Julie

I received an email from telecharge.com pre-sale tickets that Urban Cowboy will hit Broadway on 2/27/03. I will be visiting NYC shortly after this. The music is Shania
Twain, Dixie Chicks and lots more GREAT music. Does anyone know much about this? I'm tempted to go to telecharge.com and get tickets but wanted to see what you may have heard. Is this suppose to be a biggie? What's the scoop locals?

Patrick

It is loosely based on the film -- mechanical bull and all. It played in Miami at The Coconut Grove Playhouse. I had hoped to see it, but didn't make it. Friends have said it was a real "yawner". But to be honest, I'm not sure I'd totally trust their opinion. On the other hand, they did say that the audience reaction was lukewarm at best -- some numbers getting no applause, most of the others mild applause.

Mike

I laughed out loud when I read the title of this post. I thought it was a joke but I guess not. Some executive somewhere must have reasoned:

Grease = good movie
Grease = great soundtrack
Grease = great play
Grease = John Travolta

Urban Cowboy = bad movie
Urban Cowboy = bad sountrack
Urban Cowboy = John Travolta

"Yeah, they both have John Travolta in common! John Travolta movies make great plays!"

Can't wait for Battleship Earth the musical. I will bet anything this project tanks. Shania Twain might make great music but that doesn't mean it will save a terrible story.

Julie, if you are a visitor to NYC, do yourself a favor and see one of the great, established plays. It would be so disappointing to have a limited chance to see stuff on B'way and pick this. Maybe I'm just on a soapbox because I saw Mama Mia last night and thought it was great.

Who thinks this will outlast Vampire?

Bjorn

Abba=great disco music
Abba=great disco clothes
Abba=great established play?

Howard

Unlike recent hits like Hairspray, there is no advance hype for this show. I'd hold up buying tickets for a while. If you're going to be in NY prior to March 27, when the show is in previews, you might even be able to get half-priced tickets at TKTS.

Connie

I have tickets to see this in late March. The music alone gave me reason to buy tickets...I'm looking forward to it!

Patrick

Good for you, Connie. I did not mean to imply that people should avoid it. Many people have had great theatre experiences by going to early productions of shows before they had any hype. Think of people who saw that little show Man of La Mancha, originally before it even moved to Broadway, or the people who watched a tryout of a show called "Dolly, a Damned Exasperating Woman" in Detroit before it became "Hello, Dolly".
On the other hand look at all the advanced hype about Michael Crawford's return to Broadway in this huge potential hit called "Dance of the Vampires", which is now closing early with one of the biggest losses in Broadway history.
By the way, as might be expected, Urban Cowboy seems to be primarily a dance show, and is being compared to Best Little Whorehouse of Texas. It really does sound like fun to me -- even though I hate "country western" music.

Carrie

I saw this a couple of months ago in Florida and it was EXCELLENT! Not sure if this is going to be the same production or not (Patrick, maybe you know?). It was a sell out while playing in Florida though and rightfully so!

Carrie

Oops, I forgot to add that the star was a very talented man named Matt Cavanaugh, find out if he will be in the Broadway production. He's awesome!

Patrick

Yes that was the world premiere in Miami, Coconut Grove Playhouse. Being a sellout really doesn't mean much, however, as everything that plays there is a sellout. What isn't sold on their subscrition series, generally goes to the public soon after release.

Larry

According to playbill the tickets for this go on sale today (1/26) on www.telecharge.com. I believe there are something like 30+ songs from Clint Black, Dixie Chicks, Shania Twain. You can read about the plot on their website.

Marcie

Just bought tickets today so I know they're for sale on telecharge.com. Sounds interesting so I'll find out next month.

Frank

Just go a promo in the mail for $60 tickets to Urban Cowboy. Good through 4/13/03, the code is UCDMP24 and can be used via 212-947-8844, or at broadwayoffers.com. Just got really good seats(5th row center orchestra) for April.

Frank

Being the glutton for punishment that I am, I thought I would give a follow-up review of Urban Cowboy. Saw it Friday night and have to admit we enjoyed it. Had great seats as described above, and would make the following generalizations regarding your potential for enjoying the show.

If you:

Enjoyed the movie

Like country western music and dancing

Wouldn't miss an opportunity to visit a bar with a mechinical bull if you were in the neighborhood

Use Ben Brantley's NYT reviews as a reverse barometer for shows you will enjoy or not enjoy.

If any or all of the above are true, you will enjoy the show.

It's generally on twofers and my guess is, it will run at least through the Tony nominations.

I think the roadshow will get a much better reception down South and out West.

The theater seemed about 80% full and the audience gave it an enthusiastic response.