This Mandell is quite a dolt. I usually give critics the right to their opinion, but seriously comparing to The Birdcage? "I liked Nathan Lane better." Really?
I plan to voice a complaint as soon I find out what the hell is The Faster Times.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
Matt Windman is Mixed-to-Negative (I don't know if this review will be published in publication, or if it's just a blog review. I know his reviews do get published).
RightNetwork, a new cable and internet channel that "focuses on entertainment with Pro-America, Pro-Business, Pro-Military sensibilities. Compelling content that inspires action, invites a response, and influences the national conversation." Kelsey Grammer, currently starring in the Broadway drag extravaganza La Cage Aux Folles, is their spokesman.
I'd love to see both. I will definitely have to try to. I plan go go to NYC on the 30th for about a week. I'm definitely going to see this. Now I'll just have to start planning another trip in six months. :)
See Douglas Hodge. Don't wait six months for Kelsey. It's a performance you can't miss and besides, you'll still see Kelsey - in a role he's better suited for.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
Thanks, everythingtaboo. That's what I figured. I'm definitely planning on seeing Douglas Hodge. Still, it would be interesting to see Kelsey as Albin.
What's taking the NYT so long to post a review? Sheesh.
Scott Brown's description of Hodge's "I Am What I Am" finally makes the whole thing make sense: Hodge is giving a brilliant performance...in an entirely different play.
Albin responds with "I Am What I Am," an act-ender to end all act-enders that's always made up what it lacks in musical and lyrical complexity with an intense and wounded sincerity. Hodge adds something new: a touch of sputtering rage that's neither heroic nor pathetic. Too agitated to hold stage center, he jerks himself around, looking for release, but finding only an audience. And for once, the performer delivering this fight-song doesn't seem to assume his listeners share his feelings or his fight. For all the spittle and vibrato on display, Hodge's number feels strangely like a private moment. This Albin is not articulating a credo. He's simply furious.
Its been a long time since I've seen a moment as thrilling as what Hodge's does with I AM WHAT I AM -- I'd definitely wait to pass judgement til you see it PalJoey -- I think it absolutely IS what he does that reinvents the role and makes this production special -- and none of that is at the expense of the play itself - its still LA CAGE
"But if Hodge has some beautifully nuanced moments, he can also milk Zaza's camp value, and that of the show, to distraction"
I couldnt agree more. I thought the production was solid, and I thought Grammer was actually quite outstanding as Georges, but for every good moment Hodge had, he had an equally completely obnoxious moment that was entirely off putting in my opinion. I didn't think it was possible to make ZaZa too campy, but he does it. His Albin is extremely touching, his ZaZa was almost a caricature and that disappointed me somewhat. That said, it didn't completely ruin a rather enjoyable production, just stinted it's ultimate love story a little for me.