| Attending the B'Way opening night . . . and the "party" afterward | |
| Posted by: aleck 07:46 am EST 03/10/21 | |
| In reply to: SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS - On Stage Vs. Film - JereNYC 11:45 am EST 03/09/21 | |
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| Yikes. I knew one of the producers, who had had a previous success as a backer of Woman of the Year, and was trying his hand (for the first and last time) as an actual producer. I unfortunately was given a free ticket to opening night, which, of course, I would never refuse under any circumstance, as well as an invitation to the party afterward. The whole opening night, despite a primed audience willing to give the production the benefit of the doubt, was painful. Not one to hide my true feelings, instead of joining in on the audience's enthusiasm that seemed to have nothing to do with what was going on within the frame of the proscenium arch, I sat there with slack-jawed horror. The production itself was not Broadway quality. I looked like a cheap bus-and-truck affair, which it was. It was brought in, as I recall, after having crisscrossed the country for more than a year. The scant scenery jiggled as it was wheeled onto the stage. It was too small for the stage. Debby Boone was pleasant enough, but bland. It was hard to find her within the crowd of other brides. David Carroll (then known as David-James Carroll) brought that great voice that we would later come to appreciate (and now miss), but he didn't save anything. But the staging, particularly the dancing, which was so significant for the success of the movie, was uninspired to say the least. Also, there was an underlying sensibility projecting that the brothers were perhaps more interested in each other than in the brides. It was hard to suspend disbelief. However, I think if you study the movie version you will notice that camera angles enhance the dance sequences in a way that is impossible on stage. But it was sure no Newsies. I remember seeing Tommy Tune in attendance. It was rumored that he had been called in to try to doctor things. The stated chorographer has this as his only Broadway credit -- as either a performer or on the production side -- although I think he decamped to Las Vegas to stage extravaganzas. I don't remember any kidnapping scene or the audience being uneasy with such matters. Then, on to the party. The attendees were all frisky, lapping up the booze and food. But I knew from the expression on the face of my producer acquaintance that disaster was looming. Then the Times review appeared. Someone grabbed the single copy of the newspaper (we're talking the NYTimes when it was only available in print form) and read it silently. It must have been the press agent. After reading, she declared: "Mixed." Then the review was quietly hidden away. The turth of the "mixed" review quickly spread and people suddenly remembered they had to get home to walk the dog or get their insulin shots or whatever people need to do to make a hasty retreat. As the crowd emptied out, Debby Boone made an entrance. Everyone did their best to cheer her up. I seem to remember that the cast picketed the NYTimes for what they perceived as an unfair review, basing their objection on all the positive reactions audiences gave the show when it was roaming through the hinterlands. Perhaps they had been out of town for so long that they had forgotten what Broadway shows were supposed to look like. Amazingly, the show had a continued life in regional productions. I know someone who was in a Debby Boone-headed production -- TWICE. For me, it was a disaster topped only by Ain't Broadway Grand and that musical about Tourette syndrome. Or that Harry Connick Jr On a Clear Day. Wait! I can think of some more . . . but that's for another day. |
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| Previous: | re: SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS - On Stage Vs. Film - Michael_Portantiere 10:57 am EST 03/10/21 |
| Next: | re: Attending the B'Way opening night . . . and the "party" afterward - altonido 02:32 pm EST 03/10/21 |
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