It’s the Tonys this Sunday!! Curtains is the dark horse, I think. Go Curtains! Spamalot review to follow.
Wednesday matinee, May 9, 2007 at the Al Hirschfield Theater
Starring David Hyde Pierce and Debra Monk, with Karen Ziemba,
Jason Danieley, Jill Paice and Edward Hibbert.
What is the Musical all about?
Curtains is based on the late Peter Stone’s original book and concept, with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb (additional lyrics by Holmes), book by Rupert Holmes. Curtains unfolds backstage at Boston’s COlonial Theatre, where a new musical could be a Broadway smash, were itnot for the presence of its talent-free leading lady. When the hapless star dies on opening night during her curtain call, Lietenant Frank Cioffi (David Hyde Pierce) arrives on the scene to conduct an investigation. But th elure of the theatre proves irresistible and after an unexpected romance blooms for the stage-struck detective, he finds himsefl just as drawn toward making the show a hit, as he is in solving the murder. From Curtains
The Show
Curtains has everything one loves about a good old fashioned musical. The talented actors, the show-stopping musical numbers, a lovely ballad, the gorgeous sets and costumes… and a whodunnit murder mystery?
Waiting in line outside Al Hirschfield. Lol @ man.
My sisters and I knew very little of the musical before watching it, besides the fact that David Hyde Pierce and Debra Monk were starring in a Kander and Ebb musical (Cabaret fan, I am). We were actually planning to watch the matinee performance of Wicked, but last minute tickets are hard to come by since it’s a very popular show. After having read a short summary of Curtains on one of those Broadway magazines they give out on the streets, I suggested we watch Curtains instead! It’s a new musical and I’m a sucker for whodunnit stories but… I wasn’t sure if my sisters and I were going to enjoy it.
TKTS Booth @ Marquis Theatre
We arrived at TKTS booth at the Marquis theatre a little after 10 so there was already a long line. We were trying to get cheaper tickets since the Spamalot tickets were pretty expensive for balcony seats. My dad got orchestra tickets for Phantom of the Opera at half the price (~$50) and mezzanine tickets for Curtains, also half the price (~$30). We thought our mezzanine seats would be tons better than our full-price balcony seats in Spamalot but we were wrong 
We were at the very last row. And we were surrounded by little old ladies and little old men, on a field trip perhaps?
Oh well, we really enjoyed it anyway! The show starts with the last number of the show Robbin’ Hood and Robbin’ Hood’s untalented leading lady collapsing. Everyone involved with the production that night is a suspect, especially after the leading lady dies. All the actors, producers, stage managers etcetera, are placed under house arrest in the theatre until Lieutenant Frank Cioffi (Pierce) solves the mystery! And the rest, well, you just have to see it for yourself! I actually thought EVERYONE was involved, since the script was done in such a way that everyone is really suspicious. The conclusion was ridiculously unexpected, but after much explaining by Cioffi, it makes perfect sense!
Curtains Poster @ Al Hirschfield
The cast was hilarious, especially David Hyde Pierce and Debra Monk! And I especially liked several of the musical numbers: “What Kind of Man“, “Show People“, “I Miss the Music“, “Thataway“, “He Did It” (very cute), and “A Tough Act to Follow“. The show within a show Robbin’ Hood wasn’t really that great for me except for “In the Same Boat 3“. I really want a cast recording of the show, but it doesn’t come out until June.
I don’t think Curtains has a strong chance of winning Best Musical at the Tony Awards this year, since all the hype has pretty much gone to Spring Awakening (also wanted to watch this, but no matinee for Wednesdays). Who knows, hopefully it might pick up an award or two.
More on Curtains
Curtains Official Website
Curtains Information on Broadway.com
Buy Curtains tickets @ Telecharge