Thursday, October 22, 2009

Bye Bye Birdie

Saw a matinee of the new production of Bye, Bye Birdie in the newly renovated Henry Miller's Theatre yesterday.

Highlights:
  • The numbers that feature the young members of the cast: especially "A Lot of Livin' to Do," "Telephone Hour," and the lovely blend of voices in "One Boy"
  • Nolan Funk in the role as Conrad Birdie
  • The colorful, over the top 60's pop decor, costumes, and set
  • John Stamos' charming and light-footed stage presence
  • Full orchestra playing great classic, musical theatre standards
  • The incredible physique of Gina Gershon, emphasized by a stunning wardrobe
  • A very cute curtain-call number
Problems:
  • Gina Gershon was off-key for the whole show
  • The casting of the adult roles--No one stands out except Bill Irwin (who the CB's normally love!) and it wasn't in a good way. He had a very strange take on the role of Kim's father that was funny at first, but quickly became annoying.
  • No chemistry between Stamos and Gershon
  • Nothing, except the amount of money they put into it, that made lifted it beyond the level of a good community theater production