Wedding Singer - First Preview in Seattle.

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 1:30am

Let me preface this by saying that tonight was first preview, and a lot can change between tonight and the New York opening. That said, "The Wedding Singer" tonight was a very problematic show.

Its biggest problem is Laura Benanti. I love Laura Benanti. I think she's extremely talented. She was sensational in "Nine," and I loved her in "Into the Woods." But she is woefully miscast as Julia in "The Wedding Singer." Julia needs to be warm and charming, qualities which Benanti, as marvelous as an actress that she is, simply doesn't have. There is zero chemistry between her and Stephen Lynch. Her voice is lovely (if underused), but she's wrong here. Interestingly, her standby is Tina Maddigan (of "Mamma Mia" fame), who I suspect would be terrific and have all the qualities that the role of Julia desperately needs. They need to dump Benanti and let Maddigan go on.

The book doesn't do Benanti any favors, either. In a star-crossed love story, which "The Wedding Singer" is, you need that moment at the top of the show where you realize that the two lovers are with the wrong people and they need to be together. That moment is missing here. Benanti waltzes on as a waitress, she says "Hi" to Lynch, and the audience goes "Whoop dee doo." You don't root for these two to get together. Benanti has a very nice "I want" song at the top, called "Wonder," but the message is wrong. She's wondering if she's marrying the wrong man, but the lyrics just make her seem a bit of a doormat, and it's not clear that what she really needs and secretly wants is to marry the Wedding Singer. That point should be totally clear at the outset, and it's not.

The score is fun, musically, but a bit lyrically weak. It relies heavily on 80's nostalgia, which isn't as fun as one would think. There are lots of references to huge cellular phones and the newness of CD players, and Swatches, and Esprit, but it all comes off as rather patronizing instead of celebratory. If you're going to exploit nostalgia effectively, you have to revel in what was great about a decade, not what was ridiculous about it.

Other than Benanti, the cast fit their roles and were working very hard to make lemonade out of lemons. Stephen Lynch was charming and sang extremely well. Amy Spanger, stuck in the thankless role of the best friend, had moments (although her big number, the first act finale, is a bit too reminiscent of "Do Me a Favor" from "Carrie" for its own good). Kevin Cahoon worked his buns off, Felicia Finley did a knock-out Sherie Renee Scott impersonation, and Rita Gardner tried valiantly to bring a bit of dignity to the "Rap Granny."

There's a number in the first act called "Pop", where the girls are in a bathroom with Julia and they're convincing her that her boyfriend is going to pop the question. It perfectly illustrates what's wrong with this show. It's a fun, infectious melody, with an amusing staging, and it should stop the show. It doesn't, because the authors are musicalizing the wrong moment. We absolutely don't care if her creepy boyfriend pops the question or not. In fact, we don't want him to. But there's a whole musical number where the leading lady mysteriously wants him to, and it's wrong.

"The Wedding Singer" isn't a complete fiasco, and it might be able to turn itself around. But it needs to find its heart. Right now, it's a whole lot of flash with no substance whatsoever. There's a good story here, and I think it could be musicalized well. But they don't have it yet. And Benanti's got to go.

[BSoBW3]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 1:32am

Thanks for the great review!

[thez914]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 1:34am

Wow...what a shame about Laura. I had my doubts about her in the role, but then again, I'm one of those people who thinks the sound of her vomiting would be music to my ears.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 1:48am

Great review.

How were the technical aspects (sets, lights, costumes, sound)?

Akiva

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 1:53am

Link Larkin Wannabe,

I purposely didn't say anything about the sound and the sets, because they'll completely change when the show gets to New York. The 5th Avenue Theatre is an extremely problematic venue for a show. The accoustics are revolting, and the stage is a postage stamp with no depth whatsoever. When "Hairspray" was here, we only got a fraction of the Broadway sets because they simply wouldn't fit on the 5th Avenue stage, which I assume is the case here. The sets that did fit on the stage were fine. There's a big 80's graphic backdrop, there are three showers that roll on the stage for the boys, and there's a rather sad bedroom for Lynch. But like I said, these are most likely not the sets that Broadway will see, they're a reduced version of them.

There was one nice scenic moment where they're supposed to be in a revolving restaurant, and in the background you see the Newark water tower floating by. But again, I'm sure it will be more effective at the Martin Beck.

The costumes were appropriate to the 80's, and the lighting was fine. The choreography was relatively nonexistent, except for the opening number, where it was good, and the first act finale, where it was odd.

Updated On: 2/1/06 at 01:53 AM

[thespian geek]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 2:00am

Besides what's wrong with the show right now, were there any standout moments for you? Be it from one person or the ensemble? Any particular songs you enjoyed at all? Lol.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 2:03am

What was the stage curtain like? I had nothing but good thoughts about this musical. I think it will turn itself around, it was only the first preview.

[andyf]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 2:06am

That's such a shame about Benanti...

Updated On: 2/1/06 at 02:06 AM

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 2:06am

Thespian Geek,

Yes, indeed, there's a number called "Come Out of the Dumpster," a duet for Benanti and Lynch, which made me laugh out loud and felt really right. It's a glimpse of what the show could (and I hope will) be.

I really don't mean to be destroying "The Wedding Singer." And honestly, this is just my opinion. Of the first preview, no less. Lots can change between now and New York.

Although I don't think the show can make it with Benanti. She's the big problem. Which breaks my heart, because I adore her. But she's in the wrong show, and I honestly don't think the show can make it if she stays on.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 2:08am

Veuve, I sorta agree. I mean I haven't seen the show, but I just don't think her voice is right for the show. its not a very "pop" voice and the show is very 80s pop and whatnot.

[andyf]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 2:10am

Really...tragic.

[thespian geek]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 2:12am

Yes, indeed, there's a number called "Come Out of the Dumpster," a duet for Benanti and Lynch, which made me laugh out loud and felt really right.

What small glimpse of that I saw in the Broadway.com video definitely made me giggle.

[showinoff]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 2:20am

Such a shame! Thanks for the review. Many people have been saying what you said tonight about Laura. People want her to be great in the role, but I just do not see it happening. It can be a dismal site if she is let go from this production as well. I hope she grows into her role.

again, thanks for the review

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 2:24am

ddtruitt,

You're exactly right. Her voice isn't the problem. In fact, she does quite well adapting her glorious soprano to the score. It would have been nice to hear her voice used better than it is, but that's not the inherent problem.

Her problem is that she comes across as very cold. I also read that the role was "re-thought", but it's not really. It needs an actress who is inherently warm and bubbly, two things which Benanti just doesn't have in her bag of tricks.

And again, I don't think it's Benanti's fault at all. It's just a tragic mix of the wrong actress with the wrong role.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 2:45am

good review

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 3:02am

But she's been with it pretty much since the beginning, hasn't she? It would be absolutely heinous to evict her.

Hopefully she'll find the warmth she's apparently missing. I adore her.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 3:06am

No, Benanti hasn't been with the project very long at all -- her first involvement that I'm aware of was after the show was firmly announced for Broadway last year. And I think it would be more heinous for the show to open with a miscast star then to keep her simply out of loyalty. I mean this isn't community theatre we're talking about....

Hopefully the show will improve. Nice review.

[gumbo2]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 3:50am

Good review. I was really hoping this would be good, but at least there is a lot of potential. It sounds like if they pull some strings they might be able to make it a success.

A question: Is it based mostly off of the movie? How close was it to the original movie, any new/different things?

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 5:28am

I haven't seen the show yet (I am seeing it this summer,) but I completely agree with your opinion on Benanti. When I think of Julia, I think of someone perky, bubbly, warm, and very inviting, like a Tracy Miller or a Megan Hilty (personality wise I mean.) To me, Laura kind of comes of as... cold? Her singing voice is GLORIOUS, and I am sure she sings the score beautifully, but I agree, if she is wrong for the role, she should be replaced now and have them open with someone else.

[Cameron26]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 5:33am

First of all, I was there tonight and we clearly saw two different shows. My sister and I were laughing our asses off and when it was time for the curtain call everyone jumped to their feet (including sis and me.) You clearly have some issue with Benanti that nobody else in the entire theater had because we all went nuts for her (and the show) when it came time for the bows. Also, don't know if you noticed, but Adam Sandler was there laughing his ass off, too. If this is where they're starting from on their first preview, it's only gonna get better. We already bought tickets for 2/11 just to see what they change.

Don't get me wrong, you're entitled to your opinon, but the other two thousand people that gave the show a standing ovation and screamed their lungs out might beg to diifer with you.

[Cameron26]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 5:40am

By the way, Veuve, I was the one in the audience wearing a piano tie, just in case our paths crossed...

[YankeeGal#24]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 8:32am

Thanks for the great review; looking forward to hearing how things change and progress over the coming weeks!

[Feathah]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 8:49am

Great review!

I'm a little hesitant to see this because of the whole movie to musical adaptation being done yet again. But Kevin Cahoon being in the show will probably force my hand and I'll buy a ticket. And I'm very curious to see Stephen Lynch!

[ruprecht]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 9:04am

No to toot my own casting horn yet again but on how many past threads have I questioned the bizarre way they cast this show?

Laura Benanti is as far away from the role of Julia and Barrymore especially, that it makes no sense at all. She's very ice princessy and has always had a hard time having any real chemistry or warmth with anyone else on stage. I also don't
think the show itself is going to knock anyone over and find it ridiculous that people are talking Tony nominations for it and the cast already.

Cameron26, before you go there again, I have no "issues" with Benanti, it's just another example of "what were they thinking" casting that happens all too frequently nowadays.

[Sing a Song With Me]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 9:06am

It's always problematic to review the first preview of any show, much less a show in its pre-Broadway tryout, but yours was excellent, VeuveClicquot. Thank you.