The Story of My Life- 2/8 Matinee Review

[BenKaye]

The Story of My Life- 2/8 Matinee Review#1

Posted: 2/8/09 at 6:57pm

The Story of My Life is only one of three original musicals (along with [title of show] and 13) to open this season at the moment. Of those three, it is easily the best, and in fact, of all the shows that have opened this season, adaptation, revival, and so on, I think it's the best musical at the moment.

The score by Neil Bartram is so beautiful, with some great standouts, including "The Butterfly," "I Like it Here," and "Angels in the Snow." And the book by Brian Hill is equally as outstanding, if not more so. Richard Maltby Jr. does an excellent job at directing, as usual, and Jonathan Tunick's orchestrations sounds lovely, as always.

Will Chase and Malcolm Gets. These two equally amazing performers have the amazing ability to keep the audience enthralled for the entire 90 minute length, and they each have their great standout moments.

All in all, this is an amazing show, one that sadly, might not be here for long, so I urge everyone to go see it, while you still can. It really is worth it!

My blog- http://okayentertainment.blogspot.com/

[gregj63]

re: The Story of My Life- 2/8 Matinee Review#2

Posted: 2/8/09 at 7:19pm

I was also at this performance. I thought the performances were very good, both leads are excellent singers & actors, but I didn't find the score very memorable, and very much Sondheim-lite in some places. The story is touching, but unfortunately it could just not hold my attention, and I found myself looking at my watch more than once. I witnessed at least 7-10 people leaving during the show in the mezzanine.

I think there is an audience for this type of show, (and I think the comparisons to A Catered Affair are appropriate), but I don't think there's a mainstream audience for this show, and it won't last long on Broadway.

[Corine2]

re: The Story of My Life- 2/8 Matinee Review#2

Posted: 2/8/09 at 9:44pm

I like your icon. That puppet is adorable where did you get it?

[BenKaye]

re: The Story of My Life- 2/8 Matinee Review#3

Posted: 2/8/09 at 9:46pm

Somewhere online. Not sure where...

My blog- http://okayentertainment.blogspot.com/

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

re: The Story of My Life- 2/8 Matinee Review#4

Posted: 2/8/09 at 10:05pm

Was the theater empty?

[gregj63]

re: The Story of My Life- 2/8 Matinee Review#5

Posted: 2/8/09 at 10:12pm

No, mezzanine was almost full. Couldn't see the Orchestra from there.

[BenKaye]

re: The Story of My Life- 2/8 Matinee Review#6

Posted: 2/8/09 at 10:16pm

Orchestra was almost full, with only a few seats empty.

My blog- http://okayentertainment.blogspot.com/

[Pianolin717]

re: The Story of My Life- 2/8 Matinee Review#7

Posted: 2/8/09 at 10:30pm

It might have been full.. but how many of those weren't comped? I know that there were a LOT of comped tickets for last night

[KimmySwimmy]

re: The Story of My Life- 2/8 Matinee Review#8

Posted: 2/8/09 at 10:55pm

I was there today too and I loved the show. I decided to do the $20 student ticket and I got a nice seat in the orchestra, which was almost full. I did find that two girls behind me left at some point during the show, but I am not sure when. I also had a lot of older couples around me and most of the men seemed to be sleeping. I agree with gregj63 in terms of the audience for this show. Hopefully enough people will see it to keep it around for a while.

I thought that both Malcolm Gets and Will Chase gave wonderful performance and I found myself getting a little misty-eyed at the end. I also noticed some people wiping their eyes as they walked out of the theater.

[broadwayfan7]

re: The Story of My Life- 2/8 Matinee Review#9

Posted: 2/9/09 at 9:44am

I'm so glad to hear such positive reviews of the show!

"Everytime you step on that stage it is somebody's first Broadway show and somebody's last Broadway show. Make it count."

[WithoutATrace]

re: The Story of My Life- 2/8 Matinee Review#10

Posted: 2/9/09 at 10:09am

I'm seeing it for the second time this Wednesday (and probably for the third time next Wednesday). This show is so wonderful.

[April Saul]

re: The Story of My Life- 2/8 Matinee Review#11

Posted: 2/9/09 at 10:25am

Can anybody tell me where the TDF seats are, or if there is an even cheaper offer for non-students? I'm thinking about trying it this Wed. afternoon, but since there's no intermission and chance to move down, I'm wondering if I'll be stuck way back in the mezz...

[WithoutATrace]

re: The Story of My Life- 2/8 Matinee Review#12

Posted: 2/9/09 at 10:29am

My tdf seats on 2/3/09 were row P of the orchestra seats 9, 11, 13. The view was perfectly fine.

Also, at the Booth Theater, I've sat in the rear mezz before and those seats are also a full clear view.

It doesn't matter where your tdf seats are. The show is awesome. Go see it!

[WhizzerMarvin]

re: The Story of My Life- 2/8 Matinee Review#13

Posted: 2/9/09 at 10:30am

BenKaye, I'm glad you liked the show so much too. I going back again this week and am really looking forward to it. The more I think back on the show, the fonder the memory grows.

Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco. Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!

[flossie2]

re: The Story of My Life- 2/8 Matinee Review#14

Posted: 2/9/09 at 12:05pm

I thought it was a completely boring 90 minutes. The story did not touch me, for the most part the songs all sounded the same and I did not feel there was any chemistry between the characters. I found it hard to believe they were acquaintences let alone best friends. Malcolm Gets kept reminding me of Seth Rudesky....not that I don't like Seth but it kept taking me away from the character. Thank goodness for comp seats as I would have hated to pay for this. It does not belong on Broadway for Broadway prices.