My 15 days on Broadway

[BroadwayMan5]

Posted: 5/20/12 at 5:46pm

I just returned from a two week trip to New York and had the chance to watch 16 Broadway shows and attend 3 other events. Here are my thoughts.

The Best Man 3/5
Liked the 1964 movie more than this production. Jones and McCormack were MVPs.

Clybourne Park 2/5
Not impressed by this one. One could argue that it deals with issues which ring true to the Americans but it left me cold.

Death of a Salesman 5/5
I loved this. Top notch acting and I appreciated the use of the music and sets of the original production. It brought an air of authenticity that made the whole experience even more moving.

Evita 4/5
Maybe it’s because I know this show so well, I loved the production. I had no problems with any of the performers. I actually liked Ricky Martin more than Cerveris, who had the more thankless role. I can understand why some people complain about Rogers, but I really liked her. It’s a very original Evita, with wonderful acting moments.

Gatz 4/5
While in the first few hours you think that this will turn out to be a masterpiece, after the 3rd hour it wears out and the slapstick elements in the second part of the show were a bit too much for me. A fascinating experience though.

How to Succeed in Business… 2,5/5
Can’t understand how this musical got a Pulitzer. Sure it was fun, but nothing more. Great sets. Beau Bridges seemed bored and Michael Urie and Tammy Blanchard stole the show. I was really surprised that I liked Nick Jonas more as an actor than as a singer. His voice was week, but his acting was good (at least for this particular role. What was more interesting than the actual show was the way Jonas decided to thank his fans outside the stage door. Since this was his last matinee instead of signing autographs he brought his guitar and a microphone out in the street and sang 5 of his songs for the screaming fans. P.S. Bernadette Peters was in the audience for the show.

The Lyons 2/5
I liked the first part and enjoyed Linda, but her character never seemed true. It’s all downhill after the intermission. Not a well structured or well written play. Pity.

Medieval Play 1/5
This was a trainwreck. To be fair I only watched the third preview and left at the intermission, but after 2 hours of stupidity I wasn’t looking forward to 1,5 more. I usually like Lonergan’s work but this one is a misfire. And the tragedy is that I felt that the actors know this as well.

One Man, Two Guvnors 4,5/5
What a marvelous production and what a fun night at the theatre. I had seen it previously in London but I still enjoyed it. James Corden and the whole cast were marvelous. And I loved the audience reaction during the intermission. Everyone was shocked by that diner scene. LOL.

Once 4/5
The two charismatic protagonists and the energetic ensemble were incredible. Some amazing songs, others not so much. I never got that supporting actress tony nomination though. Great idea to use the set before the show and during the intermission.

Other Desert Cities 3/5
It was the wonderful cast that saves this show. While the play starts interestingly and the characters are developed nicely, I didn’t buy the second part of the story at all. Channing, Light and especially Sadowski were excellent, while Elizabeth Marvel was the weakest link of a wonderful cast.

Peter and the Starcatcher 2/5
Really disappointed by this one. I think this production would fit better in a smaller more intimate place. I liked the lack of the use of technology in a Broadway theatre, but I’ve seen much better stagings of such a concept before.

Porgy and Bess 2,5/5
Audra McDonald was incredible, but the staging was very lazy and boring. Nice voices from the whole ensemble.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert 2/5
Didn’t expect much, didn’t get much. I had a nice time listening to some great disco tunes, while admiring the wonderful Tony Sheldon.

Sleep No More 5/5
A unique experience that nobody should miss. No, you never really learn anything about the story of Macbeth, but who cares.

Venus In Fur 3/5
Love the dynamics between the two actors. Both were wonderful.

I also attended the Rufus Wainwright concert at the BAM, the Drama League Awards at the Marquis (a surreal lunch) and a taping of the Today Show with Jon Steward all of which were great.

[Huss417]

Posted: 5/20/12 at 6:07pm

From the subject line at first I thought you might have been in Leap of Faith but that did run a little longer. :)

Nice assortment of shows you did see.

[rjm516]

Posted: 5/20/12 at 6:25pm

Lucky to see so many shows but dayum you didn't like some gems!

[Bwaydide92]

Posted: 5/20/12 at 7:31pm

I thought it was going to be about a Leap of Faith cast member too

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/20/12 at 7:36pm

Dammit Huss, that was the joke I wanted to use!

[Emmaloucbway]

Posted: 5/20/12 at 7:49pm

I don't wanna be "that person," but it's Elena ROGER.
still sounds like you had an amazing trip!!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/20/12 at 7:57pm

Actually she pronounces it "Ro-yer" so you're both wrong.

[mc1227]

Posted: 5/20/12 at 8:37pm

Some great shows....can't think of a better way to spend 15 days...

[Huss417]

Posted: 5/20/12 at 8:56pm

It is scary a few of us had the same thought. :) Funny in a warped way.

[willep]

Posted: 5/21/12 at 12:01am

I'd be lying if I said that wasn't my first thought as well...haha