Play It Cool -theater row in September

[Claudia Draper]

I am excited for this show. Sally Mays is extraordinary in it. Saw it at NYMF in '08 and last year at NAMT.. it's about 50's gay hollywood.. A "jazz noir" . Great score and lyrics by the creator of Naked Boys Singing. They released a concept album with Lea Delaria which is great.. I hope it's the sleeper hit of next season..

[Dollypop]

I hope Josh Strickland is in this version. He was terrific in the show.

[uncageg]

I just stumbled on it a few weeks ago and plan to see it this weekend. They have a website up and you can listen to the entire score.

http://www.playitcoolmusical.com/

[breathyfemalevocal]

Claudia, would you (or anyone else whos seen this) please give more specific information from your previous viewing? I'm seriously considering this for my partner and me on an upcoming trip to NYC, but feel I don't know enough to make a decision.

Is Play It Cool a traditional musical with stage/audience separation or more of a "cabaret" type experience staged around the audience? Is it a "normal" musical with songs that progress the story or are the songs more just to set the "noir" mood and not really part of the story?

Running time?

I guess I'm just confused by the nightclub setting described in the summary and want to be sure it is a full musical, not just a cabaret act.

Thanks!

[Luv2goToShows]

From Telecharge:

Running Time: 2 hours and 10 minutes, including one intermission

[uncageg]

Has anyone else seen this?

[michellek45]

Really interested in seeing this, but does anyone know if they have any kind of discounts available? I've looked on the Play It Cool website and Theater Row's website, but I know that there are other places where you can get discount.

[WhizzerMarvin]

I saw it last week and very much enjoyed it. The book isn't perfect and has a few heavy-handed lines, but those can easily be cleaned up. The score is overall very strong, and it's nice to hear a set of lyrics that sound natural and easy to take in without cringing every other rhyme. The music is reminiscent of "City of Angels" and I truly hope it gets recorded.

The true strength is the cast, especially the wonderful Sally Mayes. I feel like she's found her best role (spoiler?) as a lesbian who likes to dress up in men's clothing! Her connection to the jazzy is evident and she possesses the right combination of vulnerability and harden anger to pull off the character.

To answer some questions, it is a traditionally structured musical. It's not a song cycle, and though some of the songs are performed as club acts some are also book songs, and even the club songs reflect the thoughts of the characters. It takes place in a nightclub, that's all...kind of like "Cabaret" in structure.

When I bought my ticket there was a discount code for $25 seats- don't know if that's still valid. It's certainly worth the money for Mayes' stellar performance.

[breathyfemalevocal]

I just checked. Theatermania.com is still offering $25-$39 tickets with their discount code.

[michellek45]

Thanks! I'm really excited to see this- it looks great.

[Claudia Draper]

It is a old fashion, fabulous musical. There are discounts, the score has been recorded, an LA cast recording is available on amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Play-Cool-Original-Angeles-Cast/dp/B000H30MDU/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1315962000&sr=1-4

Opens tomorrow. The sleeper of the broadway season. Mayes is sepectuclar. GO!!

[uncageg]

They are also doing 20@20. 20 dollars 20 minutes before curtain.

[After Eight]

I'd give it a B-. The writing is rudimentary, the score is creditable, if jazz is your thing, but Sally Mayes is a standout.

[MotorTink]

I saw this a few years ago at the theater festival with Josh Strickland in it. From what I remember I enjoyed it.

[HBBrock]

Saw this tonight....the place was half empty (and it's only 199 seats as it is)..I was bored most of the show...and while Sally Mayes was GOOD, her performance is over-hyped. The music was decent, but forgettable.

And from what I gathered fro the rest of the audience, it seemed like almost everyone thought "EH" - very mellow applause all night.

[Pammylicious]

I saw this last night and walked out during intermission. It bored me to death, imo