THE DROWSY CHAPERONE first preview reviews?- Page 5

[ken8631]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 8:54am

Looks like the majority here give it a thumbs up, as I (and my wife) do. I still liked Jerseys Boys better, but also think this one is a real winner.

Go see it!

[neomystyk29]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 11:54am

I just want to say that I appreciate every review that's coming in. I can not wait to see this show, but I want to wait until after it opens as I will probably only have the opportunity to see it once. I'm so glad it's getting positive reviews.

Posted: 4/5/06 at 12:21pm

But like Lays Potato Chips...You can't see it just once!

[YankeeGal#24]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 12:33pm

I saw it last night and laughed from before the curtain (wink wink) through the very end. I mean belly laughs! The performances were great (though I don't love Georgia Engel), but the highlight was the book/concept. Fabulous!

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 5:56pm

Just got back from the Matinee. (Had Orch Row R, Seat 115, thru TDF)

Right smack in middle.... great seat !!

Loved this show !!! Is it perfect? No... Is it a heck of fun??
Oh YES !!!

Bob Martin as "Man in Chair" is reason alone to go see the show !
He is hysterical. The entire cast is excellent.

Beth Leavel, as the Drowsy Chaperone is a wonder !! Her facial expressions are priceless, and her "As We Stumble Along" was fantastic !!!

Love Sutton, as always...just wish she had more to do.

Danny Burstein, as Adolpho, was also very good, although at times I felt like he was channeling John Leguizamo.

Only negative out of the cast was Jennifer Smith as Kitty, but by no fault of her own. The character is just annoying.

Also agree with some others that have posted about Georgia Engel. She is very funny, but very tough to hear. I cant imagine how people in the Mezz felt !!!

This show is for everyone that has ever totally immersed themselves in a musical score. (which is probably everyone here !!)

GO SEE IT !!!!

P.S- The Elton John reference WAS hysterical !!!!

[ShuQ]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 6:06pm

Does Georgia Engel not have a mic?

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 6:16pm

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.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 6:30pm

Would love to see Sutton have another big number to sing !!!

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 7:04pm

Thanks for the great reviews, everyone! My friend also saw it on the first preview and said that she loved it.

I'm possibly going later in the month, so I'll definitely take a stab at lotto. I want to see this!

[mallardo]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 10:01pm

No one so far has mentioned Eddie Korbich. When I saw it in LA his tap dance number was one of the highlights. Is it still in the show?

[HeyJayNYC]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 10:08pm

Where do you go to get the lottery tickets?
I've never been in there before. I know I know..shame.
How do you get to the ticket/lottery place from the street?
Thanks
T

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 10:13am

The "lottery place" is on the street, right in front of the entrance to the theater. It's literally on the sidewalk. There's a table with a guy putting names into a box. You'll see a crowd of people. It's simple. Best of luck!

[NativeNewYorker]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 12:36pm

I was there last night...I never laughed so hard at a show in my life. I think it was quite possibly the funniest, most clever, entertaining, original show I have ever seen.

[HeyJayNYC]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 8:43pm

Thanks for the lottery info. I am so glad they do this. It makes it affordable as well as an adventure to see if you get picked. It doubles the thrill when you do get picked.
"Hairspray" is one of the best kept/unkept secrets. They still do it and the last two times I went they barely were able to sell those tickets. I'm sure it's picked up now that Diana is in the show.
Hope to get picked to be the Drowsy Chaperone.

[NativeNewYorker]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 10:10am

I have a really random question...is the narrator drinking out of the black Broadway Cares mug with the logos on it?

[NativeNewYorker]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 10:12am

Also, loved at the end when Sutton said, "I will marry you!"

Sounded just like the end of Millie :)