Broadway Features and Reviews
Opening Night Reviews For A Catered Affair
By Broadway Magazine Staff , Broadway Magazine
(April 18, 2008) "A Catered Affair" gave it's official opening night performance last night at the Walter Kerr Theatre. Today, the theatre critics offer their opinions of the production. Most critics had praise for the cast, and for the intentions of this chamber-musical, but ultimately the majority felt the show was a disappointment. Critics noted Harvey Feirstein's book and its central choice to change the character of "Jack" in the film, turning him into "Winston" in the musical, making him an openly gay florist in 1953 and the center of the production.
While generally, critics felt the show lacked emotion and drive, the few dissenting critics were quite passionately positive about the show. Below are excerpts from the reviews. For more visit www.Broadway.TV :
".though not exactly boring, cannot escape the feel of a rehashed,thrice-told tale."
-John Simon, Bloomberg
"'A Catered Affair' is so low key that it often seems to sink below stage level."
- Ben Brantley, New York Times
"It's simply a musical with an honest heart, and that's enough."
-Clive Barnes, New York Post
'For all the trials these characters endure, A Catered Affair is ultimately a celebration of life - neither flashy nor flawless, but well worth attending."
-Elysa Gardner, USA Today
"It's a bittersweet musical that is unafraid to stand still and let theatregoers linger in the nuance of love lost and then, most joyously, found."
-Michael Kuchwara, AP
"Harvey Fierstein and John Bucchino, the creators of this new stage version, have missed the spirit of the movie by a mile."
- Terry Teachout, Wall Street Journal
"Despite the dedication of a fine cast.this is a colorless little piece of '50s social realism about a Bronx family that isn't so much emotionally repressed as emotionally deficient."
- Linda Winer, Newsday
Find more about Catered Affair Broadway show and watch preview videos of this show.
"The show, which opened last night, seems well-intentioned but doesn't deliver enough story, substance or satisfaction."
- Joe Dziemainowicz, Daily News
".a wan, ceaselessly grim little show that barely registers as a musical."
-Jacques le Sourd, The Journal News
"Modesty and minimalism in musicals aren't necessarily virtues."
-DavidFinkle, Theatremania
".this small but satisfying drama forgoes big emotional impact for poignant understatement."
-David Rooney, Variety
".this admirably spartan staging ultimately feels like as much of a contrivance as the standard bells-and-whistles approach."
-Eric Grode, NewYork Sun
".an elegant production that shines with authentic emotions, but also a snooze fest that may leave you facing a 90-minute nap."
-Matt Windman, AM New York
For additional Broadway features visit http://www.broadway.tv/broadway-features-reviews
Walter Kerr Theatre, Harvey Feirstein, Jack, Winston, John Simon, Bloomberg, Ben Brantley, New York Times, Clive Barnes, New York Post, Elysa Gardner, USA Today, Michael Kuchwara, AP, Terry Teachout, Wall Street Journal, Linda Winer, Newsday, Joe Dziemainowicz, Daily News, Jacques le Sourd, The Journal News, DavidFinkle, Theatremania, David Rooney, Variety, Eric Grode, NewYork Sun, Matt Windman, AM New York
