#1
Posted: 11/8/09 at 3:36pm
Hi all. I just got back from the city that never sleeps and got to enjoy some shows and will share some thoughts.
Ragtime-the production is stunning. The streamlined staging focuses more on the music and character and relies little on stage craft. A very solid and moving piece, especially in the wake of the gay rights struggles. Christiane Noll as Mother. What can I say-perfection. She makes the part her own and deserves the Tony. Stefanie Umoh is great, but she really reminds me of Audra in many ways, whereas Christiane feels like she created a fresh take on the character. Also, whereas Audra upstaged Brian in the previous version, I feel that this show belongs to Quentin Earl Darrington. He could easily walk away with a Tony as well.
West Side Story-I really loved the production. The dancing was stellar. Natalie Cortez was in for Karen. Natalie is a life force to be reckoned with. She is full of blood, heat, sex appeal, and anger. I do not know what Olivo brought to the part, but Natalie delivered big time. Arthur Laurents was sitting in front of me taking notes, so hopefully Natalie will replace Olivo. Natalie was divine on every level.
Carrie Fisher: Wishful Drinking- a one of a kind event. A sharp, talented woman at the top of her storytelling powers.
Next To Normal. Meg Fahey was in for Jen. Meg was impressive and appears more age appropriate than Jen to be honest. I was very moved by this young lady's performance. Great chemistry with Alice! It was a really moving night. I saw N2N in previews so I noticed some changes which were great and Alice was on fire.
Rock of Ages-A fun throwaway. I am glad I had a some drinks with friends first. If I had been totally sober I would have liked it less. Kerry Butler and Michelle Mais made me enjoy it thoroughly. Kerry & Michelle rock! Constantine was very flat in the acting department. He can sing, but cant act for anything. No idea how he got a Tony nod. My entire section were discussing how bad he was.
Rock of Ages NOTE: Am I the only one that thinks it is a little degrading to have such high caliber actresses like Kerry Butler and Lauren Molina with their asses hanging out. I mean, I know its a fun show and meant in good humor, but I think some of the costumes for the women (who are actresses, not strippers) are a bit too much. I mean all the leg spreading to the front rows and bending over. There was some very close wardrobe malfunctions. I know, live and let live, but as a gay dude, I am a little protective of women. I'm probably over-thinking it, but it bugged me a bit. Plus I don't think the vile crowd helped-they really are a different breed. Once woman behind took her own breasts out and some dude was yelling gross things to the female chorus. Ugh!
In The Next Room, or the vibrator play- I really enjoyed this show, but it could be trimmed a bit. It lags in the second act. I loved the message of people owning their sexuality and desires. Laura was wonderful. I loved her fresh and modern take on the role. I love how her character deftly mixed being curious and open, with utter ignorance. All the actors are top notch. Fine acting across the board. The final scene is sooooo gorgeous with the snow and the lovemaking. Michael is so authentic in this role. I think this show will get overlooked because of the complex themes and some clunky writing, but it really is worth seeing. A very dynamic conversation piece that folks could not stop talking about. It's polarizing people and thats what good theatre does. Many left at intermission. Their loss.
All in all a great trip. A few things I noted:
Many international guests attending plays and musicals (not all) feel it is ok to talk and explain the shows to each other during the show. It seems that for many groups there is one English speaker who translates for the rest. I had a few run-ins like this on his trip. These folks also ignore your pleas to be quiet and decide to leave during Tony's death scene in WSS and disrupt the entire aisle. It confounds me.
There are many sad, lonely Broadway fans out there who say the most horrible things about actors and then are nice to them to their faces. I heard several groups of girls destroy Meg Fahey and then kiss her ass at the stage door. Some of these people need to get lives. I think of the William Shatner Star Trek Convention skit on SNL where he tells the attendees to "get a life" and asks one of the Star Trek fans if he has ever "kissed a girl." It was sad to encounter so many pockets of people who are so angry, sad and self-hating that they dissect performers on a personal level. I heard people talk about Julia Stiles' skin, Michael Cerveris' penis, Aaron Tveit's attitude, Alice Ripley's mental health, etc. None of the people ranting were anything to write home about either, by the way. It's sad to see people holding a thirty minute conversation about Aaron's problems when no one in that grew actually knows him. Very sad indeed.
Ragtime-the production is stunning. The streamlined staging focuses more on the music and character and relies little on stage craft. A very solid and moving piece, especially in the wake of the gay rights struggles. Christiane Noll as Mother. What can I say-perfection. She makes the part her own and deserves the Tony. Stefanie Umoh is great, but she really reminds me of Audra in many ways, whereas Christiane feels like she created a fresh take on the character. Also, whereas Audra upstaged Brian in the previous version, I feel that this show belongs to Quentin Earl Darrington. He could easily walk away with a Tony as well.
West Side Story-I really loved the production. The dancing was stellar. Natalie Cortez was in for Karen. Natalie is a life force to be reckoned with. She is full of blood, heat, sex appeal, and anger. I do not know what Olivo brought to the part, but Natalie delivered big time. Arthur Laurents was sitting in front of me taking notes, so hopefully Natalie will replace Olivo. Natalie was divine on every level.
Carrie Fisher: Wishful Drinking- a one of a kind event. A sharp, talented woman at the top of her storytelling powers.
Next To Normal. Meg Fahey was in for Jen. Meg was impressive and appears more age appropriate than Jen to be honest. I was very moved by this young lady's performance. Great chemistry with Alice! It was a really moving night. I saw N2N in previews so I noticed some changes which were great and Alice was on fire.
Rock of Ages-A fun throwaway. I am glad I had a some drinks with friends first. If I had been totally sober I would have liked it less. Kerry Butler and Michelle Mais made me enjoy it thoroughly. Kerry & Michelle rock! Constantine was very flat in the acting department. He can sing, but cant act for anything. No idea how he got a Tony nod. My entire section were discussing how bad he was.
Rock of Ages NOTE: Am I the only one that thinks it is a little degrading to have such high caliber actresses like Kerry Butler and Lauren Molina with their asses hanging out. I mean, I know its a fun show and meant in good humor, but I think some of the costumes for the women (who are actresses, not strippers) are a bit too much. I mean all the leg spreading to the front rows and bending over. There was some very close wardrobe malfunctions. I know, live and let live, but as a gay dude, I am a little protective of women. I'm probably over-thinking it, but it bugged me a bit. Plus I don't think the vile crowd helped-they really are a different breed. Once woman behind took her own breasts out and some dude was yelling gross things to the female chorus. Ugh!
In The Next Room, or the vibrator play- I really enjoyed this show, but it could be trimmed a bit. It lags in the second act. I loved the message of people owning their sexuality and desires. Laura was wonderful. I loved her fresh and modern take on the role. I love how her character deftly mixed being curious and open, with utter ignorance. All the actors are top notch. Fine acting across the board. The final scene is sooooo gorgeous with the snow and the lovemaking. Michael is so authentic in this role. I think this show will get overlooked because of the complex themes and some clunky writing, but it really is worth seeing. A very dynamic conversation piece that folks could not stop talking about. It's polarizing people and thats what good theatre does. Many left at intermission. Their loss.
All in all a great trip. A few things I noted:
Many international guests attending plays and musicals (not all) feel it is ok to talk and explain the shows to each other during the show. It seems that for many groups there is one English speaker who translates for the rest. I had a few run-ins like this on his trip. These folks also ignore your pleas to be quiet and decide to leave during Tony's death scene in WSS and disrupt the entire aisle. It confounds me.
There are many sad, lonely Broadway fans out there who say the most horrible things about actors and then are nice to them to their faces. I heard several groups of girls destroy Meg Fahey and then kiss her ass at the stage door. Some of these people need to get lives. I think of the William Shatner Star Trek Convention skit on SNL where he tells the attendees to "get a life" and asks one of the Star Trek fans if he has ever "kissed a girl." It was sad to encounter so many pockets of people who are so angry, sad and self-hating that they dissect performers on a personal level. I heard people talk about Julia Stiles' skin, Michael Cerveris' penis, Aaron Tveit's attitude, Alice Ripley's mental health, etc. None of the people ranting were anything to write home about either, by the way. It's sad to see people holding a thirty minute conversation about Aaron's problems when no one in that grew actually knows him. Very sad indeed.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
Updated On: 11/8/09 at 03:36 PM
