Martin Short, Fame Becomes Me

Fame becomes me is an ego-driven musical with music (and a guest starring role) by Marc Shaiman. The music was clever, if not particularly hysterical, and the cast, fantastic.
The concept is to showcase the many memorable characters Mr. Short has created over his many years with Second City and SNL. The thin plot is supposed to take us through his (barely) autobiographical early years, to his untimely death and rebirth, peppering the story with those characters. While Martin Short is a huge talent and character actor, I was a little stumped at the huge standing ovation at the end. The show was fluff, not a brilliant ride that people like Whoopi did so well. The pop culture references were already a little dated (ie: Brittany Spears dropping her baby, and Celine Dion husband jokes). In a few years, his humor will rival washed up comedians like Jackie Mason. Corny and uncomfortable.
Some memorable moments, when the fabulous Harvey Firestien was called up on the stage to be interviewed by Jiminy Glick (great and unscripted) and the surprise showstopper of Capathia Jenkins, Big Black Lady.
I love sitting in the front, very close, especially at shows like this. You see everything. Mr. Shorts sweat reminded me how hard he was working. It was like seeing the person behind the make-up. But recommend?, only if you are a die-hard fan.

Droog, Museum of Art and Design

My friend Pat has a daughter that works for the museum, a great space accross the street from Moma. She sent us several invitations (knowing that I work for a Dutch furniture company) to the opening reception for the Dutch design collective Droog exhibit.
We met up with Tom, Donna and David, and Patty for drinks before (great fun at Therapy) and the show. Also on hand were Huisraad collegue Connie and her lovely friend Maria.
The exhibit was a fascinating walk through some of the most creative design I have seen in ages. Droog takes everyday item, and rethinks them into extraordinary new visions. Some memorable pieces, the highly ornate radiator, the fence with cut-outs that holds garden tools accessable to neighbors on both sides of the fence, the bell-jar filled with fat, that melts as the inserted light bulb heats, the lazer cut parasol, and the tile kitchen with shaped tiles that funcition as utensils. Brilliant and mind-numbing simplicity and creativity. Bravo to MAD museum for an amazing show and party.

Jason Robert Brown at Birdland

He is an amazing pianist. I think there was smoke coming off the keys at one point. His voice is smooth, and his songwriting borders brilliant.
I've always loved singer/songwriters. I respect anyone who can not only compose, but write great lyrics and then be able to sell it. And sell it, Jason Robert Brown does. A long show with material from his new (fantastic) solo album, and from his shows Parade, Next Five Years, and the up-coming "Thirteen".
A few stand-out songs: The hilarious "V-E-G-A-S Spells Love", the desperate and beautiful "Someone to Fall Back On" and the lyrically tough "Someone Else's Cloths".
His guests were the Broadway belter Alice Ripley and his new "hip LA friend", jazz singer Kate McGarry. (note: order her CD)
First time at Birdland. Great set-up, acoustics and awful food. (note II:, eat elsewhere before the show). I felt a little bad for 1/3 of the room that had to look at the back of his head for two hours. Not the best room to see a pianist/singer. Great club though.

The Pain and the Itch

Last night was the first of our season subscription to Playwrights Horizons.
The lightning speed opener, the Pain and the Itch, was fantastic. The 2 hour ride through one families "crazy" and anothers loss. Bruce Norris weaves heavy charecter developement with wicked dialogue and overlapping conversations. Family disfunction mixed with political satire rules this play.
The cast, all unknown to me, were perfect, with the exception of the wife, who's voice was too soft to match her families anger, and the little girl, who did nothing but walk around the set with her red pony-tails bopping along. The Russian bride was brilliant and the mom was hysterical.
Great night, hope the rest of the season is this good.