YF Review 8/24/08 3pm
YF Review 8/24/08 3pm
YF Review 8/24/08 3pm#1
Posted: 8/24/08 at 11:08pm
I saw Young Frankenstein today. Im not sure why. It was pretty disappointing.
The songs were OK tho less than memorable, the acting was fine, the sets were QUITE impressive- but it just was not funny. No matter how you look at it, if a show tries to make you laugh and fails, its hard to get excited about it.
I did not like Roger Bart at ALL in this role- screaming all the time and understandably bored by the proceedings. Sutton Foster's replacement (i dont have my playbill and I forget her name) was adequate, but nothing special (nice belt tho). Michelle Ragusa was mimicking Megan Mullaly who was mimicking Karen Walker- she was fine. Another good voice, but I found myself wishing I was seeing Mullaly- the role seems to be written for her style.
The standouts of course were Christopher Fitzgerald and Beth Leavel. The only times I actually laughed this afternoon were when either of them opened their mouths- Fitzgerald was especially fantastic. Really fantastic. And Beth Leavel might not be as comedically gifted as Andrea Martin, but she has a hell of a voice. They stole- and justified- the show.
and fyi- the theater (which i had not been in since Jesus Christ Superstar in 2000) is gorgeous- a pleasure to be inside. Was pretty full- large empty pockets in mezz and orch, but def more than 80% full overall.
re: YF Review 8/24/08 3pm#2
Posted: 8/24/08 at 11:26pm
Glad you liked Christopher. Out of every Broadway Theatre I have been in, The Hilton is my favorite. 
re: YF Review 8/24/08 3pm#2
Posted: 8/24/08 at 11:27pm
I kinda agree I was dissapointed in this show abit, not as good as Producers.
I was there thursday and the Dress Circle was less than 50% full, probably even less than 40% full.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
re: YF Review 8/24/08 3pm#3
Posted: 8/25/08 at 4:28am
I saw this with my mom on Saturday (the matinee), and Christopher Fitzgerald was out. I was disappointed, because the first time I saw the show, he was probably one of the funnier parts of the show. James Gray was Igor, who was good, but it wasn't the same. It seems Christopher Fitzgerald is out quite often.
Anyways, it definitely wasn't as hilarious as made out to be. I actually liked Michelle Ragusa. I thought Kelly Sullivan was good...she was a better yodeler than Sutton. Anyways, we had a good time. I still love the hayride scene.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/15/04
re: YF Review 8/24/08 3pm#4
Posted: 8/25/08 at 11:54am
" Michelle Ragusa was mimicking Megan Mullaly who was mimicking Karen Walker- she was fine."
Not exactly sure how you know this if like you say you have not seen the show before.
re: YF Review 8/24/08 3pm#5
Posted: 8/26/08 at 10:00am
uhm, because i am familiar with megan mullaly's work, and Ragusa acted/talked/sounded/made facial expressions like Mullaly does... when shes playing the Karen Walker role.
i dont see how not seeing the show before has anything to do with it... even if Megan Mullaly played the role nothing like Karen Walker (and I am told that she did) I still was able to recognize that Ragusa's persona was very similar to Megan's Karen shtick.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
re: YF Review 8/24/08 3pm#6
Posted: 8/26/08 at 10:22am
"i dont see how not seeing the show before has anything to do with it... even if Megan Mullaly played the role nothing like Karen Walker (and I am told that she did) I still was able to recognize that Ragusa's persona was very similar to Megan's Karen shtick"
Because how can you make that judgement based on something you haven't seen? You're saying that Megan played the role nothing like Karen Walker, then you said you were "told that she did." I saw Michelle and Megan in the role, and found Megan to be more perky and charming. I liked them both, and found Michelle's voice to be better. They didn't sound the same, in my opinion. Yes, some of their mannerisms were similar, but I think that has to do with the way the character was written...but they each brought a different take on the role.
re: YF Review 8/24/08 3pm#7
Posted: 8/26/08 at 12:45pm
i never said Megan played the role nothing like Karen Walker. I am saying Ragusa seemed to be channeling Megan Mullaly's Karen Walker. I dont think thats a stretch. Also, seeing as I have seen the show Will & Grace a good 4,000 times I am familiar with the karen walker persona- which is absolutely the way Ragusa played it.
it wasnt even really a criticism- but its silly to assert that I can't recognize megan's karen walker in ragusa's portrayal because i didnt see megan's karen walker in her own portrayal in YF.
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