RUN AND GET TICKETS NOW!!! There are plenty of seats left for the Monday evening show. Well worth a full price ticket.

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 11:29pm

Totally agreed. I had a fantastic time tonight. Very impressed with everyone. Leavel, Davi, Duncan, Kimbrough, Berresse, Cody .... AND Rosie :)

If you're a fan of big dance numbers, this is your show.... okay, if you like musicals, this is a fun one.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 12:07am

Sounds great.
Is Beth Leavel in the Hellen Gallagher part or is that Sandy Duncan?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 12:10am

Sandy Duncan is in the Ruby Keeler part. Beth Leavel is in the Helen Gallagher part.

And Matthew Kilgore is in the chorus. Are you a fan of Matthew Kilgore?

[Just_John]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 12:14am

I was there as well and absolutely agree with everything said. The young boy sitting behind me was actually tapping in his seat, despite being bored out of his mind and letting everyone around him very aware of that. I had to tell him to please stop it about four times.

About the rumor that Beth Leavel is going to be in Billy Elliot, I asked her and it's not true. So whoever said that on this board SHAME ON YOU!!! She also said she was aware that it was said online somewhere because a few people had asked her about it.

Oh and Rosie is sensational!! I saw her in Fiddler and thought she was horrible, second to worst performance I ever saw on broadway next to Usher. But she totally redeems herself in this.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 12:18am

She redeems herself, because she should never have been playing Golde. She should only play Patsy kelly roles!

I met my wife in the National tour about 1 million years ago! Our wedding song was Tea For Two.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 12:22am

What a delicious, fantastic, bubbly night at the City Center. Randy Skinner and Walter Bobbie did AMAZING things up there- those were literal showstoppers, and I haven't felt that giddy about pure musical comedy magic since the 42nd Street revival. My favorite performers were Michael Berresse and Beth Leavel, but everyone was wonderful and exciting. Great dress rehearsal... the shows this weekend will be stellar.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 12:25am

I met my wife in the National tour about 1 million years ago

You were in the 1925 company?

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 12:41am

I may have been. It was a very long time ago.

[nycdncr]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 12:57am

To set things straight a bit. Sandy's heel got caught in her dress and actually ripped a huge hole in it. She's a trouper though, and bounced right back up. Gave us all a scare up onstage with her. She's a-ok though!

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 12:58am

Glad she's okay, nycdncr. It did look scary.

You were all wonderful!

[Just_John]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 1:03am

I couldn't tell if it was part of the choreography or not. It went so very smoothly with the chorus boy helping her up on cue. But then at the stagedoor she was doing that step that messed her up.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 1:16am

What did she say when it happened? "Silly dress!", or something like that?

[alterego]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 2:41am

JohnBoy2, are you going to see this presentation? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 7:36am

So sorry I won't be able to catch this. If they were doing a matinee on Sunday I'd consider coming in for the day but as it stands, no such luck.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 9:23am

I am SO excited to see this on Saturday! Thanks for reviewing.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 11:32am

I rarely say this publicly but let's hope one of the Raiders of the Lost Arts visits the show with a cell phone for all of us stuck here on the West Coast.

[alterego]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 8:22pm

I second that!

[Hiram]

Posted: 5/9/08 at 11:15am

I thought I couldn't get more excited about seeing this on Saturday afternoon until I read you're wonderful, postitve comments! This production sounds fabulous!

[kate2]

Posted: 5/9/08 at 11:25am

I'm taking my mom to see it on Sunday. Glad to hear these great things!

[lildogs]

Posted: 5/9/08 at 11:57am

I'm glad to hear the show is good, but surprised nobody's attacking for posting about a dress rehearsal...lol