OUR Lovely LEADING LADY

[Wanna Be A Foster]

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.

Updated On: 3/17/07 at 09:48 AM

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 10:35am

Couldn't agree more. I'd also add my own praise for Kristine Nielsen, who matches Mulgrew in every sense as the Southern sympathizing diva.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 11:41am

whilst?

[Corine2]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 11:50am

I went in PREVIEWS. It is MARVELOUS! But really, what else would you expect from Charles Busch. My only pet peeve is that Busch was not the LEADING LADY. I would love to see him in that role.
Because he really is the best at playing LEADING LADY ROLES.
I adore him.
Updated On: 3/17/07 at 11:50 AM

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 12:22pm

Busch wanted this play to be taken seriously, hence him not doing drag. From what I've heard, he's trying to distance himself and his new works from that earlier part of his career.

[dididda]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 1:00pm

i demand to see it now. hahah
i shall be seeing it next week, i think.

[fflagg]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 2:23pm

Sorry, folks. The show is a bore. Kate Mulgrew is channeling Katharine Hepburn, Maxwell looks bored, the set is nice, the young assistant is way miscast [maybe he is making nice nice to Busch], and the rest of the cast floats along.

Not a good evening in the theatre.

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 5:27pm

I have to agree with the original poster. Saw this show last week and thought it was a very, very nice evening in the theatre. Mulgrew is ging one hell of a performance as Leady Lady and Bryne, Nielsen, and Ann Duquesnay are each turnning in lovely, nuanced performances. Great Set design and lavish over the top costumes accent this Charles Busch pies quite well. It's not typical Busch...but it's a damn fine play.

[stevenycguy]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 5:34pm

I think it's the kind of show you're either going to love or hate. If you go for the witty one-liners, you'll be laughing hysterically with many in the audience and give it a standing ovation like some did. But if you don't "get" that kind of humor, you'll be asleep and leave at intermission like others in the audience.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 5:39pm

I really wanted to see this play. Busch is hilarious!

[April Saul]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 9:08pm

Did we see the same show? I agree with another poster here, Leading Lady is just okay, bordering on boring. The folks around me in the audience seemed to feel the same way...to each his own, but nowhere near a rave in my book!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 10:18pm

I LOVED the show as well. Glad you enjoyed it WBAF!

[Kringas]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 10:20pm

the young assistant is way miscast [maybe he is making nice nice to Busch]

Nice.