Plaza Suite

[kyleham]

Plaza Suite with Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick is a total bust. For being married in life they had no chemistry on stage. Even though the play is dated, the performances were dreadful. The night I saw it most of the audience were "Sex and The City" fans. It seemed these girls have never been to the theater before and they acted like they were in a nightclub. The ushers were constantly coming through and telling these girls to put their masks up. It got so bad even the manager of the theater was assisting. It was very  disturbing when you're trying to watch a show and the ushers shining a flashlight for the girls sitting in the middle to put these mask on while the performance is going on. Lastly, the tickets were expensive so a total bust of an evening.

[foxy]

Sorry but not surprised. Matthew Broderick may have had talent when he was younger but the last times I saw him on stage he was a total zombie. How he gets work is beyond me. I can imagine SJP has a following. Unfortunately not the ones who know how to behave in a theater. This play was never on my list of things to see and your review confirmed that. 

Edited April 3, 2022 by foxy

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Neil Simon requires charm. 

Neither of them qualify at this point.  

[jeezifonly]

Carrying off Neil Simon in the 21st C takes chutzpah, charm, and an understanding of life without mobile phones. They brought the first item.!

[+ Lucky]

I doubt that Mathew Broderick could even work up a credible fart on stage. He is just going through the motions, with no heart or skill in his work.

[+ WilliamM]

Perhaps Matthew would be interested if Ryan Guzman played matinees rather than Sarah Jessica.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Re: Broderick

I feel his wooden nature has a very narrow window of use.  It worked well in The Producers, as his Leo was awkward and nebbish.  It was a perfect foil to Nathan Lane.

But in shows like How To Succeed and Nice Work, it just came off as unprepared and wooden.

His early dramatic work on stage was solid.  

[+ WilliamM]

Not a fan of "The Producers," but liked him a lot in "How to Succeed in Business ...."

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

12 hours ago, WilliamM said:

Not a fan of "The Producers," but liked him a lot in "How to Succeed in Business ...."

The best part of that revival (to me) was Megan Mullally.  She was a terrific Rosemary.

[Guest MikeThomas]

On 4/3/2022 at 11:12 AM, kyleham said:

Plaza Suite with Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick is a total bust. For being married in life they had no chemistry on stage. Even though the play is dated, the performances were dreadful. The night I saw it most of the audience were "Sex and The City" fans. It seemed these girls have never been to the theater before and they acted like they were in a nightclub. The ushers were constantly coming through and telling these girls to put their masks up. It got so bad even the manager of the theater was assisting. It was very  disturbing when you're trying to watch a show and the ushers shining a flashlight for the girls sitting in the middle to put these mask on while the performance is going on. Lastly, the tickets were expensive so a total bust of an evening.

Annoying!  B&T. 

[BuffaloKyle]

Matthew Broderick has tested positive for covid and will be sidelined from the show until April 15. 

https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/theater/matthew-broderick-plaza-suite-covid-im5bmnyt

[Guest MikeThomas]

Uh oh. I hope he didn’t give it to Kelly and Ryan!

[foxy]

I may not be a fan of Broderick but I don’t wish Covid on anyone. Hope he recovers quickly. On the other hand his understudy gets to go on so maybe there’s a silver lining. 

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

1 hour ago, foxy said:

On the other hand his understudy gets to go on so maybe there’s a silver lining. 

It's Mike McGrath and he's a fantastic actor.  Can play comedy very well.

[+ Lucky]

Wouldn't it also be likely that SJP also has it?

[foxy]

So if the understudy steps in if SJP gets the virus…. Now I have to find out who that is. The show is starting to seem more interesting to me. 

[+ WilliamM]

4 hours ago, MikeThomas said:

Uh oh. I hope he didn’t give it to Kelly and Ryan!

I wouldn't mind a week or two without Kelly and Ryan, but that's just me.

[BabyBoomer]

It was just announced SJP tested positive.

~Boomer~

[+ Lucky]

No understudy will take over, according to the NY Post. The show is shutdown. At least for now.

https://nypost.com/2022/04/07/sarah-jessica-parker-tests-positive-for-covid-19-plaza-suite-shut-down/

[+ Lucky]

A reminder that Mathew was once so cute...

[BuffaloKyle]

It's been making a ton of money:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/news/broadway-s-plaza-suite-sets-new-box-office-record/ar-AAYuem0?ocid=uxbndlbing

[jeezifonly]

Ah well. Neil Simon was a master of comedic writing for his day. This is a new day. 

Both SJP and MB each had success on Broadway, both beginning at a very young age. 

Matthew’s brand of detachment fit some parts, especially Ferris B. But his Harold Hill showed that detachment is not his brand, it’s just him. I couldn’t justify spending a dime on their current play, and I can justify spending money on tickets better than most. I hope the both of them stay well.