This Week on Stage: ‘Women on the Verge’ opens, disappoints

Image Credit: Paul KolnikThe big stage news of the week was the continuing problems with the upcoming Spider-Man musical, which faced both a safety inspection from New York state offiicals and a delayed start of public performances. When will Broadway’s most expensive musical ever catch a break? Stage-wise here on EW.com, we spoke with Time Stands Still star and standout Christina Ricci about the show, her debut on Broadway. And, of course, we reviewed the newest shows to open, which this week included the disappointing musical adaptation of Pedro Almodóvar’s Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, as well as dramatic political play In the Wake and Off Broadway-to-Broadway transfer of The Scottsboro Boys. Here are the highlights:

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown: EW stage editor Thom Geier found this new musical, which is based off Pedro Almodóvar’s 1988 film farce, disappointing to the effect of giving it a D+: “Seldom has such a strong cast”—which includes Sherie Rene Scott, Laura Benanti, Justin Guarini, and Patti LuPone—”been used to such poor effect,” he wrote in his review. “By the final curtain, you may wish that they had served some tranquilizer-laced gazpacho at intermission.” (Opened 11/4)

In the Wake: Reviewer Melissa Rose Bernardo wasn’t exactly enamored with the dramatic play, which centers around the Florida recount catastrophe in the 2000 Presidential election. Bernardo gave the show a C+ and said: “Ultimately, what Kron has created are two separate plays. And she hasn’t really finished either one—let alone integrated them together.” (Opened 11/1)

The Scottsboro Boys: Geier loved this Off Broadway-to-Broadway transfer, giving it a straight-up A and proclaiming, “The Scottsboro Boys challenges us even as it moves us to tears.” (Opened 10/31)

Tanner on Twitter: @EWTanStransky

More Stage coverage from EW.com:
Broadway’s ‘Spider-Man’ musical delays opening until Jan. 11, 2011
‘Spider-Man’ musical faces safety inspection
Kiefer Sutherland and Jason Patric coming to Broadway
Young Broadway star Shannon Tavarez dies
Christina Ricci chats with EW about her Broadway debut in ‘Time Stands Still’
Aaron Sorkin writing Hugh Jackman’s Houdini musical: Composer Danny Elfman has ‘high hopes’

View the original article here

‘Women of SNL’ special: What part was your favorite?

Molly Shannon, Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey, Nora Dunn, Rachel Dratch, Cheri Oteri, Ana Gasteyer, Kristin Wiig, Amy Poehler, Laraine Newman, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus headlined the Women of SNL special last night, wrapping some classic sketches with a few new intros and one new sketch. I could watch this Real Housewives spoof all damn day. We’re fambly!

(I seriously thought Tina Fey was Shenae Grimes in that clip.)

No matter how many times I see the Debbie Downer Disneyworld sketch, I crack up — corpsing is hilarious, whether it’s Lindsay Lohan getting the giggles, or Candice Bergen and Gilda Radner breaking. But as funny as these old sketches are, I was a little disappointed that the show hardly included any new content. My kingdom for a new Fey/Poehler Weekend Update!

What did you think, PopWatchers? I was sad not to see any Sweeney Sisters, and did Ellen Cleghorne appear at all? What classic sketches did you think were missing?

View the original article here