The unusual pairing of singer/pianist/Regional Performing Arts Center guiding light Michael Feinstein and outrageous comic Dame Edna didn't find a hungry audience on Broadway.
Their show, "All About Me," will close April 4 after 27 previews and 20 performances. While the critics were generally kind to both performers individually, there was less enthusiasm for the mix. And the combined fan bases didn't add up to big box office.
Your thoughts?
Back to Top
IBJ Conversations
2 Comments
Add Comment
However, I also thought that if I lived in New York I would go see it, just to satisfy my curiousity. Ever since I read an article about Roger Ebert in Salon a few weeks ago I have been thinking a lot about entertainment partnerships and what makes them work.
I don't think they work if all there is between the two people is animosity, no matter how talented and/or popular each person is individually.
Siskel (sp?) and Ebert argued a lot over whether a movie should get a "thumbs up" or a "thumbs down" but they also, I think, had a lot of respect for each other and treasured each other's friendship. Also, they fought over something they both were passionate about: movies.
From the Playbill article, it didn't seem as if Michael Feinstein and Dame Edna liked or admired each other much, going in. It also didn't seem as if they shared a passion over which to spar. He cares about music and she cares about comedy but did they have enough in common to argue about?
They may have come to respect each other over time, and they may have found a way to make their individual, strong energies "gel," but I guess New York audiences didn't want to wait that long.
But I'm just guessing. Who can ever really predict if one show will be a hit and another not?
In any case, I agree with MJ, above: Michael, let that Broadway show go and come unpack your office in Indiana. Lots of people are looking forward to having you here.
Hope Baugh
Indy Theatre Habit