Input on NYC theater--Dirty Scoundrels and Spelling Bee
 

Would love to hear what you thought from anyone who's seen either of these. Thanks.

My best friend jjust sawthe former - and said it was good - but not great - and that Lithgow is in his usual acting the most mode - but that in this part it works.

I'm a huge fan of John Lithgow, but I'm still quivering from watching the most embarrassing performance I've ever seen on national TV -- the number he did from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels recently on the Today Show. I kept trying to pretend it was just bad microphones, or the recorded music was off, or something, but I fear it was worse -- just a simply horrible musical number and an even worse performance.

Sorry to hear that, as we have tickets for the show in May. My daughter is also a big fan of John Lithgow. Oh well, you can't win them all.

I just posted a reply on another question about Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. I saw it in previews and enjoyed it very much. Thought it was pretty damn funny and well worth seeing . Main flaw is the secondary plot that doesn't do justice to the talents of Joanna Gleason and Gregory Jbarra. I did not see Lithgow's Today Show performance, but I'm not suprised to hear it didn't come across well. That happpens a lot when a number is isolated from the show and performed early in the morning - especially if it wasn't a prodution number.

Have not seen Spelling Bee - heard mixed feedback from friends & relatives who have. No one I know has loved it, one person strongly disliked it but others have said it has some funny & worthwhile portions. I don't know if they will be making any changes before it moves to B'way. My feeling is that it's probably worth seeing at a discount but not full price.