Nick & Nora @ 54 Below

The Second Act Series at 54 Below is quickly becoming one of my favorite things (along with Encores) in New York. I absolutely adore getting to hear these scores live, often performed by some original cast members.

Joanna Gleason, Barry Bostwick, Chris Sarandon and Yvette Lawrence all reprised their roles last night.

I love the OBCR of Nick & Nora. It's a first-rate recording of a decidedly not first-rate show. It's the type of album that you listen to and say, wow I bet this was a big hit, only to discover what a disaster flop it was. The book/storyline is genuinely atrocious. Maybe one of the most convoluted I have ever experienced. Arthur deserves full blame for the debacle.

McCasland, who puts on this wonderful series, had a good idea of turning the show into a radio play with a narrator who would supposedly whisk us through the "plot" and glue together the songs. (They included three cut songs, so that was an extra cherry on top.) The device didn't work as well in practice, mainly because too many fake commercial jingles were added that interrupted the show. The story is already far too confusing and often told in flashback to be constantly halted for mediocre distractions.

That said, I still had a wonderful time hearing the score. Gleason looks fantastic and sounds just the same. Bostwick sang a very heartfelt "Look Who's Alone Now," a weak song as an act one closer to be sure, but he really sold it last night. Boom Chicka Boom was a showstopper and Yvette needs to come back to Broadway immediately. Sarandon did well with Class and Cady Huffman was a riot as Tracy; Everybody Wants To a Musical is a GREAT song and should be performed all the time in cabaret acts.

Yes, this show will never see a commercial production, or even something on the level of Encores, but it was a treat to see it back in action again last night.

Thanks to all involved.

Was there last night, too. A wonderful evening of a show I've always been fascinated by. Great performances all around. Huffman knocked "Everybody Wants to Do a Musical" out of the ballpark. I'm not familiar with Lianne Marie Dobbs, who sang "Now You See Me, Now You Don't", and she's quite the talent. Was an absolute treat seeing the original cast and the perfect replacements for those not there. And on a purely superfictial note, Joanna Gleason looks fan-freaking-tastic .

I've always needed those 2 songs in a medley with "No Boom Boom", "Boom Boom" and "Boom, Crunch".

I was there too last Tuesday night. A wonderful evening and it was great to see those original performers onstage. I didn't know Joanna Gleason and Chris Sarandon are married. Thanks for that info. :)