Although I do not know all of the words to any ONE song in Chicago, I certainly know some of the words to most songs – – and none of this gets in my way of singing the complete score as I pack my way back to LGA and to Jacksonville. How can Chicago ever be a bad choice? – even if they kept the curtain closed and just played the music, most of us would be more then happy to sit there for two hours and silently sing along. Continue reading Chicago – My Head is Full of Songs→
“What If” guides this “future history” play. What if the Queen of England was dead? What if Charles was REALLY up next in line to be king? What if he decided to be more than a figurehead and assert powers that the royal family has not exerted in generations? What if he didn’t sign a bill recently passed by the House of Commons? What if he pulled out dusty old books of royal precedent and found that he could shut down parliament and demand a re-election. What if the King of England just said, “NO.” Continue reading King Charles III→
Fool for Love passed the “gay test.” The first criteria that I look for in enjoying Sam Shepard is the amount of gay that I find on stage. Obviously I celebrate all that gay artists and particularly stage artists have done – – but I do not like gay with my Sam Shepard. If it isn’t 100% straight, then it just doesn’t tell the story and fits like bad, off-the-rack clothing.
This play was bleak and sexually explosive. Seldom did they ever mention the sex act and even more seldom they didn’t go to the easy, cheap overplayed crudeness in language that would fuel a play say by David Mamet. Little was said or done with the sexuality but you won’t find a play that smokes with lust more then this. Continue reading Fool for Love→
It Should Have Been You
books and lyrics by Brian Hargrove
music and concept by Barbara Anselmi
directed by David Hyde Pierce
starring Tyne Daly
July 26, 2015 Production website 💉💉💉 out of 5.
I never expected this to be such a sweet experience. Although the story of the day-of-the-wedding-blues and accombant regret has been told over and over – It Should Have Been You seemed oh, so fresh to me. The play was certainly built on the fun of the Jewish family marrying up with the decidedly not-Jewish. The wit is quick. The mother-in-laws, featuring Tyne Daly and Harriet Harris simply rock with comic timing, but it is the big, belting number of the plus-size sister played by Tony-nominee Sierra Goggess that sealed the success of the matinee. Her anthem, “Jenny’s Blues” nearly brought the house to its feet. She so deserved each and every moment. Continue reading It Should Have Been You→
starring Patti Lupone
written by Douglas Carter Beanie
directed by Jerry Zaks
Lincoln Center Theatre at the Mitzie E. Newhouse
June 21, 2015 Production website 💉💉 out of five.
Patti LuPone is the matriarch to a community theatre in the midwest. Does it get any betting then this?! Well perhaps. Shows for Days is all to familiar for any theatre geek. Don’t we all remember that first community theatre when we walked in totally in awe of the place and the beyond-over-the-top personalities and all of their sins of drinking, smoking and post-IHOP sleeping around. I so remember my first days in these broken down store front theatres! Also, remember that one matriarch that all worshiped and who gave her entire world to keep a troupe together and push out show after show after show fighting to keep money, personalities, and even the law at bay long enough to get the show on the boards. Continue reading Shows for Days→
Chicago
Shows for Days