THE BLONDE IN THE THUNDERBIRD Review

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 7/23/05 at 6:55pm

Suzanne Somers’ THE BLONDE IN THE THUNDERBIRD Review

After 21 years of entertaining television audiences, five New York Times bestsellers, and a life more tragic than anyone could imagine; Suzanne Somers comes to Broadway’s Brooks Atkinson theatre, where her life just got a bit bumpier.

The American public remembers her from her television days as the zany one in “Three’s Company,” or the pretty one from the “The Tonight Show,” or even as the maternal one on “Step by Step.” However the title of her one person show, “The Blonde in the Thunderbird” is based on a small bit part she had in the 1973 cult classic “American Graffiti.” If only Somers Broadway bow could have been half as delicious as the aforementioned material, the possibility of broken hearts and wounded egos would not even be in question.

Somers is indeed a class act, and at 58 years old looks better than most Hollywood blondes could ever dream at her age. Her acting ability is not the problem; as it is obvious she can still “come and knock on our door” and folks will still indeed be waiting for her. Unfortunately it is also painfully obvious that Broadway is not exactly where this beauty belongs. Her gut-wrenching and at times painful tale of woe intermixed with pop standards and Broadway show tunes never quite came together. The segment that included her fathers alcoholism, random beatings, and near death experience intermixed with a perky “Take Back Your Mink” from “Guys and Dolls” was particularly jarring.

Writing, Composing, and Directing team of Mitzie and Ken Welch staged the show if it were another in their long career of TV specials. Someone should have sent them a memo that screens on a Broadway stage are NEVER a good idea. Together the team has sixteen Emmy awards, and it is obvious they, like Somers, know what they’re doing when it comes to the small screen. However, hoping for a Tony Award is a dream that will never come true.

So many dreams of Somers never did come true, and as she says in her show, she wouldn’t have it any other way. Maybe at a Vegas style venue for one night only, Somers and her show could have been a smash hit. It is indeed a shame Somers and "...Thunderbird" did not jell for she has many endearing qualities that one day could thrive in a character driven piece. Oh well, look on the bright side blondie; you still have the Home Shopping Network and this venture will be a great tax write off. Next!

Updated On: 7/23/05 at 06:55 PM

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 7/23/05 at 7:23pm

nice review. i knew this was gonna happen, who would go to nyc to see that? lol

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 7/23/05 at 9:42pm

Did anybody else get a chance to see it?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 7/23/05 at 11:42pm

yeah I saw it and U were way too kind and spent too much of your talented writing skills talkin about dreck.
and this on a Stage where many Broadway legends performed turned my stomach.
I don't wish Ms. Somer ill, i just think she should get better people giving her advice on How to present herself and her story.
"Barry Manilow said Broadway would break my Heart and it did"
S. Somers
Broadway didn't break yer heart Honey, your people did alllowing this to happen.
Updated On: 7/23/05 at 11:42 PM

[bythesword84]

Posted: 7/23/05 at 11:50pm

I saw today's Matinee of it. I'll say this about it, the audience loved it. Everyone around me was crying by the end. It was a bit cheesey for my taste but I give Somers a lot of credit for being up there and for giving it her all. Her story is actually quite interesting, its just the trappings around it that make it stink. She's a pretty woman but why she's up there in the outfit they have her in I have no idea. Also the music needs to be completely rethought. I think that Suzanne Somers having a show and telling a story could actually work, but this was just not the way to do it, at all.

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 10:11am

I was at the matinee as well...ur right, the audience did indeed LOVE it. I was shocked by the standing O (of which I certainly did not participate). And Im sorry if you thought I was too kind, it was what I felt...I really didn't think she as a performer was THAT awful and I commend her for telling her story. But never again shall the two need to meet on a Bway stage.

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 1:19pm

I had the pleasure/misfortune of seeing the matinee on Fri 7/22.

The pleasure had to do with the fact that I was sitting in a crowd filled with Bruce Vilanch and a lot of the casts of Mamma Mia, Hairspray, etc. who were all comped into the show.

The misfortune was the pity I ended up feeling for Ms. Somers throughout the show. Not because the show was moving, but because people were laughing at her. I was deeply hurt at the numerous people who recieved free tickets and came to the show as if it were a side show.

I must say this though: THIS SHOW WAS AMAZINGLY TERRIBLE! Her costume showed off more of Suzanne than I ever needed to see. The lighting was as if you were at an 8th grade band concert, and the show on the whole was not up to par with other shows that deal with the subject. When she rolled out her cart of every HSN goodie that she has ever sold and listed them all, I must admit I never thought the thighmaster would get applause on a Broadway Stage!

However, I think she has a wonderful story to tell. I wish she would have gone the route of Carol Burnett and write a play about her experience, or pay someone to do it for you. This would be marketable.

About Broadway breaking her heart, I don't really feel that bad. She's going to end up selling copies of the show on the HSN and make millions!

[lildogs]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 2:27pm

I enjoyed these reviews WAY more than the Times review--thanks!