Off-Broadway! Give me your reviews.

May 4, 2004 8:09 PM

Has anyone seen the off-broadway show, "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change"? I just wondered if it is worth seeing. There arent any big broadway shows on the day I want to go to the theatre. Also any thoughts on, "The Last Five Years"?
posted by Recockulous to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (15 answers total)

Regarding "I Love You" ... I saw a production of it at the Horizon Theatre in Atlanta about three years ago. The cast was competent and the songs were passable, but the humor was along the lines of any dime-a-dozen stand-up act. Lots of jokes about how men just wanna watch the game on the tube and they just don't get them women and their need for silly romance, and vice versa.
posted by grabbingsand at 8:17 PM on May 4, 2004

I saw it in New York a few years ago. I was unimpressed. I'd think maybe someone who's not so Broadway savvy would likely enjoy it, but I second grabbingsand's appraisal -- surely someone pitched it thusly: "It's Men are From Mars, Women are from Venus... The Musical!"
posted by o2b at 8:29 PM on May 4, 2004

The Last Five Years is excellent. It is easily one of my ten favorite shows (out of very, very many over the years). Why? Because it says a lot of things about relationships that ring very true (for me), in songs that sound fantastic and heighten the emotion.

There is a very positive -- and descriptive -- review of the current Toronto production (which I saw and thoroughly enjoyed last week) here.
posted by sueinnyc at 11:37 PM on May 4, 2004

Are you sure there aren't any big shows the day you want to go to the theatre? Or are they sold out? I ask because the big shows play seven days a week, at least one show a day, often two shows on Saturday and Sunday.
posted by Mo Nickels at 3:36 AM on May 5, 2004

Actually Mo, most shows are dark on Mondays.
posted by FreezBoy at 6:13 AM on May 5, 2004

Can't speak to the plays you mention, but I want to give a big shout to "Bug", which is playing down in the W. Village. It's EXCELLENT.
posted by mkultra at 8:20 AM on May 5, 2004

Response by poster: I am not in New York City.
posted by Recockulous at 8:53 AM on May 5, 2004

"Blue Man Group" is really really really really fun.
posted by grumblebee at 8:54 AM on May 5, 2004

I don't understand, Recockulous. You said "off-Broadway," which generally means 'in New York City."

Anything in Kansas is off-off-off-off-off Broadway.
posted by grumblebee at 8:56 AM on May 5, 2004

Response by poster: Some of the write ups for shows state, off-broadway. While others like 42nd Street, Chicago, The Lion King and etc. are considered broadway shows no matter where you see them.

It really doesnt matter. Nit pick all you want people. I am not as educated/cultured whatever as you. I just wanted to know what people thought of the two musicals i mentioned. I dont care where i see them, where you saw them, the plot is the same. The singing and directing is different but i really dont care i just wanted a general idea.
posted by Recockulous at 9:31 AM on May 5, 2004

Sorry, I didn't mean to insult you or imply that I'm more cultured than you. I literally didn't understand, because "off broadway" has a specific connotation to me.

So I'm probably not better educated. I just happen to live in NYC, where "off-broadway" means something different than what you meant.
posted by grumblebee at 10:23 AM on May 5, 2004

If Hairspray is touring near you, that's worth it...Very great, fun show.
posted by amberglow at 10:33 AM on May 5, 2004

Whoah, ease off Recockulous. If you talk about a "Broadway show" or "Off-Broadway Show", people are going to assume you're in NYC unless you say otherwise. Please be more specific in your question next time.
posted by mkultra at 10:43 AM on May 5, 2004

Response by poster: no hard feelings.

thanks for the contributions. it sounds like, "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change", is something i should pass on.
posted by Recockulous at 11:58 AM on May 5, 2004

PS: For the record, Freezboy is right about the lack of Monday shows in NYC, particularly for the big shows. As has been said before, however, without "Off Broadway" and "Off Off Broadway" shows, there would be no Broadway to speak of. Most theatre in this town (in terms of numbers of ongoing shows, not in terms of seats sold) is not officially "Broadway."
posted by Mo Nickels at 12:46 PM on May 5, 2004