Martin Short's 'Fame' doesn't become him

By Matt Windman

August 17, 2006

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Proudly described in advertisements as a "comedy musical," "Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me" is not a one-man show. Rather, it is a collection of skits and songs about Martin Short's life performed by Short and a supporting cast of five. Onstage, it resembles "Forbidden Broadway" with a bigger budget. Unfortunately, the entire enterprise would have been better off with Short merely offering stand-up comedy. As a musical, "Fame Becomes Me" is half-baked, disappointing and often idiotic.

Old-fashioned burlesque is not an easy art to conquer. Jackie Mason disastrously attempted the same kind of show three years ago with "Jackie Mason's Laughing Room Only." Rather, real musicals like "The Producers" and "Spamalot" have a healthy balance of low comedy and musical theater. And with few exceptions -- notably "Elaine Stritch at Liberty" -- autobiographical musicals are over-indulgent, self-glorifying attractions. Chita Rivera tried one last season with "The Dancer's Life," which lasted barely three months.

Martin Short is without question a funny guy, having appeared in numerous B-films and television comedy shows over the past 30 years. His goofy smile and eager energy can be intoxicating, easily leaving his audience in stitches. About an hour into the show, he appears as his Comedy Central character Jiminy Glick and proceeds to interview a mystery celebrity guest. Cynthia Nixon was grilled at our performance, but others have included Nathan Lane, David Schwimmer, and Gene Simmons.

Had Short provided stand-up comedy for 90 straight minutes, the show would have simply been fun. Instead, this second-rate creation by the "Hairspray" team of composer Marc Shaiman and director-lyricist Scott Wittman stands as an uncomfortable, juvenile attempt to make a musical from a handful of Broadway show parodies. Through the songs and skits, we witness references ranging from "Dreamgirls" and "Hair" to the "Triplets" song of the Fred Astaire film "The Bandwagon." Cute stuff, but we need more.

In reality, "Fame Becomes Me" is not a centerpiece for Martin Short, but for Shaiman and Wittman's mediocre songs and gags. In fact, Short only looks comfortable while performing solo comedy bits. Otherwise, you can sense how he is straining vocally and struggling for our attention. Even the show's television commercials honestly attest that it is not very much of a musical. Short's fans would have been happier to merely watch him perform impressions the entire time than be forced to endure this sad lot of crass songs.

Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, 242 West 45th St, 212-239-6200, $56.25-111.25. Tues 8pm, Wed 2 & 8pm, Thurs-Fri 8pm, Sat 2 & 8pm, Sun 3pm. Open run.