Mary Cleere Haran

This is the fourth birthday celebration at the marvelous Feinsteins at the Regency.
The hotel, and particularly the room, are NYC to the bone.
Mary Cleere Haran has one of the most perfect voices in cabaret. Crystal clear with perfect diction, timing and pitch. The Harry Warren songbook was like a musical history class taught by the wisest and most beautiful teacher. It was a glorious, smoky, classy and magical performance. And so gracious after. A real lady. I look forward to seeing her back in circulation.
Mr. Broadway, Hal Prince, in the flesh. At my little birthday party. And Rex Reed, wishing me a happy one. Wow. 32 people, intimate and perfect.
Thank you baby, you did it again.

See What I Wanna See

Michael John LaChiusa's new musical at the Public Theater is an odd mix. Two one act musicals.
The first act, called R Shomon, was confusing. I didn't quite get what was happening until it was near the end. It would have been much more interesting if I had known that it was 5 different interpretations of the same chain of events.
The second act, Gloryday, was musically more cohesive. An interesting piece about a lapsed priest who starts a rumor, and changes everything.
The cast was terrific:
Idina Menzel: So cool to watch someone who is now a part of Broadway history so close. While I didn't think her character in the first act was cast right, she still performed it beautifully.
Mark Kudish: Has the most wonderful baritone.
Mary Testa: Can take any role and turn it into something amazing. I will see her in whatever she does.
Henry Stram: Particularly as the priest, adorable, perfect. I hope to see him in more.
Aaron Lohr: Wonderful in act 1 as the thief, second act reporter was bland, and miscast. Maybe it was just the role.
I love the Public theater. It feels just a little more serious, in a very mature way, than most theaters in New York. Nice Afternoon.

Broadway on the Bayou

Last night at Joe's Pub, Bryan Batt hosted a benefit for victims of Katrina. Unfocused and unthemed, it was an odd night. Highlights:
Ann Hampton Callaway and her sister Liz Callaway, doing a new duet by David Shire, and he accompanied them on piano. It's wild to hear siblings sing harmony. Pitch perfect.
Max Von Essen, stole an arrangement from his roommate, a song I had never heard, beautiful. He moves so well, even when he is standing still. You can't take your eyes off.
Melissa Errico, pregnant, singing a new Michel LeGrand song from her new album. Glorious.
Julia Murney, I have never seen her in anything, but wow, what a knock-out voice
Cady Huffman, singing "When you got it" from Producers. I guess that is now her signature song. Good for her for doing it.
Steve Rosen from Spamalot, sang a hilarious and kooky Broadway melody. So funny.
A couple people were just ok, and a couple were duds, especially Judy McClaine from Mama Mia trying to pull off Porgy and Bess. Sorry Judy, it isn't a mid-aged, dyed blond white woman song.
Evening, C
Company, A (Bill, Roland and John)
Host, C
Food, B
Atmosphere, A
Music, B

The Light In The Piazza

This is one of those musicals that everyone said "you must see". They said "beautiful music" and "wonderful performances" and "Victoria Clark is incredible". Thank you my dear Mary Grusin. You gave a gentle shove.
All true. Lovely story. A mother and (simple) daughter traveling Europe, a love affair. Unexpected, Selfish, Caring. All very moving.
The staging was clever. I like this theater. The Vivian Beaumont at Lincoln Center is almost half circle, the stage, very deep allowing sweeping movement, even running across the stage. It seems so large. Plenty of space for a cast of 12, Florentine sculpture and Italianate buildings.
The music was gorgeous. I absorbed it like a sponge. Beautiful and moving. It washed over me. It helped that all the voices were exquisite. Mostly the surprising Aaron Lazar as Fabrizio. Like Josh Groban. His voice stole every scene.
And Victoria Clarks' voice really surprised me, but in unusual places, like the quiet moments. Magnificent.
Bill didn't like it so much. He tried, but instead of washing over him, the music washed past him. Even when he isn't enjoying something, he is still only person I want by my side an any theater event. I am so lucky. (sorry John, you are on the other side)
Tom (so funny) and his parnter Ken were an unexpected treat. Ken is working on some original music for Macy's 4th of July next year, while completing a musical he received a grant to finish. I hope we get invited to the workshop. I love new works. As the lights faded, I saw them in the front row. What a crazy coincidence. We had a drink with them and their friends from NC (very sweet, and Brett had a surprising knowledge of theater for a southern Doctor. Wish we could have talked more)...Great way to end the night.

The Family Stone

Bill and I were invited to a screening with members of the National Board of Review to a new movie, The Family Stone, being released in December. The film was a light, but incredibly acted holiday story of a family (Diane Keaton and Craig T. Nelson as the parents) with 5 grown kids, and what happens when an uptight and inappropriate girl (Sarah Jessica Parker) is brought home as the new fiance.
The movie was cast perfectly. It moved smooth, smart dialogue. Lots of minor stories, all told to completion. The best being the relationship between the deaf gay son and his African American partner, adopting a baby. Lovely. If you are reading this, go see it in December.
After, there was a Q&A with Diane Keaton, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Luke Wilson. It was crazy being able to talk with Diane Keaton, Wow. And to meet her after, what a thrill. A legend. Bill talked with SJP. They are just like I thought they would be. Funny, smart, dedicated and gracious. A great afternoon.

Ashley Montana Goes Ashore in the Caicos

What a title... Ashley Montana Goes Ashore in the Caicos Or: What am I Doing Here?
The Flea is a lovely little off-off Broadway theater down off Church Street in Tribeca. The shows are directed by Sigourney Weaver's husband Jim Simpson. Last time we saw Mrs Farnsworth, this time...Oh My.
A series of sometimes cute vignettes, Roger Rosenblatt's play is a mess. Hard to follow, kooky, but not in a good way.
What would BeBe Neuwirth see in this script. She was fine, but not necessary.
Jeffrey DeMunn and James Waterston (Sam's son) were acceptable.
Jenn Harris was a hoot. Great subtle acting. Very funny too. After the show, she told us that she played the whole show to us 3 in the front row. Cute.
Meeting Bebe Newirth was like meeting Lilith. Cold, phony appreciation. Maybe she was having a bad night. I expected more.
She goes on the list with Joanna Gleason and Faith Prince as the exceptions to the "everyone in theater is so accessible, appreciative and nice" group of actors.
Jim Simpson thanked us for always coming and supporting his theater???
Fisher Stevens passed by.
Disappointing night of theater and celebs.

Umbrellas of Cherbourg

Three Rivers Theater is a lovely new theater in downtown Redbank. About half the cast was equity, although you would think it was 100%.
I never saw the original movie so I can't compare. The poster called it a Jazz musical. Music by Michel LeGrand.
Two criticisms, the lighting was horrible. The cast moved in an out of light to the point of irritation. It was such a distraction.
Second, it is always strange to hear a trained voice singing out of their element. Kind of like Kiri Tekanawas Jazz album or Rod Stewart singing from the American Songbook. Sometimes it works, others, not so much. The entire cast had Broadway trained voices. I kept thinking how much better it would have sounded with jazz singers. Pity, some of the music was lovely.
Max von Essen is a lovely singer with a charming presence. So much fun to watch him. Heather Spore as Genevieve, eh...that's all. Robyn Payne as Madaleine was the nicest surprise. A beauty with real acting chops. Underused in this role.
Thanks to John for dinner and a night at the theater. Great birthday gift. Thanks doll.