I was at the matinee, too.
Actually I really couldn't afford to. I had to go to MoMA to see an exhibit for my History of Photography class and on the way I stopped in to see if there were any $25 rear mezz seats available. And, I bought one. Even though I have less than $200 in my account and I had to pay to get into MoMA as well. This is why I'm bad with money.
Upon waiting for the doors to open there's an old couple talking about how they can't wait to see THE WOMAN IN WHITE. When someone corrects them and tells them it closed a long time ago...they honestly couldn't believe it. What's funny is they bought the tickets THAT DAY. And, if that's not weird enough, they bought them from the ticket broker in the Marriot Marquis hotel. Apparently later, there was some yelling going on at that booth as they had sold quite a number of tickets that day for a show that is no longer running. (I was chuckling the whole time. I know I'm evil.)
I'd say the mezz was only about 3/4 full and that's only because there was a class trip there seeing the show. I'd say they were 8th graders...but acted like 4th graders. They were munching away on their Nestle crunches...I even saw one boy playing his GameBoy and acted pissed when he had to put it away when the show began. Then I hear this one girl screaming behind me. "I'm scared...when I saw WICKED I was sitting on the ground. Can I fall from up here?"
It took much patience not for me to turn around and stangle her. She wouldn't shut up about her seats.
All the while I'm muttering to myself. "I have to walk through the cold and snow with no jacket...and now I have to listen to this. This show better be worth it."
And...it was. I loved every minute of it.
It's honestly the most fresh/innovative thing I've seen. Though I think some of the jokes went over the kids heads. It definitely appeals to all ages.
Such a witty performance by Bob Martin. (Actually, I saw a bit of myself in his character. Which was a little scary.)
Beth Leavel has some of the best facial expressions I've seen on stage...and her comic timing was spot on.
Sutton Foster really shows her comedic talents in this show. She's in fine form and I'm guessing the writers beefed up her part a bit because I would qualify her as a lead now.
Georgia Engel and Edward Hibbert have such cute chemistry on stage. His dry responses to her wide-eyes and ditzy questions had me in stitches.
Danny Burstein delivers one of the best comedic supporting performances I've seen. His accent alone is enough to make one bust a gut.
My only complaint was Lenny Wolpe. He does a fine job, but in everything I've seen him in he just plays the same character. A tiny over the top and his delivery on some of his funny lines could be done much better. Somehow I feel Ernie Sabella would have been much better in this role.
I love the music. I love the sets.
Can I predict this will win Best Musical? No.
This is the first year where I'm honestly dumbfounded on who will take what awards. (Except for Best Actress in a Musical). The competition is tough this season.
"I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about." - Oscar Wilde
