Another voice of dissent here... I thought the show was pretty sophomoric. Its talented cast tries hard to spin gold out of its lackluster material to very intermittent success. But mostly they're just let down- especially Heidi Blickenstaff, a performer I adore. She's saddled with a role so thankless and dull, her considerable talent, charm, and eccentricities are wasted.
The show pursues every low-hanging fruit - the Bottom jokes, seriously?- and manages to smother even its more clever jokes.
I'm honestly puzzled by the buzz, particularly over "It's a Musical." Naming musical theatre conventions, doing them, and then having a reference to an iconic musical doesn't hide the repetitive and less-than-witty lyrics or bland music.
I thought the second act actually improved, finally giving the show some heart and slightly more earned humor.
The performers are all good- and the design is very handsome (the Elizabethan equivalent to the Delacorte, complete with castle in the background and lighting towers, was very clever), but all to what end?
The Producers, Spamalot, Drowsy Chaperone, Urinetown, and a slew of others have done this schtick and better (the show actually owes a considerable, considerable debt to The Producers and Spamalot). Meta theatricality in musical theatre needs to be put to bed unless you're producing a diamond of a show or doing something new with it. For me, this show fails on both counts. And even worse, I rarely found it particularly funny.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Updated On: 3/28/15 at 05:10 PM