Riedel article on Martin Short "Blame Canada"

[jimnysf]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 2:56am

I love this part,
"The vicious reviews came as a shock, certainly. But Wittman, who's also directing the show, and Shaiman, who wrote many of the songs for "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut," haven't lost their sense of humor. "I blame it all on Marc," says Wittman. "He wrote 'Blame Canada.' This was their revenge."

http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/coming_up_short_entertainment_michael_riedel.htm

COMING UP SHORT
By MICHAEL RIEDEL

June 21, 2006 -- WHEN Martin Short workshopped his Broad way-bound revue "Fame Becomes Me" last spring in front of an audience of theater insiders, the laughter echoed through Times Square for days.

"One of the funniest things I've ever seen," says a producer, who still laughs at the show's wicked sendups of such Broadway legends as Tommy Tune and Bob Fosse.

"Fame Becomes Me," which is being put together by "Hairspray" songwriters Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, debuted in San Francisco in May to encouraging reviews.

"A high-energy, generally pleasant, at times hilarious and attractively packaged production," the San Francisco Chronicle said.

Variety said it was "75 percent Broadway ready."

But last week in Toronto, the show got hammered.

Typical of the critical response was this, from Kamal Al-

Solaylee of the Globe and Mail: "Martin Short and everyone involved better cancel all social engagements . . . and start working like fiends on salvaging the mess that bears their names."

The vicious reviews came as a shock, certainly. But Wittman, who's also directing the show, and Shaiman, who wrote many of the songs for "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut," haven't lost their sense of humor.

"I blame it all on Marc," says Wittman. "He wrote 'Blame Canada.' This was their revenge."

All joking aside, the songwriters acknowledge they still have work to do on "Fame Becomes Me," which travels to Chicago before opening on Broadway on Aug. 17 (a week later than first scheduled).

"It's an odd show," says Wittman. "It's a hybrid of things - a musical, a revue, a burlesque, a one-man show. By its very nature, it's changing all the time. We add new lines and new lyrics every night."

Production sources say that, right now, the show is too hit-and-miss.

"There are a lot of good jokes and funny bits," says a person involved in the show, "but there's also a lot of stuff that isn't funny. It undermines the good stuff."

"Fame Becomes Me" sends up all those maudlin, sentimental and confessional one-person shows that have popped up on Broadway in recent years.

Short's had a charmed life, which he happily acknowledges at the start of the show.

"Keep in mind, I've made money and I've been left money. So it's a nice combo."

He then goes on to "make up" terrible things that happened in his life.

It's a cute idea, but one source grumbles that it's overextended.

"The audience wants a little less story and more songs," the source says.

Wittman and Shaiman are getting help on the show from their prominent showbiz friends.

Tony Award-winning director Kathleen Marshall ("Pajama Game") has signed on as a creative consultant, while Alan Zweibel, the former head writer of "Saturday Night Live" and co-author of Billy Crystal's "700 Sundays," is doctoring the script.

"Hairspray" director Jack O'Brien will also be lending a hand.

"You want as many eyes as you can get looking at the show," says Wittman, adding that he'll take advice and ideas from anyone.

"If the usherette has a funny joke, I'll put it in."

[rjmcbean]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 3:21am

Marty Short is Canadian too, isn't he?? It's a shame it didn't go over there... However, I have NO fear that it will translate better here and he will once again be a HUGE success on Broadway!

I will be there to support him either way!

[kidmanboy]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 6:38am

Kathleen Marshall as a consult? She's still yet to prove herself to me in any way.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 6:44am

Tony Award-winning director Kathleen Marshall

She's a Tony Award-winning choreographer, a Tony Award-nominated director.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 12:22pm

The Star has not yet reviewed FAME BECOMES ME.

I am not surprised Kamal Al-Solaylee of the Globe and Mail was negative. He gets serious drama but does not understand musicals or comedies.

In the Tabloid The Sun John Colbourne gave it * * * 1/2 out of 5.

I haven't seen what The National post wrote, but given the type of show this is, it will probably please audiences who are just looking for something silly and fun.

It is hardly a disaster!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 12:38pm

Well, technically, Foster, Kathleen Marshall is both a director AND choreographer - though she has only won for her choreography.

She could still technically be called a Tony Award winner. A Tony Award winning woman. A Tony Award winning choreographer. A Tony Award winning creative consultant. A Tony Award winning director.

Nina Vardalos was nominated for an Oscar for her screenplay, yet she's still an Oscar Nominated actress. She wasn't nominated for acting - but that's not ONLY what that statement means. Is is a woman, who happens to act, that was nominated for an Oscar.

Sorry for the unnecessary rant, but I think it makes perfect sense.


And...kidmanboy...she's yet to prove herself to you?

Have you seen her sparkling and perfect direction of WONDERFUL TOWN and THE PAJAMA GAME? Please.

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 12:50pm

Yea, Ben Afleck is an Oscar winning actor.

"She's still yet to prove herself to me"

I've heard she's lost a lot of sleep over this. She tried really hard with the Pajama Game... she cast Kelli O'Hara because she knows how much you like her... she was horribly devastated when she heard you didn't like it. I've heard she's considering suicide. Right after she's through polishing her Tonys (note the plural).

kmc

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 1:12pm

KJ, your posts always seem so bi-polar and ferocious...then you almost always apologize for your vague nastiness later. I don't understand you.

[justme2]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 1:26pm

It may be hardly a disaster, but I read on this board constantly that people are tired of these "just a lot of fun" types of shows. They post they want more originality and thought provoking theater.

Yet...a show containing a song about "Big Big Titties" and has waaaaaaaaay to many "gays are so funny" types of jokes is coming to Broadway and people are looking forward to it?

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 3:36pm

"KJ, your posts always seem so bi-polar and ferocious...then you almost always apologize for your vague nastiness later. I don't understand you."

I only apologize to the people I like... but overall an accurate assessment.


kmc

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/27/06 at 12:50am

Is there any way to read his past columns? I find some of things he says interesting. Can someone PM me with a link or something? Thanks.

[WeddedBliss22]

Posted: 7/27/06 at 2:06pm

I liked FAME BECOMES ME, it wasn't anything incredible, but the jokes landed well and the songs were very funny. Martin Short has a nice voice too, the one I loved best was Mary Birdsong, she had me gagging! Marc Shaiman was cute to, he's like a teletubbie when he dances!

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 7/27/06 at 2:15pm

as far as Marshall goes, for me there was a marked improvement in her directing choices from WONDERFUL TOWN (that seemed just "okay" in terms of direction) to PAJAMA GAME (which seemed much better). Her dance direction has always been terrific. She'd make a valuable consultant, though I do agree the crediting is misleading.

I'm one of the few who saw Short in GOODBYE GIRL (though I was there for Bernadette, he really impressed me in weak material). I wish I could have seen his LITTLE ME in NYC. I'm really looking forward to this.