Odd Couple Review
Oct 4th, 2005, 07:06 PM
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Odd Couple Review
Just saw it last night, first night of previews. Sarah Jessica was there, as was John Kerry. The show was really a lot of fun. Of course the story we all know and the jokes we all know, but it was a great trip down memory lane with two of the funniest in the business. I have always thought of Broderick as a 'one trick pony', but what the heck, he's the right horse for the part. Lane was fabulous. His timing is just right on the money. Brad Garrett was a delight, with my only complaint being that he was not on stage enough. Terrific set and supporting cast. If you can get a ticket, this is well worth the bucks. And if you can't, stop by for a t-shirt or poster. They make great gifts and all the proceeds go to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. There is a rumor of signed posters at Christmas time, but I couldn't confirm that 100%.
Oct 5th, 2005, 09:41 AM
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Thanks for the review Bugswife1, I will be in NYC Oct 25-30th & unfortunatly cannot get tickets to this show so it is great to hear from someone who has been althought it does make me feel slightly jealous!!
Oct 5th, 2005, 12:02 PM
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Thanks for making those of us who don't have a snowball's chance in Hell of seeing it feel bad! LOL
Seriously, thanks for the report. I think the Odd Couple remains one of Neil Simon's best scripts. It is always so funny and these are two great people to be playing the roles.
Seriously, thanks for the report. I think the Odd Couple remains one of Neil Simon's best scripts. It is always so funny and these are two great people to be playing the roles.
Oct 5th, 2005, 02:37 PM
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There were a lot of people on a stand-by line when I got there at 7 pm. Don't know if they got in or not. I also heard that Brad Garret is being groomed to take over Nathan Lane's role after he leaves, so my guess is that this could be running for quite a while. Maybe they will do a Producer's thing. Leave for 8 months and then come back for another limited run. I have 3 more sets of tickets (never get just one set for previews--have to see what they change later on), and another set for late January. I am sorry for those who are missing it. Maybe we should post a Fridays Do Not Miss thread along with the Rants & Raves. I am sure a lot of people will miss this simply because they didn't know about it. So, telling you now--get tickets for Sweeney Todd with Patti Lupone. That will be to die for (no pun intended).
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Oct 6th, 2005, 08:10 PM
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I 2nd the suggestion to go to ebay for tix - I have been trying for a week now and finally won them yesterday, I got (2) center orchestra seats for $340 - not that bad of a price considering the talent! I can't wait to go - my tix are for Decemeber! Good Luck everyone!!!!!!!!!!
Oct 10th, 2005, 07:05 PM
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I was interested in this thread because I think I'm going to be in NYC over Thanksgiving, and am considering going to a couple shows. I was considering Sweeney Todd, but am not a big Sondheim fan, I'll admit. I'll have to find out more of what it's about -- is that the Victorian thing?
Interestingly, I just called the box office a couple days ago and could have gotten a ticket to the Odd Couple for the Sunday matinee after Thanksgiving, at normal price. It was back of the balcony, however, so I passed--it was really too late for me as I had to leave town, anyway.
Interestingly, I just called the box office a couple days ago and could have gotten a ticket to the Odd Couple for the Sunday matinee after Thanksgiving, at normal price. It was back of the balcony, however, so I passed--it was really too late for me as I had to leave town, anyway.
Oct 20th, 2005, 08:05 PM
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I saw the play on Wednesday Evening. The simple fact is... it is awful. First of all the play is dated and Neil Simon should have updated it, or it should be banned from being produced for another twenty years so it can become a statement of the 60's. Attention Director: Putting retro furniture on the stage is not ample reason for us to believe this is the 60's. Nathan Lane was surprisingly good as Oscar. If you have had the opportunity to see Nathan Lane eating at Sardis, or anywhere else around town he always appears to be the most miserable actor working on broadway. Yet, get him on a stage and he really does shine. His, Oscar is always belivable, likeable, and doesn't ever feel like a copy of those that came before him. Mathew Broderick on the other hand is aboslutely horrible. Someone should rip him right off the stage and put Brad Garret in his place. First of all, you can not even hear Broderick, who it appears, is trying to channel Tony Randall, but somehow ended up getting one of the stooges. And not the funny one. Felix Unger has to be anal-retentive. It's just not funny watching someone try to play an impersonation of anal-retentive. Broderick is obviously not a method actor, just a caroon actor. You can just see him connecting A move to B move to C move. If I wanted to torture myself to prove the point, all I would have to do is go to the same show the following evening and I would bet you that Nathan Lane would give a great solid performance with a different twist and you would watch Matthew Broderick perform the sad same tricks. I could do better with three days of rehersal. His performance is truly that embarrassing. I can just see the glee in the eyes of the producers when they put these two actors together again. Thinking that they would be instant Trillionaires. Good luck if this last three months. It reall is that bad. Garrett would have made a much better Felix. It's against type. To see him next to Nathan Lane is just ... funny to start with. Put an apron on him and you have an instant hint. He's a great actor who actually understands timing. I don't know what's up with Broadway Comedy these days, but it's becoming cartoonish. The rest of the cast is subpar. None of the poker players stand out, as a matter of fact two of them are down right terrible. One can barely talk he's straining his voice so much. I'll let you guess which one it is. The Pidgeon Sisters are well... just okay, but once again, this is so dated it's ridiculous. Who are these women? They laugh because they are supposed to laugh. They cry because they are supposed to cry. Neither of them stand out from the other. If you want my opinion ... run, don't walk and buy tickets to "DOUBT" which I saw the following evening. If your are going to spend $100 on a ticket see how the pros do it and enjoy some real theatre.
Oct 21st, 2005, 08:30 AM
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OneEros69 - your first and only post on Fodor's and this is it? Why such venom? Did you miss out as an original investor? Or are you a regular with a different screen name just to post this review?
The show is not perfect, but it is 2 hours of entertainment and absolutely enjoyable.
The show is not perfect, but it is 2 hours of entertainment and absolutely enjoyable.
Oct 21st, 2005, 09:06 AM
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"filled with venom"? oh, please, it's just a theater review. Maybe she was stood up by Matthew Broderick once, is that what you are implying? I've read more venomous reviews in the papers.
I am often spurred to write biting reviews when I've seen something I really disliked (or read such a book, etc), especially if I've paid a lot. I thought the review was very informative, actually.
Anyway, I passed on it, as I said, as I didn't want back of balcony seats. I got a good ticket to the O'Neill play with Gabriel Byrne instead (A Touch of the Poet). I don't think it's opened yet, but I hope it's good.
I am often spurred to write biting reviews when I've seen something I really disliked (or read such a book, etc), especially if I've paid a lot. I thought the review was very informative, actually.
Anyway, I passed on it, as I said, as I didn't want back of balcony seats. I got a good ticket to the O'Neill play with Gabriel Byrne instead (A Touch of the Poet). I don't think it's opened yet, but I hope it's good.
Oct 21st, 2005, 09:27 AM
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I've been in theatre all my life, and I'll never be able to understand that expression about a show being "dated", unless there is a major effort being made to pretend it is supposed to be timely when it isn't. When did funny humor become dated?
I'm curious who OneEros69 is. Someone new to Fodors who came here (a travel forum) for the sole purpose of posting a negative review of a Broadway show? How likely is that? What am I missing here? And why did a regular poster feel he/she had to hide behind a new screen name?
I'm curious who OneEros69 is. Someone new to Fodors who came here (a travel forum) for the sole purpose of posting a negative review of a Broadway show? How likely is that? What am I missing here? And why did a regular poster feel he/she had to hide behind a new screen name?
Oct 21st, 2005, 09:38 AM
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My fault Patrick, should have ignored a one shot poster. The only reviews I take seriously are from regular theater goers, and I have my doubts about this poster. So, no harm done. Seeing the show again tonight now that it is out of previews. Will be interesting to see if any changes have been made in the past few weeks.
By the way, Patrick--when is your next trip up to NY?
By the way, Patrick--when is your next trip up to NY?
