The Fix - Union Theatre

[mallardo]

Anyone know anything about this? It's a 1997 musical loosely based on The Manchurian Candidate and written by John Dempsey and Dana P. Rowe just before they did The Witches of Eastwick. It's being revived by the Union Theatre starting this week with an "unsuitable for children" notice.

I had never heard of it.

[philitalia]

It played the Donmar in 1997.
It was produced by Camac and directed by Sam Mendes.

It got panned by the critics

[ClapYo'Hands]

Its original run was a 2 month run at the Donmar in 1997 directed by Sam Mendes and starring John Barrowman, Philip Quast and Kathryn Evans. Quast won his second (?) Olivier for the show and if you want to see more, there's a performance of it on "Hey, Mr Producer!"

[philitalia]

If I remember correctly it was always supposed to have been a limited season.

Never got round to seeing it, but if it returns I hope to catch it.

[mallardo]

Thanks, guys. I'm definitely intrigued.

[theatrepaul]

Me too - very tempted to see this.

[bob8rich]

Saw the original production at the Donmar and loved it. Really different kind of show - dark and powerful - and the 3 central performannces (by John Barrowman, Philip Quast & Kathryn Evans) were outstanding.

The MD of the production at the Union is a friend of mine and, from what I've heard, this is going to be a fantastic production of what is an excellent piece of musical theatre. Don't miss it!

[TBFL]

The Donmar production was superb, and had an amazing cast, and wasnt totally panned by the critics....

I still listen to the score. It has some great numbers in it and Krysten Cummings delivers a fierce 'Mistress of Deception'

I'm going to go and book for this now. Thanks for the heads up!

[philitalia]

I never wrote it was TOTALLY panned - one word, big difference.
Can we compromise on "mixed reception" ?
Wasn't Cameron Mackintosh reported to being angry at some of the reviews ?

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to this one.

[TBFL]

Mixed reception fits perfectly :)

The musical was nominated for Oliviers for Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical (for Barrowman and Quast, who won) and Best Lighting Designer (for Howard Harrison)

[Princeton Returns]

All I know of it is what's on Hey Mr Producer, but I do like that song

[FrontRowDress]

This is quite simply the best show I have seen on the fringe all year and Louis Maskell as Cal looks set to be a major star. Honestly I cannot rave enough about this. Grab a ticket. There's more gushing on my blog for anyone who is interested.
The Fix

[devonian.t]

Slight thread-nap, but Krysten Cummings is awesome!

Her Mimi ranks in the top 3 female performances I've ever seen!

[FrontRowDress]

Not just me that loved it.

The Stage is a rave http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/36579/the-fix
5 stars from One Stop Arts http://onestoparts.com/review-the-fix-union-theatre

[MusicalBoy]

FrontRowDress, you've convinced me, and since there's a sunday in July when I'm in London for a night before jetting off to France, I think I'll book a ticket :)

[FrontRowDress]

Hope you love it as much as I did MB.

[MamasDoin'Fine]

A stunning show, one of the best musicals the Donmar has ever produced, it just never found its audience.
The London cast recording is an amazing listen!

[mallardo]

Saw this last night. A terrific production of a flawed but entertaining show. A wonderful score, I'm amazed I'd never heard it before. I had no idea Dempsey and Rowe were this good.

The book is a bit of a problem, however, the many good scenes never quite becoming a good story. The four leads are excellent as is the ensemble and the band. Director Michael Strassen's production is smart and inventive and manages to paper over many of the narrative cracks - but not all of them.

Bottom line though, I loved it, warts and all.

[Zinone]

I was there last night too. Enjoyed it very much, and it was particularly nice to see it while I'm in rehearsals for another production of the same show. (18-21 July in the Winterflood in London if anyone's looking for another fix)

While it took me a song or two to get used to Louis Maskell's approach to Cal, I thought he was brilliant overall - Child's Play was fantastic.