Short WHOOPI Review - 11/6/04

[Matt_G]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 10:56am

I was lucky enough to get a seat front row center for the 10pm show of WHOOPI last night. (Those are only $25 and available to everyone) A ton of the old characters are there, but the show wasn't at all what I expected. I was told it would be pretty much a restaging of her old HBO special and it definately was not. The show begins with a discussion about, what else, Dubya. Funny, scary and all around thought provoking she poses some interesting questions about where this country is headed in the next four years being led by a man who "Waved hello to Stevie Wonder"
This is a comedy show so I won't give away anything else about it because that would just take away from the humor when you see it but I will say it's the best $25 I've spent in a long time. I had a great evening and to have Whoopi look down at me and start a little conversation during one of her bits was the highlight of my year.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 12:06pm

I love this woman and would love to see her show.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 12:08pm

i SO want to see this. I LOVE Whoopi.

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 12:25pm

Wait--how did you get those tix? Are they only at the theater?

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 1:49pm

Matt, could you give the details on the rush? Thanks!

[CJR]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 2:47pm

It's not really a rush. The first three rows of the orchestra are $25, availble for regular purchase and to everyone.

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 3:36pm

hmm. It sounds kinda like a rush. Do you have to go to the box office day of the show?

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 6:42pm

I hope her show does better than Billy Crystal's. There's only so much Billy I can take.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 7:00pm

are the $25 tix available online?

[Auggie27]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 7:36pm

I'm probably in the minority, but I couldn't be happier that she opens with a frontal assault on W. I think after the beating she took for the Kerry fundraise, she should. She's always been political, with a small p and a big one, and this is no time for her to hold her tongue.

Matt: Do you think or did you sense that the W material is a permanent part of the show, or just part of her opening weekend, the culmination of election week?

Still,I hope she does the old guy who goes to Anne Frank's house and "takes his scarf off to Shelly" (Winters), and my personal favorite, the Old Raisin. Does she? I'm going next weekend. Any more you can share, Matt?

[Matt_G]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 6:14pm

Well, she doesn't do the Old Raisin. People were yelling out for her to do it, though. She does talk about Anne Frank's house, but it's in a completely different context and because of that, I'm sure the Bush material is there to stay.

[Tiny-Toon]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 6:18pm

I got comp. tickets for this Thursday.. i'll post my review here..

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 6:22pm

I really want to see this show.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 6:26pm

Robin Williams did the "Dubya waving at Stevie Wonder" joke during his Broadway stint.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 6:28pm

I LOVE robin Williams' show. I am DYING to have Whoopi's show preserved.

[ken8631]

Posted: 11/12/04 at 8:04am

Saw Whoopi last night from the fourth row (not $25 tickets, but $50 tickets available online day of show). She was great, and yes the GW stuff is all in there. Show started at 8, ended at about 9:50, so went a little longer than usual I guess. She had some latecomers, and definitely interacted with them.....

Thinking of seeing Billy Crystal, but don't see any discount tics available for him yet as they are for Whoopi. She was DEFINITELY worth seeing!

[Auggie27]

Posted: 11/12/04 at 8:35am

I'm going Saturday. Is it intermissionless, and still has the Q&A at the end?

[ken8631]

Posted: 11/12/04 at 8:53am

No intermission, and no q&a at the end.... Was there one previously?

[Auggie27]

Posted: 11/12/04 at 8:59am

Not originally, but I think I read it in the lobby! I think a monologue on W is probably sharper, and a better use of her time. Bring it on!

[ken8631]

Posted: 11/12/04 at 9:10am

Also, front row is probably too close.... You would be looking upwards a lot (did that for "I Am My Own Wife". Fourth row was great.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 11/13/04 at 11:06pm

I saw the 7 p.m. show tonight, and other than missing the Old Raisin, I was in no way let down. She isn't the young upstart anymore; she's a seasoned star. So we lose that sense of a brilliant young artist, unknown, changing from one voice to another. Now we know Whoopi as Whoopi, so the chameleon aspect isn't so fascinating. We've come to love so many little Whoopie tics and traits that were brand spanking new. But it's like a reunion, meeting an old friend(s).

And the Bush stuff landed powerfully. Only a handful of people (several around me in the mezz) resisted it in the beginning, applauding only at the mention of 9/11 (why do right winger always act as if they OWN that tragic day--as though only they fully appreciate its weight? Always in black/white terms?) She has wisely used the Fontaine character as a political mouthpiece--the best canvas in her gallery to voice bewilderment. And when he talks about being an American -- with all the sundry freedoms that title provides -- walking around Amsterdam 20 years ago, in the context of threatened losses today ... the show attains true persuasive immediacy.

[Amneris]

Posted: 11/16/04 at 10:47pm

my friend invited me as their date for the opening . I am very excited to see the show. I adore her as a performer. My favorite shows are one person shows because they work so hard to hold your attention for so long by themselves.

Thank you for the review. Updated On: 11/16/04 at 10:47 PM