Side Show and Honeymoon in Vegas Restore my Faith in Broadway Musicals

[goldenboy]

Posted: 12/6/14 at 6:25pm

I love(d) Broadway Musicals. That is until 1980 when the Phantoms, , The Rents (90's), Into the Heights and especially If Then bored me to tears. What did they do to my first love? The Broadway Musical.

After last years lackluster Bridges, Big Fish, and a few others, I got to a point that I didn't want to go to the theatre.

But this week. This glorious week,I caught Side Show and Honeymoon in Vegas. My faith is restored in the Broadway Musical.

Side Show. I saw it in 1997 and loathed it. My friend pushed me to see this new version and knowing how good Bill Condon is, and hearing good things about the show, I reluncantly relented.

What a surprise! While they totally missed the opportunity the first time, it is reinvented into a completely cohesive different show fleshing out the real freaks; told much clearer, and this time I really cared about the Hilton Sisters and every freak on that stage.

The changes to the characters of Buddy and Terry make all the difference in the world. Even the curtain call when the freaks are unmasked drive home that there is a living feeling person underneath the exterior facade of the freak, the gay guy, the black guy even the judgmental white guy.

What an amazing night of theatre. Go see this wonderful musical.
And don't be put off by that first misguided production.

As for Honeymoon in Vegas. What a load of fun!

And its not just fluff. It's about the fear of commitment, the fear of moving forward and being haunted by your past.

It was similar to the musicals I used to fall in love with; The How to Succeed in Businesses, Guys and Dolls, Promises Promises.

There are people on here who pick on Tony Danza because he is not the best singer but either was Rex Harrison or Lauren Bacall or Carol Channing or even Gwen Verdon. They are personalities with endearing qualities.

This is a sixties style fun musical with great costumes, great sets, hummable music and puts a smile on your face.

Thank you Musical Theatre Gods for both of these wonderful shows. I knew musical comedy lived. I just wasn't so sure.

Updated On: 12/6/14 at 06:25 PM

[haterobics]

Posted: 12/6/14 at 6:26pm

You lost me at "lackluster Bridges"...

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 12/6/14 at 6:45pm

Thank you goldenboy.
I'll make sure to stop by those two shows (as well as On The Town) in a couple of weeks.

I have to agree that while Bridges had beautiful music, it dragged a bit. I hope it gets a great revival someday that could possibly tweak a few things.

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 12/6/14 at 6:55pm

You had me a "lackluster Bridges"

[tazber]

Posted: 12/6/14 at 7:20pm

So glad your faith has been renewed!

A good show will do that.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 12/6/14 at 7:25pm

Both shows are doing poorly at the box office so hopefully grosses are better than last week as they should be doing better and hopefully will find an audience by word of mouth. Most importantly is that the tourists are targeted to want to see both.

[brucebossa]

Posted: 12/6/14 at 7:54pm

I was at the SIDE SHOW matinee today and the Orchestra looked sold out - and the Mezz was almost full! Maybe the word of mouth and advertising is working... at least on the weekends!

[NewBe]

Posted: 12/6/14 at 8:20pm

Congrats to your partner Bill Russell Bruce

[brucebossa]

Posted: 12/6/14 at 8:44pm

I think someone who is anonymous is saying I should give disclosure about posting about the number of people at SIDE SHOW TODAY. So here is what I said in another thread...

Hi - well, I don't think I was giving opinions - I was stating capacity today and Sutton's appearance - for those of you who DO NOT KNOW, I am on the ATC Board as bruceb and am widely known to be married to Bill Russell... I do not "shill" or argue with anyone's opinions. Today I stated 2 facts I saw at the show because I was there.

So that is who I am - my full name in BRUCE BOSSARD and I do not post under anonymous monikers. Anyone else want to give out your names?

Is that OK with everyone or should I not add "facts" to the SIDE SHOW listing? It's not like I have ever said BUY TICKETS - or THIS IS THE BEST SHOW EVER. I also have never argued with anyone who does not like SIDE SHOW.

Or should I not post? Your call.

[jv92]

Posted: 12/6/14 at 8:49pm

I take umbrage with Gwen Verdon not being called a good singer. She sang the best version of Rodgers and Hart's "Why Can't I?" I've ever heard-- even better than Judy's! But that's a silly point.

I am glad your faith is restored. I thought SIDE SHOW was wonderful, and look forward to HONEYMOON IN VEGAS in the coming weeks.

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/6/14 at 8:55pm

I loved RENT and if/then because of the contemporary scores. Will always love Phantom. I think you meant IN THE HEIGHTS, which I enjoyed but have no need to see again. For me, RENT was a masterpiece. That is just my opinion.

Saw Side Show and nearly fell asleep 3/4 of the way through act 1. Act 2 was much better. Seeing ...Vegas on Tuesday. Like most of the music I heard so looking forward to it.

[jv92]

Posted: 12/6/14 at 8:57pm

I thought Act I of SIDE SHOW was almost faultless in its storytelling. Diff'rent strokes for dif'rent folks.

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 12/6/14 at 9:05pm

I think that Rent is a flawed gem. I think that, that is mainly because we lost the composer too soon. There are many clunky lyrics that seem awkward that I'm sure Larson would've have changed at some point.
Rent is a show that will, sadly, never be able to develop past where it is now. It still is a beautiful show and the greatest rock opera we will ever have.

I'd rather forget If/then and I seem to have completely forgotten In The Heights. Phantom is a joy to watch, but is far from being perfect by any means. The biggest disappointment for me was Wicked. I wanted to like it, but I will never care very much for its score.

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/6/14 at 10:09pm

jv, it wasn't the storytelling for me, it was the music. The storytelling throughout was fine. The opening number did blow me away though.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 12/7/14 at 3:58pm

Well, we shall see what the grosses say tomorrow-Monday as these next weeks are crucial so let's see if the tourists embrace these shows if not they unfortunately may be gone by the end of Jan. but hopefully not!

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 12/7/14 at 4:28pm

I am sitting at H in Vegas right now. Excited to see a new show with an overture. House is packed. Audience seems to connect with the show. I am finding some good moments and other spots that need work but it is only previews. Having fun though. Waiting for act 2.