Today's Broadway Blogs - Monday, December 8, 2008

Variety: "It's amazing how an infusion of cash can transform a show. "Slava's Snowshow," an offbeat, otherworldly clown show created by master Russian clown Slava Polunin, has cleaned up its endearingly scruffy face since its 2004 Off Broadway engagement. Comfortably installed (until Jan. 4) in that most accommodating of intimate Broadway houses, the Helen Hayes, the refurbished show boasts fresher set pieces, sharper lighting, cleaner costumes, better beach balls, more "snow" -- even more clowns. And if one should whisper that some of the magic has evaporated, who would hear that voice above the screams of laughter of a delighted audience?"

Charles Isherwood, The New York Times: "Despite its worldwide success the show has retained the feel of a handmade diversion, modest in its means but powerful in its ability to induce waves of giggles and sighs of pleasure. Mr. Polunin, done up in a baggy yellow suit, with a bulbous red nose and traditional black-and-white clown makeup, alternates with a couple of others in the central role. This yellow fellow is flanked by a cadre of green-coated goofs in similar makeup, with mile-wide floppy black shoes and hats with wingspans to match."

Joe Dziemianowicz, NY Daily News: 3 out of 5 stars, "This clutch of clowns is adorable, never scary, even when a tot with a loud laugh gets carried off. The kid returns in time for the big climax, a paper blizzard accompanied by blinding lights and blaring strains of the ominous "Carmina Burana." A peaceful scene follows, as huge, inflated balls get batted around the audience — sure to bring out your inner child."

Barbara Hoffman, New York Post: 2 stars out of 4, "Do you like to cheer and laugh on cue? Get spritzed with water or blanketed in synthetic cobwebs? If so, go and enjoy. If not, a stiff drink (and an asthma inhaler, if you have one) may help prepare you for the wordless mayhem to come."

The New York Times did a quick interview with Marc Shaiman about Proposition 8: The Musical which is a great read.  The article states, "The other benefit of the project is that it has introduced Mr. Shaiman to the medium of Internet video, a field to which he has never (willingly) contributed before" isn't exactly true though as BroadwayWorld fans know.  BroadwayWorld exclusively ran "50 Checks" from his upcoming "Catch Me If You Can" Broadway bound musical and his "Good Morning BroadwayWorld" continues to be one of the most watched videos on the site.  Haven't seen it yet? Check it out here!

"To err is human; to forgive, infrequent."

-- Franklin P. Adams

The grosses are out for the week ending 12/7/2008 and we've got them all

right here in BroadwayWorld.com's grosses section.

Up for the week was: IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS (14.4%), GYPSY (12.3%), A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS (8.9%), HAIRSPRAY (6.8%), ALL MY SONS (5.8%), BOEING-BOEING (4.4%), PAL JOEY (3.4%), GREASE (2.6%), MAMMA MIA! (2.0%), AVENUE Q (1.9%),

Down for the week was: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (-19.4%), THE LION KING (-16.4%), THE LITTLE MERMAID (-14.2%), MARY POPPINS (-13.0%), THE 39 STEPS (-12.1%), SHREK THE MUSICAL (-11.3%), SPRING AWAKENING (-10.6%), IN THE HEIGHTS (-9.5%), EQUUS (-7.5%), 13 (-7.4%), SPAMALOT (-7.2%), THE SEAGULL (-6.0%), WICKED (-5.4%), CHICAGO (-5.1%), SPEED THE PLOW (-3.0%), AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (-2.8%), DIVIDING THE ESTATE (-2.0%), JERSEY BOYS (-0.8%), SOUTH PACIFIC (-0.5%),