My Crazy Day: LEGENDS and THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED (10/28/06)

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 1:51am

Normally, I would not start a thread like this to tell you about every little detail of my entire day, but I felt this day was special enough just to start that type of thread.

I had known I was traveling to Philadelphia for the day to see LEGENDS since I bought a ticket the first day they went on sale to the general public. Even though I did not watch Dynasty during its original run, I have watched many reruns in the past and love the show...that was my motivation to want to see these two old broads live on stage.

I woke up at 7:30am and took the 8:36 train from Scarsdale to NYC. It got in around 9:15am. I then took the shuttle to times square and the 1 train to Penn Station, where I bought my NJ Transit ticket to Philadelphia (takes longer, but so much cheaper than Amtrak). The train left NYC at 10:15am and got to Philly a little after 12:30pm. Grabbed a quick snack at Au Bon Pain and walked over to the Forrest Theatre where LEGENDS was playing. I had purchased a $28.75 ticket, way in the back of the balcony, but when I was going to my seat, the usher told me to pick any seat in the front mezz and sit there. Some of the first two rows were taken so I sat in the third row mezz on the aisle. Not bad for $28.75. Unfortunately the theater was more than half empty, which was sad to see. I thought Joan Collins and Linda Evans would have more appeal...but maybe Philly isn't a big theater city...I honestly don't know.

(Sidenote: As I was walking into the Forrest Theatre, I couldn't help but think about THE PRINCE OF GRAND STREET, a 1978 flop starring Robert Preston that originated at this theater, but ended up closing on the road never making it to Broadway. I am so flop-minded!)

I am almost embarrased to say this since most of the reviews on here have been negative, but I loved the show. Yes, the book isn't great and some of the lines are very corny, but as I was watching it, I felt like it was written for these two women! Both were fabulous in their respective roles. Joan Collins played Sylvia Glenn (originated by Carol Channing) and was perfectly cast. Of course we all know she can play bitchy, but who knew she had such great comedic timing. Linda Evans played Leatrice Monsee (originated by Mary Martin) and she also had fantastic comedic timing and looked very comfortable on stage even though this is her first time doing live theater. The chemistry between the two of them was evident as soon as they walked on stage, and though the book is very thin and doesn't give them much to work with, they make the most of their cheesy one-liners and the audience completely ate it up.

In the original run, the producers wanted to cut Leatrice Monsee's speech about breast cancer. Does anyone know why they wanted to cut this? I thought Linda Evans delivered it perfectly and feel like it was good to keep it in.

At the stage door, Linda Evans was more than gracious for the 15 or so people waiting. She signed and took pictures with everyone. I had her sign my playbill and my Dynasty DVD of Season 1. Joan Collins did not come out because according to the man at the stage door, she had to rush to get to a book signing. I didn't know she had a new book coming out...

The show got out around 4:15 and I was done stage dooring around 4:30. I walked back to the 30th Street Station and ended up making the 5:09pm back to NYC, which got in at 7:30pm. What did I do next? Remembering that previews had recently started for THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED, I ran over to the Cort Theatre and bought a ticket for tonight's performance! I made it with 10 minutes to spare too!

I thought it was excellent. The plot is kind of hard to explain, but I'll give it a shot. It is about a gay in-the-closet, movie star named Mitchell (Tom Everett Scott), who hires Alex, a male prostitute, one evening (Johnny Galecki), but then ends up seeing him a bunch of times and developing feelings for him. Mitchell's lesbian agent Diane (Julie White) encourages him to keep his personal life to himself so he doesn't ruin his career. Alex's "girlfriend," Ellen (Ari Graynor) also has a minor role. Julie White was fabulous. She had some lines in this show that were absolutely hilarious. Also loved Johnny Galecki and Tom Everett Scott. They were very believable as a gay couple, and not too bad to look at as well. Yum. I'm not sure that the subject matter will appeal to the masses, but tonight's audience loved the show. I hope it gets excellent reviews and finds an audience.

(I realize these are very abridged reviews, so if you have any more questions about these two shows, I'd be happy to answer them)

The show got out at 10:08pm and I ran to Grand Central Station with enough time to get a Grande White Mocha and still make the 10:30pm train back to Westchester. I walked in the door a little before 11:30pm.

So, it is possible to see two shows in two cities in one day! I must really love theater (and those of you who know me in person obviously know that is true)! It was a very tiring, but exciting day and soon it will be time for bed. Thanks for reading!

Tomorrow afternoon, I see PLAIN AND FANCY at the York Theatre!

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 1:57am

Ha, does sound like a crazy day, but I'm glad you had fun doing it, though.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 1:00am

Sounds excellent!

I have no desire to see LEGENDS, but I cannot wait to see THE LiTTLE DOG LAUGHED. Did you get rush?

Let me know how PLAIN AND FANCY is.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 1:05am

The guy at the box office told me there is no student rush. I got the front row of the balcony for $26.25. Full view. Worth every penny.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 10:23am

Then what was with that whole $10 student rush thing?

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=913365#2547446

Guess it was all hearsay.

Updated On: 10/29/06 at 10:23 AM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 1:43pm

An important part of the LITTLE DOG plot is that Alex has a girlfriend, who's also in a relationship with a rich, older man. She gets pulled into the middle of it, too. :)

Updated On: 10/29/06 at 01:43 PM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 1:52pm

I want to see LITTLE DOG and GREY GARDENS next time I am around.

Thanks for the reviews.
Updated On: 10/29/06 at 01:52 PM