For those who are interested....Saw Urban Cowboy on press night (wednesday). All were in agreement. Not much there. Story was really weak, dialogue all around bland, and except for a few distinctive tunes, so was the music. Choreography was lacking and lackluster. Acting was wooden, almost amateur. Save your money.

On a high note, also saw The Play What I Wrote. Absolutely hysterical and exactly what the doctor ordered for the stress and tension of 24hr CNN migrane. Roger Moore was the mystery guest and he did a wonderful job. Have a glass of wine, get comfortable, and laugh your head off. Loved it. Will be going back again to see another mystery guest and to see what changes they make to accomodate different guests.

Ellen, any news on Enchanted April?

Ellen, thanks for verifying what the critics wrote about Urban Cowboy this morning!
McLaurie, I can answer your inquiry with the comment that it won't even be in previews for another two weeks, so there's nothing to report on!

thanks howard. i actually thought the critics were too kind. i know how much they tried with this performance and how much money they spent, but for some reason, you just don't see it on the stage. the whole thing was awkward and sloppy. the best part about it was the 8 piece orchestra. I wonder if they are paying 18 musicians...

About Enchanted April. I haven't heard anything, but I am not buying tickets unless I can get them at a discount. I am not crazy about Molly Ringwald. I thought she was awful in How I Learned to Drive and Hedwig. Some people just love her. I don't see any depth there.

If I may ask, Ellen, are you a theater critic?

Hi Michelle. My husband is involved with the business. Prefer not to devulge details as I would probably be verbally attacked in some way. However, we do get to see 95% of all Broadway, off-Broadway and off-off Broadway, usually once in previews and then once later on. If it were not for the fact that we have to eat sometimes, I am sure we would get to the other 5%. It gets tiring sometimes, but some of the perks are great--like being invited to the renaming of the Martin Beck to the Al Hirschfeld Theater on June 21! Looking forward to that one.

Howard--are you counting down to Mack & Mabel yet? Very exciting! We got 9th row which I think is amazing.

Thanks for your reply, Ellen. How lucky you are!

Ellen, unfortunately, something came up that precluded us from attending Mack & Mabel. My wife and I are very disappointed. (I'll expect a full report at [email protected]!)

What's this about Mack and Mabel? I love that show. Who's going to be in it? Hard to think anyone will beat Robert Preston and Bernadette Peters.

Sharon - it is a one night only charity event for Gay Mens Health Crisis (GMHC). It is really a concert, not the play and numerous stars are attending. The date is Monday, March 31st at Avery Fisher. If you go to the GMHC website, it will have all the details.

Update on The Miracle Worker: It's closed down and will not come to New York right now as planned. The producers say the show has to be "reworked," as it is not ready to for Broadway yet.

Howard, I'm so disappointed to hear this. Is it postponed or cancelled all together or what? I'm holding tickets for April 12....doesn't look good!

Patsy, if you go to the Playbill website (www.playbill.com), you can read the news story about The Miracle Worker postponement. As for refunds, if you got the tickets at the theater, you return them there. If on Ticketmaster, call them up.

Thanks Howard....It sounds like it is cancelled all together, not just postponed. I believe there must be more to this story than meets the eye??

Urban Cowboy has closed.

Ma Raineys Black Bottom ends April 6th. We sent back our tickets and received a full refund on our credit card. Actually after reading the negative reviews, I was happy to have that evening of our trip, free to see something else - Exonorated.

The producers of Urban Cowboy had a change of heart and decided not to close the show last night. So, for now, it's still running.

Molly Ringwald was so atrocious in Hedwig that I walked out in the middle of the second song despite having paid full price for my ticket. I had already seen the show twice and subsequently saw it three more times but she was SOOOOOO bad that it was running the show for me. I think she'[s a decent film actress but needs to leave musical theatre alone.

Anyone seeing Gypsy this week?...it begins Previews tonight (Monday) can't wait to hear any feedback. I adore Bernadette Peters!