Musicals Tonight! "Oh, Kay!" at The Lion, Theater Row

[mike_ant]

Posted: 10/17/15 at 5:05pm

I saw Musicals Tonight! Production of Gershwin’s “Oh, Kay!” yesterday afternoon at Theater Row, as part of my long weekend here in NYC. As I haven’t seen it mentioned at all here, I thought to put in a good word for it.

 

I came in with no expectation, thinking that it’ll be a poor man’s version of NYCC Encores! Boy, I couldn’t be more wrong! I came to see this as I read that this musical was re-packaged as “Nice Work If You Can Have It”, which I saw on Broadway few years ago. This turned out to be fully and beautifully staged, with multiple costume changes, sensible lighting, simple staging and awesome choreography. I was pleasantly surprised. It was theater at its best, where everything just seemed right. What a wonderful fun performance!

 

First of all, I was completely surprised but the extensive costume changes for this performance, much more than NYCC Encores! Performances (or 42nd Street Moon in SF). Like NYCC Encores, everyone held script folders (and one character was practically reading from it), but nobody used them while singing and dancing. The choreography was pretty extensive, and very nicely done. Another thing that surprised me was for such a tiny stage, the cast were huge! They were great ensemble. I didn’t see any mics at all, and from my second row seat, they sounded fine.

 

I was surprised with the score too. Yes, “Someone to Watch Over Me” was famous, but the rest of the score was pretty strong too. I may like it more than “Nice Work” score, actually.

 

All in all, it was amazing performance and I had such a great time. If you love Gershwin, run don’t walk to catch this. You only have 1 more week to see this!

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 10/17/15 at 7:41pm

I would love to see this. I've always loved the score as a whole, and I'm not surprised you preferred it over the hacky "greatest hits" lineup of songs. I think it's a lot more interesting to see the multiple hits from the show alongside the lesser known numbers that are usually also excellent.

[After Eight]

Posted: 10/17/15 at 11:17pm

Thoroughly winning, utterly captivating . If Ponce de Leon were seeking the Fountain of Youth today, he would find it here. It makes one feel as cheery and bright as the first day of spring.

 

It serves as a breath of fresh air wafting through the stagnant miasma of today's "musicals."

 

Funny how effortlessly a 90 year old bit of fluff with the greatest of songs exposes the pretentious, indigestible, self-important sludge that is praised to the heavens as being the greatest thing since the invention of the wheel as the dire bilge that it is.

Updated On: 10/17/15 at 11:17 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/17/15 at 11:45pm

Wow!!!!!A rave from After 8

 

Keep up the good work..Generally, the older shows are indeed better.