Loved this bitchy morsel from Michael Riedel's Broadway Matinee column today: He reports that the Harry Connick Jr. revival of "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" is on the verge of closing -- "We're in a show everybody hates," one person says, "you can feel the audience hating it" -- and says no one is more unhappy in the much-maligned show than its leading man:
He can barely contain his misery when he's onstage playing the role of a psychiatrist. Connick is so unhappy, his dressing rooms called the "dark zone."
Others have noticed that Connick, who showed off an extremely buff chest a few years ago in "The Pajama Game," has put on weight.
"Usually when you're depressed you eat more," notes another Tony voter.
"Usually when you're depressed you eat more," notes another Tony voter.
Riedel also says producers are desperately trying to drum up tickets sales, going so far as to change the artwork to a new photo of Harry "looking suspiciously like ... Hugh Jackman."
As it would happen -- and I don't even remember why -- I was just remarking that Connick is the worst actor of all time. (Handsome and talented musician, but cannot act.) He nearly ruined "Will & Grace" -- an otherwise great show -- so I can't say I'm surprised that his Broadway career is vanishing faster than a bag of Peanut Butter cups at a fat farm my house.
5 comments:
I actually thought harry connick jr. was quite good on will & grace. debra messing ruined that show LONG before anyone else had the opportunity. and if you wanna compile a list of the worst actors of all time, i got a few thousand names that would come in ahead of mr hc
Fair enough, but let's just say I'm not surprised you posted that comment anonymously!!!
With all due respect, Anonymous is nuts. Debra Messing was brilliant (yes, brilliant) on "Will & Grace". In fact, it was the humanity - the pathos and ethos - between her Grace and Eric McCormack's Will that saved the show from total mediocrity. I wasn't a fan of the show, especially as the seasons passed, but what kept me watching was Messing. Jack and Karen were amalgamations of sitcom cliches we've seen dozens of time before. Given great lines, at times, but cliches they were. And tired ones at that.
I won't go so far as saying that Connick is the "worst" actor (not with Channing Tatum still getting roles), and he was quite good in "Pajama Game". But I see your point, Ken. He's not exactly Sean Penn either. I'm supposed to go to "On A Clear Day" on 2/5 - it was a Christmas gift for my lover, Rob'sm mother (I call her my mama). I hope it heaves along just for that reason. Both Rob and mama love Connick.
Connick is no actor, although he has a pleasing persona. "On A Clear Day" however, despite extensive rewrites and a new angle on the plotline, is one dog of a musical. What people remember about it (other than Babs in the sometimes incomprehensible movie version) are the songs, not the story. Far better Connick had been starred in a new musical with old songs where his singing could have been showcased...maybe some Gershwin?
Connick is awful in this show. It might have worked better if the pshyicharist was a woman and the past life singer was 1940 male (ala Frank Sinatra). Connick would have been better (I think)... I actually was shocked at how bad of an actor he really is.
Just a thought for the next revival in 50 years.
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