My Week In NYC: My Reviews of What I Saw

[Drew7810]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 12:46am

So I should start by saying that I should have written some time ago, since I have been back in Columbus, Ohio for almost two weeks...but in my defense, I had to move too!!

So, from the week of April 11 to April 17, I was in the fabulous city of New York, and I saw as many shows as I possibly could. Here is a blow-by-blow of my thoughts on what I saw.

Tuesday, April 12: Spamalot - You know, I had built this show up to be something incredible, just from all of the buzz and talk on the boards here. I will have to say that it was hysterical. Watching comic experts at work was a thrill. Highlights: hank Azaria is absolutely phenomenal. His character work is exceptional. Sara Ramirez shines as the Lady of the Lake. "The Diva's Lament" is just wonderful. I was excited to see Tim Curry, but I will have to say that the weight of this show is not on his shoulders. It is the supporting cast that makes this show a thrill to watch from a performance perspective. In terms of book, while the show claims to be "lovingly ripped" from Python, it is almost direct. I felt like I was watching another version of THE PRODUCERS to a certain extent. Don't get me wrong, I loved this show, but perhaps not as much as I thought I was going to. What i truly enjoyed about the show was watching the many different spoofs of so many other shows. "T he Song That Goes Like This" is honestly priceless. But to a degree it also felt like a overly produced FORBIDDEN BROADWAY.

Wednesday, April 13: My afternoon performance was THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA. I saw this brilliant piece of musical theatre becuase of the proding of some friends on the board. Gorgeous. The book and score are just gorgeous. Victoria Clark shines and Kelli O'Hara is heartbreaking. The plot twist that all of the action hinges on held the attention of all of the blue hairs in the house! Matthew Morrison was just absolutely perfect. Vulnerability was his best friend and he played on that so well and so convincingly. And his voice!God, sometimes I wish i was kicked in the head by a pony and had an Italian boy speak broken english to me while I was on holiday with my overly protective mom! PIAZZA deserves every bit of attention it gets. it reminds the musical theatre-goer that not every story is spectacle or huge flashy numbers. It forces one to think about every word uttered and every line sung. Refreshing and inspiring in story and in staging. GORGEOUS!

Wednesday night: I saw DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS. I will not spoil the end of the show for anyone, but this was delightful. Dare i say I enjoyed this more than SPAMALOT? Yes, I certainly did, but on a totally different level. John Lithgow was good, but Norbert Leo Butz was incredible. I truly hope he is nominated and wins the Ton for this performance. Much like Azaria in SPAMALOT, Butz has phenomenal comic timing and is effortless in getting the laugh. Sherie Rene Scott--yea I love her. She can do no wrong in my eyes. I was waiting throughout the first act for her appearance and was calmed by the talented Sarah Gettelfinger, as the Oklahoma gal jolene Oaks. I found myself wanting more of Sarah, but her prescence is absent in the 2nd act! This show is just so much fun and so hysterical. It is a must-see. My favorite numbers Butz's, "Great Big Stuff," Gettelfinger's "Oklahoma?", and Lithgow's "Ruffhousin' mit Shuffhausen". gregory Jbara and joanna Gleason shine in supporting roles, really filling the show completely. I LOVE THIS SHOW!

Thursday, April 14: Altar Boyz. How do I put this. I had a fun time. I was entertained. It was my least favorite thing that I saw. It was honestly so cliche in every dimension and characterization, that I was expecting things before they happened. I understand that some of this is intentaional, especially with playing on character types that are so familiar in popular culture--the boy band. The cast is definitely talented and will be seen for many years to come in more substantial pieces of work. Tyler Maynard, though talented, truly played stereotypical. And yes, it is funny, but a great deal of his choices as an actor were consistently the same throughout. I will say that my favorite moment of the show was his, in the musical number "Epiphany." Right now, I am a little confused about the buzz around the show, but I am going to see it again to give it another chance. Oh, and Scott Porter is HOT!

Friday, April 15: There were two shows that I wanted to walk in hating when I decided to see them...one was Brooklyn and the other was CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG. Well, I Saw Chitty on Friday and I walked away feeling like a child again. There is a magic that goes on during that show that is just incredible- and it is in that car. I was in the front row and that wing went right over my head and I thoguht i was going to die. And not to mention that this chorus member lkept looking at me during large ensemble scenes! it was a little unnerving! Raul Esperaza is delightful. The CHILD CATCHER, Kevin Cahoon, was freakin' creepy! Marc Kudisch was phenomenal. The real surprise for me was Jan Maxwell. She is so deadpan throughout and the comic beats she hits are fantastic. I am not surprised at all by her recognition and hope that something comes her way in terms of an award. If you want a big, splashy, classic Broadway musical with special effects and large ensemble numbers, and a little adorable grey poodle, CHITTY is the show to see. And I cannot believe I just wrote that!

Saturday, April 16: Afternoon I saw THE PILLOWMAN. I walked away from the play unable to really say anything. i had to think for awhile before I could even articulate what i thought about this piece of theatre. outstanding, yes. Disturbing, absolutely. many a moment pass when I found myself laughing at increidbly dark things. Perhaps the girl who thought she was christ was the most fascinating of all the stories. And in the concept of the actual Pillowman story is comforting and terrifying all at the same time. For those of you who have seen this, you may understand what I am trying to say. thought-provoking, challenging, and funny, The Pillowman is not to be missed. Goldblum is good. Cudrup is excellent.

Saturday night: PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW. I loved loved loved this. Again, another refreshing piece of new musical theatre. The ensemble is nothing short of amazing. Dan Fogler is adorable as william Barfee. i think we all knew someone like that growing up! Actually, I see so many of those characters in people I grew up with. Jose Llana is great, and he even gave me a juice box while selling concessions at the Bee! (You'll see!) celia keenan-Bolger is touching, as isd the rest of the cast in this truly wonderful show. Now, after the show, i was standing outside the theatre on the second level of Circle in the Square, and who should I start to talk to about the show but none other than Julia Roberts! I about lost it! I started giggling, and she just smiled and kept talking to me as her hot hot hot hubby, Danny Moder looked on. I kid you not. She was incredible, sweet, and so willing to chat, and no one else paid any attention to who she was that my friend and I were able to truly chat with her for a little time!!! yea, it made my trip...AND she liked the show...so if it is good enough for Julia, then it is god enough for you! See SPELLING BEE!

Sunday: My last day in the city and I saw the matinee of BROOKLYN. The book is weak, yes, but the music is wonderful. Eden Espinosa...can she belt or what!??! I know many of you hate this show. I do not hate it, but I do feel it is somewhat misguided in its intent. I do love how the staging works and costuming as well. I thought it was truly a great idea gone wrong. With a little work and TLC, perhaps this show could be something better than it is. I did like it better than Alter Boyz, and that may be because like many other gay men, I love my divas...and Eden and Ramona are just that...but I just think the show misses its mark and it is not the star-starting vehicle for any of the talented members of its cast.

I have so much more I could have written but I am pooped. I will add more as it comes...but for right now...goodnight!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 12:52am

Glad you had fun!

"It was honestly so cliche in every dimension and characterization, that I was expecting things before they happened. I understand that some of this is intentaional, especially with playing on character types that are so familiar in popular culture--the boy band. The cast is definitely talented and will be seen for many years to come in more substantial pieces of work. Tyler Maynard, though talented, truly played stereotypical. And yes, it is funny, but a great deal of his choices as an actor were consistently the same throughout. I will say that my favorite moment of the show was his, in the musical number "Epiphany." Right now, I am a little confused about the buzz around the show..."

I COULD NOT AGREE MORE! READ MY REVIEW OF THIS SHOW TO SEE WHAT I MEAN! YOU TOOK THE WORDS OUT OF MY MOUTH!

As far as BROOKLYN goes, I disagree - the music isn't even good. Did you hear the lyrics?

[Drew7810]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 12:57am

Yea...with Brooklyn...the whole "unwritten lullabye" became a little tiring and trite but I really love "once Upon a Time." Lyrically, weak...but the book doesn't give much more! Munk, you are right!

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 12:57am

Very good stuff, I agree totally on Spamalot not meeting expectations (I disliked it intently, it has been my least favorite show of the year, having not seen Broklyn or Good Vibrations) I totally agree on DRS as well, I have gone 4 times and still want more!

[Drew7810]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 12:59am

There is something about DRS that is just delightful. The cast is top-notch, the book is great, the staging is inventive and fun!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 1:00am

SPAMALOT is one of my least favorites of the year as well, above only LA CAGE, GOOD VIBRATIONS, and BROOKLYN.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 1:02am

Yep Munk, I'd give it the tie with LaCage for the "Penguin Poop Award" again not seeing the other two, I couldn't force myself in that Broklyn door. Even though I wanted to see them all, alas was not to be.

Posted: 4/29/05 at 1:40am

So glad you had a great trip.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 1:47am

You should host the Penguin Poop Awards after my Munky Awards.

Worst Actress, Worst Actor, Most Abominable Production, Most Abominable Direction...

like the Razzie's of Broadway.

Then, we'd get people like Lou calling us "elitists" and people like OrdinaryJukebox saying "just spreading the negativity!"

But still, do it!

[JbaraFan1]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 3:04pm

Sounds like a great trip! The only show I've seen is DRS and I loved it too! I think one of the things that helps make that show so attractive to people -- this observation is by no means original with me -- is that the cast is so obviously having fun with the show themselves, enjoying their roles and each other. The audience can't help but get that vibe ... add that to the fun and humor in the show itself, and well ... there ya go!

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 4:15pm

Thanks for those great reviews. I want to see Piazza so bad....