Your best and worst from this Broadway Season — Page 2

I know that this was a limited run in a non-profit theatre but I really want to put Everyday Rapture under my "best" list.

I have to go along with what everyone is saying about WSS. I hate to use the word "worst" to describe it because there were aspects of the show I did enjoy (ie Curtis/Karen). But, I recall being one of the first to cry foul over Matt's performance (and was lambasted for it! ha). I may revisit the show when Matt is not in.

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Eris I agree. Matt just didnt do it for me as Tony.
This sounds stupid but I felt like I was listening to a boy band singer up there (I saw it 2 days after opening night so maybe he changed).

I tried so hard to like the show but I felt ecsepcially with Tony he was just out of place. Maybe its cause I expected so much the characters to be like the ones I grew up with from the movie. But Karen didnt dissapoint I felt she did a great job as Anita, She seemed like the only one who fit her character perfectly.

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Eris so he wont be in this upcoming saturday?

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His understudy was worse. I don't understand how people say he was good. His voice was exactly like Matt C's. A dying goat.

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Ah.. CS must you scare me so..ha.

I am hesitant. I am hoping a understudy would be better than Matt but I do hear conflicting things about his understudy..

Im just hoping it will be better than the last time I went..

Anyone stage door? how is everyone there?

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Best musical: Next to Normal
But Best theatrical experience I've had in a long time - Norman Conquests Trilogy, all in one day. One of the best days ever.

Worst: Blithe Spirit. I was really bothered through the whole thing because it could have been much better. Whenever Angela did the crazy little dance with all the mugging for the audience and everyone screamed and cheered for it like it was genius, it was so annoying. It wasn't even funny, it was just stupid.

BEST
Title of Show
Next to Normal
Norman Conquests
God of Carnage
Hair

WORST
Guys & Dolls
Rock of Ages
9 to 5
Blithe Spirit
West Side Story

Best
Mary Stuart (far above all others)
Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Speed-the-Plow
God of Carnage
33 Variations

Worst
West Side Story
A Tale of Two Cities
Blithe Spirit (save for Angela)
The American Plan
To Be or Not to Be

I'd also put The Seagull and The Norman Conquests into the "wildly overrated" category, and give some off-Broadway shout-outs to Ruined and The Cherry Orchard.

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Best:
Billy Elliot
9 to 5
Title of Show
Next to Normal

Worst:
Tale of Two Cities
Pal Joey
Guys and Dolls

CyCoSpaz and Phllly - I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!

AC and TheaterDork? mmmm...not so much

I haven't posted in quite awhile, but I have to respond to this thread. I am shocked that West Side Story is on so many "worst" lists here. It was one of 4 productions that we saw on our last visit (the others were Hair, Billy Elliot, and Toxic Avenger) and I thought it was the best! How can anyone be a theater fan and not love this amazing score played by that orchestra, at least. PLUS, you get Dance at the Gym, America, and Cool (3 of the greatest choreographed numbers in musical theatre history), all occurring before intermission!!! It is just shocking to me that so many on here are so negative about this production. BTW, I thought Matt delivered a fine "Maria."
This is one of my favorite movies of all time, and I felt that this production did it justice.

(I don't have a "worst" since I enjoyed all of the shows we saw!)

BEST Musicals:
Next to Normal--for its relevant subject matter and bold exploration of emotions. Also a flawless ensemble cast.
Billy Elliot---for its phenominally creative and appropriate directing and choreographic choices.

WORST Musicals:
Rock of Ages---loved the music, hated almost every other choice made in the show.
9 to 5---for putting Joe Mantello and Stephanie J. Block on my list of least favorite artists working on Broadway.
Hair---for having lots of unfocused energy.

BEST Plays:
Mary Stuart---for profound direction and masterful performances. Wow.
The Norman Conquests---for six amazing, detailed performances that made the characters real people that I feel are a part of my life.
All My Sons---for an effective concept and appropriate handling of emotion.

WORST Plays:
Blithe Spirit---for doing absolutely nothing for me. It wasn't actually all that bad, but I missed all the bad plays this season, so I needed something to put here

BEST Musical Performances:
Alice Ripley, Next to Normal---for the completely believable nuances.
J. Robert Spencer, Next to Normal---for pulling me into the struggle of the family.
Aaron Tveit, Next to Normal---for the generosity of his spirit that I felt emanating from him as a performer.
David Alvarez, Billy Elliot---for vomiting his soul in Electricity.
(Honorable Mentions to Gregory Jbara, Josefina Scaglione, David Bologna, Adam Chanler-Berat, Jennifer Damiano, Wesley Taylor, Lauren Molina, Haydn Gwiynne, Gavin Creel, Caissie Levy, Allie Trimm and Al Calderon)

WORST Musical Performances:
Stephanie J. Block, 9 to 5---for trying way too hard and not acting well.
Matt Cavanaugh, West Side Story---for delivering dialogue in a way that made me think he has never taken an acting class.

BEST Play Performances:
Almost too many to name. Harriet Walter, Janet McTeer, Dianne Weist, John Lithgow, Patrick Wilson, Daniel Radcliffe, Richard Griffiths, the entire cast of Norman Conquests, Chandler Williams, Angela Lansbury, Geoffrey Rush, Lauren Ambrose---all for creating thoughtful, believable, and intriguing characters on stage that made me consider my own life.

WORST Play Performances:
Susan Sarandon, Exit the King---for almost putting me to sleep. Still love her though.
Carolyn McCormack, Equus---for making me cringe in an awkward kind of way.
Kate Mulgrew, Equus---for making me wonder why she was even there.

Updated On: 8/18/09 at 01:30 AM