Holiday Inn: The New Irving Berlin Musical - Live (2017) Reviews

• Bah-humbug

  blakepleasants-692892017-12-03

  Sorry, but I just found the show kind of boring- I think what was missing was a decent plot, I have no issues with the dancing, singing, acting, but the musical just seemed to meander,,, I had to turn it off after an hour because it just wasn't keeping my attention.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

• A great tune-fest of a mythical country called the United States.

  mark.waltz2017-07-04

  On this fourth of July, I take a look back at this musical comedy which celebrates what America once did with pride: holiday tradition. Somewhere in a mythical state called Connecticut, an exhausted performer who has literally bought a farm, decides to turn the giant white elephant into the very first Holiday Inn, giving special shows for each holiday that passes through the calendar year. Romance follows, complications through his self centered ex-partner and flighty girlfriend threaten his happiness, but like any old musical, a tight happy conclusion is just right around the corner. While my tongue is deeply embedded in my cheek in reflecting on how things used to be, what this does indicate is the importance of keeping certain old fashioned ideals alive. And how could you make it better than adding in the songbook of Irving Berlin songs, as he represents to this day what is great about the American dream. Front row seats for me was thrilling and scary, as I feared that the glow from my very toothy grin might blind the cast. Add to that tears of joy in seeing it live, and the power of musical theatre becomes stronger than any adhesive in providing happiness like you could never imagine. After playing villains on Broadway in "Ghost" and "A Gentleman's Guide", Bryce Pinkham is the all American hero: Fred Astaire, in fact, with Corbin Bleu taking on Bing Crosby's role and making him not as noble, if in fact rather self centered even if charming scoundrel. As the dizzy girlfriend who leaves Pinkham for her career, Megan Sikora plays the stereotypical floozy blonde, a musical comedy archetype that goes back to the earliest days of the theater. While Ginger Rogers was not in the movie, Lora Lee Gayer seems to be emulating her, especially with interloped songs which Ginger and Fred danced to in "Top Hat", rumored to be Broadway bound down the road. For me, the scene stealer is funny girl Megan Lawrence who would make an excellent Fanny Brice. She's delightfully masculine but lovable, a comic dancer and great singer, stealing every scene. Along with such current female clowns on the boards like Jackie Hoffman, Mary Testa and Caroline O'Connor, she's an expert in facial grimaces who combines wisdom and sweetness with each characterization. This isn't a perfect musical, totally clichéd and often gimmicky, but I dare you not to grin at every musical number finale. Hopefully these shows filmed digitally will make it out commercially at some point, as musical theater itself is as American as independence Day, and the freedom of speech of the theater reminds us all of these irreplaceable values.

• Funny. I'll take it. Excellent.

  gkeith_12017-11-25

  Funny. I'll take it. Excellent. I love all the tap dancing, the multi-colored tap shoes; some or all of them look like the pricey Ofer & Ben Broadway-style tap shoes — and that's fine with me. The handiman/woman was hilarious, talented and had perfect comedic timing. That type gets no romance, nor does the rotund agent. That's too bad. They are good in their parts. The guy who plays Hardy is the mean guy on Mercy Street, Major _________, who is obnoxious and humorless. Who knew he could sing? He doesn't do much dancing here, or his character doesn't, and more's the pity.

• Well performed and staged, but lacking charm or magic

  pacificgroove-315-4949312018-11-27

  First, may I point out that the film Holiday Inn was NOT a Universal picture, Universal had nothing to do with it. It was a Paramount picture, created by people at that studio. Just because Universal acquired the rights to old Paramount films doesn't mean it's right for Universal to self-promote itself in the credits for the stage version and in the stage show itself. In this age where the President of the United States habitually lies and willl do anything to promote himself, this is a small matter. But being a classic film buff, I was irritated enough to write this anyway. Now for the video of the stage production. Very professionally mounted , well performed and staged, but lacking any charm or magic. Pales in comparison with the film version (itself very far from the top eschelon of movie musicals). Perhaps the biggest reason for the stage video's shortcomings is that was staged for a live audience, not staged with the camera in mind. The actors play their parts too broadly for the screen and they are almost always seen in long shots; this diminishes audience emphathy for them and the characters they play.

• Broadway on PBS!

  kz917-12018-01-20

  Great for those not residing anywhere near NYC! Great cast and great songs. The number with the jump ropes and then Corbin's tour de force of three numbers including tapping. Yowza! The play/movie is mostly known for being the original work which premiered White Christmas. Enjoyable!