A Streetcar Named Desire

I thought it would be work as the lights came up on Streetcar. A play I had never seen and always felt I needed to educational reasons. The play is wonderful. The performances, eh.
I think John C. Reilly is a terrible actor. Half the time he sounds as if he's dumbing down the lines, the other half sounds like a one-note high school kid, trying to be heard in the wings. Bad casting.
Amy Ryan did a fine job with Stella. Probably the most honest of the 3 main performances.
Natasha Richardson had the daunting task of carrying this very long (just under 3 hours) and heavy play. She's a lovely actress, but I hate to say, not quite up to the task of taking on Blanche DuBois. This is surely one of the most important roles for a woman in theater, and I never believed for a moment that she was unstable. I was watching an actress play like she was unstable. This role should transport the audience. It just didn't happen.

The Last Five Years

In a way, I'm glad that the season at George Street Playhouse is over. The dates have been fun, but the season tickets won't be renewed next year. The musical had moments, two characters showing their side of a failed relationship, he from the begining to the end, and she from year five back to 1. Good concept, some good music, but I didn't buy the acting by either one. Nice voices, no connection. Too bad. This could have been the one good show there this year. Just missed.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

4/20/05
Phew, two shows in a day. Good stuff.
Before the evening show, had a drink at Angus McIndoe's and saw David Hyde Pierce and Christopher Seiber. Bill and I had dinner with great friend Tom Zuback and his partner Ken, who is very interesting and nice to be around. Saw Bob Saget running to a comedy gig.
The musical was fun. John and I sat together with Bill across so we could watch his reactions. Circle in the Square is a great space, big enough to feel like you're seeing something important, but intimate enough to feel like you're seeing something special. The music was good, clean fun, and the performance that stood out was Dan Fogler as "William Barfee'". Funny funny funny.
Not brilliant, but worth every penny. Recommended.

Steel Magnolias

4/20/2005
Before the matinee, lunch with Donna Flagg and her business partner Patty. Great fun. Smart, sexy and fun business women.
Steel Magnolias,
Chris Ebersole - Great performance, layered. Nice friend to have and her husband has been so good to us.
Frances Sternhagen - She could make the phone book sound funny. So glad to finally see her live. Amazing actress.
Delta Burke - Will always be Susan Sugerbaker, fine by me, funny as hell.
Marsha Mason - Always liked her and told her so when we went back stage.
Lilly Rabe - OK, want to see her do something else.
Rebecca Gayheart - Same as above, want to see her do something else.
The play reads better than the movie. More subtle. It will be fun to see it again in August, see how the roles have grown.

Sweet Charity

It was one of those magical Broadway nights. One of those shows with the perfect cast, great show-tunes, brilliant choreography and a real star. Charlotte d'Amboise was amazing. I have never seen the kind of ovation like I saw last night. Roses thrown on stage after and immediate standing ovation. She dances better than anyone. You just can't take your eyes off of her. Denis O'Hare was funny and charming and cute. Paul Schoeffler was a perfect Vittorio and Janine LaManna and Kyra DaCosta were wonderful as Chrity's sidekicks, especially in "There's gotta be something better than this." A great, old fashioned son-and-dance show tune. How will CA keep up with this incredible cast? Mr. Weisler was in the audience. I would love to have been able to read his mind.
The chorus dancers were perfect. I wanted to stand after the Club Pompeii dance number. Perfect costume, lighting choreography and execution. Wow.
This is what I hope for every time I go into a Broadway theater. To come out the other end feeling like I just saw magic.
Bill Irwin in the audience? Shouldn't he be on stage with Kathleen Turner? Charlotte's pop Jaque was in the house. A legend in the dance world.
Fantastic night.

Woman Before A Glass

This one woman play about the life or Peggy Guggenheim is actually a snapshot of what was a very complicated life of one of Americas more interesting art patrons. I don't know if the play itself was written very well because I was so fascinated by Mercedes Ruehl's performance. She is one of those captivating actress' that you can't help but admire. Her mannerisms and especially her moments of joy are intoxicating. I walked away feeling mixed about this play. While I admire her for taking on such a tough character and enjoyed watching her act, I left feeling pretty empty, not knowing much more about Ms. Guggenheim then when I went in.

Purlie

Whoever thought it was a good idea to cast Blair Underwood as the lead in a Broadway musical should be fired. Last night in City Center Encores "Purlie", Mr Underwood mumbled his way through a dated story. When there was dialogue, he was often not understandable, with his fake southern drawl and thick, fast, low register way of talking. His singing was even worse, dropping every long note. Particularly evident during the duet with the lovely Anika Nani Rose. Boy is she good. Saw her in Caroline or Change last year. She has a powerhouse voice and looks about 15 years old. One to watch closely.
Lilias White was great while she was singing, but I still feel actors should know their lines better, even during "on the book" encores presentations. I get annoyed when they stumble or forget lines and have to pause to find their story on the page. Annoying. And John Cullum, who was wonderful in Sin, A Cardinal Deposed, had to rely almost completely on the book. A very disappointing night.
Great music, mixed talent and poor book. Felt like I was sitting through required theater watching in a high school course on Broadway.