The Blonde in the Thunderbird

[Mamie]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 11:37pm

Anybody see this tonight? There are some (not too surprising) groans over at ATC.

[bwaylyric]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 11:43pm

I was there. She looked fantastic for 58...but the show needs some major plastic surgery. I felt like I was watching an episode of A&E Biography. Zzzzzzzzz. Same old Hollywood story.

[HeyJayNYC]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 11:49pm

Ok, just got back from seeing the final dress for Suzanne's show, which starts in previews tonight.
I wanted to put my two cents in before people start in on her, and I know they will.
People are either going to like this, or loathe it. I liked it a lot. An older man in the men's room said "this is the theatre, not a confessional" and to him I said...well, to his back, "theatre IS the confessional!".
Since One Person Shows run the gamut from actors impersonating dead actors or dead celebrities to actors playing LOTS of other people, to cabaret/reminiscing shows - and just plain stand up, this fall somewhere in between.
Suzanne plays HERSELF, and tells the story of her life growing up with an alcoholic father, and concludes with battling cancer, and winning, and making peace with her father.
As a grown up child of an alcoholic, and an artist in recovery myself, I found the show to be entertaining, moving, and inspiring. Everyone is going to have their digs at this as to whether it's "art" or "Vegas" or "schmaltz" or "awful" and to each his own!
I found Suzanne to be a wonderful entertainer, and a good solid singer as well. She turned what could have been a one joke career into something that has been both profitable, and helpful to others.
To be honest, I'd like to see her tackle a real theatrical role, hmmm, maybe even Adelaide in a revival of "Guys and Dolls".
To anyone who has ever dealt with alcoholism, low self esteem, and any problem that you overcame, you'll like the show. If you're one of those above it all types, don't, and don't bitch about it.
As an entertainer myself, I applaud her efforts, and hope others will too.
Theatre IS my life!
And theatre IS life!
http://www.suzannesomers.com/Home/


Updated On: 7/9/05 at 11:49 PM

[bwaylyric]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 12:02am

I will give her kudos for her singing. She performed quite well. In her 95-minute revelation, I was just waiting to be shocked or surprised, but it didn't happen. Maybe she should've kept her entrance outfit on.

[QueenS]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 12:10pm

She does look amazing. And if you'd rather see her on screen than on stage, no problem. There are two screens with live video feed. I found myself watching them a bit more than I watched her, even though I was pretty close, because she truly is stunning on film.

However, she should fire the director/writer team. They are not doing her justice. The material is sub-par at best. The original songs aren't very good.

I think I was expecting more of a Vegas style show than an attempt at being Billy Crystal or Elaine Stritch. Her strength isn't multiple characterizations, so scenes where she's trying to play every part don't work very well.

Her "50 Percent" was quite good and halfway though "That Face" I realized it was quite touching, though it took me that long to get over the preceeding moment (which I won't reveal, I'd hate to spoil the moment for anyone else by cautioning them. Besides, I don't think you'd believe me anyway).

I bet she would have been really good with other material: perhaps the female version of "Odd Couple."

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 12:52pm

I was at the first preview last night as well. To be honest, I went in thinking that I would hate it and I was very entertained.

No, this is not really a broadway show. No, Suzanne Somers can't really sing or act. However, her life story is truly fascinating and I was not bored for the entire 90 minute show.

First of all, let me say that Suzanne looks fabulous for age 58. She obviously works out a lot and must have had at least some plastic surgery on her face...but she had a great surgeon. She purposely mentioned her age towards the beginning of the show and got lots of applause.

The show itself was just her telling her life story with songs scattered in. She sings a couple of songs that we all know and love: "Take Back Your Mink," "(S)he Loves Me," and "If I Only Had A Brain." She also sings some songs written by the directors of the show, Ken and Mitzie Welch, which aren't great, but they serve their purpose.

Suzanne discusses her alcoholic father, the fact that she had a kid at age 17, all about how she got the part for The Blonde in the Thunderbird, how she got the part in Three's Company, about when her son got into a car accident, how seeing a therapist really helped her out in life, how she battled through breast cancer...and so many other things.

Before I saw this show, I knew virtually nothing about Suzanne Somers, and now I have great respect for her. Her childhood was horrible and yet she is now a successful businesswoman, selling all of her products (which she told us all about at the end of the show). Also, she was able to turn something so bad (her abusive alchoholic father) into something positive. She said that if she could start her life over again, she would still keep everything the same. The bad things that happened to her made her a stronger person and turned her into what she is today.

So, I was very entertained, I am glad I saw the show, but will I remember anything about it in 5 years? Probably not.

After the show, Suzanne was giving away free hardcover copies of her book "Keeping Secrets." I got a copy. The stage door was completely mobbed. I was shocked at the amount of people waiting for her...and such an age range waiting as well. I was standing next to like a 70 year old man! In any case, Suzanne was there with her husband and she only signed for the people right next to the railing. Luckily, I was the third to last person she signed for before she got into her car.

Overall a fun evening. Congrats to Suzanne Somers on making her broadway debut. Go see this show, not for a great night of theater, but to learn about Suzanne's life and also to learn something about yourself.

-Alberto
Updated On: 7/9/05 at 12:52 PM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 12:53pm

I am not being glib, nor do I desire to trash this woman, who no doubt has been through the mill, show biz and personal. I'm sure the lyrics of I'M STILL HERE more than work. But is that a raison d'etre? Alberto says it all above: "...not a great night of theater ... but..."

The "but" is the question that hovers over this venue. Why now? Why here? A month at the Geffan Playhouse, or perhaps in a 500 seat theater in another metro area seems a better 'canvas' to tell her story. In recent years, she's mostly known for appearing on Larry King to talk about breast cancer and estrogen therapy. She is more pop culture phenom, admittedly a well-liked one, than treasured entertainer. It's unclear who the target audience is for her ruminations. But of course, opening in mid-July says much. Still, who in the tri-state area is racing to buy 90 tickets to spend 90 minutes in her company? I don't understand who might've been convinced to invest. If it makes money, I'll eat these words.

I admire her as a cancer -- and Hollywood -- survivor. I remain clueless as to why her presence on a Broadway stage -- alone -- is supposed to be a logical next step in her career. (PS: I read KEEPING SECRETS.)

Updated On: 7/9/05 at 12:53 PM