Scene: November '12
|
The Other Josh Cohen
What? From the Playbill.com show page: "The true story of a good guy trying to break a streak of incredibly bad luck. He’s single, broke and just a few days before Valentine’s Day, comes home to find his apartment has been completely robbed. Well, almost; the thief had the decency to leave behind a Neil Diamond CD. Six days later a mysterious letter arrives in his mailbox that changes his life forever."
When? November '12 Where? SoHo Playhouse Why? Actor-driven decision! Hannah Elless from "Godspell," David Rossmer from "Peter and the Starcatcher," Steve Rosen from "Mr. Burns A Post-Electric Play" & "The Farnsworth Invention," Kate Wetherhead (among other things, the web series "Submissions Only") Well? This is the kind of show that just makes me shake my head at the abundance of talent that is living around us! The two actors who wrote and composed the show met at a theatre camp, French Woods, years ago and their chemistry has given us this delightful show about a down-on-his-luck, fairly uncomplicated, self-conscious, all-around nice guy for whom life does not seem to be cutting a break. Even when it does, it toys with him and teases him, until fate becomes clear in all the right ways. The six actors play multiple roles (except David and Steve who play past and present Josh Cohen) and multiple instruments with amazing skill and energy. Small theatre, small stage, but BIG heart, BIG talent and HUGE laughs. The charisma of the title character and the two actors playing him had the SoHo Playhouse bursting at the seams. The show may move uptown...if we're all as lucky as Josh Cohen, that is!! |
|
Elf
What? From the show website: "ELF is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. Buddy is raised unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh reality that his father is on the naughty list and his step-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas."
When? November '12 Where? Al Hirschfeld Theatre Why? This did not interest me on its first run last year, but I decided I was in the mood for some light fun. And I'm an elf. Born in December. Well? There is a lot to like about this production; most notably, the performance of Jordan Gelber as "Buddy" the titular elf. He portrays Buddy with just the right mix of naiveté, childlike delight and slapstick comedy to make you root for him all the way through. Leslie Kritzer is also delightful as his love interest, and their scenes together are sweet and believable (and believability is decidedly not the key to this show :)). Wayne Knight ("Seinfeld" among many other credits) is fine as Santa, as is Beth Leavel as the wife of Buddy's father. My disappointments were in the production itself I think. I didn't love the choreography or the overall look of the show (costumes, sets). That said, they made it snow on me at the end, and that's always a good way to my heart! If you have children with you, or are just someone who loves holiday shows, this is a great choice. |
|
Scandalous: The Life and Times of Aimee Semple MacPhersonWhat? From the show website: "SCANDALOUS is the new musical based on the life of Aimee Semple McPherson, the world's first media superstar evangelist, whose passion for saving souls equaled her passion for making headlines. Set in 1920s Los Angeles, holiness collides with Hollywood in the extraordinary tale of one woman's charismatic rise to fame amidst scandalous love affairs and growing controversy, inevitably ending in her much-publicized fall from grace.”
When? November '12 Where? Neil Simon Theatre Why? This really seems like an affecting story to see on stage. I find that I enjoy shows that have a "real life" influence; I think it's because storytelling used to be the way we preserved and relayed our history. Well? I had no expectations for this show going in. I knew of Aimee Semple McPherson, and I knew how the show had developed. I'm not generally a fan of Kathie Lee Gifford's work, but I went in with an open mind. And you know what? I really enjoyed this production! There are some wonderful production numbers; in particular "Stand Up," which opens the show, and the ensemble of this cast is top notch. However, the real reason to see "Scandalous" is definitely Carolee Carmello as McPherson. Her skill, talent and overall charisma are remarkable, and she fits this role perfectly. My concerns are with the short shrift given some of the complexity of this story. I'm not sure it does what Gifford wants it to do, which is to bring some understanding to the contrasts of good and not-so-good in a woman who was the subject of tabloid scandal in the press alongside devotion from her followers. Clearly, there were demons in her life. I'm just not sure I walked away with any more insight into who she ultimately became. All in all, I'm a fan of the production. The show is still in previews and, interestingly, there was an insert in the Playbill amending the listing of musical numbers in each act...evidence of the ongoing development that a show of this magnitude must go through! |
|
The PerformersWhat? From the show website: "David West Read's new romantic comedy about the ins and outs of life and love in the adult entertainment industry. Evan Cabnet directs this World Premiere production, featuring the sizable talents of Cheyenne Jackson (Xanadu, "30 Rock"), Ari Graynor (For A Good Time, Call..., Relatively Speaking), Daniel Breaker(Passing Strange, Shrek The Musical) and Jenni Barber (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), with Alicia Silverstone(Clueless, The Graduate) and Henry Winkler ("Happy Days," "Arrested Development"). Don't miss this hilarious new Broadway comedy that proves once and for all: size matters... but love matters more.”
When? November '12 Where? Longacre Theatre Why? Cast. Cast. Funny premise. Cast. Well? This is one heck of a funny show! As with "Book of Mormon," it does take a few minutes to get used to hearing generally "not suitable for polite company" language :), but these characters are so endearing, that you are soon happily going along for the ride. The action takes place on the day and evening of the Adult Film Awards, for which several of the characters have been nominated. A high school friend of "Mandrew," Cheyenne Jackson's character, is interviewing him for a newspaper article and, in the process, gets caught up in this completely foreign world for a night, with hilarious repercussions for he and his Barry Manilow-loving fiancé (Alicia Silverstone). Henry Winkler plays the "old guard" nominee; trying to hold onto his heyday as king of the adult film genre, and brings a great deal of heart to the role (along with a great deal of raunch :)). But the two real stars are Cheyenne Jackson and Ari Graynor, who plays his wife (and fellow porn actor) with side-splittingly funny perfection. Clearly, this show is not for you if you are sensitive to raunchy subject matter or "colorful" language, but the story, the characters and the production have a real sweetness that I found incredibly endearing. |
|
NY City Center Encores! GalaWhat? Raúl Esparza and Kelli O’Hara will be hosting a celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Encores!, the NY City Center's series of concert-style stagings of musicals not often performed in NYC. This was the series that was responsible for the production of Sondheim's "Merrily We Roll Along" that I fell in love with this past season.
When? November '12 Where? New York City Center Why? This is the kind of special event that tends to feature an array of stage performers all in one place; a setting that provides an opportunity to see a favorite actor in a different way. And it features Kelli O'Hara, who has one of my favorite voices ever. Well? This was a delightful concert of rarely heard musical theatre numbers, performed by equally delightful musical theatre performers! The highlights for me were Raúl Esparza, Kelli O'Hara, Joel Grey and Rob McClure (currently in "Chaplin" on Broadway). They each were of fine voice and owned the stage. Victoria Clark was also a lovely surprise. The cast sang various numbers from shows that had been performed as part of the Encores! series over the past 20 years, and definitely made me wish I'd seen each of the shows featured. I also enjoyed hearing more about many of the numbers and how they came to be from Broadway producer, Jack Viertel. |
|
The Strange Undoing of Prudencia HartWhat? From the show website: "Following a hit run at the 2011 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart is embarking on an international tour to share its dream-like journey of self discovery, magical moments, devilish encounters and wittily wild karaoke. Performed in an actual pub and inspired by the Border Ballads, The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart will move and amuse as the peculiar twists in the tale unfold around you."
When? November '12 Where? Bier Baron Tavern, Washington DC Why? I heard about this production when I attended the preview event for "Black Watch" and was intrigued by the unusual setting and premise. I have no idea what to expect, and I like it that way! :) Well? When a show starts with a cast member coming to your table and asking you to tear napkins into small bits to be thrown, on cue, as snow during the production, you know you're in for an unexpected piece of theatre :). I love storytelling, and this is a show about a character who also loves storytelling and has made it her life's work to study and understand the stories told in the ballads of the Celtic cultures. She, a young woman of arguably "restrained" personality and sensibilities, finds herself caught up in a series of strange and mysterious events while stranded by a snowstorm in a small town after a professional conference. The show is punctuated by traditional music and some not-so-traditional music, and a roving band of actors who play the story out in and amongst the tables of the tavern in which it takes place. The cleverness of the props and movement is evident, and my friend and I agreed that the show only really loses its momentum and appeal when certain sections go on longer than necessary to tell the story. The cast, especially the actor portraying "Pru," are talented actors and musicians, and throw everything into their performances. "Prudencia Hart" is a treat for sure! |
|
Golden AgeWhat? From the show website: "It's opening night of Vincenzo Bellini's (Emmy Award nominee Lee Pace) new opera I Puritani in Paris, and the Italian composer is determined to win the adulation of not only his audience, but his colleagues and rivals as well. When the curtain falls, will a thunderous ovation cement his prominence? Or has Bellini unwittingly composed his own swan song?
Blending 21st century language with the timeless beauty of 19th century bel canto opera, Terrence McNally's new play portrays the final act of an artist whose desire for greatness has eclipsed all else." When? November '12 Where? Manhattan Theatre Club, Stage 1, New York City Center Why? Primarily because of Bebe Neuwirth and Lee Pace...and I like the venues at NY City Center, and the MTC productions I've seen to date. Well? I enjoyed many things in this show: Bebe Neuwirth, Lee Pace, Deirdre Friel, a gorgeous set that makes a small space seem substantial and suitable for the grandness of the opera setting. It's a long show, nearly three hours, and I think perhaps too long for the amount of story being told. I am not a knowledgeable opera-goer, but was quite fascinated with a "behind the scenes" look at the 19th century classical opera world in Europe. There was humor and humanity in the characters and their relationships, but the show came more fully alive once Bebe Neuwirth's grand diva soprano character appears. She and Lee Pace have excellent chemistry as the composer, Bellini, at the pinnacle of his career and facing approaching death, and his longtime muse, lover and friend, Maria Malibran. I also really enjoyed Deirdre Friel as the younger soprano currently starring in the new opera, Giulia Grisi. In fact the entire cast is excellent, and I was happy to spend a few hours in their company.
|
|
Murder BalladWhat? From the show website: "A love triangle gone wrong, MURDER BALLAD centers on Sara, an Upper West Sider, who seems to have it all, but whose downtown past lingers enticingly and dangerously in front of her. This sexy, explosive, new rock musical explores the complications of love, the compromises we make, and the small betrayals that can ultimately undo us.
MURDER BALLAD is conceived by Jonathan Larson Award winner and two-time Susan Smith Blackburn Prize finalist Julia Jordan with book and lyrics by Jordan and music and lyrics by indie rock singer/songwriter Juliana Nash. Drama Desk Award nominee Trip Cullman (Paul Weitz’s Lonely, I’m Not; Adam Bock’s A Small Fire) directs." When? November '12 Where? Manhattan Theatre Club, Stage II, New York City Center Why? Definitely cast-driven. I am a huge Will Swenson fan. He's a charismatic performer, and I do love new musicals...particularly when I can see them in small settings. Well? I love these days where I can go from a more classical production of a play about opera (see "Golden Age" above) in the afternoon to an immersive new musical about love, betrayal and murder at night. "Murder Balland" is staged in a black box theatre space transformed to a bar, with a band on stage and the actors swirling around, on top of and through the audience, which has become one with the set. The lighting and movement and music just envelope you in the dark, electric environment in which an actor may be in your face or sitting at your table or towering over you on the bar. The story is a classic love triangle that is doomed to result in tragedy of some sense or another. The entire show is sung, and the lyrics and music are beautiful and evocative. The cast features four breathtakingly charismatic and talented actors, Will Swenson, John Conlee, Karen Olivo and Rebecca Naomi Jones. I could listen to them sing separately and together forever. Will told us after the show that there will be a cast recording of the show and I could not be more thrilled. I found myself trying to commit various lines to memory, so being able to listen to it on demand will be fantastic. The show has been extended to Dec 2 '12.
|
|
Dying CityWhat? From the show website: "One year after his identical twin brother, Craig’s, suspicious death in Iraq, Peter shows up unannounced at his sister-in-law Kelly’s apartment. Having not spoken since the funeral, Peter and Kelly face-off in a passive-aggressive battle rooted in half-truths and betrayal. The two’s emotionally brutal skirmish intersperses with flashbacks of Craig’s final night home before deployment. Featuring Thomas Keegan and Rachel Zampelli (Brother Russia), Dying City is a subtle commentary on the heart-breaking ramifications of war."
When? November '12 Where? Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA Why? I have become a big fan of this theatre and its high quality and diverse offerings. Rachel Zampelli is a charismatic actress and I've become a big fan of hers as well. Well? This is a big story told really well in a small play. It is as if the two characters are trapped in a tiny emotional prison cell in which they must maneuver carefully around each other to avoid coming to blows. The one, detailed set is used well, as are the periods of silence, during which the talented Zampelli and Thomas Keegan effectively convey the inner turmoil of their characters. I was fascinated by the twists and turns in the action, and it gave my friends and me much to talk about afterwards. |
|
Jekyll & HydeWhat? From the Playbill.com synopsis: "A musical adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic about a kindly, humane doctor who develops a potion that allows his brutal, animalistic side to emerge."
This is the show's second trip to Broadway (first in 1997; it's on tour currently and I'll be seeing it in DC). The new direction and choreography are the work of Tony Award® nominee Jeff Calhoun of the current hit, Newsies. It stars Constantine Maroulis (known for competing on "American Idol;" I saw him in "Rock of Ages" last year. He is not a draw for me, but I will say that he does have a decent voice and a strong stage presence. When? November '12 Where? The Kennedy Center, Washington DC Why? I do challenge myself to see shows that aren't necessarily my first choice; you just never know what you'll find, and this show fits that bill. That said, I'm seeing it at a discount on tour rather than spending the time and money seeing it in NYC. Well? Hmmm...overall, I liked the show: all the voices were marvelous, and Constantine Maroulis and Deborah Cox are talented actors as well. Truly, there was not a weak link in the cast. The set/staging was also wonderful; appropriately dark and menacing. I think the show lost me with what seemed unnecessarily lengthy expositional ballads from the leads; particularly Cox. Several of the songs were performed while the character was alone on stage, giving the feeling that the songs were being sung in concert-style to the audience rather than as part of the action; and unfortunately became somewhat indistinguishable to me. The story is very dark of course, and the show did a beautiful job with the material. In some ways it exceeded my expectations; and yet I was disappointed at the points that lost my attention. |
|
My Fair LadyWhat? From the show website: "Just as Molly Smith’s record-breaking production of Oklahoma! was enthralling audiences at Arena, her fresh reinterpretation of My Fair Lady set the all-time box office record at the prestigious Shaw Festival in Canada. And now Molly is reassembling her creative team to bring this breathtaking musical to Arena Stage. When Professor Henry Higgins wagers he can transform a Cockney flower girl into an aristocratic lady, he never guesses that Eliza Doolittle will in turn transform him. Lerner and Loewe’s sparkling score includes such enduring favorites as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” “The Rain in Spain,” “On the Street Where You Live,” and “Get Me to the Church on Time.” Based on Shaw’s most incisive social satire,My Fair Lady is a joyful, crowd-pleasing celebration for the entire family."
When? November '12 Where? Arena Stage, Washington DC Why? I love this musical and it is making a wonderful birthday gift for my mom, who also loves the show. My niece will be experiencing it for the first time, and I'm excited for her to "meet" this show. Well? All three generations thoroughly enjoyed the show! The leads, Manna Nichols (Eliza), Benedict Campbell (Henry Higgins) & Thomas Adrian Simpson (Col. Pickering), were each charismatic and talented. I might have wished for a bit more softness from Ms. Nichols; she seemed all sharp edges, but it was lovely to listen to her renditions of the beloved songs. The chemistry between Campbell and Simpson was a treat as well; they were clearly having fun on stage together, and I thought Campbell gave Higgins some of the rounded edges I would have liked from Manna Nichols. Of particular note was the wonderful staging of the Ascot scene...the use of the surround-sound racing effects and the choreographed crowd in their fantastic costumes, was perfect. I'm generally always happy with how Arena uses the Fichandler for these classic shows. It's such fun to see the clever use of the space under the stage and in the corners! |
