Into the Weeds at the Laurie Beechman Theater

[GilrwithaMuse2]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 6:24pm

Full disclosure, my friend is in this show and I love her, but I really wanted to give a little review because this show deserves to be seen!

Bill Weeden is a hoot, he seems like a mad scientist as he moves among the crowd before the show but once he sits at the piano and opens the show with the title song you can see he's a talented and focused artist (he did forget a lyric or something, but it only made me like him more-he's human too!).
The show is a concert of his varied musical songbook. Director Jeff Cohen has done a terrific job in shaping the production with a sure and relaxed hand The cast is given several moments to shine, it all starts with a Fosse spoof, "Every Harlot", and the ladies do really well balancing the humor with the dancing needed. Next up are the boys with the outstanding comic number, "My Reunion Prayer", really funny and what voices!

Then you have the beyond cute John Weisenburger singing a sweet ballad, "Nothing Falls in Your Lap..", he has an easy manner that really pulled me in, by this time in the show you understand what wonderful music Bill Weeden has composed in his long career.
I was floored when the young lady known as Grey Garrett took her place and sang one of my favorites of the evening, "Bloomingdales or You", WOW! She took over the tiny stage with such force, she is one to watch. I forgot to add that the cast sits on the stage the whole time; it was really cool to see them react to each other during the production.
I could of lived without the New York Yankees song, "One Big Team", but Hilary Mann and Ted Anderson did the best they could with it, maybe I just don't like sports or something, things were put on the right course with Bill Weeden's daughter, Amanda Weeden, Eddie Varley and Michael Vaccaro bringing the house down with "I've Seen Shakespeare", all three were amazing! Another comic song followed that showstopper,"Hi Ma", a cute little number that showcased Melissa Center and John Paul Skocik.

The rather sluggish "Corprate Medley" was sorta fun, but went on a little too long; it had some comic moments but seemed to be a little dated. The cast, including Weeden, sold the number well. The dark and haunting love ballad, "Love Songs" really came out of nowhere but was really splendid, this one was one of my favorites. It, liked many of the songs showed off the ensemble to great effect, the show really is a wonderful example of how to use a big cast in a small space. Happily there was another solo, Eddie Varley brought hysterical energy to "Any Way You Want Me", along with the earlier mentioned Grey Garrett, he was an evening standout, grabbing many loud laughs with this crazy song about being a romantic maniac. Songs from Bill Weeden's own musical, Move It And It's Yours, ended the night, I really liked the soulful duet "Into A Song" (Amanda Weeden proved to be the best singer of the night after her effort in this number), it made me cry! I just adored the entire performance, lots of talent on that stage. Ethan Fien guitar playing and George Andrews arrangements desreve special kudos, Ethan also wrote the music for the manic showstopper, "Anyway You Want Me".

So there you go, its really worth a trip, the cast is amazing, the venue one of the best, and for 15 bucks you can't beat it for a "cheap thrill", word is that Annie Golden is guesting next week, which should be a treat! Here's to jumping "Into The Weeds" again!

[Amneris]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 6:44pm

into the shill HA jk

[EddieVarley]

Posted: 8/15/06 at 12:35am

For once I love a little bit of shilling! Thanks for the kind words, we are having a blast.

[BoxFive]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 12:21am

Is this the same Bill Weeden from the cult film Sgt. Kabuki Man? If so, I'm there!

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 12:29am

Whoa. A bit off topic, but I had no clue there was a theatre named for Laurie Beechman!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 7:09am

Yay for Eddie, and yay for my dance buddy Amanda!

[billyweeds]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 7:14am

Bill Weeden here, and yes, it's Kabukiman Bill. And any fan of Kabukiman is a friend of mine, so hop on "Into the Weeds"! And be sure to say hello after the show!

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 9:35am

Y'know, "shilling" for a small show like this is perfectly okay in my books -- how else are we to find out about such gems? And it darn sure beats the nonstop 'OH. MY. GOD. I JUST SAW WICKED FOR THE, LIKE, FIVE HUNDRETH TIME AND I AM SO PUMPED! YOU *HAVE* TO SEE THE NEW CAST!!!!! WHICH IS JUST LIKE THE OLD CAST BUT WHO CARES BECAUSE IT'S WICKED!!!!!!! SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

:)