Bye Bye Brantley

[+ Lucky]

One of the pitfalls of buying theater tickets before the show's opening is that it might get a horrible review and you will be stuck with tickets you might not want. But I dutifully bought tickets to Bye Bye Birdie given the big names in the cast and the likability of the show as previously seen in another time.

 

Then, my sister and her family went and said they really had a good time. So I was looking forward to this show until today. Yes, this morning's New York Times has their theater critic, bitter Ben Brantley, writing a devastating critique of a show starring John Stamos, the fabulous Jane Houdyshell, Gina Gershon and Bill Irwin- all big names in theater. Then there is the cute kid playing Birdie- well, Brantley liked him well enough. Hint, Hint.

 

So, of course I will go, and I am sure that my friend and I will enjoy the show. Sometimes even a Times critic can be wrong! Maybe he was just upset that Stamos didn't show his butt as he did in Cabaret!

[Guest DickHo]

Don't let Miss Brantley ruin the show for you. He is the same one that went overboard praising Billy Elliott which I found to be a total dud. I trust Christopher Isherwood more than I trust Miss B. I'm going to see Byrdie soon too...nothing could keep me away from it!

[LouieD]

The Wall Street Journal's critic wrote in today's review that the voices were the worst singing he had ever heard in a Broadway musical!

[+ Lucky]

The Wall Street Journal's critic wrote in today's review that the voices were the worst singing he had ever heard in a Broadway musical!

 

But, he does say that "there's plenty to like in this production." Sadly for the show, though, the Daily News gives it one star, and the Post calls it a "flop."

But then, the Post should talk!

[jackcali]

Don't listen to Brantley

 

I go to a lot of theater and see plenty of plays that Brantley likes and dislikes, and I've got to say that he's got the worst taste of any theater critic. Some critics like high-brow works, some like well-produced shlock, but they've all got a point of view. Having read him for years, I can't figure out what the hell pleases him.

 

On the other hand, Terry Teachout, who writes for the Journal, has a real point of view that you can discern if you read even a few of his reviews. I may not agree with him, but at least I know why I disagree with him. That makes his reviews much more enlightening.

 

And, besides, who cares what the critics think? It's a favorite show of yours, Lucky, and brings back good memories, so go in hoping for best and enjoy it!

[Cooper]

Don Rickles and Bob Saget help out Bye Bye....

 

Lucky, Perhaps you'll really get lucky and see Don Rickles and Bob Saget perform together in Bye Bye Birdie...

 

http://www.myfoxnepa.com/dpp/entertainment/dpgo_Don_Rickles_Bob_Saget_ByeBye_Birdie_fc_20091016_4074093

 

Btw, on Regis and Kelly, Regis said he liked the show very much.

 

Hope you and your friend have a great time. I'm also looking forward to seeing it.

 

Coop

[foxy]

The review in the New Jersey Record was very good for all the kids roles but the adults didn't fare too well except for Jayne Houdyshell. It was the first Broadway show I saw. I was very, very young (ahem) and my memories are good enough for me to see it again. I'll never forget Paul Lynde as the father. Beyond hysterical.

[foxy]

The part of Conrad Birdie is played by Nolan Gerard Funk. I wonder if that's a stage name?

 

Anyway, the review says... "Funk makes him distinctly unappetizing - wearing only Jockey shorts, he guzzles beer that runs slobbily down his body - heightening the joke of the mindless adoration of his young fans".

 

Well, that seems like reason enough to see it.

[+ Lucky]

Hey Cooper, you are welcome to join my friend and I to see the show. He's a really nice guy and I am sure you could sing along with him as he knows all of the Birdie songs. (Just don't sing out loud!!!)

[+ Lucky]

The part of Conrad Birdie is played by Nolan Gerard Funk. I wonder if that's a stage name?

 

Anyway, the review says... "Funk makes him distinctly unappetizing - wearing only Jockey shorts, he guzzles beer that runs slobbily down his body - heightening the joke of the mindless adoration of his young fans".

 

Well, that seems like reason enough to see it.

 

 

Sorry, but I am very anti-alcohol, and I don't wear Jockey shorts. Can I still go?

[foxy]

I'm sure it's not real beer. Probably not real Jockey shorts either. It's theater... everything is fake. So if he has a bulge.....

[edjames]

You'll be happy to know that you are not alone in your dislike of NY Times theater critic, Ben Brantley, in fact, most theatergoers find his reviews obnoxious and demeaning.

 

In the case of "Bye, Bye Birdie," however, Ben may have been right as most critics have given it very negative reviews. Check out the NY Post review! NY Post theater columnist Michael Reidel has written several columns about the problems with this show and it sounds like his warnings have come true.

 

Whatever is the problem with the Roundabout Theater Group? They haven't had a bona fide hit since "Cabaret". Folks will say they're not closing this production down so it must be a hit should remember, the Roundabout is a subscription group, so most of the seats will be filled by the membership, who will probably give the seats away.

 

 

ED

[jackcali]

I was a subscriber of the Roundabout a long time ago. (Maybe the late '80s? Is that possible?) I thought myself lucky if one of the (I think) four productions a year was good and only one was downright awful. I wasn't lucky that often. I've tried subscriptions a few times since, but never two years in a row. There are so many better theater groups here in NY that deserve support (Second Stage is my current favorite), that I'll never waste my money on Roundabout again.

[+ g56whiz]

Mixed Bird Calls

 

New Yorker critic, John Lahr – son of Bert, this week pointed out that the original production of “Bye Bye Birdie” (1960) was an antidote to “West Side Story” (1957); and that “Fifty years on, ‘Bye Bye Birdie’, is still as light and frothy and irresistible as an egg cream.” He concludes: “Those who weren’t born when ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ was first performed won’t recognize a world without cell phones and cynicism, and won’t register some of the popular references of the day. No matter; they’ll know a good time when they see it.”

 

But tonight, TV ads went up during the local evening news – a sure sign that seats are too available.

[Lankypeters]

I trust Christopher Isherwood more than I trust Miss B.

 

 

Indeed, indeed. If Christopher Isherwood files a review from the great beyond, I'll scramble to buy tickets!

[Guest DickHo]

My bad, I meant Charles Isherwood...wow, no one gets a pass here!

[Justice]

I never pay attention to reviews ...

 

I saw Birdie with some friends on Tuesday. (We took advantage of a discount ticket offer that I got in the mail.) All three of us enjoyed it very much. It's dated, it's campy, but it's also a lot of fun.