Saturday, August 6, 2011

Master Class

Well I've been away for quite a while but, now I'm back to share about a great performance I got to see last week. It was the brilliant Tyne Daly in Terrence McNally's "Master Class".




For those that aren't aware of the show, here's a plot excerpt from Wikipedia:

"At its core is the diva Maria Callas, a glamorous, commanding, larger-than-life, caustic, and surprisingly drop-dead funny pedagogue holding a voice master class. Alternately dismayed and impressed by the students who parade before her, she retreats into recollections about the glories of her own life and career."


Since the setting is a classroom, the audience is cast in the role of observers to the performing students on stage. To Mr. McNally's credit, he keeps the classroom moving and unlike the kind that most of us used to doze off in, it's both interesting and funny. Each student (played by Alexandra Silber, Garrett Sorenson and Sierra Boggess), has their own distinct personality and style that sets them apart from the others. Through the course of their respective sessions, each one gains a certain confidence in themselves and as performers. And in the case of Ms. Boggess' Sophie, leads to an outburst that surprises even Ms. Callas.

Speaking of Ms. Callas, I wasn't around for her life and career but, I'd like to think that the way Ms. Daly portrayed her is exactly who she was. She was brilliant in portraying a woman who went from nothing to everything to nothing again. Losing herself in recollections of her legendary career to her doomed relationship with billionaire Aristotle Onassis, I couldn't help but feel that this is exactly how this woman was... very strong, slyly funny and a little sad inside.

I hope when Tony time comes, next year, this revival and Ms. Daly's performance aren't forgotten. Master Class is at the Friedman Theater through September 4th. I highly recommend that you check it out.



Until next time...

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

LUCKY GUY to Shutter Early; Ends Run 5/29 2011/05/25




LUCKY GUY to Shutter Early; Ends Run 5/29 2011/05/25

I just saw the news that Lucky Guy is closing this Sunday, May 29th. I find it to be very sad because I really thought it was a fun show with a cast that was clearly enjoying themselves.

Unfortunately, that's show business. Who knows why the show is closing so soon but, I wish the best to the cast and crew and here's hoping you all find somewhere else to land soon.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Clue/In the End

Just for fun I wanted to add a this video I saw on YouTube.  It's a mashup from one of my all time favorite movies "Clue" and a great Linkin Park song, "In the End."




I hear of a new movie of Clue coming soon but, I'd rather it not happen.  The 1985 version and cast is too funny and great together that I don't want the proposed "serious" version to take place.  But, what can you do?  Someone with money wants to remake one of my favorites.  I have no money but, I'll still pay to see a remake of "Clue".  I love it that much. But, I hope it still goes toward the campier, fun side of things like the original.

What do you think? Should they make a newer, more serious one? Should they remake the first, more campy movie? Do you even care? And who's the real murderer? Sound off in the comments.

Until next time...

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Wonderland Ends Its Less Than Wondrous Run

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Frank Wildhorn's latest musical Wonderland will be ending its run at Broadway's Marquis Theater on May 15th after 31 previews and only 33 performances.  The show was completely savaged by critics and received ZERO Tony nominations.

Now I never got to see the show myself but, of the few people that I know who did see it the best they could say was, "The cast is trying very hard."  That's not exactly a rave review.

I personally think that Wildhorn, himself, gets a bit of a bum rap when it comes to his shows. He only writes the music.  Someone else writes the lyrics, book, directs it, builds the sets, etc.  So why is he the one who seems to take all the blame when they fail?  Maybe someone else should choose who he works with?

But I digress, it's always sad when an open ended show closes abruptly because it puts everyone in the cast and backstage out of a job.  So, here's a little video of a trailer for the show.  What do you think?  Too soon?  Not soon enough? If you were in town, would you have gone to see it?



Until next time...

Book of Mormon Cast Recording First Listen


Now, I realize that I'm a little late to the game in posting this but, I also know that I know quite a few people outside of the New York area who made not have had the chance to hear this yet.  Anyway, NPR has the first listen to the cast recording of Book of Mormon (click the name of the show).  Take a second to listen to a song or two from this brilliant musical!

It won't be officially released until May 17 but, you can give it a try and see what you think.  I recommend trying out "Hello," "Two By Two," "You and Me (But Mostly Me), "Turn It Off," "Sal Tlay Ka Siti,""Man Up" and "I Believe" for a start.

I personally think that this is the funniest musical I've ever seen but, it's not gonna be everyone's cup of tea.  That's why I think you should give it a chance and listen to it first.  I've already pre-ordered it on iTunes!  How many of you will do the same after giving some of the songs a listen?  The show got 14 Tony nominations for a reason, I'm just sayin'.



Anyway, it's something to think about and listen to as you start/finish your day.

Until next time...

Monday, May 9, 2011

Recit

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Well, it seems as though I'm going to be starting off my summer doing a one-act musical in this year's West Village Musical Theatre Festival!  The show is called Recit and is the story of the King family's annual holiday trip to The Tea Room at the Drake Hotel in Chicago.  Naturally, things at the dinner don't run so smoothly.  I'll be playing the featured role of the restaurant's host who has to get involved in the family squabble.

From the WVMTF website:

---"The West Village Musical Theatre Festival (WVMTF) was founded in 2010 by PCC Productions as a way for emerging professional artists to work with established artists on an original musical theatre piece, and for audiences to get a sampling of new theatre that wouldn't cost them a lot in money or time.  We presented 12 works in two separate "series", each series consisting of six 10-15 minute one-act musicals - giving audiences lots of different performances to see in one night and taking the cost of producing a full length production off of the creative teams."

Our show will be presented during the second weekend of June.  As I find out more info, I'll be sure to pass it along.  To learn more about the festival, click here.

Until next time...

Saturday, May 7, 2011

The Normal Heart


It's not often that you'll catch me going to see a "message" play.  I usually take my entertainment on the sarcastic, funny or scary side.  But, I had the opportunity to see the new revival of The Normal Heart, now playing at the John Golden Theater and couldn't turn it down.  I mean, the chance to see this cast (Ellen Barkin, Lee Pace, Jim Parsons, Joe Mantello, etc.) who aren't really known for being on the stage was too good to pass up.

To borrow from the Wikipedia summary:

"The Normal Heart is a semi-autobiographical play by Larry Kramer. It focuses on the rise of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City between 1981 and 1984, as seen through the eyes of writer/activist Ned Weeks, the gay Jewish founder of a prominent HIV advocacy group. Ned prefers loud public confrontations to the calmer, more private strategies favored by his associates, friends, and closeted lover Felix Turner, none of whom are prepared to throw themselves into the media spotlight. Their differences of opinion lead to frequent arguments that threaten to undermine their mutual goal."

It's a bit surreal to watch events that took place in my lifetime, that I knew nothing about as a child.  My first introduction to AIDS was in 1985, hearing of the death of Rock Hudson and how he died of this disease that was really only associated with gay men.  It's truly amazing to watch a frightened group of men try to get help for something that people don't even have a name for.  

I think what also adds to the power of the play is that knowing what we've learned in the past 30 years about this disease and how it can affect anyone.  How scary it must have been to be in NYC, in those days, with people just dying around you and no explanation as to how or why.  Or even knowing how to be tested to know if you've got it.  When one character asks if he can be tested to know if he's the one infecting his dying partners, the doctor's only reply is, "I wouldn't even know how."  

I called this a "message" play because that's exactly what it is.  Playwright Larry Kramer lived through this time in the early eighties and wrote the play based on what he saw and his experience as a founding member of the Gay Men's Health Crisis.  This play was written to "get the word out" about this disease that people seemed to want to ignore.

Even though the writing can seem heavy handed, at times, there's no denying the sincerity with which it was written.  Having the set be a simple white box with only a few props moved on and off by the cast was a great way to let the words be the focus.  Directors Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe were able to wonderfully evoke that sense of fear and urgency from their cast.

Joe Mantello plays the lead role of Ned Weeks, whom Mr. Kramer based on himself.  Ned is angry from the start because this mysterious disease is killing his friends and no one else seems to want to help.  Mr. Mantello is best known as the director of "Wicked" and "Love! Valour! Compassion!" with 2 Tonys for "Assassins" and "Take Me Out."  Here, he does a brilliant job of playing the man who's angry from the start and just gets angrier and more frustrated as the play goes on.  It's his anger and frustration that's heart of the play and you're with him the entire time.

Ellen Barkin takes on the role of Dr. Brookner the woman who has seen all these men come and go through her exam room with no explanation for what's going on with them.  She has yet to see a single man come through her door with this disease that survives.  At one point her own frustration hits it's breaking point in Act Two when she's trying to get more funding for research.  Ms. Barkin's delivery of the monologue at this point is one of the most powerful moments in the show.  "Why are all the f**king idiots always on YOUR side!" she screams.  Another great performance!

 Jim Parsons and Lee Pace both make their Broadway debuts here.  Mr. Parsons, best known for his Emmy-winning role of Sheldon Cooper on "The Big Bang Theory," brings much needed comic relief to the play as Tommy Boatwright.  While Mr. Pace, best known as Ned the pie maker on "Pushing Daisies," takes on the role of Bruce Niles, the man chosen to lead the organization that the men start.  His desire to help but fear at being outed himself, makes him want to react in a much quieter and friendlier way.  This leads to friction between he and Ned, who prefers aggressive and loud.  A great Broadway debut for both of these actors!

But for me, the actor who is the real MVP of the show would be John Benjamin Hickey who plays the role of Felix Turner, Ned Weeks' lover.  Felix, who is not part of the organization and isn't dealing with a bureaucratic mess like the doctor, is the one character whom we see simply dealing with the evolution of the disease.  Trying to cope with it like everyone else.  Mr.  Hickey's performance is priceless!

The Normal Heart is not a show I would recommend for a fun night of entertainment.  But, it is a truly powerful and thought-provoking piece of theatre.  It recently received 5 Tony nominations for Best Play Revival, Best Director and Best Actor, Featured Actress, and Featured Actor for Joe Mantello, Ellen Barkin and John Benjamin Hickey.  I'd love to see it win them all, especially for Mr. Hickey.  The play is set 30 years ago before this disease even had a name.  A lot has changed since then but, this play's impact stays the same.

Until next time...