SOB's Theatrical Firsts Of The Noughties: My First Time On A Broadway Stage
Over the course of the last decade, I’ve been truly fortunate to enjoy a number of enlightening firsts in my personal theatergoing that have only served to increase my deep and abiding love for the art form known as live theatre. What follows is one of my ten favorite experiences of the last ten years.Although I have never had any designs on being an actor, I always wondered what the theatre looked like from on stage. If you read
this previous post, you'll know that my first time on the
Gershwin stage was compliments of one of
Wicked’s cast members.
But my first time
ever to set foot on a Broadway stage came about in 2006. Two of my best friends in the entire world happen to be friends with lyricist
Chad Beguelin, whom I met when he was putting the finishing touches on the book and score for his first Rialto effort,
The Wedding Singer.
After the musical debuted on Broadway, we went to see the show at the
Al Hirschfeld Theatre. Chad offered to meet us immediately after the performance. Although the show received mixed reviews,
we all had a great time, which was a bit of a relief as I’m not particularly good at lying about whether I’ve enjoyed a show. Fortunately, I didn’t need to.
So when we met up with Chad, we gave him our thumbs-up. In turn, he gave us a backstage tour, introducing us to the show’s star:
Stephen Lynch, as well as taking us onto the stage itself.
I couldn’t get over how much smaller everything seemed up close and personal. I found myself thinking, “Ah, the magic of theatre.” Perhaps even more thrilling than being backstage was being greeted by the throngs of fans lined up at the stage door. They certainly had no clue who I was, but it was fun seeing them try to guess.
Since then, I’ve been invited backstage at three other Broadway venues.
As
noted earlier, I have been on
Wicked’s stage at the Gershwin.
Additionally, just one year ago as
Harvey Fierstein was reprising his turn as Edna Turnblad in
Hairspray at the
Neil Simon, he personally provided me a rare opportunity to join him backstage. When he escorted us through the stage door into the theatre, little did I know I would be stepping directly onto the Neil Simon stage.
Then, this past summer, one of
Billy Elliot’s Tony winning actors graciously invited us to join him for a wonderful backstage tour in which he divulged many of the shows design secrets. That tour was capped off with an introduction to the musical’s Tony-winning director,
Stephen Daldry.
How many other Broadway stages will I someday find myself on? To be honest, what’s more important to me is cherishing each of my once-in-a-lifetime experiences I've already enjoyed in “treading the boards” of Broadway. Speaking of which, I made an unanticipated return to that Al Hirschfeld stage earlier this year, but that return deserves a post all its own.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
In keeping with the new that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post. I paid my own way for all performances above.Labels: Al Hirschfeld Theatre, Billy Elliot The Musical, Broadway, Chad Beguelin, Gershwin Theatre, Hairspray, Harvey Fierstein, Imperial Theatre, Neil Simon Theatre, Stephen Daldry, The Wedding Singer, Wicked
Calling It Quits: The Wedding Singer Set To Close At Year’s End
After weeks, if not months, of conjecture regarding the future of
The Wedding Singer -- the Tony-nominated musical based on the motion picture starring
Adam Sandler and
Drew Barrymore -- the tuner is now set to close on December 31 after its 284th regular performance since opening last April. Its departure from the Great White Way could pave the way, as has been speculated, for the Broadway debut of
John Kander and
Fred Ebb’s
Curtains.
Although its box office has been back up in the 70+ percent range over the past couple weeks, that improvement coupled with star
Laura Benanti’s recent return haven’t been enough to help pull the show out of the bottom five shows in overall capacity. Still,
The Producers and
Rent continue to attract even lower capacities than
The Wedding Singer.
Personally, I enjoyed this funny, engaging production and found it to be much more clever and heartwarming than most critics (I mean, did any of them listen to the lyrics???). Could it be that most critics didn’t enjoy the 1980s quite as much as I did?
I look forward to seeing more of
Stephen Lynch (who snagged a Tony nod for his first Broadway outing) and
Kevin Cahoon (who’s always completely immersed in his diverse roles), as well as hearing more from the underrated songwriting team of
Matthew Sklar and
Chad Beguelin. Fortunately, the latter duo is already at work on their next project.
For those who can’t make the journey to New York before New Year’s Eve, you’ll still have your opportunity to see
The Wedding Singer, which promises to tour nationally starting next year. But if you’re like me and you prefer to see the real McCoy, make tracks now to the
Al Hirshfeld Theatre.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.
Related Stories:Does Holiday Bounce Provide Second Honeymoon for Wedding Singer? (September 5, 2006)
High Fidelity Tunes In To High Capacity Imperial (August 24, 2006)
Which Broadway Musical Will Depart Next? (August 21, 2006)
Benanti's Trial Separation from The Wedding Singer (August 14, 2006)
TheaterMania.com Poll Gives The Wedding Singer Edge Among Tony Production Numbers (June 21, 2006)
The Wedding Singer Pumps Up the Box Office Volume (June 13, 2006)
The Wedding Singer Original Cast Recording Now Available (June 6, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote...for Best Musical (May 31, 2006)
The Wedding Singer (The SOB Review) - Al Hirschfeld Theatre, New York, NY (May 8, 2006)
Critics Not Completely Engaged by The Wedding Singer (April 28, 2006)
The Wedding Singer's Secret Weapon: Kevin Cahoon? (April 27, 2006)
The Wedding Singer Opens on Broadway Tonight (April 27, 2006)
Labels: Broadway, Closing Notices, Curtains, Film, Musical, The Wedding Singer
Broadway Box Office ReboundsAs predicted, Broadway bounced back
somewhat this past week from the steep decline it experienced the week before. Most shows enjoyed at least a bit of a rebound week-over-week.
Leading the pack in terms of week-over-week capacity increases was
The Wedding Singer with a 17% larger audience than the week before at the
Al Hirschfeld Theatre. That increase brings the tuner's weekly capacity to 69.5%, ahead of such venerable hits as
The Phantom Of The Opera (69.3%),
Hairspray (68.9%),
Rent (65.4%) and
The Producers (which remains in the box office basement with 54.5%).
The other top gainers week-over-week were
Hairspray (increase of 16%),
Beauty And The Beast (increase of 12.3%),
Rent (increase of 11.4%),
The Drowsy Chaperone (increase of 11.1%) and
The Producers (increase of 10.7%). Only two shows experienced drops in their box office:
The Color Purple (down 1.7% to 84.1%) and
Wicked (down a scant .1% to 99.7%). The latter still leads all shows in terms of gross ticket sales at $1,389,174 for the week followed by
Jersey Boys at $1,161,546. Still number one in terms of capacity is
Jersey Boys (100.8%), followed by
Wicked. Talk about a one-two punch.
Not counting shows currently in previews, the productions with the lowest average ticket prices include:
Rent ($50.48),
Beauty And The Beast ($50.58),
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee ($61.41),
Hairspray ($63.47),
The Wedding Singer ($65.16),
The Phantom Of The Opera ($66.67),
Avenue Q ($68.44),
Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me (69.05) and
The Producers ($69.52).
Still no word on which musical will be the next to depart from the Broadway stage. But my bet remains on an early exit for
The Producers, although barring additional stunt casting,
Rent's days could be numbered.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:Broadway's Biggest Box Office (September 13, 2006)
Fall At Broadway's Box Office (September 12, 2006)
Labels: Box Office, Broadway, Hairspray, Jersey Boys, Rent, The Phantom Of The Opera, The Producers, The Wedding Singer, Wicked
Does Holiday Bounce Provide Second Honeymoon for Wedding Singer?Holiday weekends typically provide a huge box office boost for many a Broadway show, particularly as tourists converge on the Big Apple in force. This Labor Day weekend appears to be no exception as all but five Broadway shows enjoyed increased attendance.
With the weekend closings of
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,
Sweeney Todd and
The Lieutenant Of Inishmore, it's not surprising that each went out with a bang with weekly capacities logging in at 80.6%, 84.3% and 73%, respectively. Among those shows,
Sweeney Todd had the smallest week over week increase at 7%.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels saw an increase of 11.3%, while
The Lieutenant Of Inishmore skyrocketed an amazing 24.6%.
As previously noted here, the speculation continues on which musical will be the next to vacate one of Broadway's larger venues. While many have been betting that
The Wedding Singer will be next, I'm placing my money on
The Producers, and this week's box office underscores my rationale. Yes, the latter improved week over week by 4.5% to come in at 62.4% capacity, but the former saw a large bump of 14.8% to enjoy a capacity of 71.7% -- better than
any other show that survived the weekend.
What's more, there's still some buzz left in
The Wedding Singer, considering its recent casting announcement (OK, so I personally had never heard of
Constantine Maroulis since I don't watch "
American Idol," but since the television show resonates with virtually every demographic out there, his addition is likely to spur interest
somewhere).
One similarity with
The Producers is that
The Wedding Singer is now offering huge discounts of up to $50 off on tickets purchased through October 29. Tickets for Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are reduced to $61.25, and $66.25 for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays by using promotion code
WS24PBE.
Will it be enough to outlast
The Producers? I think it could be just the ticket.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for The Wedding Singer tickets.Related Stories:Going: Three for Three (September 5, 2006)
Labels: Box Office, Broadway, Musical, Stunt Casting, The Producers, The Wedding Singer
Which Broadway Musical Will Depart Next?This is shaping up to be a major year for the Broadway musical. If you include the musicals that have already opened --
Martin Short: Fames Becomes Me and
Kiki & Herb: Alive on Broadway -- there are thirteen shows that have been confirmed for the 2006-07 theatrical season. Plus, there are still many more tuners circling like vultures in need of a theatre. Which raises the question: Which
current musical(s) will go the way of
Sweeney Todd and
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in seeing an early demise?
Much of the guessing has centered on
The Wedding Singer. True,
Laura Benanti's temporary departure and weekly capacities in the 60+ percent range haven't quelled the speculation, yet reports of its impending death may be greatly exaggerated. The show continues to take in a half million dollars each week, and rumors abound about upcoming cast changes. One rumor was just confirmed in the case of
Matthew Saldivar's replacement: "
American Idol" finalist
Constantine Maroulis. Still, there's no doubt that many a show would love to land at the 1215 seat
Al Hirsdhfeld Theatre.
Then there's the most celebrated musical this decade:
The Producers, which has never been quite the same after the departure of its original stars
Nathan Lane and
Matthew Broderick. The musical comedy attracted only 59.5% of its capacity last week. Sure, it's still taking in over $500,000 each week, but its glory days have long since passed. The question is, are its producers willing to pull the plug just yet? With 1510 seats at the
St. James Theatre, its departure could pave the way for a large-scale production to take its place.
The rest of Broadway's musicals are enjoying about 80% or better in terms of capacity so it appears very doubtful that we'll see any of them close anytime soon.
The current slate of original (non-revival) and/or transferred productions includes, in chronological order:
Announced musical revivals include:
So what's looming out there?
First and foremost, there's the last collaboration of John Kander and Fred Ebb, Curtains, which seems assured of a Broadway mounting this fall or early 2007. However, it is desperately in need of a large house to help producers recoup high costs associated with the production.
Without being specific, book writer Rupert Holmes has told The Journal News' Peter Kramer: "[T]his show in particular is a big show and there are only a few theaters that it can go into that will allow it to make back its investment. It's not a matter of being greedy. It's math. There are some shows where, even if you sell out, you still can't make money because of the expense of the show. that only a couple Broadway theatres are suitable." Is the 1417 seat Imperial Theatre -- being vacated by Dirty Rotten Scoundrels -- the appropriate size? Or would it require the even larger St. James?
Curtains ' show-within-a-show "Robbin' Hood" is a pre-Broadway production set at Boston's Colonial Theatre. Ironically, an actual pre-Broadway tryout is set for the very same Colonial this September with the Walter Bobbie-helmed High Fidelity, based on the film of the same name from 2000. With tunes by Tom Kitt and Amanda Green and book by David Lindsay-Abaire, High Fidelity has everything it needs in place (including cast: Will Chase, Jenn Collela and Christian Anderson, among others) except for a Broadway stage. Still, the show is still expected to land there as early as November. This appears to be a relatively small musical that wouldn't necessarily require a large house.
Less certain are adaptations of Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" and Frances Hodgson Burnett's "A Little Princess." While it's previously been announced that Jill Santoriello's musical adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities had a choreographer and design team in place, it certainly won't be ready as originally promised for a October 2006 bow on Broadway. While Princesses -- with book by Bill and Cherri Steinkeller and original score by Matthew Wilder and David Zippel -- had its world premiere at Seattle's Fifth Avenue Theatre last year, its last major movement toward a Broadway berth was its March 9 reading at New York's Dodger Stages. No word on theatres for either one.
Among revivals, a revival of The Wiz has been in the works for over three and a half years. Originally planned by Des McAnuff for a Broadway mounting in 2004, his production will finally see the light of day at the La Jolla Playhouse this September 26, but there's been no definitive word on a Broadway transfer.
There are also persistent rumors of an imminent Broadway transfer of the critically-acclaimed Menier Chocolate Factory production of Sunday in the Park With George. While the show has already closed in London, a 2007 Broadway mounting is widely considered to be a fait accompli. But again, there's no news regarding where it will land.
Certainly, as movement occurs, I'll be reporting on it. In the meantime, my anticipation is already building for many of these musicals.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Box Office, Broadway, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Musical, Sunday In The Park With George, Sweeney Todd, The Producers, The Wedding Singer
Benanti's Trial Separation from The Wedding SingerLaura Benanti, who has been starring in
The Wedding Singer since the Broadway musical's out-of-town tryout in Seattle, is out of the show for the next four to six weeks due to vocal problems. According to an August 10 posting on
her eponymous Web site, Benanti says:
As you may be aware, I am on medical leave from The Wedding Singer for the next four to six weeks. I want to thank the cast of The Wedding Singer (especially Tina Maddigan) and everyone who has been so kind to me and supportive during this difficult time, and I want you all to know I am doing everything I can to get healthy and get back to the show to stay!
XO, Laura
Unfortunately, this is not the first time the Tony-nominated Bananti has been forced to sit out a show due to health concerns. Previously, Benanti suffered an early departure from the celebrated 2002 revival of
Into The Woods because of an injury.
Benanti
is the daughter of Tony-nominated actor
Martin Vidnovic (
Brigadoon). Ironically, he's back on stage for the Off-Broadway revival of
The Fantasticks;
The Wedding Singer's
Rita Gardner starred in the original production of
The Fantasticks back in 1960.
Here's wishing Benanti a speedy recovery, as well as a happy run for Madigan.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets to The Wedding Singer.Related Stories:TheaterMania.com Poll Gives The Wedding Singer Edge Among Tony Production Numbers (June 21, 2006)
The Wedding Singer Pumps Up the Box Office Volume (June 13, 2006)
The Wedding Singer Original Cast Recording Now Available (June 6, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote...for Best Musical (May 31, 2006)
The Wedding Singer (The SOB Review) - Al Hirschfeld Theatre, New York, NY (May 8, 2006)
Critics Not Completely Engaged by The Wedding Singer (April 28, 2006)
The Wedding Singer's Secret Weapon: Kevin Cahoon? (April 27, 2006)
The Wedding Singer Opens on Broadway Tonight (April 27, 2006)
Labels: Broadway, Into The Woods, Musical, The Fantasticks, The Wedding Singer
TheaterMania.com Poll Gives The Wedding Singer Edge Among Tony Production NumbersSo now that the dust has settled on the 2006 Tony Awards, which production number from the show was the
true audience favorite?
If a current nonscientific
poll currently available on TheaterMania.com is any indication, "It's Your Wedding Day" from the only musical
not to win any awards --
The Wedding Singer -- is tops among those who matter most: the ticket and CD-buying public.
I'm not surprised. The undeservingly unsung, underappreciated tuner has been increasing in audience each week over the past three weeks, now filling the Al Hirschfeld Theatre to over 80% of capacity. Additionally, its infectious, intoxicating original cast CD debuted on Billboard's cast album list at #3 -- ahead of
The Drowsy Chaperone! I have to confess that it's been constantly playing in my car since arriving in my mailbox last week.
What's more, as part of a
"Magnificent 7" promotion -- alongside
Bridge And Tunnel,
Hairspray,
Phantom of the Opera,
The Producers,
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and
Sweeney Todd -- theatregoers can take in each
The Wedding Singer for 50% off on performances from June 30 through July 7.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for the "Magnificent 7" ticket offer.Related Stories:The Wedding Singer Pumps Up the Box Office Volume (June 13, 2006)
The Wedding Singer Original Cast Recording Now Available (June 6, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote...for Best Musical (May 31, 2006)
The Wedding Singer (The SOB Review) - Al Hirschfeld Theatre, New York, NY (May 8, 2006)
Critics Not Completely Engaged by The Wedding Singer (April 28, 2006)
The Wedding Singer's Secret Weapon: Kevin Cahoon? (April 27, 2006)
The Wedding Singer Opens on Broadway Tonight (April 27, 2006)
Labels: Broadway, Musical, The Wedding Singer
The Wedding Singer Pumps Up the Box Office VolumeAs regular SOB readers know, I truly enjoyed Broadway's homage to the 80s musical -- The Wedding Singer. And while it was hardly a surprise that Tony overlooked this delicious confection, it's obvious that Tony viewers have not.
Just yesterday, the show reportedly took in three times its normal box office after a boffo rendition of the musical's high-energy, highly enjoyable opening number, "It's Your Wedding Day" was performed during Sunday night's Tony Awards. This news comes on the heels that the show played to 77.6% of capacity last week -- up a dramatic 20.7% from the week before. A good friend of mine even commented after the performance, "Was it my imagination or wasn't The Wedding Singer number the most enthusiastically received number of the evening?" In checking with a friend who was physically present at Radio City Music Hall, I received confirmation that it was indeed a major crowd pleaser.
If all this excitement surrounding Broadway's biggest guilty pleasure since Mamma Mia! isn't enough, the producers have announced plans for a touring company of The Wedding Singer to begin performances at Minneapolis' historic Orpheum Theatre on September 7, 2007.
Personally, having just received my original cast CD in the mail, I'm looking forward to seeing The Wedding Singer again. It's the perfect heart-filled show to sit back, relax and simply enjoy.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.
Related Stories:
The Wedding Singer Original Cast Recording Now Available (June 6, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote...for Best Musical (May 31, 2006)
The Wedding Singer (The SOB Review) - Al Hirschfeld Theatre, New York, NY (May 8, 2006)
Critics Not Completely Engaged by The Wedding Singer (April 28, 2006)
The Wedding Singer's Secret Weapon: Kevin Cahoon? (April 27, 2006)
The Wedding Singer Opens on Broadway Tonight (April 27, 2006)
Labels: Box Office, Broadway, Mamma Mia, Musical, The Wedding Singer, Touring Production
The Wedding Singer (The SOB Review) - Al Hirschfeld Theatre, New York, NY*** (out of ****)News flash! Despite what you may have heard, the standing O is alive and well at Broadway’s Al Hirschfeld Theatre, home to a show with
lots of heart, and, er, Hart: Robbie Hart,
The Wedding Singer. More than just a guilty pleasure or trip down memory lane,
The Wedding Singer provides audiences with a modern love story that unequivocally evokes a decade that’s often more unfairly derided than revered. Yet
The Wedding Singer centers its story with more heart and fun than simple winks and nods at the 80s. It stands up as great entertainment, complete with an infectious and clever musical score -- thanks to Chad Beguelin and Matthew Sklar -- that I’m still singing today. Its time-channeled choreography from Rob Ashford would make a Thriller out of a less felonious Michael Jackson.
Stephen Lynch is absolutely charming and endearing as Hart, demonstrating great chops and an impressive voice. Laura Benanti is sweet as the potential Julia Gulia. Sassy Amy Spanger provides a flashy tribute to one of those great 80s movie moments, while Felicia Finley dazzles particularly in her gymnastic bedroom routine that has to be seen to be believed. But I think my favorite moment comes when Kevin Cahoon joins Rita Gardner to “Move That Thang.”
This entire cast had no trouble capturing the hearts of audiences that just wanted to have fun and be entertained. Indeed, they stand and cheer. What more bliss you could ask for? Go see this show now!
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets. Related Stories:
Critics Not Completely Engaged by The Wedding Singer (April 28, 2006)
The Wedding Singer's Secret Weapon: Kevin Cahoon? (April 27, 2006)
The Wedding Singer Opens on Broadway Tonight (April 27, 2006)
Labels: Broadway, Film, Musical, The SOB Review, The Wedding Singer
Critics Not Completely Engaged by The Wedding SingerI can see it now – ads proclaiming
The Wedding Singer as the feel-good Broadway musical of the year, especially with such critical quotes as “…imagine
Jersey Boys being married to
Hairspray," (
Clive Barnes,
New York Post), “…the show that opened last night at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre is a good-natured, harmless, high-energy knockoff of the 1998 Adam Sandler-Drew Barrymore romantic comedy about nuptial rituals of 1985…Chad Beguelin's lyrics find cleverness in surprising places,” (
Linda Winer,
Newsday), “…
Singer has more heart and a better sense of humor about itself than some of its similarly wacky, winking peers,” (Elysa
Gardner,
USA Today), “One of the show's greatest assets is Rob Ashford's inventive, comic choreography,” (
Howard Kissel,
New York Daily News), and “…the show has at least a flutter of a hedonist's pulse. And …the cast members exude earnestness and good nature,” (
Ben Brantley,
The New York Times). You’d be forgiven for thinking that
The Wedding Singer was a critical smash. You’d be wrong. Truth be told, the reviews showed that the critics were less than completely engaged by this musical.
When it gets right down to it, it seems as though a few critics have truly bad memories of the 1980s. Poor Brantley, for example, must have had an awful time, as he states, “How quickly our dreary yesterdays become bright, cute and endlessly repackageable.” Yikes! Was it really that bad, Ben? Or have you succumbed to the revisionist notion that the 80s were only about corruption and greed – which to its credit
The Wedding Singer did not simply gloss over. Yet, apparently the musical based on the Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore movie still reminded theatre-goers that this was the decade that girls (and boys) just wanted to have fun.
For me, the 80s were the time when I came of age. It was a much more innocent time and -- not surprisingly -- is an era that I enjoyed, big hair and all. The critics would do well to remember that every generation has a decade gone by for which they'll eagerly embrace nostalgia offered up. In
The Wedding Singer, it appears my generation is being served exactly that: a musical where the cast enthusiastically encourages the audience to lighten up. As even Clive Barnes notes about the cast, “all seem to be having fun. As did, it's only fair to note, most of the audience.”
Despite the reviews, I’m looking forward to having fun, too, when I take in this show one week from today.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.Labels: Broadway, Critics' Capsule, Film, Musical, The Wedding Singer
The Wedding Singer's Secret Weapon: Kevin Cahoon?While
The Wedding Singer is ostensibly a love story between the characters played by Stephen Lynch and Laura Benanti, I'm hoping that this might be actor Kevin Cahoon's breakthrough role in which he portrays George (the one in the middle of the photo) -- a cross somewhere between Boy George and Dead or Alive's lead singer Pete Burns.
I first caught Cahoon in
The Rocky Horror Show revival back in 2001 portraying Frank 'N' Furter when Tom Hewitt was out, and the guy turned in a tour de force performance as if it was his from the start. This was one understudy I didn't mind seeing. Then I had the pleasure of seeing him again Off-Broadway with Matthew Broderick in a revival of
The Foreigner -- Cahoon practically stole the show.
Last time I saw Cahoon was off-stage during an intermission at a performance of
The Light In The Piazza. I couldn't resist telling him that I was a huge fan. Unfortunately, when he asked if I'd be coming to see his then current show --
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang -- I sheepishly responded that seeing the London version of the musical a couple years earlier had been enough for me.
Mr. Cahoon, you can bet I already have my ticket for
The Wedding Singer. Nothing would make me prouder than to see you -- and the show -- become a rousing smash.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for The Wedding Singer tickets.Click here for more on Kevin Cahoon.Labels: Broadway, Film, Kevin Cahoon, Musical, The Rocky Horror Show, The Wedding Singer
The Wedding Singer Opens on Broadway TonightWith
Lestat having just taken a critical drubbing, and
Ring Of Fire about to burn out with an early close, what's a Broadway musical got to do to earn some respect? Aside from critically acclaimed revivals like
The Pajama Game and
Sweeney Todd, along with the jukebox hit
Jersey Boys, there has been precious little critical success for musicals this year. While
The Color Purple is arguably a success at the box office, much in the way that
Wicked was two years ago and
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was last year, the critical reviews were mixed for all three.
Now comes the latest entry,
The Wedding Singer, based on the hit 90s movie with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. Perhaps the most well-known name associated with this musical is choreographer Rob Ashford -- who won a Tony for
Thoroughly Modern Millie four years ago, and who turned Ewan McGregor into a surprisingly stylish dancer in last year's glorious West End production of
Guys and Dolls. But I'm banking that the humor from Chad Beguelin (Book and Lyrics) and Tim Herlihy (Book) will strike the right chord with actors Stephen Lynch, Laura Benanti and -- one of my favorite quirky actors -- Kevin Cahoon at the helm.
Only one more night before we'll see whether I'm right.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.Labels: Broadway, Film, Musical, Opening Night, The Wedding Singer
