WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN begins previews TONIGHT! — Page 21

Totally random but, I cannot believe CZJ was an early choice for Pepa. I think she made the right choice by not auditioning, as she was offered Night Music (and won a Tony) as a result. The role just seems tailored to Sherie now. I cannot really picture CZJ playing it.

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/item_BdfZoqqFHpiOf4f1PIY9hI

Updated On: 10/17/10 at 02:44 AM

I am really not sure CZJ could have handled the score. When not at her best, she sometimes struggled with the singing in Night Music. I don't think anyone can deny that she made the absolute right choice by going with Night Music.

Now I am very curious about d'Aziza as Pepa. I would like to see her if she ever goes on.

Updated On: 10/17/10 at 02:52 AM

Anyone production photos yet?

---

As a former drama critic in Syracuse and Philadelphia, I must tell you of my opinion of "Women..." based upon Saturday night Oct. 16th's sold out performance at the Belasco Theatre. I am at a great disadvantage in that I never saw the original Almodovar film; and you really should see the film first before commenting on this stage version monstrosity; but to put it mildly, it is a total mess.
Let's start with the seats at the Belasco Theatre. If you have legs, you need to get an aisle seat. Otherwise you will be in constant pain because the space between the rows is very, very cramped. Who needs to be in pain while watching a group of talented actors waste their talents in a musical that relies heavily upon special effects to camouflage the fact that this is a story about very little, with songs that don't matter, choreography that is minimalistic, and a waste of millions of dollars that could be far better spent on another production entirely.
I had high expectations for Patti LuPone, who is amusing at times; Brian Stokes Mitchell, who is in splendid voice; and by their previous reputation (having never seen the next two women I am about to refer to before on stage) Sherie Rene Scott, Laura Benanti(who apparently knows how to act dippy and seemingly idotic without even trying hard); and Danny Burstein (who is like a dog with his master apparently willing to do any role he is offered by the director Bartlett Sherr for the sheer opportunity of working with him);but the only cast member to come out unscathed because so little was expected by me of him in his Broadway debut is Justin Guarini. He is on stage much more than Patti LuPone and is equally competent in his performance as she and the other stars.
David Yazbeck should never again be hired to write another score for a Broadway musical. I endured his songs for "The Full Monty" and sorta enjoyed his work on "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." This score shows no ability as a composer which each song sounding like the one before it in his effort to compose Latin music. No effort is made in rhyming lyrics. The orchestra drowns out the singers for about 50% per cent of the time. So at least I am saving money by knowing now that I won't be purchasing this cast c.d. when it gets released.
This was my 58th birthday present to myself. When I started seeing shows as a child, I was taken to see as my first experience, "Gypsy," starring Ethel Merman in its pre-Broadway tryout. Thank god for my treasured memories of 51 years of avid theatregoing because "Women..." will go down among the worst evenings I have ever spent in a theatre from someone who has seen his share of flops. "Breakfast at Tiffany's" with Mary Tyler Moore, Richard Chamberlain, and Sally Kellerman was a smash hit compared to this abomination. Those already having tickets for "Women..." should list them as a tax loss on their 2010 IRS statement since they cannot be returned or refunded.

ok, ok, I didn't like it either but I'm not sure I agree with the trainwreck described above. My worst nights at the theater are marked Festen and The Frogs.

A couple of things puzzled me about WOMEN:

(1) there was no standing ovation the night I saw it, and I thought standing o's are basically obligatory these days especially when that much Bway star power is on the stage.

(2) why is there a choreographer, an associate choreographer, and two assistant choreographers? wtf did they all do??

"A couple of things puzzled me about WOMEN: (1) there was no standing ovation the night I saw it"

The show is a mess. It barely deserves applause IMO. It is no fault of the amazing actors. The book and score are atrocious. They can't fix the score enough during previews to save the show. Hopefully they can flesh out Pepa and make the story more linear.

---

There were standers in the mezz when I saw it.

---

and they weren't even drama critics in Syracuse.

My biggest problem, at least with Stokes' songs, was how his voice was too powerful for them.

someone upthread said... "Considering the fact that I would see this cast read the phone book..."

i SWEAR this was one of my prayers during ACT I --

"dear lord, can someone please pass out phone books

AND stop the conveyor belts

AND open some windows (i can't breathe, lord! there are propane-oriented fumes entering my lungs! i am frightened, lord!)

AND save these talented people

AND grant them rest (they are tired, lord! the director came out and told me!!! GRANT THEM REST, please!)

AND, since there is propane available, can it be used to move the taxi across the stage faster

AND, finally lord, please remove this show from the memory of anyone who has encountered it... life is challenging enough here on earth... we are all trying our best... we are innocent... we buy theater tickets to experience joy, fun, artistic achievements... have mercy on us all....

and lord, while i have your attention, please forgive all the people who keep chanting the frightening phrase.... ITS A WORK IN PROGRESS!!!!

they are blind, help them see!!!!

AMEN!!!

---

relax. that does not make you famous.

when the paparazzi descend... let them know i can be contacted through here! thanks everyone!!!

---

I think we all know by now that kyle4 is a bitter reject who probably wanted to make it into the show but didn't. Hopefully those propane fumes can still take effect. Maybe you'll book a job & find happiness one day when you stop being so hateful.

As far as CZJ, she would have made a terrible Pepa. Pepa's not supposed to be a plastic tit bobble head doll (her impression of a bird on The Tony Awards anyone?), rather a beautiful everyday woman like SRS. Pedro Almodovar apparently had the final say on casting so please, by all means, tell the man who made the movie himself, that he does not know what he's doing.

Regardless of what anyone thinks, the bottom line is that people are going to pay to see stars, the show will run as long as the actors want to do it, and $5mil is a drop of piss in the ocean to Lincoln Center. Sherri, Patti, Laura, and Danny will all get Tony nods, and their careers will only continue to blossom.

Have a wonderful evening!

---