Sweet Charity Tour Gets Poor Review in Buffalo

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 2/8/07 at 12:32pm

I am seeing the tour on Saturday and the production got panned here in Buffalo. Has anyone seen it and feel differently? I saw some photos from the production in the entertainment paper and it didn't look too promising. Below is the review from yesterday's paper.


Charitably, This Musical Is Nothing to Rave About

By COLIN DABKOWSKI
News Staff Reviewer

If you were a big spender, you wouldn't drop a dime on these girls.
The touring revival of "Sweet Charity" starring Molly Ringwald, which began its run Tuesday night in Shea's Performing Arts Center, was a wholly underwhelming production plagued by lackluster voices, uninspired acting and a star whose performance fizzled when it was supposed to pop.

Ringwald - most famous for her roles in various teen dramas of the 1980s and otherwise a talented actress - exhibits in the role of Charity Hope Valentine little of the sassiness and charm demanded by the role. On the contrary, her performance seems at points stilted, though her singing voice and dancing are passable. With predecessors like dancer Gwen Verdon and, in the Bob Fosse film, the charming Shirley
MacLaine, Ringwald's feet don't fill half of either one's shoes.

In Neil Simon's book, based on the Federico Fellini film "Nights of Cabiria," a naive and eternally optimistic dance-hall hostess named Charity runs up against love in the worst of ways. After a series of bad moves and Mr. Wrongs, Charity avoids the appeal of lovelorn despondence embraced so readily by her fellow employees, and continues to quest after an elusive love she knows can be hers. The other girls say she rents out her heart like a hotel, but Charity sweetly maintains that, "Without love, life has no purpose."

But without sizzle and talent, a show originally choreographed by Bob Fosse has no purpose, and this is evident right away when the popularsong "Hey Big Spender" falls flat on its face. It is too reserved, too nice, not nearly sexy enough.

The girls, costumed beautifully in a mishmash assortment of short dresses in hot colors, otherwise command no special attention. The attitude just isn't there, as if they were singing to a group of kindergarteners.

Ringwald, considering her company on the stage, might actually be one of the more shimmering sequins on this cheap dress of a show. As Vittorio Vidal, an Italian actor after Charity's heart for a night, Steve Wilson speaks (though thankfully does not sing) in a cartoonish accent somewhere between Transylvania and a Chef Boyardee commercial.

An outright embarrassing and off-pitch duet, "Baby, Dream Your Dream," by Amanda Watkins and Francesca Harper as fellow dance-hall hostesses Nickie and Helene, drags down the second act considerably. It's truly puzzling how a number of such abysmal quality was allowed on stage.

The lone saving grace of the show comes in the form of Charity's somewhat neurotic boyfriend, Oscar Lindquist, played brilliantly by Guy Adkins.

If there were a show to steal, Adkins would have it all to himself, as he exhibits some obviously hard-practiced physical comedy and seems to be channeling some frenetic combination of Jack Lemmon, Bob Hope and Steve Martin. The dance number, "Rich Man's Frug," was also danced admirably, though it, too, seemed somewhat tame in its satire of the aristocratic foppery that serves as the antithesis to Charity's naive world.

There are any number of further problems with this production, though none more evident than its sheer lack of visceral impact, that pop you would expect from a group of sassy prostitutes trying to seduce that fabled "big spender."

The totally inexplicable number, "Rhythm of Life," which never made sense in any version of the show, seems just as out of place here as it might have on Broadway or as it did in Fosse's film starring Shirley
MacLaine. The idea here, ostensibly, was to add some hippies for no reason in particular, and in that it succeeds brilliantly.

The show was updated only slightly, but not enough to make any noticeable difference or improvement. This is a show that wouldn't lend itself to anything but the most radical update, with its key period costumes, hyper-exaggerated by designer Edith Head, and in this version they are usually just as subdued as the music and its delivery.

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/8/07 at 12:35pm

I saw it on Broadway with Christina Applegate and had a blast. It was the most fun I have had at a show in a while. I skipped it here in Denver because of the bad reviews.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 2/8/07 at 12:39pm

I saw it with Christina in Chicago during it's pre-Broadway run. I loved it. I scooped up tickets when the tour was announced. I hope it comes together and Molly steps up. The press photos of the production (not the photos of Molly on the poster) are dreadfully unflattering to Molly and really make her look terrible. I assumed she had no photo approval. Also, it is prettty clear she is wearing an ill fitting red wig.

[ken8631]

Posted: 2/8/07 at 12:41pm

Saw it in NYC with Christina Applegate and enjoyed it immensely!

[sing_dance_love]

Posted: 2/8/07 at 12:46pm

W/ Christina in New York? Lots of fun, bery enjoyable show.

W/ Molly Ringwald anywhere else? Terrible. She sucks the life out of the whole thing and her singing and "dancing" is frankly laughable. Its too bad that "names" like Molly Ringwald get cast as leads in Broadway musicals when so many alented people could be playing the parts the way they should be.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/8/07 at 12:47pm

I enjoyed the tryout in Chicago with Applegate. I would like to see it again with Ringwald and the inclusion of "I Only Cry at Weddings". The new number was rather tepid and rightfully scrapped.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/8/07 at 12:49pm

I still can't believe the this tour is still chugging along. I think it's received poor reviews in every city it has played.

[justme2]

Posted: 2/8/07 at 12:53pm

I saw the tour with Ringwald in San Jose and was dissapointed. I had seen Applegate in NY and enjoyed the show. The tour was a different feeling altogether, though most of the sets and costumes were the same.

Ringwald seemed out of breath for the majority of her singing, and did very little dancing. It was clear the dance routines had been altered to her dance level. The ensemble dancing was just fine though, and her two buds were good as well.

I will say that Ringwald's acting was good though; her Charity was funny and her jokes all came across fine.

[tazber]

Posted: 2/8/07 at 12:57pm

Poor Molly....

[tellybox]

Posted: 2/8/07 at 1:04pm

I always feel so bad for Molly. I always felt that she deserved better press.

[thenewmoon]

Posted: 2/8/07 at 1:10pm

I saw it in previews in NYC (w/Christina) and thought it was great, then saw the tour here in L.A. (w/Molly) last summer--and it was awful. Molly Ringwald is severely miscast, although I thought the Oscar was on par with Denis O'Hare. Definitely don't waste your money on the SC tour because it doensn't give even an approximation of how good the Broadway version was.

[kyle.]

Posted: 2/8/07 at 1:14pm

If she starts doing better work, maybe better press will follow.

She was dreadful in Cabaret.

[lawyerman]

Posted: 2/8/07 at 1:49pm

never saw- and have no interest in- Sweet Charity but she did a fine job in Tick Tick Boom. Not as interesting as Spanger but nice vocals, so she has it in her.

i also feel bad she gets such a hard time...

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/8/07 at 2:16pm

I thought Molly Ringwald was wonderful. She had a bit of a New York accent that seemed to work well for the role. She was a very tomboy-ish Charity for some scenes and then in others she was very sweet and charming. She has a decent voice and some of the dancing has been tailored to her talents which is better then watching her fall on her ass. The choreography for "Rich Man's Frug" had me laughing pretty hard, though. I want some of whatever Wayne Cilento was on when he choreographed that.

The rest of the cast was very good, and they were able to outshine some of my choreography gripes. Especially Guy Adkins as Oscar. The scene in the elevator had me in hysterics. If you don't see the show for Molly -- see it for him. He was just sensational. There aren't really any words that I can think of to describe how adorable he is.

I'm not sure if these are the exact same sets from Broadway or if they had new sets built for the tour, but they were extremely massive looking from the front row and very classy. They looked expensive. There are also a lot of locations in the show so the scrims and the side and top "panel" things that slide together into different positions to form entrance ways and exits, are constantly in motion as is the giant "Fandango" sign that is constantly coming on up and down and up again. It's a feast for the eyes. My favorite was the elevator piece that rises up off of the stage floor. I was not expecting that for a tour.

The program also did not list "A Good Impression" so I thought maybe it had been cut, but it was performed and just not listed. Overall it was a wonderful show. I loved it and I'd see it again.

[justme2]

Posted: 2/8/07 at 2:40pm

I have to agree with cats here...Guy Adkins stole the show in San Jose as well. His elevator scene take was very well done, and his overall performance outshone the others by far.

[Producer2]

Posted: 2/8/07 at 5:43pm

there are ringwald clips on that other site

[emo_geek]

Posted: 2/8/07 at 6:56pm

The tour was just plain awful. Just terrible.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/8/07 at 7:09pm

The tour is even worse than the Broadway production. If that's possible.

[singtopher]

Posted: 2/8/07 at 10:40pm

I saw it in Denver. I thought Ringwald was very serviceable in the role. She did her job, but it was nothing noteworthy.

Guy Adkins was fantastic.

I disagree with the Buffalo review in that the ensemble I thought was rather strong. Especially Amanda Watkins.

But overall Ringwalds performance is what kills the show. It is such a star vehicle show that it falls flat without the right girl in the role.

[Bobby_child]

Posted: 2/8/07 at 10:57pm

Just saw it tonight(in buffalo) and I thought the show was awesome. I saw it on broadway, yes that production was better, but this cast still did a great job.

I loved molly in this role. She may not be the best dancer but her acting was great and I thought her singing was up to par for this role.

Ensemble was very strong. Rich Man's Frug was the ensemble highlight for me.

overall I enjoyed it very much and glad I went.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/8/07 at 11:51pm

"Ringwald, considering her company on the stage, might actually be one of the more shimmering sequins on this cheap dress of a show. As Vittorio Vidal, an Italian actor after Charity's heart for a night, Steve Wilson speaks (though thankfully does not sing) in a cartoonish accent somewhere between Transylvania and a Chef Boyardee commercial."

Ouch.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 2/9/07 at 12:12am

I don't think I'd depend on what the Buffalo critic says. If memory serves, they loved "Ring of Fire".

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/9/07 at 2:51am

Ringwald was awful, and I count myself as one of her fans. She makes Applegate look like Gwen Verdon. I thought she was annoying, in bad voice, and had the charm of a rock. She screams film actress from the second she steps on stage. At least Applegate had the audience in her hand the entire time. Though her voice and dance were plain, she acted the hell out of that role and really deserved her Tony nomination. She was quite charming.

Ringwald was my reason for sitting through this awful treatment one more time. Sadly, she (and that Dennis O'Hare mimic) lacked the star charisma that made the revival partly bearable.

PS: Wayne Cilento's choreography is still, easily, the worst I've seen in an equity production. He even had a second bat at it, and did the same, bland, messy thing.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 9:15am

I have just seen Sweet Charity with Molly Ringwald on 2/10/07 in Buffalo, NY and have to say I enjoyed it immensely. Actually, the entire audience seemed to be having a great time and it looked like the place was packed. At least the entire orchestra floor was full and much of the balcony from what I could see.

First, Molly and the producers took a lot of liberty with Charity's dancing, which I agree is lame to do for a production that is noted for its dancing leads. However, I think some of Molly's acting ability and choices made accomodations for this.

I know I am going to get blasted for this, but Molly's performance reminded me of Carol Burnett. Molly played Charity less like an unpolished gem and more like a rag doll, a Raggedy Ann cupie doll who has a somewhat deluded and lost. She definitely stripped away some of the darker features of Charity for a more ragtag, confused little girl.

It was sad to see Molly step off stage during "I'm a Brass Band" and walk back on at the end of the song. It was also sad to see her dances with her 2 female co-stars during "There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This." It looks like Molly worked the bad dancing into the character, as if Charity was trying to emulate her more talented friends.

However, the supporting cast was very strong, as opposed to the original review posted. Like I said, I had a good time. It was nice to see Molly, she was one of the staples of my youth. Also, I think there is something to be said for casting her. I think the theatre was packed with her fans. She is an icon of sorts and the audience was enjoying themselves.

I think those of us who love and sometimes obsess over theatre are different than many theatre goers. They have untrained ears and aren't looking as closely as we are. Molly's voice wasn't strong, but it was amplified enough to please the masses.

If the lead was cast with a more competent, unknown actress the house would be empty. It is sad, but true.

Also, my only other gripe was Molly's costume. Who thought this was a good idea? The other women had such nice flattering dresses and Molly was put in a terrible dress that highlited her flaws. Molly is an average woman with a nice body, but when you stand her next to professional dancers wearing a poorly cut and unflattering dress, she looks terrible. The costume needs to be rethought ASAP.

All in all, I oppose the poor review wrriten by the Buffalo paper. I think for traveling shows to survive, producers need to import a "name". I think Molly gave it her all (which to many was not enough). I enjoyed her loony and sad performance. I was sitting very close and those were real tears at the end. There were choices she made that I enjoyed better than Applegate's. Applegate was clearly more athletic and a better dancer. but I respect much of what Molly did with the part. Am I saying she was stellar, no, but I enjoyed it for what it was worth and encourage people to see her if you are a fan to take it in and come to your own conclusion.

[Dancin Thru Life]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 3:31pm

One thing I can say is...somebody from the show read the reviews in Buffalo, becasue the next night, none of the things mentioned in it were evident at the performance I saw.

Kudos to the crew for making the adjustments!

While certainly not a "great" production by any means, it was both fun and enjoyable.

It was quite obvious, however, that Molly was defintitely the most....um...."solid" girl on the stage. Her dancing was not pretty.