THE GOOD: Shereen Pimentel was the best Maria I've ever seen, and understudy Jordan Dobson was an outstanding Tony, performing in what I guess was only his second performance. He sang gorgeously and acted like he'd been doing the role for weeks. The large orchestra also sounded great. Some of the orchestrations sounded different, and I guess those were contributed by Jonathan Tunick.
THE MEH: Understudy Gabi Campo didn'
Operatic Porgy and Bess vs. Broadway Porgy Oct 2
2019, 02:23:51 PM
On Monday night, Porgy arrived on a kind of cart/scooter. At the end of the opera he called out ”bring me my cart,” but he ended up leaving the stage using his crutch.
I miss the goat.
The singers and orchestra sounded glorious, but I was surprised at how hard it was to understand the lyrics. I know the opera very well, so it wasn’t a problem for me, but I was in row M of the orchestra, and I saw many people around me using the super title displays.
LINDA VISTA Previews Sep 29
2019, 05:09:16 PM
Even 4th row center seats were less than ideal last night, and I’m fairly tall. I wouldn’t recommend sitting closer than 6th row or so. The stage is very high. Wasn’t it also high for Straight White Men?
Wait, do plays have “intended audiences” now? Did I miss that memo? Is Fiddler only for Jews? The Inheritance only for gays?
Slave Play coming to Broadway in September! Sep 17
2019, 07:07:31 AM
A Director, it was held 15-20 minutes. We didn’t get out of the theater until 10:30, making it a very long evening, about as bad as the long first act of the Glenda Jackson Lear.
I was one of the 900 or so theatergoers on Saturday night who was inconvenienced for about 45 minutes because (a) Telecharge sent an email and told us to get to the theatre early; and (b) Harris held the curtain for Rihanna. If she had been sitting near me and I had been distracted from watching the play because of her texting, I would have asked her to stop.
As Harris said, "It’s not bad behavior to sing along during a musical if the spirit possess you to.”
I beg to differ!!
Slave Play coming to Broadway in September! Sep 14
2019, 10:57:54 PM
Tonight’s Slave Play curtain was held 15 minutes so Rihanna and her entourage could arrive late for their 4th row orchestra seats. The rest of the audience managed to arrive on time.
Moulin Rouge Previews Aug 3
2019, 05:54:00 AM
I enjoyed Sahr Ngaujah‘s acting, but I found his singing painful to listen to. I thought he mangled “Nature Boy” (my favorite song in the show) with his off-pitch vocalizing and his inability to hit the high notes. I actually winced when he sang.
In the immortal words of Forbidden Broadway: "Hi, I'm Thoroughly Modern Millie, the WORST Best Musical ever!" I'm stunned that Encores has subverted their mission this much to produce a PC version of this mediocre musical. With decades worth of neglected musicals to showcase at Encores, THIS show cried out for a new (and revised) production? And regarding this new policy, will only living composers be allowed to rework their flawed musicals for Encores, or if the original ar
May 13
2019, 05:08:35 PM
I think it’s Love Life. The score was restored last year for a German production.
HIGH BUTTON SHOES May 12
2019, 03:45:21 PM
I actually liked Betsy Wolfe, but I thought the actor playing her husband had zero personality. She had to carry all of “I Still Get Jealous” herself.
Hopefully next season will be better. I’ve heard from a few people that “Love Life” is one of the shows next year. Hope that’s true!
FRANKIE AND JOHNNY Previews May 7
2019, 07:54:45 AM
Rudin is not attached to this production. I noticed they are selling tote bags downstairs near the bar. There may be other items.
FRANKIE AND JOHNNY Previews May 7
2019, 07:25:21 AM
For those who asked earlier, the stage is high so I would not recommend sitting in the first row. And yes, there is a lot of nudity at the beginning. Especially Michael Shannon. I read about a final stage effect at the end (which I won’t spoil) that didn’t work last night.
Fiddler in Yiddish Reviews May 5
2019, 05:02:54 PM
Walked by the theater and saw that Steven Skybell (Tevye) and five others were out at the matinee and evening performances today.
Victoria Clark - Lady in the Dark Apr 27
2019, 06:20:08 AM
I had my doubts about Vicki Clark being right for Lady in the Dark, but she was wonderful last night. Great singing and acting. The audience went wild for her Saga of Jenny. The huge choir must have brought the cast up to 150. And the orchestrations have been fully restored to Weill’s originals. How I would love a recording.
I Married an Angel @ Encores Mar 23
2019, 04:56:01 PM
I went in with lowered expectations after that terrible review in the Times, but I thought it was a delightful evening. How great to hear that score played by that glorious orchestra! Was it one of the top 10 Encores experiences, like Chicago or Boys From Syracuse or Most Happy Fella? No, but where else are we ever going to see this show with comparable production values? This is exactly the type of show Encores should be doing.
I was there last night, and it was a woman on the right
