#1
Posted: 1/22/08 at 9:06pm
Spent MLK weekend in NYC and thought I'd share my thoughts on the shows I saw.
August: Osage County--The strongest argument I've ever seen for a best ensemble Tony. If you want to see stage acting at its best, this is the show to see. Both Deanna Dunagan and Amy Morton turn in powerehouse performances, but I also enjoyed Rondi Reed's comic turn as Mattie Fae Aiken. The twist and turns of the plot keep you thoroughly engaged for the three hour plus running time. Though I found Letts' script to be truly orginal, the influences of O'Neill, Shepard, Henley, Williams, and Albee echo throughout. An evening of theatre not to be missed by an serious thespian.
Young Frankenstein--Let me begin by saying that I think "The Producers" is one of the most overrated shows in Broadway history, but I loved YF as a movie so couldn't resist checking it out. Is this musical a classic for the ages? No. Is is a good time at the theatre? Yes. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the show. Shoot me, but I prefer this score to Brooks' score for "The Producers." Three days later, I'm still humming "Roll in the Hay." I thought all the performers did a great job of bringing these iconic characters to life. Sutton was out, but her understudy Christina Marie Norrup did a fine job as Inga. I know many have been critical of Roger Bart, but I thought he had both the comic and vocal chops to do the role of Frederick Frankenstein justice. Bart had a great chemistry with Christoper Fitzgerald's Igor and their "Together Again" is one of the highlights of the show. Fitzgerald steals every scene he's in. Andrea Martin also turns in a great performance as Frau Blucher, bringing down the house with her wonderful rendition of "He Vas My Boyfriend." All this being said, the show truly belongs to Megan Mullally as Elizabeth. Though she has very little stage time, the show belongs to her when she is on stage. A wonderful comic and vocal turn. I loved Stroman's staging of "Puttin' on the Ritz" which gives the wonderful Shuler Hensley a chance to shine. I couldn't end this review without mentioning Fred Applegate's performance as both Inspector Kemp and the Hermit. He does a great job in both roles and his delivery of "Please Send Me Someone" is a comic highlight of the show.
Xanadu--This was the show I most wanted to see and it did not disappoint. A wonderful ensemble, led by Kerry Butler and Chyenne Jackson, makes this show a must see! The campy, tongue-in-cheek book by Douglas Carter Beane is a perfect fit for the wonderful 80s pop tunes of Jeff Lynne and John Farrar. Both Butler and Jackson shine in their roles, delivering performances that exhibit their wonderful comic and vocal chops. This is especially evident in their duet "Suddenly." Mary Testa and Jackie Hoffman all but steal the show with "Evil Woman" and Tony Roberts is charming as Danny Maguire when he delivers "Whenever You're Away From Me." I couldn't end this review without mentioning the very talented Curtis Holbrook, Kenita Miller, Kate Loprest (in for Patti Murin), and Andre Ward who round out the show's wonderful ensemble.
Come Back, Little Sheba--I have long been a fan of William Inge and was so glad to finally see this play on stage. I first fell in love with the character of Lola when I saw the film version of this play with Shirley Booth and wondered if anyone else could do the character justice. S. Epatha Merkerson does. It is her portrayal of Lola that holds this fine revival together. Merkerson gives a wonderfully understated performance that is very moving. Kevin Anderson does an okay job with the role of Doc, but I truly loved the Zoe Kazan as Marie and Brian J. Smith as Turk. Able support was offered by Keith Randolph Smith and Brenda Wehle in smaller roles. However, it is Merkerson that makes this show a must see.
Mamma Mia!--Though this show has played for several years on Broadway and toured extensively, I had never seen it. My main reason for going was to see the wonderful Carolee Carmello. She did not disappoint. Her belting of "The Winner Takes it All" made the show worth the price of admission. That isn't to say the show is not in great shape. Though the plot is so light and thin a small breeze could blow it away, the show is a crowd-pleaser. I'm a fan of ABBA, so I enjoyed myself. Carry Anderson was a cute Sophie and had a fine voice. Judy McLane and Gina Ferrall were great as Tanya and Rosie and had an excellent chemistry with Carmello. Among the possible dads, I thought Christopher Shyer was truly outstanding as Sam. A fun show to end my trip with.
August: Osage County--The strongest argument I've ever seen for a best ensemble Tony. If you want to see stage acting at its best, this is the show to see. Both Deanna Dunagan and Amy Morton turn in powerehouse performances, but I also enjoyed Rondi Reed's comic turn as Mattie Fae Aiken. The twist and turns of the plot keep you thoroughly engaged for the three hour plus running time. Though I found Letts' script to be truly orginal, the influences of O'Neill, Shepard, Henley, Williams, and Albee echo throughout. An evening of theatre not to be missed by an serious thespian.
Young Frankenstein--Let me begin by saying that I think "The Producers" is one of the most overrated shows in Broadway history, but I loved YF as a movie so couldn't resist checking it out. Is this musical a classic for the ages? No. Is is a good time at the theatre? Yes. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the show. Shoot me, but I prefer this score to Brooks' score for "The Producers." Three days later, I'm still humming "Roll in the Hay." I thought all the performers did a great job of bringing these iconic characters to life. Sutton was out, but her understudy Christina Marie Norrup did a fine job as Inga. I know many have been critical of Roger Bart, but I thought he had both the comic and vocal chops to do the role of Frederick Frankenstein justice. Bart had a great chemistry with Christoper Fitzgerald's Igor and their "Together Again" is one of the highlights of the show. Fitzgerald steals every scene he's in. Andrea Martin also turns in a great performance as Frau Blucher, bringing down the house with her wonderful rendition of "He Vas My Boyfriend." All this being said, the show truly belongs to Megan Mullally as Elizabeth. Though she has very little stage time, the show belongs to her when she is on stage. A wonderful comic and vocal turn. I loved Stroman's staging of "Puttin' on the Ritz" which gives the wonderful Shuler Hensley a chance to shine. I couldn't end this review without mentioning Fred Applegate's performance as both Inspector Kemp and the Hermit. He does a great job in both roles and his delivery of "Please Send Me Someone" is a comic highlight of the show.
Xanadu--This was the show I most wanted to see and it did not disappoint. A wonderful ensemble, led by Kerry Butler and Chyenne Jackson, makes this show a must see! The campy, tongue-in-cheek book by Douglas Carter Beane is a perfect fit for the wonderful 80s pop tunes of Jeff Lynne and John Farrar. Both Butler and Jackson shine in their roles, delivering performances that exhibit their wonderful comic and vocal chops. This is especially evident in their duet "Suddenly." Mary Testa and Jackie Hoffman all but steal the show with "Evil Woman" and Tony Roberts is charming as Danny Maguire when he delivers "Whenever You're Away From Me." I couldn't end this review without mentioning the very talented Curtis Holbrook, Kenita Miller, Kate Loprest (in for Patti Murin), and Andre Ward who round out the show's wonderful ensemble.
Come Back, Little Sheba--I have long been a fan of William Inge and was so glad to finally see this play on stage. I first fell in love with the character of Lola when I saw the film version of this play with Shirley Booth and wondered if anyone else could do the character justice. S. Epatha Merkerson does. It is her portrayal of Lola that holds this fine revival together. Merkerson gives a wonderfully understated performance that is very moving. Kevin Anderson does an okay job with the role of Doc, but I truly loved the Zoe Kazan as Marie and Brian J. Smith as Turk. Able support was offered by Keith Randolph Smith and Brenda Wehle in smaller roles. However, it is Merkerson that makes this show a must see.
Mamma Mia!--Though this show has played for several years on Broadway and toured extensively, I had never seen it. My main reason for going was to see the wonderful Carolee Carmello. She did not disappoint. Her belting of "The Winner Takes it All" made the show worth the price of admission. That isn't to say the show is not in great shape. Though the plot is so light and thin a small breeze could blow it away, the show is a crowd-pleaser. I'm a fan of ABBA, so I enjoyed myself. Carry Anderson was a cute Sophie and had a fine voice. Judy McLane and Gina Ferrall were great as Tanya and Rosie and had an excellent chemistry with Carmello. Among the possible dads, I thought Christopher Shyer was truly outstanding as Sam. A fun show to end my trip with.
