Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
JBSinger
Broadway Star Joined: 11/12/04
#0Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/10/06 at 4:18pm
After seeing the Press preview photos, knowing what New Line/Margo Lion did for Hairspray, our current fascination with the 80's (i.e. VH1), and top notch performers - I think that the Wedding Singer has the potential to be the sleeper hit of the season. Ring of Fire is "just a revue"; Tarzan will be lambasted for it score/book-but loved for its sets and performances; Lestat will probably face some stern criticism even if they work the bugs out. Wedding Singer will be the feel-good hit of the Spring. Your thoughts?
Oh - and Stephen Lynch is adorable!
popcultureboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/23/03
#1re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/10/06 at 4:22pm
Tarzan will be lambasted for it score/book-but loved for its sets and performances
Seriously? Come ON!
Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#2re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/10/06 at 4:23pm
I think RING OF FIRE has a good chance of being a sleeper hit too. I'm hearing very good things about it. And the country's on a Johnny Cash high right now.
But, yes, THE WEDDING SINGER (along with RING OF FIRE) has a good chance of being a huge sleeper hit of this season. The music for SINGER (or what I've heard of it) is excellent.
Karma76
Broadway Star Joined: 12/12/03
#3re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/10/06 at 4:38pmStephen Lynch is great!! I am a fan of his anyways so it was nice to see him finally get to broadway. He Is extremely funny and his voice is awesome. I would love to hear a smaple of the music. Do they have a video up of the press day?
#4re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/10/06 at 5:22pmWedding Singer has potential, but I'm still hoping for a spring opening of "The Drowsy Chaperone".
#5re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/10/06 at 6:14pm
I am very excited about this musical. To me the casting is ideal. Stephen Lynch is beyond amazing.
I have much love for the movie. In my oppinion the best Adam Sandler movie he has every made..50 1st dates is up there too, but it's story is so damn charming, and has a great ending with a great song. So i'm betting on it being a crowd pleaser.
"You gotta be original, because if you're like someone else, what do they need you for?" -Bernadette Peters
SUPPORT ALL SHOOK UP!!!
bwayondabrain
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/05
#6re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/10/06 at 9:02pmwhere have yall been able to hear the music somewhat? i am very excited for this, and hope it will be the next hit! we need one of those i think...
broadwaybelter
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/26/04
#7re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/10/06 at 9:59pmring of fire will be great because of Richard Maltby, and it was very well received apparently. Lestat could flop....Wedding Singer (at this point) who knows, no reviews are avaliable and we arent aware of the quality of the show aside from the demo which shouldnt be a basis for any judgement of its quality until we see the show as a whole, so really we have to wait and see the production for ourselves to see if its a hit or miss
#8re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/10/06 at 10:06pm"The Wedding Singer" looks good - It is kinda, Don't ask me why, but it has a look/feel of "Hairspray" to it. It will run!
"It is bad enough that people are dying of AIDS, but no one should die of ignorance." -
Elizabeth Taylor
JBSinger
Broadway Star Joined: 11/12/04
#9re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/11/06 at 9:24amFirst let me say that I hate to see any show fail. My comments on Tarzan, Ring of Fire & Lestat, however hopefully awesome they will be - I'd love to see them all, it was just my instinct that Wedding Singer will be the feel-good hit of the season. to the last post, I understand why you feel it "feels" like Hairspray. It's being marketed in a similar way and set photo they showed is very "bright" and florescent.
#10re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/11/06 at 9:27amWhy are we calling it a "sleeper" hit?
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
#11re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/11/06 at 9:54amand when is it scheduled to go into previews? anyone know?
#12re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/11/06 at 9:57am*crosses fingers for glowing reviews for Laura Benanti*
"Y'all have a GRAND day now"
WOSQ
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/03
#13re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/11/06 at 10:27am
A "sleeper" is a show (or movie or cd for that matter) that conventional wisdom has few expectations of and when it opens it surprises everyone as a hit. Creators with few credits, successful or otherwise, and no stars.
Historically Bye Bye Birdie and 1776 were sleepers.
Recent sleepers of one degree or another are Avenue Q and Spelling Bee.
Wedding Singer has little on paper that impresses. I think the story, while sweet, is strictly by the numbers and I would have stuck some stars in there, the bigger the better. People like Ricky Martin and Brittany Spears.
I hope it surprises everybody.
"If my life weren't funny, it would just be true. And that would be unacceptable."
--Carrie Fisher
#14re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/11/06 at 10:36amI know what a sleeper is. Just wasn't sure how this show was fitting into that category.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
Karma76
Broadway Star Joined: 12/12/03
#15re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/11/06 at 10:43am
If you want more info on Stephen Lynch (since this is his B-way Debut) Check out this site...
lynch-mob.net
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#16re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/11/06 at 11:29am
Come on, folks, lets just be patient, shall we?
No one is mentioning THE WEDDING SINGER's utter lack of plot...I mean, the story is kind of hackneyed, no?
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
#17re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/11/06 at 1:00pm
When West Side Story opened at the Winter Garden, there were really no BIG names on the billing. Yes, Chita's a legend now, but this was a big step for her and her carreer. And now, to me at least, the OBC cast is something of a legend. Even ensemble members were treated like stars after the opening. People did not know what to do with themselves. I wish I was alive when that show was out!!
ANYWAY, The Wedding Singer is filled with new, young, and vibrant talent. Each lead is so diffrent individually, I can't wait to see how those people's chemistry work on the stage together. I am also happy Felicia is back on the boards and getting the OBC credit she deserves.
"All I want is the truth, just give me some truth!"- J. Lennon
#18re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/11/06 at 1:50pm
and when is it scheduled to go into previews? anyone know?
The Seattle try-out is schedules to go from January 31 - February 16th. Previews in NYC are scheduled to begin March 30th with the show opening on April 27th. :)
I've never seen the movie, but people seem to really love it. It's a cheesy romantic storyline, yes, but people like that. They like funny, light-hearted, feel good shows and that seems to be exactly what Wedding Singer will be. Not to mention, from the looks of it, it's packed with talent. I'm really excited!
WOSQ
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/03
#19re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/11/06 at 2:16pm
West Side Story was a risk because musicals did not often have such downbeat endings. It was hardly a sleeper although it was not the super smash we think it was. It took the film version to make it an American classic.
However, a sleeper is not just about the actors, but about the creators as well. West Side Story had two powerhouses, Jerry Robbins and Leonard Bernstein plus Artie Laurents was not exactly chopped liver (as he will be the first to tell you).
A sleeper has very little in the credits that stir interest. 1776 had a name choreographer (Onna White) for a show that was not heavy on dance and that's about it except for the designers. The source material was highly suspect as well--the Declaration of Independence? Come on.
Wedding Singer cuts no new ground as a film anywhere. You knew where it was going to end at the beginning. My concern is will this hurt the show? Having no expectations could cut into an advance sale.
If the reviews aren't there in spades, then its a goner.
"If my life weren't funny, it would just be true. And that would be unacceptable."
--Carrie Fisher
MusicAndPassion
Broadway Star Joined: 9/14/05
#20re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/11/06 at 2:48pm
I can picture The Wedding Singer to be like the past two musicals to play at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre ; not the best musicals out there, not the worst, and it won't be extremely long running, my guess it probably more like Wonderful Town.
It will draw a fan base and the movie has a lot of fans.
I can not wait for this production!
theatreboi11
Broadway Star Joined: 5/9/05
#21re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/11/06 at 2:53pmIsn't The Wedding Singer score just a collection of 80's songs?
(Martha Graham from a letter to Agnes de Mille) "There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening That is translated through you into action, And because there is only one of you in all time, This expression is unique. If you block it, It will never exist through any other medium And be lost. The world will never have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, Nor how valuable it is, Nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, To keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware Directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, A blessed unrest that keeps us marching And makes us more alive than others."
JBSinger
Broadway Star Joined: 11/12/04
#22re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/11/06 at 3:40pm
No the score is original (except for 2 songs that Sandler wrote for the movie). The score is supposed to be 80's-esque! Should be fun!
What I meant by sleeper hit is this: Unlike Lestat and Tarzan which have had huge group industry events, high profile songwriters, and big corporate publicity behind them, The Wedding Singer seems to just be slipping into town. Perhaps after the out-of-town buzz starts, expectations will be a bit higher. It sounds like fun to me. The movie is cute and charming.
#23re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/11/06 at 3:45pmAnd Kevin Cahoon is in it which is another good excuse to go! He is such a talent!!!
"It is bad enough that people are dying of AIDS, but no one should die of ignorance." -
Elizabeth Taylor
#24re: Wedding Singer - Sleeper hit of 2006?
Posted: 1/11/06 at 3:48pmI do agree that this deserves to be catagorized as a sleeper hit
"All I want is the truth, just give me some truth!"- J. Lennon
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