Company

The best Broadway show this year. If you are reading this, go buy tickets now. In two weeks when it officially opens, there won't be tickets left. I predict the best reviews of the season.
Raul Esparza leads this brilliant cast in the most dense and mature of Sondheim shows. This 70's revival is clever, beautiful, intelligent, funny and sad. The entire cast, 5 couples, 3 women, and Bobby are amazing.
What a pleasure to see a show that has not been dumbed down. Smart and thoughtful. This is the same creative team that put together Sweeny last year, and this one works even better. The cast stays on stage and plays all the instruments. It never interferes, and in some cases (You Could Drive a Person Crazy) adds a clever departure from the very familiar original.
I have nothing but praise for this piece. This is why I love going to theater in NY. Most times it's good. On occasion, like last night, it brings tears to my eyes. This is as good as it gets.
We are going again next month, so I will write more about individual performances after seeing it again. The only thing I will say about them now is...Heather Laws...I smell a Tony.

Shawn Colvin

First time seeing Shawn Colvin live. Probably the last too. I have been a fan for a long time, but her music has gotten a little dark.
Brandi Carlisle opened for her last night at The Town Hall. Decent act. Her band was a cellist and a pair of twins that played back-up.
Shawn came out in the freakiest outfit. Crowd went wild. Maybe it was because I was by myself...nah...it was depressing. Some songs were good, but I decided then and there, I would not go see anymore concerts unless I was a big fan. I would rather spend the money on a Broadway show. Lesson learned.

Les Miserables

Ok, here goes.
How could so many talented people be so poorly cast and so tediously directed? This is one of the great shows. I couldn't help but feel a little taken as I left the theater. A few good performances, otherwise a very dull show.
Here are my thoughts on the cast:
Young Cosette: An asian girl?
Gary Beach as Thenardier: One of the few great casting choices
Ali Ewoldt as Cosette: She is sweet and has a pleasant voice, and kind of reminds me of Emmy Rossum,,,BORING
Jenny Galloway as Madame Thenardier: A fantastic performance from a terrific charecter actress.
Alexander Gemignani: "Stand here and sing this line, then move over here and gesture like this, ok now look up". Such a bad choice to lead this cast. Does he have any natural acting ability? It doesnt show here. And while his technique is nice vocally, he doesnt have the power to drive it. Not the right man for the job
Adam Jacobs as Marius: He was OK, I could see where they were going by casting him, but I thought AAron Lazar would have done a much better job.
Celia Keenan-Bolger: I didn't mind her as Eponine. And she died very well.
Aaron Lazar as Enjorlas: I love this guy, but Enjolras? That has to be a big studly leader. Mr. Lazar is a romantic lead. Wrong choice again.
Norm Lewis as Javert: One of the greatest voices on Broadway, now "not acting" and marking time through this show. Ashame. And we love him.
Gavroche: Another great death scene
Daphne Rubin-Vega: I know that all the critics will pan her, they will say that it sounds like Rosie Perez trying to pull it off. But I really liked her. She drew me in and gave the role something really new. Bravo Daphne
Drew Sarich as Grantaire: Who is this guy and why is he working on the Broadway stage? This American Idol sytle actor is so horrible with his cocky swagger, that he pulls focs from the real actors. The director really needs to tone him down. He made me very uncomofortable, the same way he did in Lestat.
So there it is folks, my thoughts on the revival of Les Mis, or as I will now call it, Mini-MIZ