Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Book by Douglas McGrath Written by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur Words and Music by Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil Directed by Marc Bruni Choreography by Josh Prince Stephen Sondheim Theatre March 19, 2017 Production website 💉💉💉💉 out of 5.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical was such a warm and satisfying return to seeing shows after an unfortunate 3 month break due to something called “a job”. This was not my first time seeing Beautiful. I was there in the very early days of the show in late October 2013 with the outrageous debut of Jessie Mueller as Carole King. I so remember that first moment the light catches her out on stage at the grand piano simply singing one of many hit songs by Carole King – – my jaw dropped. How could any actress catch that oh, so unique voice of Carole King – – and how could any singer step into all of those high school memories I have with these songs and bring them all to life and let me relive the 1970’s all over again. Jessie Mueller was magical! Simply magical.
The Front Page
Written by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur Directed by Jack O’Brien
Broadhurst Theatre
January 4, 2017 Production website
💉💉💉 out of 5.
I think that I could just leave the theatre right now and nobody would know that I have gone. This is the feeling I had for the first hour or two of Front Page. After seeing so many shows that worked to bridge the distance between the actor and the audience, it was a shock to see a good ol’ fashioned realistic play where that fourth wall was truly being respected. To be honest it felt like I was watching really good TV. Continue reading The Front Page→
Oh, Hello on Broadway
Written by Nick Kroll and John Mulaney Directed by Alex Timbers
Lyceum Theatre
January 4, 2017 Production website
💉💉💉💉💉 out of 5.
I came to the theatre with so much prejudice. I came expecting precious little. I came hating the title of the play, the artwork of the poster and even the overly amateurishness of the costumes. I knew these guys were hits on YouTube (although, my fault, I had never heard of them). I knew it was going to be a lot of Jewish jokes (obviously) and New York jokes (obviously, obvious). I was so dead wrong. Continue reading Oh, Hello on Broadway→
les Liaisons Dangereuses
Written by Christopher Hampton Directed by Josie Rourke
Booth Theatre
December 30, 2016 Production website
💉💉 out of 5.
I experienced something in this show that I have never experienced (or at least in my memory – and certainly not in a Broadway show) – – I never knew it was over. The final card playing scene of the play was happening and then there was a pause in the talk and then the lights went out and the play was over. I felt like I had experienced some kind of lapse in consciousness. This moment meant nothing to me. Continue reading les Liaisons Dangereuses→
The Encounter
Conceived, Directed and Performed by Simon McBurney
Golden Theatre
December 24, 2016 Production website
💉💉💉💉 out of 5.
Performance Art is alive and kicking in New York City – and not is some wonderful, musty back corner of a warehouse but right here in the bright lights of Broadway! What about that!! Who would have “thunk.” Continue reading The Encounter→
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
