Wedding Singer - First Preview in Seattle.- Page 2

[YankeeGal#24]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 9:11am

Assuming the powers that be end up agreeing with those who feel Laura Benanti was miscast, how likely is it to make a change at this stage of the game? I mean, does it ever happen that a major role is re-cast during previews if the reviews are negative? Not saying they should or shouldn't; just asking if that happens?

[BreeDaniel]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 9:21am

I know this too has been said but again, the movie was fun and sweet because of Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, especially Sandler. I've never even heard of Steven Lynch. It was not a great movie. It had a great *cast*. Now, if you take that out of the mix, you're left with a ton of mediocrity to go around and that does not bode well for the shows future. Laura Benanti is about the very last person to come to mind when thinking about casting Julia from Wedding Singer. It makes no sense at all. I also find it hard to buy Amy Spanger as her "madonna wanna-be sidekick". I can't imagine how cold the both of them will be towards eachother. It does seem her stand-by is better suited for the role. Heck, IMO just about anyone would be.

[ruprecht]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 9:34am

DD, It's too bad it's gotten to a point where they're just trying to fill slots as there is so little to go around. I haven't seen WS, but I can't imagine it'll be anywhere near as good as Hairspray.

[VinnieTheIceman]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 9:53am

ddtruitt, have you heard of the little Disney show coming to town called Tarzan? There is your number 3. Wedding Singer and Ring of Fire battle it out for 4.

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 10:40am

yea thats what i thought, Benanti seemed a little iffy for the role, but she should do great, tis the first preview and she will be dynamite as the show continues

[Princeton78]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 11:19am

Arrgh..
I'm sorry to hear about Benanti.
Maybe she'll leave just in time to play Mary Poppins.

[lovinlife]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 11:21am

Thanks for the review. I'm glad not to hear anything too negative, and you seemed very fair in your post. I agree Benanti is probably wrong for the role, I never understood that casting decision. After she did Nine, I heard nothing but terrible diva stories about Benanti. Also, she seems to miss quite a lot of shows, so we will be seeing Tina more than we think. A cast can change up to the opening night. I hope that the smart decision to out of town it first will do them good... I am so proud of Felicia.

[greenifyed]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 11:31am

Maybe I'm the only one who's happy to hear that the problems with the show *are* fixable.

[Benzy92]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 11:31am

Aww this is so sad to hear, I was hoping for Wedding Singer to be amazing.. i guess it still has time.

However, when Laura was announced, i knew right away that she was all wrong for the part, as much as i love her. Here's hoping they can re-cast

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 11:50am

Leads get replaced out of town all the time. They aren't obligated to keep her if she's the weak link. Heck, if she were to be replaced, this owuldn't be the first time she left a show.

[lovinlife]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 12:22pm

Very true!

[jdixon69]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 12:28pm

Nice review, Veuve - although as a big Benanti fan, it's hard to swallow that she is so wrong here. Could you have caught her on the wrong night? Some actors need a few performances under their belt to truly hit their stride.

Anyway, I'm trying to get in touch with my Seattle friend who went last night. If he has anything interesting to say, I'll let you all know.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 12:29pm

And as for the standing ovation, those are a dime a dozen in Seattle. I'm sure everyone had a good time, but I do trust Veuve's (a close friend and vetran of many a first preview on Broadway) opinion. He clearly said a million times that he has no personal dig at Benanti. We have no idea how much of the house was papered last night with industry professionals and friends either. First previews are often peppered with people they know will respond well, regardless.

I'm glad the majority of the audience had a great time, but we need to allow all opinions, especially when they're backed up like Veuve's, be heard. YOu say you enjoyed yourself, but you don't give detail.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 12:30pm

I'm a big Benanti fan, but she doesn't scream warm and bubbly to me.

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 1:16pm

jdixon69,

Yes, it's totally unfair to judge an actor's performance based on a first preview. But I don't think that Benanti can pull this one off.

For one thing, she comes across as extremely intelligent and complicated, which is deadly for this character.

It's kind of like this: Julia is a Goldie Hawn role that they've cast Meryl Streep in. Of course Streep is a brilliant actress, but can you imagine her playing the lead in "Foul Play"? Goldie has that innate likeability factor that Streep just couldn't emulate, no matter how well she performed the role. Benanti's got the same problem here.

[Cameron26]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 1:17pm

First of all, I especially loved Felicia Finley. All of her songs are hilarious and the minute she steps onstage you know she's gonna be genius. The letter song where she dumps Robby is laugh out loud funny.

Kevin Cahoon and Matt Saldivar also get great numbers and the Bar Mitzvah scene where Kevin's character plays different instruments is also a blast.

I also think Stephen and Laura have great chemistry and I got a little teary at the end when they finally get together.

There are still some trims they need to make and some of the jokes score big and some need some work. But it was their FIRST PREVIEW.

I personally think they're in great shape especially since it was their very first performance in front of an audience. For me, it was great to go to a show and just have a really great time and leave with the tunes stuck in my head. That hasn't happened in a long time...so I'm wishing them the best of luck...the show can only get better and better if this is where they're starting...

[lovinlife]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 1:21pm

Felicia is genious. Even better, she is one of the most considerate people I have ever had the pleasure of being around. A true friend and worker.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 1:49pm

What about Richard Blake? How big is his role? Does he get to sing?

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 5:34pm

A very, very well-written review, Veuve. Thanks for it; very logical and insightful. I'll be seeing the show on Tuesday and I hope there will be some tweaks in the book, although it seems that one of the biggest problems (and correct me if I'm wrong) is that the spots for musical numbers just aren't effective in progressing the story or developing the characters in the way they should and WHERE they should. And if that's the case, it's unlikely that so many songs will be dropped and/or re-written by the end of the Seattle run.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 5:43pm

This is such a weak year for new musicals. I think we should definitely prepare to see Sweeney sweep the awards this year.. (and rightfully so..)

I think with the lack of "good" new musicals this season so far, I feel Chita has a chance of joining Color Purple and Jersey Boys for the big award.

[sadiem100]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 5:46pm

Thanks for the review! I'm seeing it the last day it is here, I hope it will improve by then.

[VinnieTheIceman]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 6:13pm

ljay, the chances of Chita being nominated are even less than the chances for Woman In White. Jersey Boys is a lock, Color Purple is likely, and Wedding Singer, Ring of Fire, and Tarzan will likely fill out the card.

[thesparklingdiamond]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 6:47pm

was adam sandler actually there last night?

[jv92]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 6:56pm

Calm down, how great was "Wicked" out of town? Give them a chance to fix it.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 9:32pm

Now hold on...

As can be seen, I agreed whole heartedly that Laura was miscast.

HOWEVER, I feel it is incredibly unfair to attack her "reputation" for being a show missing diva and saying that we'll be "seeing more of Tina Maddigan than we think."

Laura missed alot of shows in "Nine" because of the horrible injury she suffered during "Into The Woods."

There is a Playbill article floating around here where she explains it.. basically, she fell and her legs went up over her neck, and a disk was cutting off spinal fluid in her spine. She was misdiagnosed, and didn't recieve the proper treatment until the rehearsel process for "Nine" (in fact during ITW the producers tried to make her look bad and didn't even acknowledge her injury publicly for fear of getting sued, just saying it was a "shame" she missed so many shows.) TWO WEEKS after surgery she was back in the show and never missed a preview.

Throughout the run she did miss shows but it was due to complications from surgery and recovery time she barely took in the first place...

Updated On: 2/2/06 at 09:32 PM