Thoughts on IS HE DEAD? — Page 2

I don't get it ... everyone around me was laughing and I was thinking "WTF?" Norbert was doing contemporary sitcom acting while the rest of the cast was playing period. The play is very trite and I only enjoyed Pittu's performance. Even at $26.50, I felt like I spent too much. I love a really good farce, but Is He Dead could have remained buried as far as I'm concerned. A waste of an evening for me.

What's the promo code for $26.50 seats!?

It was only valid December 4th-6th.

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Once they have pull quotes to include in their advertising, I think it will be helpful.

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Here's an interesting article on Twain and the play from The Times:


http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/09/theater/09gree.html?ref=arts

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I am shocked as to how much I utterly detested this show.

David Pittu was brilliant, MaryLouise Burke was ADORABLE. THere were some very "cute" moments. I did not laugh out loud once the entire show, only occasionally managed some smiles.

I am a HUGE Norbert fan- best Roger I have ever seen in RENT, I loved him in both The Last Five Years and in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. I did not get his performance AT ALL. He, of course, does a good job playing all feminine and there are some funny lines- but the play is so poorly written and so utterly awkward that having Norbert in a wig and a big dress only adds to an uncomfortable script.

Absolutely ANYONE could play the majority of these characters- the big German dude was incomprehensible, the guy who played Chicago was boring, John McMartin played the same guys hes always played, Jenn Gambatese was no different than any other NYU theater student would have been in the role..

I was just bored from start to finish, while appreciative of some of the funnier "situations" that they set up. But the set up takes forever with a very disappointing pay off. (and what was with all that random dancing?!)

I cant imagine the critics being kind to this show, and I dont see many Tonys either (Pittu deserves a nod but with such a variety of small roles, I cant imagine hed nail one in such a competitive season...)

Blah. Go see August of Farnsworth.

I was so focused on NLB that Gambetese didn't even register for me. David Pittu is always great and this material and he were a great match. I can see why some wouldn't love it but unless you "detest" this genre, it's not really a detestable evening of theater.

i absolutely did not join just to trash this play. i have no animus towards it, or NLB or anyone- i hope it does well, and if ppl enjoyed it, so be it.

i just found it painfully unfunny, as did the three people i was with. that said, the audience was eating it up, so i am happy to be in the minority on this.

Foster,
I was in row b orchestra. I have never laughed harder at a play. The only thing that makes me laugh this hard is Charles Busch.
I was full of tears all over my face.

I thought it was the funniest farce I have ever seen. I was cracking up. I plan on buying tickets to see it a second maybe even a third time.

If you like farce see this in row B, CENTER AISLE. You must see Norbert's facial expressions. They are beyond perfection! Especially in the second half with the eye, leg, teeth scene. I almost died from laughing to death.

This play made me very happy to be in a Broadway theater! I ADORE IT.

I think it is an open run and I hope it runs for years!

If you like Charles Busch, David Lindsay Abaire you will adore this show. The cast are all exceptional. I wish, MaryLouise Burke had a larger role, she is the best. Jenn was very funny too. Especially in the second half when she crossed her eyes. I thought I would pass out. The key to this is sitting close and looking at the facial expressions of Norbert and Jenn. It was so much fun!!

Updated On: 12/9/07 at 12:57 PM

Was the opening at 3:00 today?

Yes, today was the opening performance, which I just got back from. For anyone else who was there today, who were the two men Norbert Leo Butz called on stage during the bows?

I basically agree with Yankeefan's first post. It was a melodramatic over the top farce which started slow but got better as the show progressed. I definitely laughed out loud several times, but there were many groans too. I found the second act to be far more entertaining than the first. Norbert Leo Butz & David Pittu were great though.

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I wish I was there. It is sooooooooooooooooo funny!

I finally sat in and watched for the opening (for some reason they didn't want a bar, so I only had to do coat check). I enjoyed the cast and the production design very much. The cast was excellent from top to bottom, with particular mention of Byron Jennings and David Pittu who got the biggest laughs out of me. Although Jennings works constantly, I think he is one of the most under appreciated character actors working in theater today. He made me laugh out loud in this and in Man Who Came to Dinner, and he was mesmerizing in Inherit the Wind as well. What an actor!!! Pittu was hilarious in his many roles. The costumes were sumptuous and the sets are both gorgeous (and huge, thus the 20-25 minute intermissions).
The play itself is amusing, has some great moments, but was not the best farce I've ever seen (for me, that honor goes to Noises Off). I was also confused by the odds bits of dancing in the show. It seemed like they wanted to stretch for some reason and couldn't think of anything else, so let's Dance!!! On the whole, I'd say the cast defenitely makes this work.

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Saw the matinee today, and thought it was very good !!

Second Act (loved the set !!!) was better than the first, but they were both good.

NLB is perfect for this role !!! He is such a great physical comedian !! Pittu was excellent !