Critically, financially, every-ally? I skimmed over Suskin's review of the cd on Playbill.com yesterday, and just from the way he wrote, it seemed he was saying it was a flop on all sides. In addition, the future national tour has been cancelled, right?
It was definitely a financial flop (and I think a critical one as well).
Personally, I hated the show, except for Big Black Lady Stops the Show...but I was never a Martin Short fan to begin with. Updated On: 6/1/07 at 10:19 AM
I don't really know anything other than I enjoyed it when I went. It was a bit much and not always in good taste, but I had a very good time, as did all the people I went with.
Measure your life in love, RENTheads, and keep it always in your heart.
Avatar: Me with Al Larson, Jonathan Larson's father.
I saw it in its pre-B'way tryout in Chicago this past July and really didn't care for it either. For one thing, I think that the sets were some of the cheapest-looking I've ever seen. As to how I view Martin Short - he was far more clever and funny briefly accepting his Tony for LITTLE ME than he was in this entire show!
I saw it because I see everything that opens on Broadway (every musical at least). The only two shows I missed this year (on purpose) were Jay Johnson and Kiki and Herb.
So, regardless of whether or not you like the subject material, you see it because it's a musical opening on Broadway? Sounds to me like you see things just so you can tell people you saw them. Rather than actually seeing things for artistic stimulation.
Whether or not it was supposed to be a take on vaudeville, it is kind of supposed to be a joke... I don't think the sets are supposed to look amazing; everything's supposed to be kind of cheap and cheesey.
Measure your life in love, RENTheads, and keep it always in your heart.
Avatar: Me with Al Larson, Jonathan Larson's father.
FindYourGrail: I see everything because I am a huge fan of live theater (and tons of people on this board can confirm that fact). There are a bunch of shows I have gone to see that I thought I would hate that I ended up loving, and a bunch that I thought I would love and I ended up hating. That is the beauty of live theater...there is something for everyone to enjoy. While I am not a fan of Martin Short, I am still glad I saw the show for the talented ensemble and that one good song. And yes, it is my lifelong goal to see every Broadway musical that opens from now until the day I die. Martin Short was included in that list, so I saw it. Even though I didn't enjoy the show, I'm glad others did.
Back on topic, FBM was one of the few (mostly unanimous) critical hits of the season. They got surprisingly great reviews and played for a surprisingly long time (they would have gone longer had he not had prior commitments.
eh the show was very lackluster for me. but i couldn't say i HATED it. i just felt it was only "fine". i do enjoy listening to the cast recording though. there's so many funny zingers hidden in that show.