Young Frankenstein last night

[Marway44]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 4:58pm

Hey gang,

Last night was my 2nd time seeing YF and the show hasn't changed much since mid November. I noticed some lines were delivered a little different and the deliverance was not as funny. Cristopher Fitzgerald was even funnier than last time
(which I didn't think was possible). We had a full cast and you can see the clear bandage on Sutton's ankle from her fall but she moved fine without any noticeable difference. Roger was great. Megan, Andrea and Hensley were just as great as last time and no one has seem to have tired out yet. Fred was brilliant again and his "Blind Hermit" is still spot on. At the beginning of the 2nd Act during "He's Loose" half of his mustache came loose from his face and hit the stage. It looked funny but no one picked it up and broke character. He also flubbed a line when he gave the speech to the villagers about looking out for someone wheeling a coffin. Their was incredible energy coming from everyone including the orchestra but unfortunately the soured audience who read what the critics had to say was not so energetic. About 4 people gave a standing ovation. The biggest applause of the night came when they made the black and white effect on the screen. Even the special effect hardly got any applause. In the Ritz when they were doing the "flying" effect 2 people tried to get the place clapping but no one caught on.

The theatre did have many empty seats. In the Orchestra the 6th row on the left had 6 empty seats, and the 5th row had 4. The rear orchestra, center and sides had seats also so I guess it was a good idea not to release the numbers. The front mezz had the first 4 row rolls full amd the balcony had the first 2. An usher told me the show will definitely not run nearly as long as "The Producers" and she for sees a closing shortly after the big names leave. I heard people comparing it to "The Producers" at intermission which I don't think is fair because it's 2 completely different shows but it's to be expected.

Personally I really enjoy this show and I used to think that anyone can fill big shoes. Like when Nathan and Matthew left "The Producers", I loved Richard Kind and Alan Ruck. They remain my favorite replacements. But with this show I don't see any great replacements happening and when Sutton leaves for "Shrek" (and other principle), I think the show will get even more bad press and meet it's demise.

Lastly, I just have to say something about the couple in front of me. Every time that a joke was said or something funny happened the woman looked at the man to see if he was laughing and she was putting on his horrible fake laugh for his benefit. So about half was through the first Act she couldn't take the fact that he wasn't laughing and said loudly to him "Wasn't that funny honey"? And he didn't answer. Then after another joke she asked again and my brother shushed her. She turned around and said "mind your own business" to which the guy turned to her "you cut out the s@#t now and the phony laugh" and he turned around and apologized to my brother. At intermission the guy next me told us that for him when the guy said that to the woman "that was the funniest think he heard so far". And he is certainly entitled to his opinion, and that is what this world go round. Everyone is allowed to make their own opinion. I just wish people didn't listen to the critics so much.
Updated On: 2/9/08 at 04:58 PM

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 5:08pm

The masses need to learn 'individualism' -- and FORM THEIR OWN freakin' OPINIONS! Seriously.

Glad you enjoyed it (again).

Here's to Sutton's foot getting better ... Oh, and to SHREK!
Updated On: 2/9/08 at 05:08 PM

[Marway44]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 5:48pm

Thanks Mike! I really did enjoy it again.

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 5:58pm

If you see groups of 4 or 5 or 2 seats in different places how can you say its not selling??? People dont turn up to performances for millions of reasons- deaths , births, marriages etc.

[Marway44]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 6:22pm

WickedBoy2, While that is true about 4 or 5 seats the empty rows in the back of the orchestra, front mezz and balcony certainly speak volume.

[worrell4077]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 6:22pm

I'm looking forward to seeing this soon. I'm trying for lotto next Month and I'm hoping that my Acting class goes to see this.

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 6:31pm

Didnt mention those ditcha! Seems you spent more time counting seats than enjoying the show.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 6:37pm

Updated On: 5/7/09 at 06:37 PM

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 6:44pm

It was their second time to the show so it they must have enjoyed it!

[brettystar]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 8:15pm

I have been interested in seeing this musical as I quite enjoyed the film and could see how it might translate well to the stage. I have recently purchased the cd from amazon and I think the music is great. My question is this: why has it received a lukewarm response from some critics and theatergoers? Also I am from Australia and have only been to Broadway once before, so I would be grateful if anyone could advise if they think that 2nd row on the left side in the orchestra would be an ok seat?

[Eponine]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 8:24pm

I also saw the show last night for the first time. I felt like it almost hit the hilarious mark but fell a little short.

Everyone was wonderful but I absolutely was blown away by Andrea Martin. She was so funny. Her delivery and her acting were amazing.

I also noticed that half his mustache fell off. Two songs later, it was back on.

Other things: Sutton and Roger both laughed when she says "I only laughed once."

And I was in the front row (yay lotto!) and kept seeing Megan Mullally's bra. And I remember her saying in an interview that she didn't want to be used for her "Karen" voice, but it seems like she used it a lot.

And when the monster ran out into the audience some scared kid gave this blood-curling scream...funny stuff.

Overall...not my favorite show, but it was still very enjoyable.
Updated On: 2/9/08 at 08:24 PM

[Boq101]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 8:30pm

why would an acting class go to YF when there are so many better acted shows out there? you should hope they go see August: Osage County. THAT was some great acting.

[broadwayrocks2]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 8:34pm

mar way is michael a riedel i think

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 8:37pm

Updated On: 5/7/09 at 08:37 PM

[broadwayrocks2]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 8:51pm

I think watching andrea and christoper would be good for any acting student.marway sounded like he wanted to tell people about the empty seats more then a review of the show.. Another person that has a bad case of mel envy.

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 10:16pm

I still don't know why so many people seem to hate this show so much. To be honest, I did not like "The Producers" and thought that it did not live up to the hype. With "Young Frankenstein" I feel quite the opposite. While the show will not go down as the best show in Broadway history, I enjoyed it.

[musicalmaster703]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 10:20pm

I enjoyed it too!

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 10:33pm

Thanks for your review! Glad you had a great time!

[cur10call]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 12:18am

I saw the Wednesday Matinee. Signed up for the lottery but there wasn't one since there were only 3 people that signed up. The orchestra was pretty full but there was no one in the mezz or balcony. About the last 5 or 6 rows of the orchestra were also empty. Now I could have just hit the show on an off day. It was supposed to be really bad weather so maybe people just didn't want to go to the theater. Overall I thought the show was good. Didn't think it was as funny as I wanted it to be but I enjoyed it. Andrea Martin was the best part of the show. Christopher Fitzgerald was out so I was a bit disappointed.

[Marway44]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 1:26am

Thanks for the nice note BroadwayFan! As you can tell I enjoyed once again!

[Marway44]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 1:29am

cur10call (great name), Who understudied Christopher and how was he? Can you give a review please? Having only seen the original cast I have nothing to compare him too. Speaking of understudies can anyone give a review of any understudies they have seen in this show? I would love to read them!
Updated On: 2/10/08 at 01:29 AM

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 2:00am

Brian Shepard was on for Christopher on Tuesday night and Wednesday matinee.

As a side note, Jon Patrick Walker was on as Frederick Frankenstein for the matinee today, and I heard some great things about his performance.

[cur10call]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 10:59am

Thanks Marway44. Brian Shephard was on for Christpher on Wednesday. I really have nothing to compare him to considering I haven't seen Christopher in the roll. I have only seen clips. I did expect the roll to be funnier then it was. Brian was fine but I wanted more.

[musicalmaster703]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 11:47am

when i went an understudy was on for roger and he was very bad!

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 11:52am

i agree about seeing August. While I loved Andrea, Chris, and Megan I can't say I was "blown" away like I was with almost every member of August's cast.

back to topic, the show's been on TKTS lately. i've seen it 2/3 times. not a good sign.