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Bye Bye Birdie Reviews
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| 31 |
Great story- fun & enjoyable Review by: NJlovesBroadway, Sep 27, 2009 |
Well, I have always been a die-hard fan of Bye Bye Birdie and was anxiously awaiting it's return to broadway for years! I have to say- I didn't think this was the BEST MUSICAL EVER, but I really did love it. It was bright colorful, energetic and fun! I found myself singing along in my head, smiling, and laughing. I have to say- one thing I loved about this musical was that unlike the recent Grease revival, it was true to the movie ... read more versions that we all know and love. There were no story changes and it was true to the versions I love and knew by heart.
Although Gina Gershon and John Stamos were not spectacular- standout performers- they were really good and entertaining. The young talent on the cast was spectacular!
I really enjoyed this and I would reccommend any fans of the story/music to go and enjoy it- because you will have a great time...
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Family
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The Entire Family, Anyone
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| 32 |
Wonderful, fun-filled show! Review by: Nana-Mama, Sep 22, 2009 |
| Allie Trim, Matt Doyle are perfectly cast. Bill Irwin and Brynn Williams are hilarious. John Stamos is charming and the teen ensemble is talented. I took my grandchildren to this show. They thought it was better than High School Musical and Shrek. I thought the show was a wonderful. This was a fun-filled evening that I intend to repeat. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
The Entire Family
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| 33 |
Not amazing, but a decent and fun show Review by: , Sep 22, 2009 |
| I read all the posts here and I agree with most of them. This show is good, but not great. The leads do a decent job, but the kids steal the show and bring a lot of energy and vitality to their performances. The plot and music seem dated, but part of the fun is experiencing this slice of American culture from several decades ago. Overall I enjoyed the show, understanding that this is not some pioneering, edgy production, it's just a ... read more cute throwback and a fun couple of hours. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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| 34 |
Review by: jef, Sep 21, 2009 |
I sang along with all the songs,I tapped my feet, I remembered my teen years enjoyed this show with a smile on my face, the young cast is so energetic, the sets, the clothes (crinolins). There were 3 very young girls in front of me, they also sat there with a smile on their faces. THis is a good family show for all ages.
It was wonderful!
This is the first week it is open and maybe some things will be changed but the ... read more basics are there for a good fun show.
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
The Entire Family, Anyone
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| 35 |
Welcome Bye, Bye Birdie! Review by: Kwk, Sep 21, 2009 |
| I saw the show Sunday, September 20. It was such an enjoyable 2 1/2 hours and the audience loved it as well. John Stamos and Gina Gershon are not "belters", but did very well in their roles. The kids were great and the sets very colorful and imaginative. The music was great as well. There are so minor tweaks that I thought that could be made, however, this is such an enjoyable show (for all ages), I really have no complaints. The entire ... read more cast gives there ALL, especially Bill Irwin, who will definitely get a best suppporting actor nomination for his hilarious part. This is a show that you come out of the theater with a big smile on your face. I really hope it stays for awhile. There was a large crowd waiting at the stage door afterwards, so I assume the kids in the audience loved it as well. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 36 |
Stay home and save the price of a ticket. Review by: Lovable lee, Sep 19, 2009 |
| John Stamos is no song and dance man. Gershon was a limited vocal range, can't dance and was flat on the night that I saw the show. Bill Irwin's slpstick routines would work better in a different show. I have seen high school productions that were better than this. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 37 |
So So: Bring in real Broadway people for the leads!!! Review by: Broadway Mom, Sep 17, 2009 |
Saw the show on 9/13: John Stamos is extremely handsome, that's the good part, he can not dance and his singing is just ok. Gina Gershon can't sing a lick and seemed uncomfortable in the role. It's amazing how producers continually bring in Hollywood stars to do Broadway just for their names to attract an audience but they're not able to live up to being a live performer/singer. I saw this with Allison Janney in 9 to 5, Oliver Platt in ... read more Guys and Dolls and the worst was Stockard Channing in Pal Joey.
The kids in BBB steal the show. My daughter knows 2 of the girls who are very talented; they out do the stars and have been working their tails off for this kind of opportunity. Please bring in real Broadway people who can sing, dance and act. I'd rather have an unknown who can perform than a name who struts around the stage. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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| 38 |
Mediocre and Dated Review by: , Sep 17, 2009 |
| Saw it last night Sept 16. Very mediocre. The problem I believe is in the two leads John Stamos and Gina Gershon. They can not sing, and that is bad in a musical. John Stamos is at least an endearing presence on the stage, but Gina Gershon was vacuous and think was just cast for her body. She has been terrific in films but can not yet handle the stage in this kind of role. There is no chemistry between them and you could care ... read more less about their relationship. The Mother's cliched schtick is really tired and pedestrian Bill Irwin is terrific and I cherished the time he is on stage, sadly not enough. He has stage charisma and Broadway magic, lacking in all the other leads.The problem too is with the play or it's presentation in this revival. The whole thing feels FAKE. It is full of cliches and superficiality with no edge or believability.It doesn't even work as camp. It feels formulaic and plastic. The revival has no imagination or originality. It feels like it is trying to channel and copy Grease and Hairspray but only on a superficial level. The sets are good and the costumes are good , but they scream COSTUME. There are some great songs in the show but not strung together or delivered in a way that gives them the most impact. The song" A Lot of Livin to Do" which is supposed to be a show stopper left me underwhelmed. I will say the young cast of teenagers are terrific and have energy and talent and shine when they are on. When they are not on the show dies except for Bill Irwin. Noland Gerard Funk as Conrad Birdie looks good and can dance but the direction does not do him the justice that it should. He can be worked with to bring out a better performance.I know this is only previews , the show needs a lot of work. I am not sure if it can be saved. Maybe it just is not such a great or relevant play and should not have been revived.It feels really dated , and not in a good way. Save for a few great songs not sure what meaning it has for todays audiences. even as nostalgia it feels empty. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 39 |
Wishing the show well Review by: Richard from Saugatuck, Sep 13, 2009 |
Saw Birdie on 3rd preview night, many changes are still in the works. The sets and costumes are a beautiful caricature of the period, clean, crisp and colorful.
John Stamos, and his irresistible smile were great but he should lean on his strengths and not his dancing. Gina Gershon shines in the “Spanish Rose” number. The very young teenage cast was talented but because of their age I felt I was watching a Disney television special. ... read more
The show will eventually rise or fall on it’s fun and energy like the film Grease. Right now it’s a bit bumpy and uneven. I wish the production well as it makes it’s way to opening night.
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Anyone
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| 40 |
Perfect in (Almost) Every Way - But Don't Expect Much from Gershon and Stamos Review by: ProductionPro, Sep 13, 2009 |
| I had the pleasure of meeting Lee Adams (lyricist) at intermission of the opening preview and commented to him that Gina Gershon and John Stamos made a great couple but couldn't sing on pitch. He said "they were nervous" on opening preview night. Nervous? C'mon, they're pros and the audience deserved better. Get them more vocal work before the opening. The KIDS steal the show. Allie Trimm, as Kim MacAfee, is a stand out - "perfect in every ... read more way". Her agent should have gotten her better billing! Agree totally with other reviewers - Jake Evan Schwencke as her brother Randolph and Bill Irvin (with an original interpretation of Paul Lynde role) were A+. While they LOOK great...don't expect much from Gina Gershon and John Stamos in the voice department. See this show for the exuberant performance of the kids, the outstanding score and lyrics, great sets that keep the show fun and modern, and the imaginative choreography. Director Robert Longbottom brings a wonderful update on the 1960 "Hollywood Squares" approach to "The Telephone Hour". Longbottom has made the right decisions to update the show while keeping the period intact. Cutting the Shriner scene is a good example of his judgement. This will definitely be a Best Revival Nominee with Bill Irvin getting the nod for his supporting role. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Anyone
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| 41 |
Go to see for the supporting cast and orchestra Review by: CM, Sep 12, 2009 |
| I have mixed feelings about the show. The supporting actors in this show were wonderful, but John Stamos was bad and Gina Gershon was even worse. Whenever they took the stage the momentum of the show died. Gina Gershon had difficulty singing in tune and matching pitch. John Stamos was only slightly better. The supporting cast was great. Bill Irwin and Jake Evan Schwenckle stole the show. Both were exceptional actors. The new theater is ... read more beautiful. The pit orchestra was exceptional. I think the show is worth seeing despite Stamos and Gershon. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
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| 42 |
Bill Irwin steals the show ... Review by: Lucky, Sep 12, 2009 |
| Bill Irwin steals the show in this new production of Bye Bye Birdie. The relationship between Albert and Rose is "Ho Hum". But go see it for the young stars, as they are the really "Stars" in this show. Amazing talent, their singing and dancing numbers really POP. The show really could have used a lot more of Conrad Birdie with the ending leaving with for more "Big Numbers", not more love scenes. John Stamos, cute, but sorry no Dick Van Dick ... read more there and also please no need for all "teenage smoking" and racial humor... that does not work or is it needed!!!! |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
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| 43 |
Bye Bye Birdie needs to go BYE BYE!! Review by: VLK, Sep 12, 2009 |
| This play was ridiculous!! I felt as though I was watching a high school performance...a bad one at that! I should be paid to watch it. Left at intermission |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
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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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