September 2015 New York Theater Openings

September 2015 New York Theater Openings on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off Broadway

Deaf West’s revival of “Spring Awakening” is the only Broadway show opening in September.

Other New York theater that looks promising this month: Desire, an evening of plays adapted from Tennessee Williams short stories

The Christians by Lucas Hnath

the musical Daddy Long Legs

and new work by Matthew Lopez (The Whipping Man), Anne Washburn (Mr. Burns), Thomas Bradshaw (Job), and The Elevator Repair Service (Gatz), as well as the New York City debut of a work by the Neo-Political Cowgirls.

Opening tonight:

In Bed With Roy Cohen

I guess you can count The Odyssey in Central Park as having opened tonight, although it's only running until Monday.

Opening tonight:

1. The Legend of Georgia McBride (pictured)

2. Laugh It Up, Stare It Down

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Do you have Pondling? I'm interested to hear what people have to say about that show.

No, I must have just missed it at first glance. :)

I ended up seeing Pondling last night. I'm always wary about one-person shows but I've enjoyed all the ones that I've seen and this was no exception. The writer/actress did a better job (compared to the other shows I've seen) of really embodying separate characters and showcasing her ability to do different voices, etc. But that wasn't what made it special. It was the material. I don't think everyone will enjoy it. It's funny but also very dark in a way where you kind of don't know if you should laugh or you don't laugh naturally even when there's a joke there. But it appealed to me greatly. But I know that it's one of those shows that plays to everything I like which is why I can't jump to recommend it for everyone. Madeline's a weird little girl. But so was I. I think we would have been friends. She's romantic and dramatic. But also kind of violent and morbid and angry. She sings "L'Hymne a l'amour" and imagines herself as a French swan. I don't want to say anything else because it's worth discovering for yourself in the theatre. It doesn't capture the character entirely but picture a Wednesday Addams who wants people to like her and is outwardly normal but inwardly even weirder than Wednesday.

Three shows opening tonight:

1. The Christians at Playwrights Horizons

2. Iphigenia at Aulis at Classic Stage Company

3. Hamlet in Bed, with Annette O'Toole, at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater

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Opening tonight (Details):

1. The New Morality, at the Mint Theater

2. Fulfillment, at The Flea

The Mint has a great track record for unearthing what they call forgotten theatrical gems. In my review of The New Morality, I say that it's more of a historical treasure.

The New Morality Review: Protofeminism and Quaint Sophistication Circa 1911

I did find the dialogue to be witty and a nice departure from some things I've been seeing lately but I agree that stepping back, the plot of The New Morality is slight and the political statements while interested, end up feeling a little confused and convoluted given that larger structure. They putting a few extra stamps on solidifying the rightness of Betty's position that I wish they wouldn't have because I think the play would have been stronger keeping it complicated. Lean into the discomfort of her husband accusing her of trifles. More than one person can be right and no one has to be entirely right or wrong. That said, whether he would have written it himself or, more likely, had it adapted from one of his plays, I think we missed the possibility of some fantastic and possibly classic films with the loss of Harold Chapin at such a young age. Watching the play I kept seeing in the back of my mind a glamorous Joan Crawford or Myrna Loy or Barbara Stanwyck movie.

Opening tonight (last two shows of the month):

Daddy Long Legs at the Davenport

Fondly, Collette Richland at New York Theatre Workshop

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