#1
Posted: 3/17/07 at 9:48am
I had the honor of seeing Charles Busch's latest smart comedy of theatrics -- OUR LEADING LADY -- last night at Manhattan Theatre Club. I say honor because, it was one of those rare experiences when you are in an intimate performance space, and before you is a troupe of top notch theatre artists presenting material that not only matches their talent, but compliments it as well.
OUR LEADING LADY takes place in Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC, in April of 1865. A group of actors at this regional theatre are rehearsing a play, and are being coached by "visiting artist" Laura Keene (Kate Mulgrew), who is naturally also starring in their production.
The conniving Ms. Keene whips up a plan in which she invites an historical icon to attend one of the play's performances, knowing in her utmost self-confidence that he will be so very taken by her performance that he will name the theatre after her; she will have full reign of all future productions, giving her the chance to dump the company's tired, long employed performers and replace them with stars from New York. The Diva Keene will build a legacy as the theatre's divine, praised Leading Lady and she will finally get her due.
But, as we all know in the theatre, such plans do not always work out without some backstage drama to mix things up along the way.
Kate Mulgrew OWNS the stage as Laura Keene from the moment she opens her royal trap. Ms. Keene is the *ultimate* 19th Century Diva. Classy, snide, divine and back stabbing all in one, and only in the most glorious ways. Ms. Mulgrew delivers Busch's laugh out loud funny lines with a deadpan seriousness that bounces off the audience members' senses to create comic perfection.
Mulgrew could easily carry the play on her own shoulders, but luckily she is supported by a group of even handed comic pros, delivering unique, finely pitched performances that move the plot along whilst keeping the audience on their toes.
The clear standout among the supporting players is the unexpected Barbara Bryne as petite, little old lady Maude Bentley. She performs with an unexpected command and wistful ownership of her role to a degree that the audience is often caught off guard by the comic lines that ease out of her mouth like diamonds being set into a tapestry on the stage.
OUR LEADING LADY is among the ultimate in the genre of the comedy of manners. For those of you who had the opportunity to see MEASURE FOR PLEASURE at the Public Theater last season, you know just how divinely a group of actors can work within the confines of a classic spoof to an audience's much delight. Whether or not you had the opportunity to catch PLEASURE last season, OUR LEADING LADY is a ticket that you will soon not regret and will be sure to give you many a laugh served up by one of New York's top playwrights.
OUR LEADING LADY takes place in Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC, in April of 1865. A group of actors at this regional theatre are rehearsing a play, and are being coached by "visiting artist" Laura Keene (Kate Mulgrew), who is naturally also starring in their production.
The conniving Ms. Keene whips up a plan in which she invites an historical icon to attend one of the play's performances, knowing in her utmost self-confidence that he will be so very taken by her performance that he will name the theatre after her; she will have full reign of all future productions, giving her the chance to dump the company's tired, long employed performers and replace them with stars from New York. The Diva Keene will build a legacy as the theatre's divine, praised Leading Lady and she will finally get her due.
But, as we all know in the theatre, such plans do not always work out without some backstage drama to mix things up along the way.
Kate Mulgrew OWNS the stage as Laura Keene from the moment she opens her royal trap. Ms. Keene is the *ultimate* 19th Century Diva. Classy, snide, divine and back stabbing all in one, and only in the most glorious ways. Ms. Mulgrew delivers Busch's laugh out loud funny lines with a deadpan seriousness that bounces off the audience members' senses to create comic perfection.
Mulgrew could easily carry the play on her own shoulders, but luckily she is supported by a group of even handed comic pros, delivering unique, finely pitched performances that move the plot along whilst keeping the audience on their toes.
The clear standout among the supporting players is the unexpected Barbara Bryne as petite, little old lady Maude Bentley. She performs with an unexpected command and wistful ownership of her role to a degree that the audience is often caught off guard by the comic lines that ease out of her mouth like diamonds being set into a tapestry on the stage.
OUR LEADING LADY is among the ultimate in the genre of the comedy of manners. For those of you who had the opportunity to see MEASURE FOR PLEASURE at the Public Theater last season, you know just how divinely a group of actors can work within the confines of a classic spoof to an audience's much delight. Whether or not you had the opportunity to catch PLEASURE last season, OUR LEADING LADY is a ticket that you will soon not regret and will be sure to give you many a laugh served up by one of New York's top playwrights.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
Updated On: 3/17/07 at 09:48 AM
