The New York Observer, November 20th, 2007
Twenty minutes to curtain…
Dad: This should be great! I loved The Producers! And I don’t really care for musical theater!
Mom: This should be great! I loved The Producers! And I love musical theater!
Brother: I’m going to judge the entire show based on the first number.
Me: The Producers was really funny … but can a show based on a gothic novel that has been misinterpreted since its publication be anywhere near as good?
Dad: Maybe we should have made the kids see the movie before the show …
It begins …
Me: Okay … interesting set, costumes and lighting ….
Brother: This is horrible. I will now spend the remaining two hours and 20 minutes trying to spot instances of Roger Bart’s back hurting.
Megan Mullally enters …
Mom: Well, she’s been taking care of herself since Will & Grace.
Dad: Sexual humor! Yes! Mel Brooks has still got it!
Me: Oh, look, they cast Karen from Will & Grace in a Broadway show! I didn’t realize fictional characters were being hired for supporting roles these days. … Do they pay them in Monopoly money?
Dad: I have never seen that actress before in my life. The rest of the family doesn’t look particularly amused. Am I missing something? She keeps touching her chest; is that a recurring shtick?
“A Roll in The Hay” …
Mom: What clever use of video and interesting choreography! Sutton Foster is great as the Ulla character.
Dad: Ha-ha! More sexual innuendo! And I recognize that line from the movie!
Me: Mel Brooks really has a thing for leggy blonde shiksas. Susan Stroman just corrupted every hay ride I have ever been on and will never go on in the future. Thanks a lot. Now my future children will never know the joy that is sitting in the back of a damp wooden cart.
Brother: I can’t believe I’m watching a show where the jokes thus far have been an even split between sexual humor and vowel/name pronunciation.
What is this, seventh grade?
“Join the Family Business” …
Dad: This is a bit campy for me.
Mom: This is a bit campy, even for me.
Brother: Hope no one will be disturbed when I check my BlackBerry.
Me: Interesting number, but are we really only halfway through act one? Oh look, my brother’s checking his e-mail.
“Life, Life” …
Me: It’s almost as if the Igor character’s sole purpose is to waste time. And why does he have a British accent? Isn’t he from Transylvania Heights? If everyone else has to be faux-German, so should he.
INTERMISSION
Entre’act
Brother: Why is Mel Brooks so obsessed with Germany and German music?
“Surprise” …
Me: The hero’s fiancée shows up right as he’s falling for his leggy lab assistant. No one saw that one coming …
Dad: This Megan Mullally person is hysterical! That high-pitched voice, socialite demeanor, and quasi-lesbian tendencies!
Mom: Karen Walker comes to Transylvania. Sigh.
“Please Send Me Someone” …
Brother: Where the hell did this blind guy come from?
Dad: I’m confused … who is this blind guy?
Mom: …
Me: I have no idea who that blind guy is.
“Puttin’ on the Ritz” …
Dad: Straight outta the movie.
Mom: The choreography is great! It’s no Springtime for Hitler though.
Brother: The strobe lights definitely give the second act an advantage over the first.
Me: This number makes me want to take a dance class. Did I bring my tap shoes to the city?
“Deep Love” …
Dad: I’m officially over the sexual humor.
Mom: Me, too.
Me: Me, three.
Brother: The market was down 360 points today.
Finale Ultimo
Dad: That was pretty long. Entertaining, though. Mel Brooks kind of still has it.
Me: My mom didn’t ask if I want a souvenir T-shirt. That’s never a good sign. And if my brother gets to say “Puttin’ on the Ritz” the same way the monster does three more times, then it’s over. I can’t listen to “PUGHINNNN ONGA RIIIIIII” the entire way home.
Brother: At least I have a new way to annoy everyone.
