Matt and I finally saw Curtains last night. We try to see most shows in previews, because we like to be part of the Cool Crowd, and we can usually get preview tickets for cheap. But for some reason we never got around to Curtains until Matt saw an offer on TDF last week.

The only catch was that David Hyde Pierce, who won the Tony for his role in the show, is on vacation this week. But that was okay. His stand-in, John Bolton (no, not this one – but couldn’t you just see him playing the lead role in a musical?), did a fine job.

I liked the show much more than I thought I would. In fact, I really enjoyed it. I think that’s because I went into it with low expectations — it didn’t get good buzz when it opened last spring. In reality, it’s a cute, old-fashioned murder mystery.

So few new musicals open on Broadway these days that every new show carries the burden of Saving Musical Theater. But a musical doesn’t have to redefine the art form in order to deserve a stage. Sometimes it’s enough just to put on a good show.