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Mack & Mabel City Center Encores! Feb 20
2020, 04:17:10 AM
I saw it Wednesday night, had zero expectations. The ONLY thing I knew about the show was that somehow Bernadette Peters was connected to it. I moved to NYC in 1976, so that was before I got here. I never read programs - I just want to see what's in front of me. I don't care what the actors have done before. In the last Encores show I saw a few years ago, the actors had scripts in their hands, so that's what I expected last night.
I was pleasantl
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Almost Famous Musical in the Works From Cameron Crowe and Tom Kitt Aug 2
2019, 01:16:39 AM
If you have never seen the director's cut of this film, I highly recommend it. There's a lot of really funny stuff that got edited out of the commercial release -- it's worth tracking down, and I hope some of it finds its way to the stage.
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Has anyone recognized actors anywhere but a show? Aug 2
2019, 01:09:32 AM
I literally ran to catch the #1 last week at 59th Street, just made it, the doors closed, and who was standing in front of me? Lenny Wolpe, who is a character actor/singer who I saw many times in my favorite show, "The Drowsy Chaperone." He played Feldzig, the producer (get it? Zigfeld scrambled). Always wore a suit. He was in very casual clothes, hot day, and I blurted out, "Aren't you Lenny Wolpe?" I guess loud enough for other straphangers to turn and look --
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Should I watch Moulin Rouge Movie? Jul 23
2019, 04:18:56 AM
Interesting question. I was at a show tonight and chatted up the people next to me about the opening of Moulin Rouge (I saw it last week -- LOVED it) and I HATED the movie. Coincidentally, LAST NIGHT this couple watched the film version (which they had never seen) to see if they wanted to get tickets to the musical, but they BOTH hated the movie, and decided against it.
I told them don't let the movie get in the way of their decision. I would tell anyone NOT to watch th
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Moulin Rouge seating Jul 17
2019, 01:05:03 AM
I got in the cancellation line at 7 PM and was assured something would shake loose, and since I was first in line I should not leave. At 7:25 a ticket did shake loose -- H 104 -- as good as it gets. Fifteen minutes later a man sat next to me who bought his in the cancellation line (which is right by street-side box office window to the right of the entrance to the theater). There's a sign that clearly marks where the line starts, and the box office clerk told me to stand where he could see me directly, which I did. My ticket cost $199, steep, but really great location.
They are wise to let audience members take pictures before the show -- it's like they've got a thousand volunteer press agents. So bring your camera and snap away beforehand.
I'm someone who didn't care for the film -- I came to see Danny B -- been following him since Drowsy Chaperone. THIS time he is going to finally win the Tony -- he always brings an extra something to each role. The audience LOVED him -- they loved everyone -- it's a first rate cast in every way, and the reason why people go out to live shows. Three women in front of me were all from Atlanta -- came up specifically to see this show. They were over the moon. Yes, it's expensive, but there's nothing else like it -- it's for shows like this that I'm happy to be a New Yorker -- look what we've got going on eight times a week just down the street.
I don't know what the cancellation line experience has been at other performances. I stood in the cancellation line many times for "South Pacific" (Danny B was "Billis" and saw it at least a dozen times that way. It's always safest to do it solo, but for SP I did get a pair of tickets more than once. One thing about cancellation line tickets I've learned is that often these are house seats let go the last hour, and house seats tend to be in the best locations. It's a gamble, but a fun gamble. The man who sat next to me has run a regional theater for more than 25 years up in Rochester, NY -- very interesting guy, and he LOVED this show, too -- going solo to theater, esp a popular show, you are bound to meet interesting people, so if it's before 8 PM, turn off your computer and go get yourself a ticket.
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Half Time cast recording to be released Jul 10
2019, 02:40:33 PM
I saw this show twice -- once in Chicago when it was "Gotta Dance" and then "Halftime" at Paper Mill. I was so happy for Georgia to be the star -- she was adorable as the schoolteacher/secret hip hop fan -- it was just a whole lotta fun, and I had high hopes for the show.
Anyone who remembers the Mary Tyler Moore Show remembers Georgia surprising performance of "Steam Heat" (tried to find it online but it seems to be taken down for copyright reasons). She had thousands of fans across the country and I think many of them would have made it to Broadway to see her star turn. In Chicago the audience was absolutely over the moon for her. Happy to hear there's a cast recording. When I saw it at the Paper Mill I went with a friend of Georgia's and made this short video, which includes the stage door action and Georgia backstage. You can hear how much the audience enjoyed it -- https://youtu.be/IheKOWcJV7Y
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So is it okay for audience members to sing along during musicals? May 30
2019, 02:58:49 AM
At the end of his life, not many things could bring joy to my long-time love, but "South Pacific" could. I nearly went broke buying tickets for it because it made him so happy.
Sometimes too happy. As anyone who's seen it knows, "Some Enchanted Evening" is one of the first songs that Emile DeBecque sings. This was the Lincoln Center production, with the golden voiced Paulo Szot, who won the Tony for lead actor in a musical.
One ni
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Who would you cast in Trump The Musical? May 2
2019, 02:01:59 PM
Trump: Nathan Lane
Melania: Laura Benanti
Pence: Steve Martin
Mrs. Pence: Faith Prince
Mueller: Jeff Daniels
Barr: Norbert Leo Butts
Ivanka: Kerry Butler
Jared: Santino Fontana
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TOOTSIE the Musical: PREVIEWS START Mar 30
2019, 01:24:46 PM
In the second act, not since The Producers have I heard an audience laugh this loud and long. Some were gasping for breath because they laughed that hard. When Santino tripped and fell it was obvious how much the audience was into the show -- they roared their approval as they watched him quickly improvising to get the comic rhythm back on track -- one of those unexpected moments when you feel just how into the show the crowd is.
I sat next to a 3-generation family -- tw
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Merrily We Roll Along Previews (2019) Jan 17
2019, 08:22:05 PM
I wasn't going to weigh in, but after reading a lot of these comments I thought my point of view might be interesting to you. It seems like almost everyone who's posted here has seen the show more than once -- and some of you have seen it many times. I am not a theater person (came to my first Broadway show at the age of 24), but now I love it and look at every production as a learning experience.
I never read a program before a show. I do
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Jeff Daniels -- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD contract? Sep 16
2018, 01:34:45 AM
natashalost said: "Just wondering if anyone knows how long Jeff Daniels is contracted for?
I was looking at tickets for my mother and I for April, about 6 months after they start performances, but want to be sure he'll be there, as he's the reason I'm taking her. Thanks in advance!"
He told me he was in for a year. He's takes his work so seriously, has a terrific work ethic..
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Tootsie - Chicago tryout Sep 13
2018, 12:21:17 PM
For fans of Santino Fontana, here's a 15 min film he made 7 years ago, "Newsworthy," https://vimeo.com/46588905 where he plays a cool-head high school teacher opposite Noah Robbins' rambunctious high school sophomore. It was directed by Jeremy Robbins, Noah's brother (the whole family is talented).
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HEAD OVER HEELS Previews Jul 25
2018, 09:45:08 PM
I want to love everything. I went with a friend who had a last minute extra ticket and mistakenly told me it was based on the music of The Bangles. I liked them, didn't love them, but still . . .
One thing I will never understand is when a show is given a title you've heard a million times before -- like -- head over heels. When Oprah had her TV show, she had a writer on named Janet Fitch who wrote a book called "White Oleander,"
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Band's Visit not worth 9 Tonys Jun 13
2018, 02:09:48 PM
I saw this, went by myself, sat upstairs. I never connected with it, which I think is because it is small, and quiet, and subtle, slow moving, and at times dimly lit, and whatever magic it conjures up just didn't reach some of us sitting upstairs.
When it was over the woman sitting next to me (we hadn't spoken before this) turned to me and said, "That's IT?" She laughed, pointed out people in the orchestra section giving it a standing ovation, and she said,
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Mordden on Theater Talk Apr 10
2018, 03:19:33 AM
JAS said: "With the current, contentious production of CAROUSEL probably frozen by now, I can’t help thinking that this thoughtful, insightful article by Ethan Mordden should’ve been required reading for the current creative team:
https://culturaladvantages.blogspot.com/2018/04/rodgers-and-hammersteins-carousel.html?spref=tw&m=1"
That's a wonderful piece of writing. I have seen this production twice - the first preview and then a month later. I LOVED the first preview, despite the missing songs, and went back, naively thinking they'd have been restored and some of the rough patches smoothed. But something's not right; can't figure out what. I loved the '94 revival, and wanted to love this. The article above explains the history of the original story that inspired, "Carousel," and maybe that explains the lack of joy in this production, if they went back to the original source material. The music and the dancing are sublime, and I have friends who've seen it and love it unconditionally. Will be interesting to read the reviews.
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People Leaving at Intermission Apr 10
2018, 02:35:17 AM
Someone mentioned here how rude it is to leave during the curtain call. Dame Edna had a solution for that.
As she is taking her bows inevitably a few Type A personalities are rushing up the aisle to beat the crowd. Suddenly the music stops, the house lights go out and a spotlight is focussed on one of them scurrying up the aisle, who suddenly freezes.
"Oh, too bad you are leaving," Dame Edna would sigh. "You were going to win the car."
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Subways are for Sleeping Rights/Libretto Mar 1
2018, 12:49:59 AM
I saw it, too, and loved it. There's just a few more performances this week, with just a handful of tickets available at the York Theater. Contact them immediately if you want to see it.
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Way too early 2018 Tony Predictions Thread Mar 1
2018, 12:48:00 AM
Alex Gemignani, featured actor in a musical (Carousel).
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CAROUSEL (2018) Previews Mar 1
2018, 12:46:12 AM
I was in the next to last row of the balcony, against the wall -- not a great seat -- but I loved the performance and watched what looked like the entire balcony and orchestra section leap out of their seats at curtain, wildly cheering, so many many people loved what they saw. It wasn't a perfect performance, but there were many highlights (I think Alex G's solo in the first act was thrilling). Yes, Renee was a bit hesitant at the start, but by the end her gorgeous voice fl
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ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE Previews Feb 20
2018, 05:24:03 PM
JB's song, "Come Monday" on the cast album, last night wasn't in the show. Too bad -- it's one of his best. I was up in the balcony, next to last row, and though there may have been rumors that upstairs is where the partying is, there was none that I saw. Though there were a bunch of empty seats.
I never saw so many actors work so hard at trying to look like they were having "fun." Every trick in the book was used -- actors on wires -- f
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