Harvey FiersbackIn my PR world, I've always lived by the mantra that you never pick a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel.
But I've got to hand it to
Harvey Fierstein for having the courage to
fire back at his critics, particularly Charles McNulty of the
Los Angeles Times for his
savage review of
A Catered Affair during its pre-Broadway engagement in San Diego.
On his
MySpace blog, Fierstein also takes aim at those who had issues with what they viewed as his anachronistic characterization of a gay man living in the 1950s:
In A Catered Affair I have been accused, by a few well meaning critics who loved the show, of creating a gay character that is "post-Stonewall" and not true to the period of the piece. Once again I ask: What makes them so sure? Did they do any of the research that I did? Did they interview gay men who lived through the period as I have? Did they view documentaries telling stories of what it was like to be gay in 1953 as I did? Did they read books or personal accounts of gay life in 1953 as I did?
I doubt that one of those critics took the time to be sure they were correct before telling me that I was incorrect. Still they blithely and boldy state in print that I am wrong and they are right!!! I say that is simply outrageous. And I tell you ON RECORD that I did my research and I firmly stand behind my portrayal of that character as true and real. The funny part is that these opinions, like most advice, were not given to harm, but to help me make a better piece. So,I thank them for their advice, but encourage them to know whereof they speak before prescribing cures.
MAYBE I'M CRAZY, BUT...
...I go to the theater hoping that I will learn something new. I go praying that the playwright will inform my world, change my opinion, enlighten me, cause me to think, open my mind and heart. But it seems that some critics go to the theater only to validate their own predetermined opinion. What a loss for them! And what a loss for their readers.
One thing you can't accuse Harvey Fierstein of being is a wimp or a coward.
While I regret not having the opportunity to see this show in San Diego, now I'm
really looking forward to seeing it on Broadway.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.Related Stories:Were Left Coast Critics Feting A Catered Affair? (October 3, 2007)
San Diego Opening Is Catered Affair (September 30, 2007)
Which Upcoming Broadway Musicals Will You See? (June 15, 2007)
Fierstein To Musicalize Bette Davis' Fave Flick (March 21, 2007)
Labels: A Catered Affair, Blogs, Broadway, California, Charles McNulty, Critics' Capsule, Film, Harvey Fierstein, Los Angeles Times, Musical, Paddy Chayefsky, San Diego, Tryout
Were Left Coast Critics Feting A Catered Affair?On Sunday, the out-of-town tryout for the
John Doyle-helmed
A Catered Affair opened at San Diego's
Old Globe Theatre.
With book by
Harvey Fierstein and score by
John Bucchino, the Broadway-bound tuner received two positive reviews, as well as one flat-out pan. But Broadway veteran
Faith Prince earned accolades throughout.
Calling it an "assured chamber musical,"
San Diego Union-Tribune's
Anne Marie Welsh celebrates: "Fierstein, Bucchino and the actors explore the characters with a tact and depth beyond that of most contemporary musicals....Prince's beautifully restrained, carefully calibrated and thoroughly unsentimental performance should earn her accolades and awards this spring when the show opens in New York....Doyle's measured direction in the emotional turning points is near perfect....Fierstein and company have already achieved in this artful piece far more than most hard-selling musicals aspire to: They've created real struggling human beings whose deepest feelings are beyond words -- and therefore find true expression in song."
Noting how "John Doyle sets the songs flowing seamlessly out of the dialogue,"
Variety's
Bob Verini is also positive -- mostly: "Much is verbalized in Harvey Fierstein's gritty slice-of-life dialogue and John Bucchino's sensitive lyrics, but the use of silence -- sometimes for as long as 30 seconds -- is remarkable: Few tuner directors would conceive of those quiet moments, and even fewer would dare attempt them....Prince internalizes Aggie's bitterness and self-pity, blossoming beautifully when Winston challenges her to imagine her own ideal wedding in the lovely 'Vision.' (
Tom) Wopat is a gruff and powerfully dormant presence on the periphery, and (
Leslie) Kritzer pulls off show's toughest assignment in seeking to establish a sense of self while alternately resisting and encouraging the wedding hoopla. Fierstein's reconfiguration of the uncle role, from
Barry Fitzgerald's asexual imp to an explicitly gay shop owner whose relationship is on the skids, is problematic."
Deeming the affair "a pointless enterprise," the
Los Angeles Times'
Charles McNulty mostly pans: "Should we really be trawling for such mediocre source material without a sharp revitalizing vision? (
Paddy) Chayefsky's expiration date passed long ago, yet Fierstein serves up the saga as though it were fresh milk....But not even Doyle's boldness can rescue an idea that's inherently at cross-purposes with itself. Does the show want to be stark or saccharine? Brutally honest or comically consoling? Courageously untraditional or only conveniently so?"
Regardless of that last critique,
A Catered Affair has extended its San Diego run until November 4. Look for the show to land at Broadway's the
Walter Kerr Theatre on March 25.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.Related Stories:San Diego Opening Is Catered Affair (September 30, 2007)
Which Upcoming Broadway Musicals Will You See? (June 15, 2007)
Fierstein To Musicalize Bette Davis' Fave Flick (March 21, 2007)
Labels: A Catered Affair, Broadway, California, Critics' Capsule, Faith Prince, Film, Harvey Fierstein, John Doyle, Musical, Paddy Chayefsky, San Diego
Fierstein To Musicalize Bette Davis' Fave Flick
According to
Michael Riedel of the
New York Post, Tony winner
Harvey Fierstein is planning a return to Broadway via a musical version of
Paddy Chayefsky's "
The Catered Affair." In addition to starring in the new tuner, Fierstein has written the book.
John Bucchino is penning the score, while
John Doyle is reportedly set to direct, although don't expect to see Mr. Fierstein playing any instruments. Fierstein is quoted as saying, "I told him, I ain't playing no damn tambourine. I'm very pro-union. I ain't taking no jobs from musicians."
"The Catered Affair" was originally a 1956 teleplay starring
Bette Davis,
Ernest Borgnine,
Debbie Reynolds and
Rod Taylor. Reputedly, it was Davis' personal favorite role.
Look for the musical to arrive on Broadway sometime during the 2007-08 Theatrical Season.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Bette Davis, Broadway, Film, First Word On New Show, Harvey Fierstein, John Doyle, Musical, Paddy Chayefsky, The Catered Affair
