The Wedding Singer on Broadway

[Pioneer Hall]

If anyone is interested, the Wedding Singer is now open on Broadway in New York. The movie was really good (at least I thought so) and the show seems like it is going to be really good. Stephen Lynch (the comical singer) plays Adam Sandler's part.

 

[nicholas]

It's....ok. It's certainly not great theatre. But it's really campy and just pokes fun at the 80s with lots of references, both visually and in the script. There are a few really great moments, but on the whole, it's fluff.

That being said, I had fun at it. You just can't go in expecting "theatre."

 

[RonAnnArbor]

I saw it with several friends and we had a great time - having all been in college in the 80's it was a hoot to see all those fads -- but there were a lot of folks sitting in the theatre waiting for intermission to make their escape as well. This one isn't going to run very long on Broadway - maybe through the summer -- I liked it, I would recommend it, but I wouldn't tell you it is great art either, just fun.

 

[ctwhalerman]

How does the storyline lend itself to the stage? After all the movie was only about 85 minutes long. I would imagine it would be funny, but aside from the pop culture references I imagine it would be pretty crappy theatre.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

Its pretty much exactly the same. The original hairspray movie was also only 90 minutes.

It is amazing how easily music can expand a 80 minute movie to a 2 1/2 hour musical

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I saw it with several friends and we had a great time - having all been in college in the 80's it was a hoot to see all those fads -- but there were a lot of folks sitting in the theatre waiting for intermission to make their escape as well. This one isn't going to run very long on Broadway - maybe through the summer -- I liked it, I would recommend it, but I wouldn't tell you it is great art either, just fun.

It has a one year contract...so it will be there at least that long. I am going to see it soon, I hope it is good.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

A "one-year-contract" doesn't mean anything. I used to work on Broadway. I had many contracts that were supposed to last six months that lasted three weeks of a run. I hope it stays open, I never want anyone out of work, but there is absolutely no guarantee, the producers can close it at any time they want.

 

[TiggerBW]

Glad to hear about it. Thanks for the info. I'm suppose to see it in June. :wave:

 

[artvandelay]

It has a one year contract...so it will be there at least that long. I am going to see it soon, I hope it is good.

Probably not. The Hirschfeld THeatre is a 'desired' theatre. As soon as Wedding singer hits it's 'stop-loss' #, the show will close. Shows are stacked up and waiting to get into NYC.

Hopefuly, Wedding Singer will make it to Labor Day and not close in mid June like Hot Feet, Lestat, Festen, and 3 penny Opera.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

Argh, no kidding...saw Lestat and wondered how it even got to NYC after SF...but then stranger things have happened...Wedding SInger is not that bad! It was totally entertaining, but it won't be able to keep audiences coming in for more than 5 or 6 months

 

[nicholas]

The shows will start dropping like flies once the Tonys are over. I always think it's funny how mid June-mid July is like the plague for shows closing.

 

[artvandelay]

The shows will start dropping like flies once the Tonys are over. I always think it's funny how mid June-mid July is like the plague for shows closing.

There's also the mid May closings for shows that don't get the Tony nomination.

 

[cherrynegra]

Lestat...HAH!! I bought tickets when it was in its tryouts here in San Francisco....and I decided not to go because I had a feeling it was going to suck (no pun intended). I figured why waste three hours of my life watching a sucky musical when I could stay at home and play on magic? :lookaroun

 

[BRER STITCH]

... it's really campy and just pokes fun at the 80s with lots of references, both visually and in the script. There are a few really great moments, but on the whole, it's fluff."

I hope its all that....and MORE!!! :sohappy:

This has staying power if only because there were lots of people alive during the 80's who will want to see how ludicrous we all really were again! :lol:

I suspect this will have done for the 80's gang what Hairspray did for the 60's. I'm looking forward to a nice relaxing, "non-thought-provoking" evening!

Here is a great quote from Peter Filichia's review of the show:

"The Wedding Singer almost always hits the target, though it almost always misses the bull's-eye. Robbie Hart almost certainly won't stick around as long as Roxie Hart has, but this show may very well have the staying power to be next summer's musical, too."

I'll let you know what I thought of it in a couple weeks.

:wave: