Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR- Page 3
Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR
Featured Actor Joined: 3/25/08
re: Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR#50
Posted: 3/25/08 at 10:48pm
I saw the final Dress Rehearsal last night.
While it wasn't the greatest piece of theatre, it's better then the other junk that's getting thrown out there.
With that said... the score was sweet and delightful but nothing more than that. It didn't stand out to me.
The book, as well, just lacked any type of punch. Obviously I wasn't expecting some hip show like "Passing Strange" or risque like "Spring Awakening" but it just lagged on. I became extremely bored.
Does it have potential? Yes.
Does it fill that potential? No.
A positive note - The performances were very strong; everyone was just fabulous!
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
re: Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR#51
Posted: 3/25/08 at 11:00pm
Too bad they ditched Don Sebesky. He's one of the best orchestrators out there.
re: Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR#52
Posted: 3/25/08 at 11:15pm
Too bad they ditched Don Sebeskey. He's one of the best orchestrators out there.
- Some were not happy with what he did to SWEET CHARITY in 2005. I prefer Tunick.
Anyway. The opinions are mixed so far at ATC.
Featured Actor Joined: 3/25/08
re: Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR#53
Posted: 3/25/08 at 11:16pm
Please tell me that's a joke.
Jonathan Tunick is quite possibly the most genius orchestrator for the Broadway stage. Any musicians out there will agree with me, on this.
Featured Actor Joined: 1/24/07
re: Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR#54
Posted: 3/25/08 at 11:17pm
So, I went to the first preview tonight... Partial view which I didn't think would be a problem after seeing grey gardens 6 times and never having a bad seat. Haha well, I've found the one bad seat in the kerr.. Second row to the extreme left but I could bacially see the action except for some random upstage windows. Guys, I really wanted to love this show... I left the theatre thinking the cast was very talented. THATS ABOUT IT. The book is kinda dull and just falls flat after an hour. I'm a HUGE Bucchino fan and while the music was pretty to listen too.. 90 percent of those songs are spoken and to be honest I can't remember a single song. The only thing memorable about this show was Faith who gave a whole hearted performance. There wasn't one cast member I disliked... Go see the show and make up your own mind. I don't think it was "bad" by any means, it was kinda "flat" for lack of a better word.
Updated On: 3/25/08 at 11:17 PM
re: Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR#55
Posted: 3/25/08 at 11:21pm
Was that rush, or what?
I want so badly for this to be good. And I've learned my lesson about having high expectations, but I can't seem to stop hoping.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
re: Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR#56
Posted: 3/25/08 at 11:24pm
Yeah, hi, I know who Tunick is. You don't just throw out Don Sebesky orchestrations, sorry. He's top notch.
re: Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR#57
Posted: 3/25/08 at 11:25pm
This whole "disappointment" feeling totally sucks.
Why couldn't this show be getting raves for me?
PS. Anyone know where I can get a hold of some song samples?
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
Featured Actor Joined: 3/25/08
re: Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR#58
Posted: 3/25/08 at 11:28pm
"Yeah, hi, I know who Tunick is. You don't just throw out Don Sebeskey orchestrations, sorry. He's top notch."
-------------
You throw out Sebesky orchestrations if you can get Tunick to write new ones.
It was a last minute change, before they began the New York process, and I personally know that Mr. Bucchino was EXTREMELY pleased with the change.
I mean, Tunick is the man responsible for assisting Sondheim in writing some really genius arrangements.
re: Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR#59
Posted: 3/25/08 at 11:31pm
A poster over at ATC just said Harvey is basically ruining many parts of the show. They feel he is way too over the top for this piece. The poster also said he tried to work a gay sensibility into the book which isn't working.
That doesn't surprise me (about him being too over the top).
Updated On: 3/25/08 at 11:31 PM
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
re: Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR#60
Posted: 3/25/08 at 11:31pm
>You throw out Sebesky orchestrations if you can get Tunick to write new ones.<
You do. I wouldn't.
Featured Actor Joined: 1/24/07
re: Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR#61
Posted: 3/25/08 at 11:38pmUm, and I forgot to mention harvey on his first "real" song.. I can't temember the name of it but he sounded like he was dying. I liked him but he can't belt.. Ahah
re: Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR#62
Posted: 3/26/08 at 12:12am
Anyone feel like being uber-kind and get an image or two of the PLAYBILL up here. Or, y'know, a song list? 
Stand-by Joined: 9/15/06
re: Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR#64
Posted: 3/26/08 at 12:20am
Jesus Christ Almighty could be brought in to re-do the orchestrations, and it wouldn't help the bland banality
and static untheatricality of the score I heard in California....
Stand-by Joined: 3/3/06
re: Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR#66
Posted: 3/26/08 at 1:04amWell, I'm shocked at these negative reviews. Everyone I have spoken to has liked it. And, while I've only had the opportunity to listen to the show these past two nights, I have been very moved by it.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
re: Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR#67
Posted: 3/26/08 at 1:13amJrb- There are a lot more positive reviews over at ATC. I didn't expect this crowd over here to love it since the majority of posters are young and it doesn't speak to a younger audience as much as it does to an older one.
re: Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR#68
Posted: 3/26/08 at 1:14ami love John Bucchino's work and I really look forward to seeing it.
Leading Actor Joined: 5/28/03
re: Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR#69
Posted: 3/26/08 at 1:14am
Much of the early negative reviews are in line with my thoughts of the show in San Diego. Perhaps Tunick improved the music with his orchestration but to me, this is a tiny little play with forgettable sung through dialogue for the most part. Everything about it is soo obvious while watching it...especially the gimmicky direction that relys on these SILENT MOMENTS. By the second or third time the director uses this device, he's all but screaming at you that these are PROFOUND MOMENTS DAMMIT! It boils down to a lot of bland pretention to me, although I did think the later part of the play was moving..well except for the sacharrine final scene... But getting there is quite a boring journey and this is only a one act "musical". Prince and Wopat are both fine, but Fierstein is a huge distraction.I prefered Cry Baby to this at La Jolla...even though I didnt think it was perfect either.
Updated On: 3/26/08 at 01:14 AM
re: Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR#70
Posted: 3/26/08 at 1:21am
Well it's not Mamma Mia or Legally Blond that is for certain.
It's not a typical musical at all. I suspect that is why many people are not enjoying it. It's doesn't serve the audience expectation for a "musical". It serves the story, which is what all theatre should do.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
re: Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR#71
Posted: 3/26/08 at 1:26am
I'm sorry, this is totally superficial, but they need a new marquee. White just shouldn't be on a marquee, it looks dull and boring.
anyways, I'm curious to see how this show fares. It seems to be the most serious out of all the new musicals.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
re: Welcome A CATERED AFFAIR#74
Posted: 3/26/08 at 1:36am
I would say 77% of the show is sung through.
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