ALL HAIL the Fabulosa Robbiej!

Well sweet readers tonight I saw one of our own in his showstopping perfomance in Betty's Summer Vacation. Very often when we go to see someone we know in a performance there is always the chance they will stink or the production will be really, um, BAD. Happily I can admit that robbiej was so good, no GREAT that there was no danger of me having to lie or say something like "You should of been in the audience..", he is the real deal. Durang is not easy to perform, he demands that the actors treat the insanity with complete respect, there can be no winking to the crowd that you are in on the joke, or all is lost. To be sure some of the cast was not up to the task and the director/ set designer let everyone down with the H R Puffinstuff scenic layout, BUT one young man rescued everything with his expert timing and inspired comic choices, our beloved robbiej is that man. Drag is a dangerous genre for anyone, too many backroom "Liza"'s have ruined it for most of us, but when it's done correctly and with taste, WOW is it ever a thrill, other than Harvey in Hairspray, no other actor in the city is doing it as successfully as Robbie, I mean he is on fire, every line is said with comic restraint and a sure command of the play. There is a moment, late in the evening where he gives what can only be labeled as an aria, and it was done with such force the roof was almost blown off...listen while it's a tough play to grab a handle on and I'm not sure it's for everybody if you like to see a young(he paid me to say that) hotshot rule the stage go see it, you'll be able to say "you saw him when", BRAVO ROBBIEJ!

Updated On: 2/16/04 at 03:01 AM

Awww, I am so proud. (sniff..sniff). Will you be touring? Congratulations, Sweety.

And Thanks, Eddie and Anth. Else go or planning to?

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Updated On: 2/16/04 at 11:25 AM

He truly was a treat to behold, believe me after seeing him all I can say is get him as Miss Hannigan and quick!

Robbie, I'm planning to see the play this weekend. I'm glad to know you're enjoying such great success. However, don't dare set your sights on TWHM. The role of Solly is MINE!!!!!!!!! (Besides, I'm the right age for the part and you aren't, so there!)

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etoile- I am cracking up.

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etoile, why, why did you have to ask?! This is very hard for me as I CARE about robbiej, but maybe it's time as a FRIEND I stop enabling him and tell the TRUTH! As voiceanth and I made our way to the theater we saw a huddled figure being led into the service entrance of the building, a low moaning was heard and it sounded like something to the effect of "I've tried God KNOWS I've tried, I gave them a matinee, what more do they want?!" A strange whiff of something that smelled of Boone's Farm hung in the air like a wet towel, Anth and I exchanged a quick worried look, could it be, NO, must think positive....taking our seats we were met by the lovely and talented critic David Hurst, he said " As a lover of high opera I couldn't miss this, it's like the end of Callas.." He KNEW, they all knew, what seemed like hours passed by, finally the director took to the stage, his voice was tense, before he could finish a sentence we heard a crash, and then "It's MY DRESSING ROOM!,It's MY SHOW! SCREW DURANG..SOD OFF ALL OF YOU!" The stunned silence of the audience was then met by a weeping, no WAILING sound and then the house lights dimmed....once robbiej came to the stage, there was a moment where we all caught our breath, could he, could SHE do it, like a warrior of old, he spoke his first lines, he stopped, looked into the audience and with a small tear from one eye, smiled and nodded and continued. Somehow thru the booze, thru the drugs, thru the PAIN he got to the end of the perfomance. After the curtain call we waited, he called out for us to wait, that we couldn't leave without a drink, so off we went to Cafeteria, where he had a table waiting downstairs in lounge, as we sat down he grabbed my arm said "Thank you,and I need help, I need..." but he stopped to eye the bartender, we all stopped to eye the bartender..then he continued, "Tommy, he said, Tommy darling (I didn't have the heart ot tell him my name was Eddie) it's tough to be a star..God Know's I've tried.." So once his beloved David showed up and he woke from his sudden nap, we carried him up the stairs into a cab, I watched as he sped off into the night....a fallen star at rest. I'm sorry I can't go on....(cue weeping sounds and swelling strings).

I'm writing this from lockdown.

I've been dry for two whole days now and being sober is...well...terrifying.

But I'll have you know that I WILL be on that stage tonight. I will deliver each and every line with passion and conviction. And if I break down in sobs...well...that's what you paid for folks.



But seriously...I just want to thank my darling Eddy and Voice for supporting l'il ole me! It was a delight having them in the audience and I'm looking forward to seeing other beautiful faces from our friendly neighborhood board!

xoxoxoxoxoxo
me

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Balla, if he starts to screech and call out for Captian Howdy, don't react, just sit and relax, it passes.

EV, thanks for the insider info. Any truth to the rumor that robbiej was seen sitting alone Sunday morning at a East Village cafe still clutching a wilted rose, mascara tracks running down his face and mumbling in true Norma Desmond fashion, "Mad about the boy...."?

Oh yea, and does he have thick ankles?

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etoile,

You heard wrong.

I was mumbling 'letters from a boy...'

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It's a crime!

I should sue someone!!!

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"Rob Maitner is F&@#ING STUNNING as Mrs. Seizmagraff!"
----John Raymond Barker

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Saw RobbieJ last night, and can only concur with what Eddie had to say. Like Harvey as Edna, you completely forget that Robbie is a 'man in drag playing a woman' - he simply IS Mrs. Seizmagraff. And the his 'Court TV' bit is both hysterical and awe-inspiring - the only thing comparable on a New York stage right now is Nathan's 'Betrayed' in THE PRODUCERS and I am not kidding.

And now I know where AVENUE Q's Bad Idea Bears came from!

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