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A Catered Affair Reviews
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A good old-fashioned Broadway show Review by: Broadway junkie, Jul 15, 2008 |
| I saw 'A Catered Affair' tonight and thoroughly enjoyed it.Faith Prince and Tom Wopat gave strong performances. It was a good old-fashioned Broadway play. Sweet and simple... about human relationships. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Adults
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| 2 |
No Roller Skates! No Rock Music! No Special Effects! There is Hope! Review by: Keith, Jul 14, 2008 |
| I saw the show July 12th and thought it was absolutely wonderful! I cannot tell you how long it has been since I have seen a Broadway musical with such layered, nuanced ACTING and simple, yet wonderful staging. I was entranced by the "choreography" of simple things like making a bed and mesmerized by the power of silence. How long has it been since a Broadway musical has used SIMPLICITY and SILENCE to such glorious effect? Tom Wopat nails it ... read more as the father and Faith Prince's understated performance is one for the Broadway history books. How unfortunate that so many modern theater-goers want spectacle and bombast in lieu of character, emotion and complexity. No roller skates, no rock music, no special effects; just real characters universal in their joy and their pain. Thank you Harvey Fierstein!!! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Spouse/Partner
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| 3 |
"Don't wait for the scary feelings to pass, take a deep breath, and open up your eyes... right now" Review by: justified2003, Jul 3, 2008 |
I loved this show, it's very cute, romantic, subtle. The music will not make you wanna get up and dance, this is not Mamma Mia, or In The Heights. This show is more classic than most of the other shows currently on broadway. The message is beautiful and it will touch your heart in several ocassions. I believe it's a "Must see" It will close on July 27th and you really don't want to miss it.
"Don't wait for the scary feelings to pass, ... read more take a deep breath, and open up your eyes... right now"
Harvey Fierstein. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Adults
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| 4 |
Loved the show Review by: gb, Jun 26, 2008 |
| I saw this about 2 weeks with 4 other woman. We all love it! Great show! I would not miss this one! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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| 5 |
“A QUIET THING” (Kander and Ebb song) Review by: , Jun 22, 2008 |
a Catered Affair
by Beth Mandelbaum
I consider this an off the cuff temporary review, as there is much more that I would like to say about A Catered Affair and believe that I can say it better than this. I chose to see it this afternoon for my birthday and I certainly feel that I made an excellent choice. I found A Catered Affair to be one of the most heart felt and emotionally honest musicals that I have seen in a very long time. ... read more It is set in the Bronx in the 1950’s, and is about two marriages, that one that is about to be for the daughter of a husband and wife’s whose own marriage has long been deeply troubled. The book is written by Harvey Fierstein, who also does an excellent job playing the uncle of the bride-to-be.
It is a rather sad musical and found myself in tears quite a few times, as I found it so moving. I found the drab, somber nature of this musical to actually be an asset, as it is about a real life family that has struggled financially and emotionally. As others have pointed out, it can be looked at as a drama with songs, which I found to be well integrated into the dialogue. When I first listened to the CD a few weeks ago, I was extremely taken by it and couldn’t stop listening to it.
It is a show about losses of many kinds, shattered dreams that seem un-reclaimable, in opposition to the joy of the engagement and wedding of a young bride and groom. It is about a mother’s almost desperate attempts to give her daughter and son-in-law a beautiful wedding in order to give them the right start in their new life, something which the mother never had. It’s also about a sudden realization that there truly is good in what one has, something that had gone unseen, which is the show’s ultimate message.
I honestly feel extremely strongly about this musical, which in an interesting way is groundbreaking, in that there are just a minimum of characters, no chorus or choreography, and is very much a drama that is subdued but heart wrenching at the same time. The acting and singing were fabulous and Faith Prince and Tom Wopat were both extraordinary. They more than deserved their Tony nominations.
A Catered Affair was superbly directed by John Doyle who directed two recent Sondheim revivals, Sweeny Todd and Company. Doyle is known for his “minimalist” approach, which works extremely well in A Catered Affair.
It makes me very sad that this musical was not nominated for the Tony for Best Musical and that a closing notice has been posted for July 27th. It may not be for those who are seeking a great big Broadway show with lots of ebullient singing and dancing, lots of color, immediately accessible music (though for me this score is). The characterizations are a significant part of what make A Catered Affair tick, and perhaps this may be overlooked for other qualities. For me, this is a very unusual and special musical which I highly recommend.
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
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| 6 |
TRY TO SEE THE SHOW BEFORE IT ENDS Review by: FLYTOME, Jun 21, 2008 |
| SAW THE SHOW JUNE 18TH 8:00PM THE STORY WAS NICE AND FAITH PRINCE WAS OUT STANDING!!!! HARVEY WAS VERY HARD TO UNDERSTAND AT TIMES SORRY TO READ THE SHOW WILL BE ENDING BUT WORTH THE PRICE I PAID AND HAD A GREAT NIGHT IN NYC |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Business Associate
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| 7 |
Not worthy of a snack Review by: Diappointed, Jun 21, 2008 |
After reading these reviews, I am wondering if I have lost my appreciation for theatre. As I sat through this most tedious evening, I thought I was watching some high school play. The brilliant Harvey Fierstein, whom I had seen years ago in Torch Song Trilogy, has become his own cartoon character. His voice, which has always been unique, and on some level his calling card, is now painful to hear. Can he sing? Of course not! It was ... read more horrible.
The story itself is ridiculous and sophomoric; the music and lyrics at best boring. With all the magic that is on Broadway this season, I would suggest that you set your heights on something more worthy of a broadway stage.
Sorry, Harvey. I fear your fifteen minutes are up. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 8 |
Don't miss this one.. Review by: , Jun 12, 2008 |
don't get it...
Saw the matinee 6/11 w/ married daughter..Loved it..love love loved it. A deligtful, heartwarming play w/ fine acting by the Entire cast For the $$$ of a ticket..it is a bargain... |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Family
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| 9 |
Love Through and Through.... Review by: Tell Tale Heart, Jun 9, 2008 |
| Like art, theatre is in the eye of the beholder, and this theatre-goer truly appreciated this play/musical. Emotions were so well portrayed. A story of "love conquers all" - the show tastefully unveils the layers of life. It shows pragmatism of difficult times with human emotions and true enthusiasm of life and love after all. Subtly, the play reveals that love conquers time, new beginnings and genders. In my heart, this was a charming ... read more performance. Perhaps those who thought otherwise could open their minds, but especially, open their hearts and take another look at this portrayal. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 10 |
A Catered Affair--not be missed Review by: Broadway Scott, Jun 8, 2008 |
| After all the "bad" reviews I had seen here-I was a bit apprehensive at seeing this show. I was more than surprised-actually elated. I great classic tale with inspiring music. Harvey, Faith & Tom gave a moving performance that should not be missed. I do not not understand why this show was overlooked by the Theatre Guild for best New Musical. It is a classic story that should be seen. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
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Anyone
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| 11 |
Review by: rskblueyes, May 28, 2008 |
As I recently saw A Catered Affair on TCM a few months ago, I was very excited to see a Broadway musical adaptation. When they announced that Faith Prince and Tom Wopat were to be the stars I was even more excited. Then the show was reviewed after its Bdway opening and my bubble burst.
As I was able to get a discounted ticket to see the show last night I was again amazed what the critics were thinking.. The show was mounted simply but ... read more with class. The performances, book, and staging were excellent. The music and orchestrations were beautifull, especially the underscoring in the numbers.
Yes this isnt a brassy or musical comedy show. This is a simple show with a simple message.
The show may not be for everyones taste, but if you enjoyed A Light in the Piazza, and Grey Gardens you will appreciate this small gem. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Adults
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| 12 |
Oh, well... Review by: AuntieF, May 11, 2008 |
Harvey, I love you, but this was not your finest hour (or hour and a half!)
The show was slow and no one seems to have a connection to anyone else in the cast. Individually, each cast member was wonderful -- beautiful voices, heartfelt emotion, but not great material!
4
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 13 |
NOT A PERFECT TEN Review by: Big Ken, May 4, 2008 |
| I was so looking foreward to seeing this musical, but came out feeling that it did not meet my expectations. I still enjoyed it, but it is NOT close to a PERFECT 10! It was creative in that it was more of a play...with music, rather than a musical. The tone was too serious for a comedy. The acting was great, but I felt Harvey's part could just as well have been eliminated. I liked it...did not love it! |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Business Associate
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Recommended for:
Adults
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| 14 |
Review by: lady di, Apr 25, 2008 |
| was extremely disappointed. I was expecting so much more especially with Harvey F. He was also disappointing. I would not recommend this play at all. couldn't wait till the end. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Business Associate
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Recommended for:
Adults
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| 15 |
Something real back on Broadway! Review by: Fromaggio06, Apr 24, 2008 |
| Excellent show! Finally a show that brings some reality and humanity back to Broadway. Characters that you can relate to immediately, provocative script, and songs that flow naturally with the story line - not awkward, imposed numbers like most of the mass market crap out there. A musical with some real thought and guts, don't miss it. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Business Assoc.
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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