Roll, Roll, Roll in Ze Hay

Holidays in the family house were not always the most joyous of occasions. I know that's not unique to the household of my youth. Until I was about 8 years old, I didn't realize leaving was an option.

One Easter, when breakfast and mass were both over and the preparations for dinner were beginning (usually the most tense time), my brother looked at me and said, "Let's go to the movies, kid". That can happen? We can do this? Coooool! To this day, I still escape to the movies when I need to get away from things for a few hours-- even if it's my own head.

That movie was a screening of "Young Frankenstein" (it was a special holiday screening, having opened a couple years earlier). I suppose it's always had tied to it an early taste of freedom. I was laughing, forgetting that hours earlier I'd basically been hiding in a corner reading, hoping I wasn't in the way of any craziness. That day, my brother was the most awesome brother a girl could have.

(Warning-- falling names ahead as I carelessly drop them.)

So, what's better than the movie "Young Frankenstein" being brought to life on the stage (if you happen to be a fan, that is)? Well, it just might be seeing it while sitting behind Mel Brooks and 9th Row, center orchestra. Or, it might be in line getting chatty with Michelle Lee (admittedly piggy backed on my friends conversation as I joined him in line) and seeing a mental duel between two Rosemaries-- the one from the revival on stage as Elizabeth and the other in the audience (and afterward even saying out loud, "My friend RH is going to hate me" -- who happens to be her biggest fan). It also might be approaching the theater and seeing a man who caught my eye as I thought, "He is PRETTY, and also slightly familiar, but PRETTY." Later on, while in the theater, my friend said, "Hey, isn't that Gary Gulman?" (it took me a minute to connect the dots as I thought he'd asked about Gary Coleman, who I definitely did NOT see). Yep. It is. And he's very pretty. I knew he looked familiar.

The show itself was great fun. Much of the cast did justice to the task at hand. Sutton Foster was especially a stand-out as Inga. Her first number, "Roll in ze Hay" had me doubled over at times, laughing. Roger Bart was fun as Victor, capturing the character beautifully, being only as over-the-top as his predecessor. He has a patter number at the beginning about the brain that is a feat unto itself just getting all the words out and understandable (although the ensemble was tough to understand during some if its numbers)! Andrea Martin was second only to Cloris Leachman as Frau Bleucher. She really could have gone either way with overdoing it or not-- it was in the "not" category. I thought she was quite good- scary mole, violin and all. Another stand-out performance was Christopher Fitzgerald as Igor. Yes, he could have been plucked out of this show and seemlessly into Spamalot without notice, but he was the perfect Igor this side of Marty Feldman.

Probably my most favorite moment was Puttin' on the Ritz. They not only ran with it, they out and out sprinted. It's much better seen than any description could do justice. The "monster", Shuler Henley (who also played Jud in the revival of Oklahoma), had his moment in the sun and it was delightful. Honestly, I thought going into it that I'd be sad it wasn't Peter Boyle.

The only real disappointment was Megan Mullaly. She seemed to be trying so hard not to be Karen or Madeline that I don't think she ever really landed on a solid character. She faded in and out of a terribly-affected accent (supposed to be a NYC society lady) and just fell flat. I really wanted to like her. Of all, it seemed she would be more perfect for the show. Her voice was spot on yet I couldn't get into a single thing she sang. I'd love to see the entire show as-is, only with a replacement for her. Thankfully, Elizabeth isn't in the show much. She was actually to the point of being painful to watch.

The friends with whom I saw the show, sadly, didn't share my excitement. I don't blame them. They're not fans of the movie at all, so it stands to reason that they wouldn't like the show. It's definitely not for everyone, corny jokes and all. Along the same lines, if someone takes Princess Bride to Broadway, I doubt I'll be the first in line to snag a ticket, although I'm sure it'd be hugely popular.

There are those complaining about ticket prices. Yes, the premium seats are ridiculous ($250 and up), but I can't think of any show for which I would pay those prices. There are certainly other theaters doing that level of gouging. Regular orchestra tickets ($120) aren't much more than any other Broadway show's full-price orchestra ticket. Out of curiosity, I checked their official ticket site and was returned good, center orchestra seats for the regular orchestra price days away (the day of they also release premium seats for the regular orchestra price, if not sold). Sadly, as long as people are willing to pay these prices, producers will continue to rape its patrons in any way possible.

I don't know that I'd see it again, but I rarely like to try and relive theatrical experiences I found enjoyable, especially at full price both times. Plus, I have a feeling that once this actually opens, tickets will be harder to snag than a greased pig.