THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown Theatre Festival!!! WHY did it ever receive negative criticism??

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THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown Theatre Festival!!! WHY did it ever receive negative criticism??

Posted: 7/28/06 at 5:22pm

So on August 9 THE OPPOSITE OF SEX will have its East Coast premiere and I really hope the show moves to New York!!

I had the opportunity to sit in on some rehearsals and the show and cast is amazing!! I'm told it wasn't received well at first when it premiered in LA however many years ago. Why is that? Did anyone see the production?? It looks and sounds flawless to me - and I haven't even seen a full run-through yet! Granted, however, that the show has apparently been reworked at lot with some new songs.

Anyway, Kerry Butler and Kaitlin Hopkins, who originated roles off-Bway in BAT BOY, are both in the show as well as David Burtka, Gregg Edelman, Herndon Lackey, Ian Scott McGregor, and Lance Rubin.

If you're planning on going, shoot me a PM!

"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

Updated On: 7/28/06 at 05:22 PM

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown Theatre Festival!!! WHY did it ever receive negative criticism??

Posted: 7/28/06 at 5:30pm

It premiered in Suburban San Francisco. It got bad reviews because the music was not memorable and like many films, the material didn't translate well into a musical format. It's time for people to write original material instead of converting every popular movie into a musical.

"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown Theatre Festival!!! WHY did it ever receive negative criticism??

Posted: 7/28/06 at 5:38pm

I might be biased, but I completetly disagree. The reviews were mixed, not bad. There was a pretty even spread ranging from terrific to not so much.

It premiered at the Magic Theater - and, if you read my article on it that appears here, you'll note that the out of town production was pretty much, dare I say, a fully produced workshop in that it was constantly changing because they were tweaking it.

They had a backers audition last year and the changes they implemented were terrific and needed.

The production that will play in Williamstown has a few new songs, some others cut amongst other changes.

Capt' I'll be there..

"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown Theatre Festival!!! WHY did it ever receive negative criticism??

Posted: 7/28/06 at 5:44pm

I'm there for the second to last show and am counting the days! I loved the show in SF and thought that it was great and the music was darn catchy. Thought that it was hilarious and am excited to see what the new cast members bring (particularly Katilin Hopkins!) Kerry Butler is a RIOT in it and I'm really hoping that some NYC people hop on this show because it really was a fun time at the theater.

RIP Natasha Richardson. ~You were a light on this earth ~

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown Theatre Festival!!! WHY did it ever receive negative criticism??

Posted: 7/28/06 at 5:48pm

"It premiered in Suburban San Francisco"

Actually, it was at the Magic Theatre in the city of San Francisco near the Marina District. :) I saw it twice.

"I've lost everything! Luis, Marty, my baby with Chris, Chris himself, James. All I ever wanted was love." --Sheridan Crane "Passions" ------- "Housework is like bad sex. Every time I do it, I swear I'll never do it again til the next time company comes."--"Lulu" from "Can't Stop The Music" ----- "When the right doors didn't open for him, he went through the wrong ones" - "Sweet Bird of Youth" ------------ --------- "Passions" is uncancelled! See NBC.com for more info.

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown Theatre Festival!!! WHY did it ever receive negative criticism??

Posted: 7/28/06 at 8:54pm

I saw the backer's audition as well. I loved it - but then, I am a huge fan of the film.

I think the subject material could be a tough sell for a musical.

Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown Theatre Festival!!! WHY did it ever receive negative criticism??

Posted: 7/28/06 at 11:01pm

I would love to see Kerry in this role, I'd do anything!

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown Theatre Festival!!! WHY did it ever receive negative criticism??

Posted: 7/28/06 at 11:51pm

Davy Burtka!

*faints*

"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad

"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)

Updated On: 7/28/06 at 11:51 PM

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown Theatre Festival!!! WHY did it ever receive negative criticism??

Posted: 7/29/06 at 12:28am

both of them are stunning!

RIP Natasha Richardson. ~You were a light on this earth ~

#10

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown The

Posted: 7/29/06 at 12:31am

Oh my. I must say - thank you for that picture!

#11

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown The

Posted: 7/29/06 at 1:06am

I imagine someone thinks this photo sexy. Hideous.

Jerusha Bromley
Aboard The Thetis

#12

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown The

Posted: 7/29/06 at 2:33pm

You're welcome. Bring this show to NY!

#13

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown The

Posted: 7/29/06 at 4:55pm

IMO, any picture with Kerry Butler in it automatically becomes sexy.

#14

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown The

Posted: 7/29/06 at 5:16pm

Baritone - I completely agree with you!

#15

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown The

Posted: 7/29/06 at 6:15pm

I hate to say it, but Kerry Butler in that pic reminds me way too much of Tonya Harding.

#16

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown The

Posted: 7/29/06 at 6:54pm

Tonya Harding wishes she looked half as good as Ms. Butler.

Updated On: 8/9/06 at 06:54 PM

#17

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown The

Posted: 8/9/06 at 1:03am

The Opposite of Sex, With Butler, Edelman and Burtka, Has East Coast Debut at Williamstown Aug. 9 2006

#18

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown The

Posted: 8/9/06 at 1:09am

I think it's wise to be careful and not lump every movie-cal in one catch-all of "it's time" to abandon them. Sources for musicals have varied over the years, as has quality of adaptations, but there are no hard and fast rules.

The same might be said of what anyone finds attractive. The two pictured certainly confirm to the standard "young and hot" stereotypes the film brilliantly deconstructed, no matter how they are styled. Of course, beauty (or "hideousness") is in the eye of the beholder...recall the famous pig face episode of TWILIGHT ZONE.

Will: They don't give out awards for helping people be gay... unless you count the Tonys. "I guarantee that we'll have tough times. I guarantee that at some point one or both of us will want to get out. But I also guarantee that if I don't ask you to be mine, I'll regret it for the rest of my life..."

#19

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown The

Posted: 8/9/06 at 2:05am

The version I saw in SF was an un-entertaining mess. I was very disappointed, but it's possible its the nature of the material. As with the movie, I find it hard to root for the lead character. The music wasn't that interesting to me, so its encouraging to see they are working on it. Best of luck to them.

#20

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown The

Posted: 8/9/06 at 11:13am

If there's anyone out there who sees the Williamstown version, and has seen the San Francisco one, please comment on the changes! I saw it twice in the San Francisco run - once in previews, and then when it extended at the Magic, and I know they'd already made changes by then, so I'm interested to see how much more has been altered.

#21

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown The

Posted: 8/9/06 at 11:52am

The musical numbers, in order, are:

I've Got News For You
Rub a Little Lotion
It Just Happened
A Normal Life
Better Days
I Think You Know What I Want
I Think You Know What I Want (Reprise)
L.A.
Destiny
You Are Going Back To Indiana
A Normal Life (Reprise)
End of the Line
INTERMISSION
Dead Ex-Lover
It's Not Enough
Lucia (Heaven and Hell)
I've Got News For You (Reprise)
Not Tom
Labor of Love
Look for Me First
The Opposite of Sex
I've Got News For You (Reprise)

#22

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown The

Posted: 8/9/06 at 12:36pm

I've been lurking on the board for a LONG while with my girlfriend, and we finally created a name. Mainly because we're SO excited to see The Opposite of Sex. We're going on Tuesday night, which was the first night we could get tickets for because it's been selling out! I guess we're not the only ones excited to see it then. While, unfortunatly, WTF hasn't been having that great of a season review wise, I could really care less what the papers say tomorrow because this is the one show I've been looking forward to all season. Between Williamstown and Barrington Stage Company, the Berkshires is the place to be this summer!

#23

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown The

Posted: 8/10/06 at 12:20pm

I am seeing the show on Saturday afternoon. Looking forward to it. Ill try to do a review objectively.

#24

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown The

Posted: 8/10/06 at 1:38pm

I'm at the matinee on August 19th.
I'm very much looking forward to it. My wife is indulging me because of my schoolboy crush on Kerry Butler. :)

Hamlet's father.

#25

re: THE OPPOSITE OF SEX Premieres on the East Coast at the Williamstown The

Posted: 8/10/06 at 8:13pm

Photo's are up!!

https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=11463

RIP Natasha Richardson. ~You were a light on this earth ~

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