Pageant, Davenport Theater, New York, Monday August 18th 2014

Pageant, Davenport Theater, New York, Monday August 18th 2014

The best part of the show was page three of their programme and their announcement before the show.  This gets my TOP AWARD for a Broadway and Off Broadway Theatre for the "no cell phone used during a show on Broadway" award!  A shock as there was not a distraction.  But maybe my applause at their announcement made it very obvious that I would tolerant cell phones on.  Relief!   I stand up for all theatre patrons and NO CELLS ON during a show.  In their programme they request all all cell phones are turned to "Silent." 

The Davenport Theater programme states:  "Violators will be punished by ejection and violations may render the offender liable for money damages."

I applaud the Davenport Theater and this should be the standard.  But change the last page of your programme to Turn Cell Phones Off not just to Silent!

Congratulations to the Davenport Theater for the dedication to respect for all theatre patrons with their  announcement that the use of cell phones is "Illegal by New York law" and I applauded to the dismay of many patrons.  I nearly cried at their dedication to showing all patrons respect.

In thirteen out of sixteen Broadway shows I have had to ask people to turn off their cell phones during a show.  I am passionate about my theatre but probably more passionate about old fashioned respect.

The musical "Pageant" is a musical interactive show about a beauty contest\ where five audience members became the judges to decide the winner.  It is a dated drag show concept and is well performed but the script is very corny and old fashioned and could do with an update.

I think the songs and lyrics could do with a revamp to give the show some zing and sting!

It is a funny show but is about 4o minutes too long for an 85 minute show.  It is not the performers fault but the very dated script and ordinary songs and lyrics that make the show drag.  In 40 minutes this could have been a very snappy piece of theatre which could have done the same concept so well and kept my attention.  Sadly it  dragged and was like let's give the audience another filler to give the audience value.

Great performances by all actors who tried to maximise the material they were working with.  It was only the last number that we heard some bung sung notes.  Flat and discordant singing by the lead man did not fit the theme for this show!

I was impressed that we bought our tickets about six weeks ago and they upgraded our seats for a better  view.  Thank you Davenport Theater!

My favourite moments were the tributes that paid homage to Alwin Nikolais the choreographer with the Miss West Coast Talent contribution.

I also liked the conviction of the actors to sustain their character during the show and during the voting sequence.

A fun show.  Sadly the show started fifteen minutes late and my partner was about to walk out and demand a refung.  Five or ten minutes is understandable but fifteen is an issue!  Nothing great as a show though a reasonably priced fun night out!

the eend