Sell Me — Page 2

Updated On: 5/2/09 at 01:18 AM

I think you've missed the boat on Spring Awakening. The new cast is horrible. The show is absolutely horrific. It's a shame, as the the show was one of my favorites when the original cast was in it.

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Out of your three bubbles, I'd say Avenue Q. I haven't seen Damn Yankees though.

Alright so today I pretty much popped the bubble (for some reason I'm now singing in my head "He's gonna POP [Pop] the question..."...sorry) and having already seen Yong Frankenstein, A Chorus Line, and Rent, now saw two amazing shows. Tonight I saw Avenue Q, which I enjoyed a lot more than I expected. I had listened to some of the songs before (which I was actually glad about since it made those scenes all the more interesting) and generally knew what it was about, but expected so much less. Yeah it was funny and crude, but I also found myself caring about the characters. Or at least as much as you can since they are puppets. But I just loved the way the actors were able to convey their character through (a) the puppet movement, (b) their voices, and (c) their own bodies. It was like somehow seeing two or three people on stage in one body. I would switch in between watching the puppet and actor emote. All in all a very enjoyable show AND though I lost lotto (dang) the lady at the box office was nice and I mentioned Playbill.com so she looked up the code for me and gave me 110 tickets (CC106) for 56.50. So even better!

And as for my matinee, I first just want to thank you guys. I would never have heard of, or had interest in, this show had so many not posted great things about it. I am, of course, referring to [title of show]. What can I say that hasn't been said? Well, a lot actually since to avoid spoilers (yeah I'm like that) I didn't really read any specific posts ABOUT it (which is what I intend to do tomorrow). To say the least, I am definitely one of the Nine People they refer to (or at this point perhaps one of the 525,600 people hehe). And everyone was so very nice at the stage door. They said how animated and happy I looked the whole show (I was sitting ORCH A 106) and Susan (who is just so deadpan/sardonically funny) told me she saw me seeing her see me. Basically, during "Die, Vampire, Die" when she basically says if you censor yourself you'll end up with 4 paragraphs about kittens, she then looked RIGHT AT ME, and went on about it being something that you're mom would just LOVE or something like that and it was just so funny. It was just the most original show I've ever seen. I'm sorry if that comes across as ignorant since I will admit my theatrical experience is somewhat limited, but it was just so good. And the ITW references, oh my gosh they killed me. The first one

We've gotta send this into the play festival.
The festival?
The festival?!
The festival!
THE KING'S FESTIVAL!?!?

had me laughing for quite a while because it was just such a random gay moment. But then much later when they are saying things (sorry, it's been a long day and I don't really recall the context) Susan says in a very Gleason manner "Of course you were meant to have children" and that had me going for a WHILE. I just love little pop culture references like that, which is why I always loved television shows like Buffy back in the day. But to combine popular pop culture (yes I know that's redundant like ATM Machine) like Paris Hilton as Mame with somewhat obscure theatrical references ("Monkeys and Playbills" anyone?) is simply sublime.

So, yeah I'm a definite Tosser and am having a blast so far. Oooh anyone who has read this far want to make some restaurant suggestions? Mainly around the theatre district. I already ate at two New York staples, Olive Garden and Red Lobster, but just can't decide where else. Yeah, that was a joke btw. But I actually did read an article around the time of the Tonys on Lin-Manuel Miranda and he said his pre-performance tradition/something he loved to do was to go eat a bowl of Motzah Ball Soup at Edison Diner. So being a Jew and all, I had to try it out and have eaten there twice since. Soooo good. So yeah - any other suggestions?

LePetite, you seriously are amazing when it comes to immediate responses with helpful links. Seriously - thank you. And as for Avenue Q, I had purposefully only listened to about half the songs and since they are on my Zune and on random, I had no idea where they were. So I had heard some from Act I, the closing number of Act II, etc. but seeing it all just connected the dots and made it come alive.

And I'm certainly glad to be a TOSser. LoL I even got the shirt they sell that has Team Tos on the front and TOSSER 9 on the back. It's the only show I've seen so far where every moment I just had this huge grin on my face from the first line to the curtain call (especially with the curtain they have!). Since there is no intermission and the stage door is on the other side I had to buy my stuff and run like the wind to get to the door in time. Only then did I notice how soar my face was since I had been smiling the ENTIRE time. Really though, amazing show. Can sing nothing but praises for it. I'm trying to remember more of the drag queen names, but the only ones I can think of right now are Lady Footlocker and TwoLiter Pepsi (at least I THINK that was one...it's been a long day/night).

In fact on a related note, that's the only thing that I loathe about the show (kind of strange to say after the aforementioned praise-songs, but just try to follow me). I bought the CD and plan to play it for all my theatre friends when I get back to Vegas. But to me, though I love the songs and all, this show had one of the best books ever written (at least in terms of comedy). And since there's no way to buy the script I'm left trying to remember what I can. Though rather arbitrary, this is actually one of the main reasons I love Spring Awakening - you can buy the whole script, score, book, and all. And yes, I know there are thousands of others like this, but I just mean in terms of current musicals.

Oooh, and on the topic of [TOS] (hey I can hijack my own thread, right? and plus it's meant to be about whatever current show i'm seeing so i'm sure it will change tomorrow and certainly by tuesday when i see whoopi and cheyenne...mmmm...) Oh yes. [title of show]. Dumb question, but are those really the voices of those people on the answering machine? Because some don't really sound like them, but Kerry and Patti's really do. So yeah, just wondering.

Updated On: 7/28/08 at 03:03 AM

MY FINAL DAY OF SHOWS:

So the last 24 hours or so have kind of made me sick to my stomach with glee. Yesterday I did this Movie/TV tour because I (for shame) am in love with Blair Waldorf (if you don't know who that is, you can't make fun of me) and numerous other Movie/TV things so we saw a lot of the NYC places where they have filmed stuff. So that was the start of yesterday. I promise it's the only non-theatre stuff.

Then last night I saw Whoopi's first performance in Xanadu, my first time, and Cheyenne's first day back. I've already made a post on it, so I will just leave it with: I was so impressed and pretty much fell in like with the show. Then at the stage door it was chaos and everyone treated Whoopi like THEY were paparazzi, but afterwards the whole cast took individual photos/signed so that was nice. I straight-up told Cheyenne he was THE reason I came to NY (or at least timed my trip to coincide with his return to Xanadu).

The next day in the afternoon I re-saw Xanadu (already had bought the onstage seating but wanted to see it with Whoopi and from audience the night before, so did). Very much an onstage show. Not only did I get to see S U C H a nice view of Cheyenne (both up close and personal when he'd come up and when he's doing the mural...mmm mmm mmm), but overall just such a fun show to be an actual PART of. Had I not seen Whoopi the night before, I'm sure I would have enjoyed Whoopi's understudy (Annie Golden) a lot more than I did, since she was much more well-versed in the ways of the 'du than Whoopi (and I'm sure had I been spoiled with Hoffman and Testa I would have disliked it even more - no offense) but in all actuality she was really funny. Had great chemistry with Andre, who was MUCH better already than he was last night, though I will admit I missed the Whoopi/Andre chemistry. May sound a bit racist, but having the two black muses be a mini-team is just funnier.

Oh, and Whoopi's reaction to the Siren's names (see this is why people think black people can't name their kids normal names or something like that) was a LOT better than Annie Golden's (what? a susan or a rachel would have killed you?!). All in all, a great show that I fully fell in love with after a second time. I was worried twice in a row would kill it for me, but it did just the opposite.

Then today I got up way early and student rushed the Gypsy Box Office. Got front and center tickets. I will say this: people on here are extremely right, but also just plain wrong in some ways. Yes, the view is difficult to say the least, as well as limited. But all I really missed (I saw it in May, so I remembered) was the entire first scene with Benanti waking people up (saw her but they were all on the floor) and only got to see Patti's Isotoners when I stood up. Oh no. But what I got out of it? I was [[this]] close to her. To all of them. During every song and every word, it was like they were all there only for me (narcissist much?!) and it was by far the best theatrical experience I have ever had. I thought I had seen Rose's Turn before when I saw it in May. But to see it up close and just see her fall apart - superb. The moment she was done I lead (it would have happened anyway, but I just was too excited to wait) the standing ovation and just jumped out of my seat. And she was right in front of me so it was like clapping and cheering for someone RIGHT THERE. Kind of fanboyish of me (shut up, I don't live here) but I was literally shaking. It was just all too much.

And I didn't even realize how phenomenal Benanti and Gaines were. I had watched them from the Mezz. before and heard them, so knew they deserved their awards, but seeing them up close...holy ****! Gaines' exit at the Burlesque place literally had me jump out of my seat when he slammed his fist down. For the first time ever, I actually cared about "Little Lamb". I've always thought it the only weak song in Gypsy, but seeing it up close and watching Benanti slowly go from watery eyes to full-on crying over something so small as a birthday (but obviously so big and usual for her character) had me in tears. Even though it has been said countless times before, I still feel the need: her transofmration is up there with Eliza Doolitle (I mainly have Audrey Hepburn in mind, but picture whoever else you want in the role if it helps) in terms of a complete 180. I had assumed it was just my bad seats from before that caused me to buy the change, but even up close I still totally believed. I think this is because Benanti does not limit her transformation to a single element. While Eliza’s chief change was her accent, there really is no one main difference for Louise. It is in absolutely everything – her voice, her mannerisms, her looks, her tone, her volume, her confidence. Had someone told me that they were two different (but similar) actresses I don’t think I would have doubted it. While LuPone is of course the star of the show, she starts at a 10 and reminds there the entire time. This is correct for both the character and someone like Patti. But to me, it requires so much more to convincingly BEGIN by taking it down a notch and then emerge as this beautiful, brave butterfly. Especially since (unlike almost every other ‘change-that-girl’ type of play/movie/musical) there is no single scene where she does this change. While I do get choked up right before she goes on stage to strip when she looks in the mirror and finally realizes she is pretty, it really is a slow evolution that begins the moment Laura Benanti steps on the stage, includes shades of lambs, Tulsa-dances, disappointments, sewing, singing, and stripping, and does not end until she leaves, leaving behind only a mink for her mother to wear.

And the whole time...I'm the type of person who is so excited I have a grin on my face the whole performance. Like...from ear to ear. So in the past week a lot of the performers have said they saw me on stage and knew where I sat and thanked me for being so energetic (this is probably not something to be happy about; it's the actor who is meant to stand out, not the audience member, but I'm just genuinely so happy to be there). So for Gypsy since I was so close I alternated between huge grin, crying uncontrollably, and having my mouth wide open (either out of amazement at notes like in "If Mama Was Married" and "Everything's Coming Up Roses" or in utter disgust at Madame Rose at times like when she tells the guy Louise will strip). And I guess it paid off because (going to switch to the character names because I want to stay consistent for this sentence and am too tired to get my playbill out. Plus would you want to go back and look up who I am talking about? Thought not!) Herby, Electra, Young Louise, and Agnes/Amanda all said that they saw me in the front row and I looked like I was having the time of my life. Plus one of the girls in the Garden of Eden sketch handed me (ME!!!!!) an apple (keeping it for life). And then at curtain I was standing obviously and just making a huge hoopla for everyone, esp. the main 3 and just screamed "THANK YOU SO MUCH!" when they came up close for their bow. And Laura Benanti actually looked right at me, smiled, and winked.

Afterwards I stage doored and although Benanti didn't come out (kind of sad over it, but after just getting to see her for an entire show, I feel like I still owe HER somehow) but besides the aforementioned people, I waited. And I waited. And actually got to meet Patti LuPone. She signed my playbill, I got a photo of her, and even got to compliment her on her work (I think it went something like "You're just so....(it's all blurry from there, though I know I used the word goddess eventually)".

I apologize if a lot of that was too happy or long-winded. I'm just...I'm dying here. This is my last show of the trip and it still has me in tears I'm so happy I got to see it. Funny thing is out of the nine shows I saw, the only two I had seen before were Spring Awakening and this. And just because of the seat difference (though I will admit, it was at first a bit of a bitch) it will forever be my favorite.

So thank you all for your suggestions, kind words, and thank you to the shows for giving me so much. Anyone who actually reads this and replies will make me even happier.