Don't expect fancy linens, 12 piece orchestras or fancy ball gowns and tuxedos at this catered affair.  The new musical, A Catered Affair, opened last night and it is a quiet, honest look into a small family struggling to make it in the Eisenhower era.  But, if the show doesn't go in for flash - the opening night festivities certainly did!

The Festivities

I was lucky enough to attend the opening night of this exciting new Broadway musical, A Catered Affair, written by the indomitable Harvey Fierstein with music and lyrics by John Bucchino (in his B'way debut) - based on a Paddy Chayefsky movie.   ACA stars Faith Prince, Tom Wopat, Leslie Kritzer, Matt Cavenaugh and Harvey Fierstein takes a role too.  John Doyle directs.  Things were wild at the Walter Kerr last night.  When I arrived at the theater there were several old fashioned checkered cabs parked in front and I heard Tom Wopat arrived at the theater in one of them in full costume (pre-show) and caused quite a stir.  It was a hot mess on the red carpet (and I mean that in a good way).  I rubbed elbows with Glenn Close (we are getting to be such friends now that I have bumped into her at Cyrano and ACA).  I spotted Edie Falco, Joan Rivers, Bernadette Peters, Matthew Broderick, Rachel Dratch (from SNL), Judi Collins and John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Itch).  Wowza!  I also heard that Tom Colicchio (from Top Chef ) was there - ugh - I wanted to corner him about this season's chefs.  Kathie Lee Gifford was giving interviews in the orchestra seats (looking 25 years old - no seriously - my friend thought I was wrong when I pointed her out because he thought it was some young twenty something).  After the show Kathie Lee and I chatted (and by "chatting" I mean, I ran into her as she dashed for her car).  It was really a star studded affair. 

My Take

The show was in stark contrast to the opening night frivolity.  ACA is a small intimate portrait of a family struggling on the brink of poverty.  Conflict arises when the only son is killed in the war and their only daughter is getting married.  She doesn't want to make a fuss, but Aggie (Faith Prince) feels her daughter should have the wedding she never had - even if they can't really afford it.  The musical is about marriage and relationships and not being afraid to move forward in life - with our eyes open. 

Don't go to ACA for big splashy musical numbers and dancing chorus girls - you won't find any of that.  Instead you will find a thoughtful introspective piece that is more like a play with musical under tones.  You will also find several amazing performances.  Faith Prince is blowing audiences away as the matriarch of the family.  She plays completely against type as the somber mother who has given up on all her dreams.  Her work is powerful and emotional (she should easily nab a Tony nom for this performance).  I also enjoyed Leslie Kritzer a great deal.  She is fresh faced and lovely with a beautiful singing voice, but when the conflict heightens she proves to be a fierce actress who holds her own with Prince.  Wopat, Cavanaugh and Fierstein all turn in excellent performances as well. 

The direction from John Doyle is understated and simple (which seems entirely appropriate).  He continues to impress and proves that he can do more than make actors sing and play instruments at the same time (a la Sweeny Todd and Company). 

The Critics

Overall, the reviews seem pretty mixed this morning.  Many finding the production too somber.  Let's take a look at what they had to say:

David Rooney - Variety - Click HERE to read the entire review

Rooney reports that there are many pleasures to be had in ACA, among them; Bucchino's score, Fierstein's book and Prince and Krietzer's lovely performances.  I wouldn't call it a rave, but it is definitely a nice positive review.

"A bittersweet reflection on the complexities of marriage and relationships, this small but satisfying drama forgoes big emotional impact for poignant understatement."

"Musical traditionalists will no doubt complain about the absence of upbeat, hummable numbers and the frugality of applause breaks, but Bucchino's work is entirely of a piece with the direction and writing. Whether it's in the exquisite underscoring or the introspective songs, the minor-key beauty of the music as heard in Jonathan Tunick's delicate, filigreed orchestrations captivates while remaining determinedly unintrusive."

"...the show resonates due to its modesty, grace, gentleness and emotional integrity -- qualities not often front and center in musicals."

Ben Brantley - New York Times - Click HERE to read the entire review

Mr. Brantley puts forward a fairly negative report, bemoaning the gloomy tone and somber smallness of the production.  He does praise the cast and their excellent performances. 

"...so low key that it often seems to sink below stage level. From Mr. Bucchino's trickling, self-effacing score to the tight-lipped stoicism of its leading performances, from David Gallo's tidy tenement-scape set to Zachary Borovay's tentative photographic projections, this show is all pale, tasteful understatement that seems to be apologizing for asking for your attention."

"But in musicals there has to be some largesse - of spirit, of style, of originality - to make an audience care about those singing strangers onstage. In "A Catered Affair" people are seldom big enough to pin your feelings on."

Clive Barnes - New York Post - Click HERE to read the entire review

Mr. Barnes gives the show 4 stars and embraces the small scale chamber musical feel of the production.  He says, "you will come out humming the characters."  He also writes...

"This is no run-of-the-mill Broadway musical - there's no chorus, no dancing. Just evocative music (perfectly orchestrated by Jonathan Tunick) interwoven with spoken dialogue, an authentically devised set by David Gallo and Ann Hould-Ward's brilliantly drab costumes.  It's simply a musical with an honest heart, and that's enough."

It was a lovely evening at the theater.  I kept looking for the pigs in a blanket and the chicken satay, but I guess that is a different kind of catered affair.  For more info on A Catered Affair (the musical) you can click HERE.  Check it out, it is a strong departure from the current fair on Broadway, but quite enjoyable.

~ See You On The Aisle