THE DROWSY CHAPERONE first preview reviews?- Page 3

[ken8631]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 7:43am

Bob Martin was great. Sutton Foster was great. Actually the whole cast was great. Was advertised as 1 1/2 hours without an intermission, ran about 2 last night (I REALLY had to race to the restroom afterwards - too much coffee before the show).

I'd definitely recommend the show to just about anyone. I did like Jersy Boys a bit better, but it's close. I know it's the first day of previews, but I wouldn't chnage a thing.

After seeing Lestat and 3 Days of Rain within the past week, this was a welcome suprise!!!!

Bought the $20 window card.

Sat in center orch Row F - perfect seats.

Go see it!
Updated On: 4/4/06 at 07:43 AM

[LeaGirl]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 8:15am

To answer an earlier question about the show curtain (which I've now completely forgotten who asked it...)

They used the Marquis curtain... like.. a real, red, velvet curtain. Is it bad that it was sort of a turn on for me that they used a real curtain? No? Ok.

[.LittleWing. 0224]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 10:27am

i just saw it yesterday and im seriously considering lottoing tmw night to see it again. you guys don't understand, this was a phenomenal musical!! The first time I was genuinely laughing for the entirety of the show (anyone there at the first preview) ... hear that REALLY loud laughing coming from the mezz... oh, that was me :)

if you didn't have plans to see it... go! run! don't wait. There's a chance this won't be a commerical success, but that would be an injustice because it deserves to be. I think it'll be a hit within the NY theatre scene though.

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 10:41am

I'm glad so many of you are loving this as much as I did when it played in L.A.

God bless Drowsy! Long may she run!

For those of you interested in openly discussing all the fun "surprises" and innovations in this show, I point you once again to the spoilers thread I started last November...
Drowsy Chaperone Spoilers Thread

[mallardo]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 10:49am

Can someone tell me, does the Man in Chair still do the Elton John reference? I wonder because what was funny in LA might be seen as slightly disparaging in New York where Elton has a new show previewing across the street.

[ken8631]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 10:51am

He does do an Elton reference....

Someone was really loud laughing in the right box (Littlewing?)....... lol

[YankeeGal#24]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 10:52am

.LittleWing. 0224--your post has made me even MORE excited than I already was to see it tonight!! Sounds fabulous!!

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 10:53am

The Elton John reference got a HUGE laugh last night!

[.LittleWing. 0224]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 11:02am

not me laughing very loud in the box... i was center mezz. but it may has well have been me! That part was sooo funny!

oh god... "Bob Martin" during the scenes. just enjoying himself and being so geniune. I absolutely adored that character. reminds me so much of me, or just anyone in general who loves musicals and wishes they would come to life in there living room. such a great, great show.

i'm glad i got you more excited to see it! I just can't stop thinking about it and laughing!! sutton has some really great comedic moments. everyone i was with agreed that she is quite the presence on stage. she can never NOT be on stage because that would be a crime against theatre.

oh gosh, i have to stop gushing about this show before people start crying shill!i just loved it THAT much.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 12:24pm

"oh god... "Bob Martin" during the scenes. just enjoying himself and being so geniune. I absolutely adored that character. reminds me so much of me, or just anyone in general who loves musicals and wishes they would come to life in there living room. such a great, great show."

I was there last night as well.

I was just telling my friends that this is a true love letter to Broadway! The Man in the Chair is such a relatable character to anyone who loves theater for what it trulley is. I found myself towards the end of the show tearing up at his monolgue about musicals. It was so heartwarming and really fit well with the whole show. Just a wonderful show.

Just to add, for me the stand out was Beth Leavel. With Sutton, she was great, don't get me wrong but I knew what she was capable of and she proved it. With Beth, I hadn't seen her since 42nd street and she just blew me away! Her song was probably one of my favorites from the show. I can not wait until the CR of this show!

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 12:27pm

Can someone report on what the lotto was like? Is it by the box office? How many people showed?

[LeaGirl]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 12:30pm

I think there were probably 50-60 people there. It's in front of the box office, which was hard with all the times square craziness going on but whatever. I think it'll draw bigger numbers than that later on, it was pouring rain and it was a Monday, so we'll see.

[Lorelai]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 12:31pm

I was also at the first preview last night. I thought it was hysterical. It was a little longer than 90 mins, the show got out a little before 10 (not that I'm complaining). Very original show.

Was mine the only jaw that dropped during "Show Off"?

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 12:41pm

I was there with Miss Pennywise and her husband and Yoda on row E.

I loved the show as well. It was extremely funny from start to finish (although in all fairness I will admit there were a couple moments that were not as fun) the show needs no work.

It is a homage to musical theatre, and a marvelously entertaining one. Bob Martin was fabulous. About Sutton (who I had never seen on stage before) I will just say, I finally see what all the fuss is about.

The show is most likely going to have quite a few detractors, but the integration of history and showmanship was simply top notch.

Yes the slams of ALW shows, and Elton shows, and Disney shows are still there, but they are in the proper context. The Man in Chair is not vicious, just pretentious. And I love him for it.

This is easily my favorite new show of this season, nothing else is even remotely close. (The two revivals I have seen are though. ) It may be my favorite new show of the past two seasons.

I hope it is the front runner for Book, Score, and New Musical Tonys.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 1:06pm

I'm curious how people think this show would play on tour or on Broadway a year from now - in other words with an audience of tourists or people who are not die hard musical fans. Does it have enough cross over appeal?

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 1:09pm

It is silly, I think people can enjoy it on the surface level.
I don't think it will be a huge hit, but I think it will get tourists who are pleasantly surprised, and spread by word of mouth.
Yet it will also have many detractors who think it is boring and strange.

[anne3]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 1:16pm

"I think there were probably 50-60 people there. It's in front of the box office, which was hard with all the times square craziness going on but whatever. I think it'll draw bigger numbers than that later on, it was pouring rain and it was a Monday, so we'll see."

I tend to find that Monday lottorys are bigger draws because not many shows are open..


O, and how many seats did they give out?
Updated On: 4/4/06 at 01:16 PM

[LeaGirl]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 1:18pm

The entire front row, however many seats that is, I remember thinking that it was a fairly long line of people called.

Posted: 4/4/06 at 1:19pm

i don't think it will have too many detractors...a guy here at work saw it (when in LA) and I thought he would think it mildly amusing at best. (He's not a huge theater fan, and went on a family outing) He had a blast as did his whole family. He said "First show he can remember where everyone in the family all enjoyed it the same."

I do admit some might not get it, but that's the beauty of theater!

[mallardo]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 1:27pm

Yes, I think the fact that it was so well received here in LA where Musical Theater is not as central to the culture as it is in New York, bodes well for it. ALL audiences seem to love it.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 1:51pm

Everything has its detractors.
There is no chance the praise for this will be universal. Which is fine, good even.

I think anyone, from anywhere, can love it.

Posted: 4/4/06 at 1:52pm

Well said.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 2:56pm

I loved this show when I saw it in LA.

I am so glad it got off to a great start in NY!

Posted: 4/4/06 at 3:19pm

Planning a return to NYC just to see it!

[ken8631]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 3:42pm

I'd recommend this show to all, as I also would recommend Jersey Boys... Two great new shows!!!!