I'm too am going to throw my vote into the "this review sounds like a shill/plant" hat... Who really talks or writes like that, other than proud moms discussing their children???
Certainly they can but people who are blown away by a particular show should use discretion. Times have changed but be careful. My grandparents were going back to their apartment on the E train many, many years ago after just having seen "Carousel". My grandfather said. "You know, I'm surprised. I really, really enjoyed that--actually it was one of the best things I've seen in a long time".
Before he knew what hit him, someone set my grandmother's hair on fire and threw my grandfather onto the tracks screaming, "Have anything else to say, fVck1ng shill?".
I would have to say that the Toronto critic is biased since he states that he is not a big fan of Short's kind of comedy. He also points out that the audience found the show to be funny and the jokes "got big laughs". That's what really counts, isn't it?
"I've lost everything! Luis, Marty, my baby with Chris, Chris himself, James. All I ever wanted was love." --Sheridan Crane "Passions"
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"Housework is like bad sex. Every time I do it, I swear I'll never do it again til the next time company comes."--"Lulu"
from "Can't Stop The Music"
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"When the right doors didn't open for him, he went through the wrong ones" - "Sweet Bird of Youth"
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"Passions" is uncancelled! See NBC.com for more info.
I saw the Thursday evening performance, and while it wasn't the best thing I've ever seen, I will admit that it was a mostly-entertaining evening. A chunk of the humor for me fell flat, but other people (My father [who prior to the show couldn't pick Martin Short out of a police line-up] included) was laughing at most of the sophomoric humor (Marc Shaiman's rear-end hanging out, etc.). The company was quite good, stealing alot of the thunder from Short (I will admit, I am a big fan of Nicole Parker, dating back to her days as a member of an improv comedy troupe at Indiana University [go hoosiers!]), and most of the songs didn't suck. But here's my question (Marc are you still listening?) Why did Capathia's songs in the first act get cut? She only comes in at the tail end of act two, and I felt that she was totally under used. Oh well! Short review (no pun intended) not a complete a waste of time. For that, go see hot feet.
The one show everyone on Broadway is waiting to see: Twyla Tharp presents: Big Bottom - The Spinal Tap Jukebox musical!
Maybe this show should employ one of those old-fashion moive gimicks where they would have nurses and doctors in the lobby because the move was too scary.
Gawd knows we would not tbparker to have a heart attack over this show.
Ignorance is temporary. Stupidity last forever.
Watch out BWW...
HE'S BACK.
"A chunk of the humor for me fell flat, but other people (My father [who prior to the show couldn't pick Martin Short out of a police line-up] included) was laughing at most of the sophomoric humor (Marc Shaiman's rear-end hanging out, etc.)."
Where is Matt_G when you need him? Private joke!
"I'm learning to dig deep down inside and find the truth within myself and put that out. I think what we identify with in popular music more than anything else is when someone just shares a truth that we can relate to. That's what I'm searching for in my music." - Ron Bohmer
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
for gods sake, you all who seem to spend a better part of your lives on this website with lots of opinions, mostly it appears from what ive gleaned negative , seem to have no sense of humour! it wasnt an "official review" it was an individuals' experience as an audience. last time i looked, still legal in this country. and by the way, an opinion from someone who has spent the better part of the last 30 years actually working in the theatre. its still a democracy folks. this month anyway. lets allow for differing opinions and out of town runs their purpose. and why not, while we are at it wish the best for people and not relish the inherant complexities of an out of town run!
The hypocrisy of some posters is mindboggling. An ovationary review from an individual for a show that is getting mixed reviews smacks of the person being a "shill" but a post from someone who saw another show getting mixed reviews and who gives it a vitriolic pan is just someone who really didn't like the show. They're rarely accused of some sort of subtrefuge or trying to undermine the show's success rather than amplifying it.
The people who hated "Lestat" could not conceive of ANYONE genuinely like the show for their own particular reasons without shilling for it. (By the way, I didn't see it so I can't speak authoritatively on why someone would or would not like it.)
Someone mentioned "Blonde in a Corvette". I would imagine a loyal fan of Suzanne Sommers would like it independent of its artistic merits but that would hardly speak to ulterior motives for expressing their enjoyment. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. People actually fall in love with a show and their compulsion to express that enjoyment in lofty terms is almost irresistable. Seeing a "shill" behind ALL such reviews often seems like paranoia.
i humbly reread the response about hypocrisy and agree the point. regrets and apologies to the rational one. as for being a shill, what makes someone with their own opinion a shill? its like having or trying to have a logical conversation with rush limbaugh or bill oreilly. its wonderful to debate and have a dialogue not a diatribe. are you meanies bloggers or floggers? the hope for every out of town run is to try and experiment with new material and not be crucified for it.
You're welcome to your opinion - just don't expect us to instantly engage you or care when it's quite obvious you don't intend to actually be a part of these boards - you're just a shill.
"High time we made a stand and shook up the views of the common man" - Tears for Fears
Hello friends! Celebrity Dog Walker, creator of such reviled/ignored/sometimes-a-little-bit-liked Broadway World topics such as "A Day in the Life of Walli!" and "Walli at the Beach." And for those of you wondering, let me tell you, my career is on fire. (See photo.) I have seen the Marty show, and I fully concur with the near-hospitalized classification. Towards the end of the first time I saw the show in SF, I had to take breaks from laughing. Brooks and Mary and Nicole have the kind of talent that I thought I had when I was in my sixth grade play, Peter Pan, playing the only female Lost Boy with headgear and crutches. And Martin is just a talent I want my whole family to have the chance to witness on stage. Capathia's finale makes me cry. And I love to cry! That's my 2 cents, or 2 shills, or whatnot. It's a joyous experience, Fame Becomes Me. I went home lit up with inspiration.
any post that says vital organs were damaged and has KEY WORDS CAPITALIZED just so they CAN HIT YOU OVER THE HEAD is not a regular Joe post. GOT IT?
And Tom brings up a very good point. What is this show doing to court the necessary 14 yr old Broadway ticket buyer? Why is this show ignoring this important demo?
Maybe Martin can float in on a bubble? Or ..oh...have EDEN in it. EDEN rocks! Haha LOL j/k
Ignorance is temporary. Stupidity last forever.
Watch out BWW...
HE'S BACK.
Nicole Parker, Mary Birdsong, Brooks Ashmanskas and Capathia Jenkins are BRILLIANT talents.... I suggest you all familiarize yourself with their work... even if you're not a Martin Short fan.
Mr. Tuttle you scarily don't know how close to the truth you are when you said "Maybe Martin can float in on a bubble?"
He floats up in a large snowball and then becomes an angel and flies around the stage --- I'm not joking. AND there is also a whole scene which is a spoof of Wicked.
I have to say, in response to all the negative comments plaguing this thread, and pretty much any other thread on this board, as this non-important dog walker sees it,
there's two kinds of people in the world Those who can empathize with what it feels like to put out, in a big way, some expression of creativity and have it crapped on, and those who haven't experienced that emotion.
Broadway is not The Man, kids. Musical theatre isn't John Galt. The people who make the shows some of you so love to lambast are just a bunch of creative nerds who love books, music, and performance. That's it. People who like believing in the aforementioned. They're on YOUR SIDE, so side with them, not against them!
I know some of you agree, because I've read some brilliant/hilarious commentary within this thread.
Now, I prepare for the onslaught of tomato tossing.