THE DROWSY CHAPERONE- Page 4

[Patronus]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 1:59pm

I have no idea if it will be a hit on Broadway.

It's very cute, but alas there isn't a ton of substance. It's witty and very aware of the mind set of a lot of theatre fans which gives it that "inside joke" feel. It's funny if you aren't a huge theatre fan, but I think that's the main demographic.

I don't think it's going to develop a fan base that goes and sees it over and over and over, but I it is certainly possible that it could do well in NY providing that it's marketed well.

I doubt it will run for years, but it should have a decent run.

[Amy Archer]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 2:04pm

Nice deflection.

[Patronus]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 4:19pm

It isn't a case of being a deflection at all.

I am not a professional theatre critic. I post my opinions on the show and I was responding to someone else's comment regarding it being a big hit on Broadway.

In general, I find the positives in a performance, but as I pointed out in my early thoughts - it wasn't a full review. I am still thinking about the show and getting my thoughts together.

I am simply posting my thoughts regarding the show as a fan of theatre for those who are interested in them.

I am not critic, I am not a soothsayer nor am I an expert. I am simply sharing my views as many people on this board do.

Sorry if something I said bothered you.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 4:23pm

P- It was inla2 with the deflection.

[Amy Archer]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 5:20pm

Yes, my post was directed toward inla2. Petronus, you wrote honestly about what you saw, and I didn't take any issue with what you wrote.

[Patronus]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 6:50pm

I am such a dork. That's what I get for reading quickly and posting when I don't have a lot of time.

Sorry about the mix up.

[JoMarch]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 10:15pm

My friend Christi went yesterday and posted some thoughts on her blog. I go on Sunday and will post a review here when I get back!!!
Drowsy Chaperone Blog

[Patronus]

Posted: 11/12/05 at 1:17am

My short review of "Romance":

"No one has ever had a worse time sitting in a theatre. And yes, that includes Abraham Lincoln."

Review over. I am not a prude and it's nearly impossible to offend me with off color slurs about ethnicity or religion, but this was just so gratuitous and forced. I expect more from David Mamet.

I really enjoyed meeting YouWantItWhen??? That was FAR AND AWAY the highlight of my evening.

BroadwayBaby6, I leaned to YWIW when the lights went down for intermission and whispered, "I have never read more intelligent words on BWW than the ones where you said you left at intermission."

And with that, so did we.

Next time, I'll just send you a check for $20.

Updated On: 11/12/05 at 01:17 AM

[Popular]

Posted: 11/12/05 at 1:32am

OH WOW!!!!

Yikes, glad I didn't go then.

[1/2 Shiksa Goddess]

Posted: 11/12/05 at 1:40am

I went into Romance at the Taper this evening with no preconcieved expectations of the show, other than I usually enjoy Mamet. After spending an excruciating 45 minutes staring blankly at the stage, I can only conclude that either Mamet really missed the mark with Romance or I left my sense of humor back at work.

There is absolutely no substance to the play- or at least to the first act, because I couldn't take it any longer and left. It meanders. The show tries to be witty and fails utterly. In the dialogue, you can almost hear Mamet trying to think of something shocking and un-PC to include such that each line seems contrived, its only purpose being to shock. The thing is, it isn't shocking or offensive or funny because there is just no point- it's one stereotype after the other paraded out in sequence, ad nauseum. And speaking of nause[a] - the vomiting man in the audience at the start of the show didn't exactly contribute to my enjoyment, though I think the show itself blew chunks enough that my opinion of it wasn't colored by that unfortunate event.

I want my $20 back, David Mamet.

[Patronus]

Posted: 11/12/05 at 1:48am

Ah yes...how could I forget the sad, old guy who was sick early in the first act. It was very sad to see, but I had no idea that he was trying to warn us of what we were soon to experience.

I feel the man next to you that was literally snoring during the first act only to wake up laughing hysterically at one of the Catholic remarks also deserves an honorable mention.

As was said earlier in this thread, the number of people laughing in the theatre as if this was the funniest thing they've ever seen was a little disturbing. I just didn't get the humor other than a couple of the less gratuitous lines at all.

I really feel the need to watch "State and Main" to remind myself that Mamet is really a great writer.
Updated On: 11/12/05 at 01:48 AM

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 11/12/05 at 2:12am

Well, Patronus and 1/2 Shiksa pretty much sum up my feelings as well.

The only bright side was getting to meet them - and that made it well worth the effort.

What a piece of dreck.

People were actually laughing - out loud - as if this was witty and well written. I just was looking around thinking that this was like the Emperor with No Clothes. It is David Mamet, so these people think that it must be wonderful. So, laugh as if it is funny because you don't want to seem like you are not cool enough to appreciate Mamet.

Well, trust me, it is the material that is the problem.

I know a couple of people who stayed through the whole show . . . apparently, one, who has seen a lot of theater, thought it was dreck, and the other actually thought it was funny.

Thank goodness it was only 20 dollars.

At least I am confident that I will enjoy Chaperone.


Updated On: 11/12/05 at 02:12 AM

[Patronus]

Posted: 11/12/05 at 2:17am

We really should get a mod to change the title of this to Drowsy Chaperone/Romance.

Total thread jackage.